Open Air Museums: 7 Russian Villages You Should Visit

Predsednik Pro-Vision, avtor skupnosti Vinogradov.story

“Beauty is a subjective concept. What seems beautiful to one person may look 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 villages and hamlets, of which there are a lot in Russia. I will tell you about the most interesting ones below.

Uvek, Saratov region

On the picturesque bank of the Volga, under the side of Saratov, is Uvek – now a small village, and in the XIII-XIV centuries – the urban center of the Golden Horde. Uvek, which then bore the name Ukek – translated as “big” – was a major trade and craft center on the way from Bulgar to Sarai, where Tatars, Kipchaks, Bulgars, Russians, Byzantines and representatives of other peoples lived.

Today archaeological excavations remind about the former times of Uvek, which help to recreate dwelling houses, farmsteads, religious and public buildings. And in early fall, a rural festival “One Day in the Life of a Medieval Town” is held over the Volga River.

Astashovo, Kostroma region

Astashovo is a village in the Kostroma region, which became famous thanks to the unusual Forest Terem. The story of its appearance is akin to a fairy tale. Built at the end of the XIX century in the remote forests of Chukhlomsky district, in the Soviet times it was “sheltered” by the village council, and then it stood forgotten and abandoned for a long time – until a group of concerned enthusiasts took up the restoration of the terem.

The result of their work was a truly unique place – a fairy-tale terem in the style of a rustic manor, made in the spirit of a “living museum”. Here you can stay overnight, taste Russian cuisine, go to the bathhouse, in winter – skiing and sledging, and in summer – walk along forgotten forest roads and drink tea on the fire.

Vorzogory, Arkhangelsk region

The Pomor village of Vorzogory is the quintessence of the Russian North. Standing on the shore of the White Sea, under the low northern sky, with ancient wooden temples shining silver – everything is just like in the Pomor tales. You can get here only by water, crossing Onega by boat. The famous Vorzogorsky “triplet” – a complex of wooden St. Nicholas Church, Vvedenskaya Church and bell tower of the XVIII century – stands near the water, and there are hardly a dozen of them in the whole world. The residents of Vorzogorsk were known to be masters in working with wood: they built not only churches, but also wooden boats for the Solovetsky Monastery. And even today they continue to restore wooden architecture objects, preserving these amazing masterpieces of northern architecture for posterity.

Berezino, Pskov Region

The tiny village of Berezino in the “Pskov dales” is a place undeservedly forgotten. Located a couple of kilometers from the legendary Pushkin Mountains and Mikhailovsky, it remembers not only Alexander Sergeyevich himself, but also another writer – Sergei Dovlatov. Working in the reserve, Dovlatov rented a room in Berezina: “Above the table I saw a color portrait of Mao from “Ogonyok”. Next to it, Gagarin was smiling broadly. In the sink with black circles of chipped enamel floated macaroni. The khodiki stood.” So the village, even if it does not enjoy the fame of the famous Pushkinogorsk neighbor, is also literary in its own way. And also very beautiful – drowning in greenery and aromas of herbs.

Esso, Kamchatka Territory

Esso is a non-standard village in all respects. Firstly, it is located in the caldera of an extinct volcano, which is a rarity for Russia. Secondly, on the main square of the village there is not an administration building or a monument to Lenin, but an active thermal spring – after all, Kamchatka obliges. Finally, within the boundaries of small Esso two excellent museums are open at once – ethnographic, built in the tradition of the ordered hut of XVII-XVIII centuries, and the Bear Museum “Toptygin and Toptyzhka”. And the nature around Esso is fantastic – there are volcanoes, rivers, and a riot of Far Eastern greenery.

Ferapontovo, Vologda Oblast

The small village on the shore of the picturesque Borodaevskoye and Paskoye lakes got its name from the name of the Therapontov Monastery – a beautiful white-stone ensemble with unique frescoes by Dionisius. The monastery, separated from the village by the river, looks at it from the high bank, but does not press, but serves as a spiritual landmark.

Against the northern sky white walls and tent domes look especially impressive, causing awe and awe. Besides the mesmerizing nature, there is a lot to see in the village itself: there is the ethnomuseum “Russian Life” with items of everyday life of the Vologda village, and the museum complex “Tsypino” with the wooden church of Elijah the Prophet dating back to the XVIII century, and the workshop “Kurakin ceramics”.

Vyatskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast

The village of Vyatskoye near Yaroslavl holds the official title of Russia’s most beautiful village and is even on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. However, in Russia it is better known as a “corner of St. Petersburg” – and indeed it reminds something of the northern capital. The fact is that peasants from Vyatsky were involved in the construction of St. Petersburg. And returning to their native village, they brought with them the latest urban planning ideas and trends.

The characteristic “St. Petersburg” image is maintained even today: the Vyatskoye Historical, Cultural and Museum Complex, which includes restaurants, a hospital and 15 museums, has been opened in the village. Among the latter there are quite entertaining ones – “Museum of Russian Enterprise”, “Museum of Kitchen Machinery” or “Sounds of Time”. All this – surrounded by Central Russian landscapes, familiar, understandable and loved by many people.