The lake and canal system of the Solovetsky Islands is a unique natural and man-made ensemble and an outstanding example of the Solovetsky Monastery’s economic activity.
Consisting of an extensive network of canals linking natural lakes, it was developed between the 15th and 20th centuries to ensure a sustainable water supply for the monastery, its hermitages, and pustyns. These water resources supported a wide range of economic and functional activities, including fresh water supply and the operation of hydraulic and industrial installations.
Over several centuries, around 20 lake—canal systems were created in the Solovetsky Archipelago. This was made possible by the presence of up to 1,000 lakes, covering more than 10% of the archipelago’s surface area.
The most famous feature is the lake and canal system of the Holy Lake (Svyatoye Ozero) on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island, known as the Svyatoozerskaya system. Construction of this system began in the late 15th century, driven by the need to build the first water mill. This marked the monastery’s initial foray into the design of lake and canal water-management systems to regulate and control the flow of water.
During the 16th-century tenure of Hegumen Philip (Kolychev), the system on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island underwent large-scale reconstruction and expansion, with water from the lakes being directed toward Holy Lake (Svyatoye Ozero) and the walls of the Solovetsky Monastery. Centuries of activity ultimately led to the incorporation of 65 lakes and 69 canals into the system, providing the monastery with drinking water from the Holy Lake (Svyatoye Ozero) and ensuring the operation of water mills.
In addition to the monks, hired workers and devout pilgrims were also involved in building the canals.
Water barriers were built, and weirs and locks were constructed to regulate the flow of water in the canals. These locks made the canals navigable, and boats — and later steamboats — were used to transport cargo such as hay, firewood, bricks, and timber.
The development of the navigable lake and canal system continued until 1918. Ancient canals were expanded, with their banks reinforced using rubble masonry, wooden sheathing, and piles. Dams, locks, piers, decks, and bridges were also built.
The lake and canal system still supplies the monastery and the Solovetsky Settlement with drinking water.
It is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take rowing boat trips on the lakes and canals to appreciate both the engineering ingenuity of the designers and the surrounding natural beauty. There are two main tourist routes: the Small Ring (about 6 km) and the Big Ring (about 11 km).
Similar lake and canal systems were also constructed on the islands of Anzer and Bolshaya Muksalma.