Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Russian Travel
Magazine
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Contents
Russia on the verge
of a tourist boom .........................05
A Mystical Journey
to Lake
Baikal.................................................22
The Russian
way of life in
Leningrad Region ...................26
Arctic Dawn in
Murmansk .....................................28
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The History
and Mystery of the
Penza Region ..............................38
The Taste of
Russia ................................................55
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Russian
Travel
Magazine
Editors Note
2011
Project Otdykhay v Rossii
Publisher
CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
(Moscow, Russia)
Address:
Marii Ulyanovoy Street 19-41,
Moscow, Russia, 119331
General Manager and Editor
Olga Anders
olga.anders@yandex.ru
Project Manager
Leonid Alabyan
leonid.alab@yandex.ru
Editing & Translation
Ingeborga Knutz
Creative Manager
Sergey Sorokin
Advertising Department Director
Nadezhda Vakhtangova
dinagmw@rambler.ru
Manager
Elena Averkieva
We would like to express special thanks to our
friends Aleksey Solomatin and Sergey Borisenko, without whom this project would not have
been possible.
Printed by LLC Poligraphiya - Fert
Circulation 60000 copies.
The editorial office holds no responsibility for the content
of promotional materials. The editors do not enter into correspondence with authors and do not guarantee the return
of manuscripts. Published material may be reproduced only
with the permission of the publisher.
I am going to Russia!, my English friend said to me. And where exactly?, I asked her. She
said, Of course to Moscow, then to St. Petersburg, and I would love to see Baikal and
what else would you advise me, do you know any other interesting places?
I couldnt think of what to say to her. And then I asked myself, yes, of course, for a first
trip to Russia, a visit to the Kremlin and Red Square will do, then a 4 hours train ride to
St. Petersburg... What else do Russian travel companies have on offer? There are a lot of
interesting routes, but how do you choose whats best for you? How do you make sure
not to miss out on anything?
I open my computer and read the following: total area of the Russian Federation is 17,
075,400 square kilometers, it has over 183 recognized ethnicities living in its 83 regions. So
how do you choose what would be the most interesting place to see for me, my girlfriend
and my friends, who have all traveled the world and now want to go to Russia?
I so much wanted them to not just stick to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also see
the places where Russia itself was born, our bright pearls with the pristine, almost
untouched nature, with its simple and kind people, who for centuries kept their traditions and rituals, songs and recipes. And despite the harsh climate and life troubles,
Russian people never cease to amaze with their hospitality, their wide Russian Soul
and their unshakable spirit.
With pride and love for my beautiful homeland, I would like to present our magazine,
where we invite you on a fascinating journey through nine regions of Russia, from
Murmansk and Novgorod to Irkutsk and Kamchatka. We will tell you about the most
interesting things to do and see in these regions, and you will learn about their distinctive customs and best tourist routes.
And let everyone choose a route to his or her liking Russia is a place where every
imaginable type of leisure is on offer and where adventure awaits you at every corner.
Every Russian region has something exceptional and fascinating, be it history, culture
or nature, or all at once!
Experience this unique way of being.
Enjoy your trip!
Olga Anders
editor
travel.mag@yandex.ru
Telephone: + 7 499 131 2196
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Russia
As far as its potential for tourism goes, Russia is among the top ten most visited countries in the world, attracting
over 70 million tourists a year. Recently, Russias state policy in the countrys tourism sector has undergone
significant changes. The federal and regional authorities are now actively promoting inbound tourism, with a
renewed focus on the growing needs of foreign guests and the latest trends in the global tourism market.
There are plans to establish a more modern tourist infrastructure, introduce
measures to support the commercial sector, improve the efficiency of
how the state regulates the industry, and improve the level of professional
training. All of these goals are reflected in the federal Russian program for
the development of domestic tourism in 2011 to 2018. Estimated 50 to 90
billion rubles from the federal budget and about 300 billion rubles in private
investments will go into the implementation of the project, in particular the
development of cruise, beach, historical, educational, environmental, and
other types of tourism in Russia. The plan is to ensure a cluster approach
to provide a wide range of quality tourist services.
Our country has always been famous for its warmth and universal hospitality. Come and visit us soon!
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About Russia:
Capital: Moscow
Area: 17,075,400 km2
Population: 142.5 million (UN, 2007)
Major language: Russian
Major religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Judaism
Monetary unit: 1 rouble = 100 kopecks
Internet domain: .ru, .su
International dialing code: +7
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Russia
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Kamchatka
Kamchatka offers a wide range of tourism opportunities, guaranteed to satisfy
even the most insatiable thirst for adventure, recreation and curiosity.
Eco-tourism
Kamchatka has 200 volcanoes on its territory, with 30 of them still active,
making it one of the most remarkable spots on the planet. The mountains
in Kamchatka are ideal for ascending and mountaineering, and offer routes
for all levels from the beginner to the very experienced climber. Ascents
are possible on various volcanoes, ranging from Avachinsky, Koryak and
Kozelsky to the Kluchevskaya Sopka, which is the highest active volcano
in Eurasia, with an altitude of 4750 meters.
Ethnographic tourism
Of particular interest is the history and life of Kamchatkas indigenous
peoples, including, among others, the Evens, the Koryaks and the Itelmens.
Local travel agencies offer tours to authentic ethno-cultural centers of the
indigenous peoples of Kamchatka, where tourists can witness their traditions and customs, arts and crafts, and sample a delicious national dish.
River Rafting
The Kamchatka peninsula would be interesting to lovers of river rafting
adventures, thanks to its dense river system and mountainous terrain
coupled with flat valleys, which make up for one of the worlds most
magnificent landscapes.
Scientific Tourism
Kamchatka possesses an almost unlimited potential for scientific tourism. Its history, ethnography, culture and geology offer exciting opportunities for scientific
exploration. Kamchatkas volcanoes and natural systems provide for activities
such as monitoring plants and animals in their natural habitat, including bird
colonies, breeding grounds of marine mammals, bears and much more.
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Cruiseship Silver
Shadow at the coast
of Kamchatka
Riding Tours
Dog Sledding
Sea Cruises
Some 10 foreign cruise ships come to ports of Kamchatka every year.
Cruise tours around the peninsula are available as well, with stops on the
Commander and Kurile Islands, during which excursions are organized.
Watching sea birds and mammals is a particularly fascinating pastime
during the cruise.
Fishing Tours
Recreational catch and release fishing in the most picturesque areas of
Kamchatka is enjoyed by fishing enthusiasts of any level. Rainbow trout,
char, halibut, greenling, perch and different kinds of Pacific salmon are all
big game on the rivers of Kamchatka.
Sport Hunting
Hunting for the Kamchatka brown bear, which, at three meters tall, is one
of the largest subspecies of brown bears in the world, can be done in
spring and fall. Other popular game animals found in Kamchatka include
snow sheep, moose, capercaillie, wolf and wolverine. It is not unusual to
combine hunting and fishing tours during the same trip.
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Kamchatka
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2 hours 25 minutes
Moscow Kaluga train journey
2 hours 40 minutes from Kievskiy station,
trains depart every hours,
or by bus 3 hours 40 minutes every day.
Tourist Information in English:
http://www.visit-kaluga.ru/en/
Where to stay:
Ski resort & hotel Kvan ****
Hotel Kaluga ****
Hotel Ambassador ****
Hotel & restaurant Elki ****
Where to eat:
Grill-bar Krilyia Wingsbar, from 600 rubless
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Kaluga
Ugra river took place in 1480, ending the nearly three hundred years of the
Mongol Yoke. In 1812 Kaluga lands saw the defeat of the Napoleon army, who
lost its invincibility title in Russia. The battles of Tarutino and Maloyaroslavets
decided the fate not only of Russia but of entire Europe. The Kaluga region
gave Russia its legendary WW2 Marshal Georgy Zhukov, as well as 146 Heroes
of the Soviet Union and 15 full knights of the Order of Glory.
The Kaluga region is home to many outstanding names in Russian history the famous mathematician Pafnuty Chebyshev, painter IllarionPryanishnikov,
prominent architect Vasily Bazhenov, Admiral Dmitry Senyavin, the legendary
explorer of the Taimyr Peninsula Vasili Pronchishchev, as well as his assistant
and successor of Semyon Chelyuskin. Kaluga is also associated with the life
and work of social philosopher Alexander Radishchev,, Princess Ekaterina
Dashkova, Russias greatest poet Aleksander Pushkin, Marina Tsvetaeva,
Nikolay Gogol, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy, Bulat Okudzhava and the groundbreaking scientists Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Aleksander Chizhevsky.
Russian dreams of spiritual development were realized in the revival of
Russian Optina elders in the first half of the 19th century. Best local thinkers, writers, philosophers, scientists and members of royalty all came to
see the elders of this famous monastery.
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Kaluga
The administrative center of the Kaluga Region, the city of Kaluga, is located on the banks of the Oka River, some 180 km from Moscow. It got its
first direct mention in historical chronicles in 1371. The planning and the
construction of Kaluga was completed in the late 18th - early 19th century,
turning the city into a shining example of urban Russian architecture.
Among the projects of the regional architects such as Nikitin and Yasnygina, are outstanding pieces of city architecture: the Trading Arcade, the
Ensemble of Public Places, the Trinity Cathedral, the Stone Bridge, which
is still admired by the visitors to the city.
The Kaluga region has long been the most advanced defense outpost of
the Princehood of Moscow. It was here where some of the most significant
historic battles have taken place during the invasion of Batu Khan and the
Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany. Kaluga is also the
cradle of space exploration and the place where the worlds first telephone
station was built. These achievements are attributed to scientists Tsiolkovsky
and Golubitsky Modern Kaluga is a major historical, cultural and industrial
center near Moscow, with a rich variety of tourist attractions.
The Stone Bridge is the only bridge in Russia, based on the design of
Roman aqueducts. The height of the bridge is 23 meters.
Korobovs Chambers is the oldest house of Kaluga.
The Trade Arcade (Gostiny Dvor) has been the main shopping center in
Kaluga since the 18th century to the present day.
Kaluga Drama Theatre, founded in 1777, is among the six oldest theaters in Russia. The theater regularly tours in Europe. In 2011 it gave
performances in Italy and in France at the personal invitation of the great
couturier Pierre Cardin.
The Victory Square is a memorial complex built in honor of Soviet soldiers
and Kaluga residents who died in 1941 in the battle of Kaluga.
Tsiolkovsky State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics is a museum dedicated to Tsiolkovskys life, work and his ground-breaking legacy
was opened in Kaluga under the patronage of the chief Soviet space rocket
designer Sergey Korolyov in 1967. It became the first museum in the world
dedicated entirely to space exploration. Half of the museums exposition is
dedicated to ideas and work of Tsiolkovksky, featuring a model of the first
rocket designed by the scientist, as well as copies of his scientific papers.
The second part of the collection is dedicated to the Sputnik launch and
space exploration in general.
Holy Trinity Cathedral. The Cathedral has a long history and was first
mentioned in 1610 in the Nikon Chronicle in connection with the funeral
of the pretender to the Russian throne False Dmitry. The temple was built in
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Kaluga
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Glory in December 2009. In the forests on the right bank of the river Zhizdra,
shine the golden domes of reconstructed churches of the Saint-Vvedensky
Optin Monastery, which is one of the main spiritual centers in Russia. Restoration of another spiritual sanctuary, the Kazan Amvrosievskuy Convent in the
village Shamordino near Kozelsk is also in full swing.
Maloyaroslavets
Maloyaroslavets was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1402. The city played
an important role in the Great Patriotic War against Napoleon in 1812. As the
legendary Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov wrote, Maloyaroslavets is the last point of
the enemy attack, the beginning of his defeat and the death of the enemy.
There are various monuments dedicated to the heroes of the 1812 war, and
the city operates a Military History Museum. On the outskirts of the city the
magnificent Chernoostrovsky St. Nicholas Monastery is located. The monastery is a unique historical and architectural monument that is breathtaking
in its beauty. The walls of the monastery still remember the bloody battle
for Maloyaroslavets. Every year on October 24th, a colorful military-historical
reconstruction of the battle takes place in memory of the fallen.
Obninsk
Obninsk is one of the youngest towns in the Kaluga region. The worlds first
ever atomic power station was built in Obninsk, marking the beginning of
the nuclear energy era. It is no accident that in 1999 Obninsk became the
first Russian city to be officially awarded the status of the city of science.
The Central Seismological Observatory in Obninsk has been operating
since 1974, collecting data on the seismic pulse of the Earth.
Tarusa
Tarusa was first referenced in the chronicles in 1246. The town was a border
crossing point between the Princehood of Moscow and Lithuania, whose
armies regularly attacked Russian territories. Since the end of the 19th
century Tarusa has become a cultural center, attracting famous writers,
artists, musicians and poets, so named the Russian Barbizon. Russian
painter Victor Borisov-Musatov lived here, as well crystallographer George
Wulf, nature writer Konstantin Paustovsky and many others. One of the
citys museums is an art gallery with an extensive collection of paintings
and drawings, including the works by local artists.
Meschovsk
Meschovsk was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1238 as one of the
principalities of the Seversk land. Meschovsk was home to two Russian
Tsarinas - the first and the last. A native of Meschovsk, Evdokiya Streshneva became the wife of the first Tsar in the Romanov dynasty - Mikhail
Fedorovich, while another local lady, Evdokia Lopukhina married Tsar
Peter the Great. A monument to the first Tsarina of the Romanov dynasty
was built from donations of local residents on the territory of St. George
Monastery in Meschovsk.
National Park Ugra
The Park was established on the territory of the Kaluga region in 1997. Its
total area is 98623 hectares. The reserve incorporates two natural-historic
valley complexes on the rivers Ugra and Zhizdra, as well in the area near
the river Vyssy. The length of the Ugra River within the park is 152 km, while
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Kaluga
the length of river Zhizdra is 92 km. The reserve has 21 natural sights and
about 200 monuments of history and culture, 22 estates of old Russian
aristocracy and 18 churches. There are 62 human settlements on the territory of the reserves. It hosts 978 species of plants, 287 species of vertebrate
animals, including 48 mammals, 190 species of birds, 6 species of reptiles,
10 amphibians and 31 species of fish.
Rural Tourism
The Kaluga region is a perfect place for rural or agricultural tourism. Those
who would like to relax in the most picturesque areas of the Kaluga region,
will find more than 500 guest houses. Each offers comfortable accommodation, all modern conveniences and a number of exclusive services,
such as healing goat milk treatments, hunting, fishing, hiking, the Russian
banya, and much more. There is something to choose from for everyone.
A modest room in a cozy village or apartments with all modern conveniences, satellite TV and internet connection - you decide. However, one
thing that is certain is the home comfort, quality of service and hospitality
of the hosts. Delicious food, beautiful nature, the beauty of the Kaluga
region, heat of the Russian banya and a lot more once again confirm that
the best holiday is in your native land.
Other tourist attractions include annual festival dedicated to the work of
the great Russian pianist Svyatosval Richter in Tarusa and the Guitar World
festival in Kaluga, which attracts not only Russian but also international
artists. The Kaluga region is a fascinating place and many of those who
come for a visit, choose to stay here and proudly call themselves residents
of the Kaluga region.
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Penza Region
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rkutsk is one of the largest and most visited Siberian cities and the
administrative centre of the region. A traditional habitat of aristocratic and artistic exiles in the 19th century and an intersection of
major trading routes, Irkutsk was once known as the Paris of Siberia.
Many foreign tourists breathe a sigh of relief when they step off
their Transsiberian train journey in Irkutsk, as this city quickly shakes off its
formidable Siberian image its unique architecture, cultural life and friendly
people make it a rather charming place to stay in for a few days.
The Baikal Region had traditionally been a place of cultural convergence.
Regarded as a holy site for the numerous local peoples for centuries,
Baikal has become a prominent element in cultures as different as Russian and Japanese, featuring in their songs and folk tales. The remaining
stone carvings and parts of ritual buildings from thousands of years ago
evidence Baikals significance as an ancient praying site. The lake borders
Russias Republic of Buryatiya, which is home to Buddhist, Orthodox and
Shamanism believers. Every year, Buryat shamans meet at the biggest of
Baikals islands, Olkhon Island, to share their knowledge and experience
and to conduct rituals.
The crystal-clear breathtakingly beautiful Baikal regularly appears on various Places to see before you die lists for zealous tourists. Unfortunately,
for many Baikal is still the place to come to only during summer. However,
those brave enough to finally make a foray to this Pearl of Siberia during
winter, are usually shocked by how much theyve been missing. The
giant body of water resting under a cap of ice surrounded by majestic
snow-covered Baikal Mountains is as much of a sight in January as during the summer, and perhaps provides an even more intense spiritual
experience.
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News
In vino salus
FYI
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Restraurant Amsterdam,
European couisine,
Vsevolozhsk town
Restaurant Ivanych, Russian
cuisine, Ivanovo village,
Priozersky district
Restraurant Prince Rurik
Nightlife and Entertainment:
Night club, Vyborg Palace,
Vyborg town
Night club Matrix,
Kingisepp town
Night club Pelikan, Kirishi town
Safety and Emergency
Situations:
For Police, dial 02
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Leningrad Region
Industrial Tourism
Industrial tourism is a relatively new but increasingly fashionable tourist trend. Many people believe it is impossible to truly get to know a
country without exploring how its industries function and how the
local people make a living. If you share this view, why not book an
individual tour farms and factories of Leningrad region, or perhaps
even to a hydroelectic plant in the town of Volkhov?
Event Tourism
No matter the time of the year, something fun or fascinating is always
going on in Leningrad region. The summer season in particular offers
many occasions for celebration.
Tree of Life is a traditional folk festival of the Vepsian culture and way of
life through music, games and performances. It is held every June in the
village of Vinnity of Podporozhsky district. Tree of Life combines elements
of a mysterious pagan holiday with contemporary outdoor celebration.
The festival also serves as a meeting point for indigenous peoples of the
Leningrad Region, including the Veps, the Finns and the Karelians.
Sabantuy is a traditional holiday of the Tatar people, celebrated on
the last Sunday of June. Come to Kuzmolovo village of the Vsevolozhsk
district to take part in costmary open-air games, compete in weight
lifting and pole climbing, and, of course, get a taste of ethnic Tatar and
Bashkir cuisine.
The cycle of historical festivals Living legends of Leningrad Region
attracts a lot of fans of military history every year. Visitors can feel the
atmosphere of past centuries enjoy the costume dramas, see the
historical battles, try on the historical clothes, eat the national dishes.
nights castle is a July festival held at the Vyborg Castle in the Vyborgsky
district. The fest involves several medieval music concerts, as well as a theatrical performance during which knights, clad in armor and chain mail,
dressed in caftans and camisoles, compete in re-enacted tournaments.
Russian Fortress is a military and historical festival, hosted at the Korella
fortress in the town of Priozersk. Come for a visit and join the numerous
military and historic reproduction games, including an assault of the
Korella citadel. Or, of you prefer the role of an observer, watch one of
the professional fencing tournaments or just walk through the cozy
medieval streets of Priozersk.
Finally, in October the magical Light a Heart event takes place in the
village of Izvara in Volosovskiy district. Izvara was a family-estate of the
legendary Nobel-nominated Russian painter, traveler, philosopher and
scientist Nicholas Rerich. Light a Heart gathers visitors from all over the
world who join followers of Rerichs genius vision, including artists from
the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Several musical performances are
organized, as well as exhibitions of Rerichs paintings, many of which are
never showcased anywhere else.
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Murmansk
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wild Atlantic salmon. This royal fish! The region has more than 30 comfortable bases and camps on offer. At the same time, many of them, except for
the bases on the river Kola, are located in remote places. We transport the
fishermen there by helicopter. The wilderness, the pristine beauty... Nevertheless, it is a developed industrial region, and the only northern port in Russia
that stays ice-free all year. The North is interesting and unusual in all of its
aspects, it is this uniqueness that keeps on attracting tourists and makes
them return again and again to the Kola Peninsula. For more information
on the Murmansk region and its accommodation facilities, visit our website
at www.murmantourism.ru. Welcome to the Kola Peninsula!
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Murmansk
Russian Lapland
While the Kola Peninsula is full of places to be seen and mountain slopes to
be enjoyed, the modern infrastructure, which would allow doing all these
things with style, safety and comfort just wasnt there in many cases. Russian Lapland, one of the most exciting tourist developments in the region,
is about to change that. The 24.4 million dollar project is designed to put
favourite regional tourist spots like the Khibiny Mountains and the sacred
Saami lake Seidozero on the radar of international tourist routes.
The main objects of the Russian Lapland
development will be based in the town of
Kirovsk at the spurs of the Khibiny Massif,
which is set to become the main skiing
destination, and in the Lovozersky district,
which will focus on ethnographic, ecological and wildlife tourism.
The first stage of the project will see the development of tourist infrastructure in the village of Redna, including the building of a skiresort Alluaiv, and a tourist complex called
Museum under open sky. Also planned is
the construction of a year-round business
complex near the lake Krovoe, setting up
tourist facilities with a focus on water sports
at the Umbozero lake, and the reconstruction of sanatorium Northern Light.
The tourist complex will make the various opportunities for active recreation in
the region much more comfortable and easily accessible. These are just a
few things you could do during your stay in Russian Lapland skiing and
snowboarding, hiking through the tundra, rafting, ice fishing and hunting,
snowmobiling and mountain biking. You can learn how to build a real igloo
and how to survive in the forest.
Russian Lapland will draw its inspiration from the culture and heritage of
the Saami people, about 300 of whom still live in the Kirovsk area. Saami village is a designed to be an ethnographic, educational, as well as recreational
tourist hub. The exterior of the buildings in the village will be modelled on
traditional Saami dwellings, while guests will be offered authentic Saami
cuisine in the restaurants of the complex.
Lovozero also hosts the Museum of the Saami Language and Literature,
which highlights the work of the Saami writers and poets, and showcases
their traditional singing and other aspects of the traditional Saami culture.
Anyone interested in the life of these Nordic people, should visit the Kola
Saami Museum in Lovozero, which boasts a uniquely rich collection of
ethnographic material, from ancient stone carvings to more contemporary
arts and crafts pieces.
The second stage of the project will focus on the construction of two
world-class ski resorts - Vudyavrchorr and Lovchorr, as well as building of a gondola-type ski lift on the 1095 meters high Aykuayvenchorr
mountain in Kirovsk. The ski lift seats 8 people and is expected to be
completed as early as 2012.
The initiative hopes not only to kick-start a new wave of tourism in the
region and generate revenue, but also to support the local indigenous
people, help sustain and strengthen their cultural and ethnic identity
and give economic incentives to the population of the Murmansk region
as a whole.
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FYI
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The Banya
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here, so were already at home. I used many Russian banya principles in the
production - to heat the banya in black, to pour ice water, and many other
things. But along with this, we offer Native American ways of steaming and
Eastern herbal tea. I'm half Irish and one day I got to know a half-Native
Indian, half-Irish on the internet. He was a shaman of his tribe and helped
me learn the Indian technique of steaming, the sweat lounge, which we
offer here. I had to change the size of the clay steam tent four times, as a
difference of just 3 to 4 centimeters can change the quality of the service. I
constructed this banya like a musical instrument. Now it sounds brilliant!
James, you're an Irish Briton who lives with his family in Krasnaya
Polyana. Tell us, what is an English gentleman?
Oh yeah, I'm still an English gentleman! I live in the Caucasus and could
start telling you fairy-tales ... But I'm still holding on. I like to live and work
here. I'm curious. I live in harmony with nature, which is just beautiful. I do
not look down on people and invite everyone with whom I could share
joy and happiness. I am a happy person and a gentleman!
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The Banya
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Entertainment comlex
Dostoyevskiy
Safety and Emergency
Situations
Rescue Service 01 (dial 112 from
mobile phone)
Police 02
Ambulance 03
Nearest foreign consulates are
located in Moscow
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Penza Region
catapult. And once youve honed your skills, head out into the forest to
join the members of one of Penzas medieval clubs in a reconstruction
of an ancient battle. Dense forest, which occupies some 20 percent of
the regions territory, is also a major magnet for hunters. Penza forest is
home to wild boar, roe deer, moose and even wolves. There is pine marten, foxes, weasels, rabbits, ferrets, as well as game like the black grouse,
hazel and wood grouse.
The same forest reveals one of the best-preserved and fascinating archeological sites in Russia the Zolotarevsky excavation. Discovered in 1882, Zolotarevsky conceals three archeological layers Gorodetsky level from the
3rd century BC, Mordovsky level from the 9th century and Burtasskiy
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from the 11th to 12th centuries. The territory of Zolotarevsky was once the
spot of fierce battles between the Russian defenders of the fortress and
the Mongol-Tatar tribes, who were on their way to conquer Russia. This
fact is still evidenced by a variety of artifacts found in Zolotarevsky, which
makes it a truly precious site.
The regions many sanatoriums, spas and health resorts make it a prime
destination for health tourists. Kuvaka Springs is an underground mineral
water source bottled in the Penza region. Famous for its virginal pureness
and healing properties, Kuvaka was the mineral water delivered to the
court of Tsar Nicholas the Second. The Kuvaka mineral water plant has
since branched out in delicious, albeit less health-conscious soda drinks.
Penza is of the most dynamic and fastest-developing regions in Russia, and
has recently become a site of several major investment projects, including
the folk village Ustinovo, Bekovo and Vladimirovka recreation zones and
village tourism enclaves in Neverkinski district.
And if you find yourself yearning for something truly otherworldy, you
are in the right place, as the Penza Region is a true hot spot for mystical
and paranormal tourism in Russia. The village of Belogorka in the Moksha
district of the Penza region is a prime location for ghost watching. Restless
apparitions are often seen in the ruins of the old church. Local researchers
of the paranormal also detected plasmoids emerging sporadically between
the church and the old cemetery. According to residents of the village,
every May, a cloud-like UFO appears over the river Sura.
Equally creepy is the 300-year old white willow, known as the Witch Tree,
which grows between the villages of Skripitsyn and Cherkassk. According
to a local legend, the tree was an 18th century meeting spot for members
of a secret satanic cult. Even now, local people prefer not to pass by the
tree at night, afraid of the groans and cries emanating from it. The territory
itself is also unusual, as UFOs in the form of mysterious falling balls are also
regularly seen in the area.
Another highly mysterious place is the Golodyaevsky pond, located some
20 km from the town of Mokshan. Every summer, local residents witness
an anomalous cloud, which emerges at about the same time every year
and pours rain. In the 1990s red fireballs were regularly seen near the old
airport in the area. The strange objects nevertheless behaved relatively
logically, trying to hide from the eyes of people, appearing in the way of
lone travelers, as if to scare them. One such fireball was caught on camera
in 1997. UFOs are also a regular sight in the night sky over Mokshan area.
Local residents believe that these anomalies have something to do with
the local oil pipeline, as UFOs are known to be attracted to electricity, gas
and oil pipelines.
The Penza region boasts its very own anomalous zone, known as the
Issinsky Triangle. The Triangle was formed in the area between the
villages Uvarovo, Nikolayevka and Anuchino, near the abandoned village of Kresty. In the 1930s and 40s before the village died out, it was
a settlement of molokans, religious castaways who later immigrated
to Canada. Unidentified flying objects were a regular sight back then,
and mysterious happenings can be witnessed near the extinct village
to this day. Bizarre wandering lights emerge every other week over the
nearby swamp, as well as what locals describe as conscious fog, which
appears as if from nowhere, instantly encircling a casual passer-by. In
July 2011, locals noted the appearance of crop circles on the fields of
the Issinsky Triangle. Specialists link these occurrences with a fossil site
nearby, which boats natural fossilized remains from Cretaceous, Jurassic
and Triassic periods.
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Penza Region
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Tom Beasley forges a sword blade with the inscription To the steelhearted citizens of Stalingrad - the gift of King George VI - in token
of the homage of the British people
Stalingrad, as the city was known until 1961, became the most potent
symbol of heroism, sacrifice and defiance of the Soviet people in the
Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany. As the site of the Battle of
Stalingrad, Volgograd is a magnet for anyone with a serious interest
in war history and the history of Russia. The battle, waged between
the forces of Nazi Germany, its allies and the Soviet Union, took place
between 23rd of August 1942 and 2nd of February 1943. Not only
was it one of the largest and longest battles of the Second World
War, it became notorious for the highest death toll of any battle in
human history. According to various estimates, just under 2 million
people lost their lives in the battle.
Adolf Hitler considered Stalingrad a strategically vital area, as it was
a major industrial center of the Soviet Union and held access to the
vast oil reserves of the Caucuses, which Germany was so starved for.
Supported by intensive aerial bombing, which turned much of the
city into ruins and burnt rubble, the German offensive ensured that at
an early stage, the Wehrmacht controlled much of the city, except a
defiant Soviet army cluster on the West Bank of the river Volga.
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long panoramic painting of the battle, while its collection boasts a huge
number of war artifacts, including Vasily Zaitsevs rifle.
The city of Volgograd and its surroundings are still rich in evidence of
the events, which constitute, perhaps, the greatest chapter in its history.
The Pavlov Building in the center of Volgograd was named after Junior
Sergeant Jakov Pavlov, whose 30-man unit survived the Nazi assault for 58
days, keeping with Stalins Order Number 227 to not take one step back.
Marshall Chuikov would later say, that the Germans lost more men trying
to capture Pavlovs house than they did taking Paris.
Another legendary cluster of Soviet resistance is the Lyudnikov Island,
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Monument Uniting
Fronts in the village
Pyatimorsk
statue was erected in London in 1999, while a statue with a working bell
was placed in Berlin. The cemetery also features a granite cube, inscribed
with names of 120000 soldiers who are considered missing.
As a further symbol of reconciliation, another monument dedicated to
victims of the Battle of Stalingrad both from the Nazi and the Soviet side,
was inaugurated in the city of Peschanka in 1996. The monument, which
was funded by Russian and Austrian civil groups, is unusual, as it expressed
in a form of a two-dimensional pyramid, whose shadow side hosts a
memorial space. It is not unusual for the visiting German and Austrian
delegations to plan their trip along the former front lines that still conceal
many disturbing relics of the past.
One of the most important war sites in the city is Lysaya Gora, or Bald
Mountain, named so for the fact that it is almost completely deprived of
flora. For it significance as a strategic object in the Battle of Stalingrad, the
140-meter hill is second only to Mamayev Kurgan. Bald Mountain saw one
of the fiercest, longest and bloodiest fighting spells of the battle, involving
up to 50000 troops and hundreds of tanks at the same time. Thousands
of mine splinters, pieces of bombs and projectiles lie buried in this land
to this day. An impressive 20-meter obelisk was installed on Lysaya Gora
in 1973 to commemorate the fighters.
As far as future development is concerned, the city of Volgograd has some
exciting plans. As part of the efforts to strengthen its tourist industry and
education sector, the city plans to build a tourist cluster, incorporating five
historic museums, which include an interactive park of war-era armoured
vehicles and flight combat equipment, a museum of Russian victories, the
museum of intelligent sports and the ethnographic museum Live History.
The Land of Freedom.
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Pskov
build up its defenses over time. The length of Pskovs defense walls is
over 9.5 kilometers, which makes it one of the most fortified cities in
Europe.
The most impressive building in the Pskov fortress is by far the tower of
Intercession. With circumference of over 90 meters, height of over 50
meters and walls that are almost 6 meters thick, the Intercession tower
is a true symbol of Pskovs historical invulnerability. Although Pskov went
through numerous wars and battles, it was never captured or besieged
by foreign troops.
Many other towns and villages in the Pskov region also revoke the
countrys dramatic past. One example is the village of Izborsk, some 30
kilometers to the west of Pskov, and which, according to the Russian
Primary Chronicles, was the seat of one of Varangian Princes, Truvor, who,
along with his two brothers, was summoned to rule over Rus in the 7th
century. Izborsk, being crucial for the defense of the kingdom from the
West, was also one of the first Russian towns to build a stone citadel. The
citadel was so impressive in its invincibility that Izborsk became known
as the Iron City across Europe.
The Pskov region is also home to the Pushkin Hills, an area that once
belonged to the noble Pushkin-Hannibal family, and was thus inexorably intertwined with the life of Russias most recognised poetic genius
Aleksander Sergeevich Pushkin. The Pushkin Hills house Trigorskoe,
Petrovskoe and Mikhailovkoye estates. The latter was where the poet
spent his exile and where he completed many of his most famous works,
including Eugene Onegin.
Finally, not to be missed are regions numerous churches and monasteries, notable for their outstanding architecture, as well as their religious
significance for Russian Orthodoxy. The Pskov-Pechory Holy Dormition
Monastery, located some 50 kilometers from Pskov, is one of the oldest
and largest monasteries in Russia. Over 10 thousand monks are buried
in its famous cave necropolis, a one-time dwelling of the legendary
hermit reverend Mark. Other prominent religious sites include Eliazarovsky Nunnery of Our Savior and Krypetsky Male Monastery of Saint
John the Evangelist in the Pskov district, Church of Archangel Michael
in the Devovichy district and St. Nikandr and Theophiluss Hermitages,
among many others.
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Every year, from 2011 onwards, the Pskov region will host its own regional auto rally The Alexander Nevsky Trophy. With a total distance
of over 400 kilometres, the rally is made up of four stages. They include
the Pskov Winter stage in February, the Blue Lakes stage held in the
early May, while July will see the Strugy Krasnie stage. The final part
of the rally happens in September, when the actual trophy is awarded
to the winner. Both Russian and international teams participate, and
even ordinary viewers can sometimes become judges. Auto Rallies is
probably the most exciting recent development in the region, and is
already a major reason to come to Pskov for any auto rallying fan or
professional.
Ethnographic Tourism
Although the Pskov Region is for many reasons considered the heart
of Russian culture and identity, it has managed to retain some of the
smaller ethnicities that historically inhabited the area. Setos are a tiny
linguistic and ethnic minority, still living in south-eastern Estonia and in
the Pechorsky district of the Pskov region. Setos speak in a dialect, which
many consider a separate language the Seto language, and along with
Orthodox Christianity, practice their own traditional folk religion.
They are a recognized and protected ethnic minority in Russia, whose
total number in the region, according to the Society for Seto Congress,
amounts to just 337 people. Being one of the last remaining traditional
folk cultures in Europe, Setos struggled to preserve their identity through
their own unique traditions, such as singing ancient runic verse and
worshipping pagan deities and their ancestors.
The Museum of the Seto people is located in the village of Segov, which
itself is a part of the Kulaots family estate. The museum aims to showcase
the authentic Seto way of life of the beginning of the 20th century. The
exposition includes tools for spinning and weaving of tradition Seto
clothes, a variety of work and domestic tools, including a unique device
for processing flax.
Ethnography enthusiasts Tatiana Ogareva set up a small private museum
dedicated to the Seto culture in an old barn, which used to belong to
a Seto family. The exposition, including unique tapes of traditional
Seto singing and touching hand-made dolls make it well worth a visit.
Anyone interested in ethnography of the region should also come to
the Setomaa. Family meetings festival, which takes place annually
between the 27th and 29th of August in the village of Sigovo and
provides an opportunity for Setos from Russia and Estonia alike to meet
and celebrate their traditions.
Event Tourism
The event calendar of the Pskov Region is packed with interesting happenings, too numerous to write here in their entirety.
The Snow Castle holiday takes place between the 1st and 10th of
January in Pskovs Pushkin Park. The holiday provides for lots of outdoor
fun from riding ice roller coasters to sledging, skating, horse riding and
building ice sculptures.
The All-Russian Pushkin Theatre Festival takes place every year in the
middle of January. The festival, during which various works of Pushkin
are performed in the theatres across the region, has long become a
tradition in Pskov.
Maslenitsa Festival is a week between the 20th and 26th of February,
when Russians bid farewell to winter. It is one of favorite holidays among
the Pskovites, which culminates with burning of giant symbolic effigies.
Eating hearty pancakes is a must.
Historical military Festival Battle of the Ice happens every year in the
end of April near the Samolva village of the Gdovsky district. During the
festival, the legendary medieval battle of 1242 between the Republic of
Novgorod and the Livonian branch of the Teutonic Knights is re-enacted,
a spectacle which is guaranteed to take anyones breathe away.
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to
se
th
ost
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Velikiy Novgorod
ounded in the 9th or 10th century, it quickly became the second city in
the Kievan Rus. Novgorod was also the first city to be governed by an
elected mayor, which earned it a title of the cradle of Russian democracy.
Novgorods relative emancipation ensured it was also the place where a first
coin was minted in Russia. To this day, the Museum of Velikiy Novgorod holds
the worlds biggest collection of Russian Orthodox icons, while its archaeological sites are one of the most significant ones in the country. The Troitskiy
excavation site produced artefacts from more than 20 urban estates from 10th
to 15th century and over 400 birch bark documents. All of these archaeological
treasures are now on display in Novgorods history museum.
Novgorod Kremlin, traditionally known as Detinets, is situated in the
historical centre of the city, and is officially the oldest fortification in Russia. Built around the Saint Sofia Cathedral in 1050, it boasts the countrys
best-preserved 11th century churches and is probably the oldest building
complex still in use in Russia. On the other side of the river Vokhov, the
commercial part of the city was situated around the Court of Yaroslav the
Wise, where the princes court was transferred in the early 11th century.
Anyone can plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Kievan Russia by visiting
the Slavic Village a settlement recreated on the basis of a 10th century
Slavic settlement. The complex is an exact copy of an ancient Slavic village
consisting of wooden houses, built without nails: a barn, outbuildings,
houses equipped with bread ovens, cellars and much more. Not only
can you see exactly how a Russian family lived 1000 years ago, but youre
allowed to participate too. Twist the mill, climb up to the loft, and learn
to bake bread in the oven, try on a chainmail and throw a javelin in one
word, feel like an ancient Slav.
Staraya Russa
The second oldest town in the region is Staraya Russa, located some 99
kilometers south of Velikiy Novgorod. Founded in the early 10th century,
Staraya Russa retains many of its idyllic medieval charms, including the
Transfiguration monastery, with a cathedral built in 70 days in 1198 and
the principal city cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
Fyodor Dostoevsky spent summers in Staraya Russa and wrote many of his
works there, which later became staples of classic Russian literature, such
as The Brothers Karamazov and The Possessed. The Dostoyevsky House on
the small Pererititsa River is still a magnet for literary enthusiasts from all
over the world. Staraya Russa is also a balneologic resort, well known for
its mineral springs and medicinal silt mud of the Lake Verkhneye and Lake
Sredneye, which are celebrated for their healing and relaxing properties.
Valdai
A small charming town of Valdai is nevertheless one of the most popular
tourist destinations in all of Russia, not least because of its location in the
middle of beautiful Valdai Hills national park. Valdai Hills boasts over 70 lakes,
20 rivers and about 500 archeological monuments, as well as numerous spas
and health resorts. In Russia, Valdai is primarily associated with bells, for the
local bell masters have been known for their exemplary skill for centuries.
The 13th century church of Catherine the Great houses Russias only Bells
Museum. The island off the shore of lake Valdai is the location of one of the
greatest examples of stone architecture in Russia the Reverend Iver Svyatoozersky Virgin Monastery. The monastery was a major educational center
in the 17th century, and had Russias only church printing press.
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The Taste
of Russia
The Penza Region
Instructions: heat the milk, add butter, sugar, salt and yeast, and mix well.
Add flour and knead the dough. Place the dough in a warm place for 2
hours. Punch out the dough. Boil the mushrooms and chop finely. Clean
the onion. Cut it in small pieces and fry in vegetable oil. Add the mushrooms, salt and pepper and cook for 10 minutes, add chopped eggs and
greens. Put the stuffing inside the dough and shape the pies, place on
the baking sheet greased with vegetable oil. Bake in an over preheated
to 180 degrees.
Irkutsk Sturgeon
Ingredients: 400 g sturgeon fillet, 1 tbsp flower, of bell pepper, a quarter
of a lemon, 50 g of shrimp, 1/2 onion, 50 g lettuce, 2tbsp basil, 2tbsp soy
sauce, 1 egg, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt.
Kamchatka
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