The White Sea is an area with a long history that is mostly unknown to the West. The Russian navy was established in the port of Arkhangelsk by Peter the Great; in the Middle Ages the city became Russia’s gateway to commerce with northern Europe; and, in the last century, a long line of explorers departed from here on many famous polar expeditions.The Solovetskiy Archipelago played a major role in Russian religious and political history. In the early 15th century, a small monastery founded on Bolshoy Solovetsky Island by hermit monks. By the 17th century, the monastery had spread across several islands, with a network canals to connect buildings and to transport fresh water from the interior lakes. What began as a remote hermitage developed into a strategic defense post and grew into an important political force in the White Sea region.
Between the late 18th century and the Russian Revolution in 1917, the monastery fought brutal battles with invading Swedes, Germans, and Finns who sought to raid the island coffers, art treasures, and vast library collection that had been amassed there. In the early 1920's, the Bolsheviks under Stalin closed the monastery, killed most of the clergy, and turned the buildings into the Solovki Camp of Special Designation—a concentration camp for their ideological enemies: teachers, writers, artists, men of the church, etc.
The 'Gulag Archipelago', as the Solovetskys came to be known, was the first of a Russia-wide system of labor camps where millions of Russians were imprisoned and killed. The conditions at Solovki were unspeakable and thousands of prisoners died here before the camp was finally closed in 1938.
The 10-day 'Secrets of the White Sea' voyage departs Murmansk on 17 July 2011 and finishes in Arkhangelsk. Voyage prices start from US$6,90, and include overnight accommodation and a city highlights tour in Murmansk, plus group transfers in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk.
For an overview of Aurora Expeditions take a look at the brand new Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine profile for Aurora Expeditions, or visit the official web site at http://www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
