President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community
“Beauty is a subjective concept. What seems beautiful to one person may seem completely different to another. But there are places that are recognized as beautiful by almost everyone and become objects of admiration. And often these are not big cities, but towns and villages, of which there are many in Russia. I will tell you about the most interesting ones below.”
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Uvek, Saratov region
On the picturesque bank of the Volga near Saratov lies Uvek, today a small village and in the 13th and 14th centuries the urban centre of the Golden Horde. Uvek, which then bore the name Ukek – translated as “great”, was a large trade and craft centre on the road from Bulgar to Sarai, where Tatars, Kipchaks, Bulgars, Russians, Byzantines and representatives of other peoples lived.
Today, archaeological excavations remind us of the bygone days of Uvek, helping to recreate residential buildings, estates, religious and public buildings. And in early autumn a rural festival is held on the Volga – “A Day in the Life of a Medieval Town”.
Photo: Yandex Maps
Astashovo, Kostroma region
Astashovo is a village in the Kostroma region that became famous thanks to its unusual Forest Tower. The story of its appearance is like a fairy tale. Built at the end of the 19th century in the deep forests of the Chukhloma region, in Soviet times it was “protected” by the village council and then remained forgotten and abandoned for a long time, until a group of enthusiasts took up the restoration of the tower.
The result of their work was a truly unique place: a fabulous manor house in the style of a country estate, built in the spirit of a “living museum”. Here you can spend the night, try Russian cuisine, go to the bathhouse, in winter go skiing and sledding, and in summer walk along forgotten forest paths and drink tea by a campfire.
Photo: From the personal archive of Vladimir Vinogradov.
Vorzogory, Arkhangelsk region
The Pomeranian village of Vorzogory is the quintessence of the Russian North. On the shores of the White Sea, under the low northern sky, with ancient wooden churches shining silver – everything is like in Pomeranian legends. You can get there only by water, crossing Onega by boat. Near the water is the famous Vorzogorsk “tee” – a complex of the wooden church of St. Nicholas, the Vvedenskaya church and a bell tower of the 18th century, of which there are hardly a dozen in the whole world. The inhabitants of Vorzogorsk were known as masters of woodworking: they built not only churches, but also wooden ships for the Solovetsky monastery. Even today they continue to restore objects of wooden architecture, preserving these amazing masterpieces of northern architecture for posterity.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Berezino, Pskov region
The small village of Berezino in the “Pskov distances” is an undeservedly forgotten place. Located a couple of kilometers from the legendary Pushkin and Mikhailovsky mountains, it reminds not only of Alexander Sergeevich himself, but also of another writer, Sergei Dovlatov. While working in the reserve, Dovlatov rented a room in Berezina: “On the table I saw a color portrait of Mao from Ogonyok.” Nearby Gagarin smiled broadly. Pasta floated in a sink with black circles of chipped enamel. Walkers were standing. That is why the village, although it does not enjoy the fame of its famous neighbor Pushkinogorsk, is also literary in its own way. And also very beautiful, buried in greenery and herbal aromas.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Esso, Kamchatka region
Esso is an atypical village in every respect. Firstly, it is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano, which, frankly, is a rare thing in Russia. Secondly, on the main square of the village there is not an administrative building or a monument to Lenin, but an active thermal spring – after all, Kamchatka obliges. Finally, within the boundaries of tiny Esso, two excellent museums have been opened: an ethnographic one, built in the tradition of a 17th-18th century official hut, and the Toptygin and Toptyzhka Bear Museum. And the nature surrounding Esso is fantastic – there are volcanoes, rivers, and a wealth of Far Eastern vegetation.
Photo: kamgov.ru
Ferapontovo, Vologda region
The small village on the shores of the picturesque lakes Borodaevskoye and Paskoye got its name from the Ferapontov Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God – a beautiful white-stone ensemble with unique frescoes by Dionysius. The monastery, separated from the village by a river, looks at it from a high bank, but does not oppress, but serves as a spiritual landmark.
Against the background of the northern sky, the white walls and hipped domes look especially impressive, causing awe and wonder. And in the village itself, apart from the fascinating nature, there is something to see: this is the ethno-museum “Russian Life” with household items from the Vologda people, and the museum complex “Tsypino” with the wooden church of Elijah the Prophet of the 18th century and the workshop “Kurakinskaya Ceramics”.
Photo by: RIA Novosti
Vyatskoye, Yaroslavl region
The village of Vyatskoye near Yaroslavl bears the official title of the most beautiful village in Russia and is even included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. However, in Russia it is better known as the “corner of St. Petersburg” and, in fact, is somewhat reminiscent of the northern capital. The fact is that Vyatka peasants participated in the construction of St. Petersburg. And returning to their native village, they brought with them the latest ideas and urban planning trends.
The characteristic image of “St. Petersburg” has been preserved today: the Vyatskoye Historical, Cultural and Museum Complex has been opened in the village, which houses restaurants, a hospital and 15 museums. Among the latter there are quite entertaining ones: “Museum of Russian Entrepreneurship”, “Museum of Kitchen Equipment” or “Sounds of Time”. All this is surrounded by Central Russian landscapes, familiar, understandable and loved by many.
Photo by: RIA Novosti
Places you will never forget await you at the following link:
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