Panozero (Paanajärvi) is a village in White Sea Kapeliya. It is situated on the bank of the river Kem. It is the only large proper Karelian village in this region which preserved historical planning and elements of building.

By the example of the village two typical stages of the evolution of rural settlements can be illustrated. The first of them is represented by two-row riverside planning of the insular part of Panozero where the facades of houses are directed simultaneously to the south and to the river. This is the main element of the structure of the settlement. The second stage represents street structure of continental village formed in the second half of XIX century due to increasing structural role of roads, importance of internal public room of the village (as a result of enforcement of peasant land community – "obschina"), and finally, the measures of local authorities to regulate planning and building of rural settlements.

The interest in the village of Panozero is growing in connection with the fact that Russian and Karelian construction traditions are joined here, and their mutual influence and enrichment are shown. Besides, Panozero is a perfect place for fishing. Ethnographical holidays are also organized there.

Panozero is also important as one of the folk stories villages of the White Sea Karelia. Finnish and Russian collectors of folklore often visited the village in the 19th century.

Finnish fund “Yuminkeko” is carrying out an activity on maintaining and developing of the village, as well as against its inundation in case of resumption building Belovezhskaya hydropower station.

In 2006 the village of Panozero was given the medal of Europe Nostra. This award is presented for maintenance of cultural heritage. Panozero was the first village in Russia which was given this award.

Sources:

Newspaper "News of Karelia"

Tourism portal Karelia