The Vologda region was formed in 1937 and has more than three thousand cultural, architectural and historical monuments. Several cities are included in the list of cultural heritage of Russia, including Veliky Ustyug, Belozersk, Ustyuzhna.
The presence of mineral and peat springs contributes to the development of therapeutic and preventive sanatoriums for adults and children.
The Valdai glaciation contributed to the emergence of ancient lakes rich in fish. Due to this and the large number of forests, so-called rural tourism is being developed here, which includes hunting and fishing.
For ease of route planning, we have marked all mentioned cities and attractions on the map of the region:
Museum of Nature
The museum building, opened in 1920, is awaiting a major renovation. Even without a guide, here you can see a real miracle in the form of models, stuffed animals, birds that reigned among the vast expanses of this part of Russia in different centuries. Local forests, rivers, and countless lakes have always been famous for the abundance of different animals. Even huge mammoths, whose remains can be seen in the museum, roamed the protected areas of the Vologda region.
A stuffed huge bear will cause genuine delight among children. Figures of small hares, smart wolves, predatory lynxes, huge birds participating in original scenes from animal life will complement their surprise. The museum organizes exciting sand painting activities on illuminated stands. This attracts a large number of visitors to it.
Address: Lunacharsky Avenue-32.
Kremlin, Vologda Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve
Address: Vologda Kremlin (between Sergei Orlov Street, Kremlin Square and Pobedy Avenue) Phone: (8172) 72-25-11 Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 (weekends - Monday, Tuesday) Cost: 100 rubles for adults, 50 – for students and schoolchildren (separately for each exhibition)
The main (and, in fact, the only) museum of Vologda is the historical, architectural and art museum-reserve. It was created in 1988 on the basis of the regional museum, but the foundation of the modern collection was laid a century earlier - in 1885. Then a house-museum of Peter I was opened in Vologda (it is still open today). A year later, an Ancient Repository was opened in the city, where religious objects and documents were collected. In 1911, an art gallery opened in Vologda, and in 1923 all the city’s museums merged into one complex. It was this, connected to the regional museum of local lore, that became a modern museum-reserve.
Now the main exhibitions of the museum are located in the buildings of the Vologda Kremlin. Although calling the modern complex the Kremlin is not entirely correct. The fact is that the real Vologda Kremlin, built as the residence of Ivan the Terrible in 1565-71, was dismantled for the construction of houses at the beginning of the 19th century.
At one time, this complex was one of the largest fortified centers in the Russian Empire. It was surrounded by wooden walls 8 meters high, earthen ramparts and artificial ditches. Inside the Kremlin there were residential buildings, chambers of commerce, warehouses, customs, a prison, a court, and, of course, sacred buildings (for example, the center of the complex - St. Sophia Cathedral). All the fortifications were badly damaged during the Time of Troubles, then they were restored, and after 3 decades, Vologda, which overflowed its banks, washed away the Kremlin. They did not rebuild the fortress a second time - it was no longer needed, and then the remains of the stone fortifications and buildings were dismantled.
But the complex mentioned now is actually the so-called Small Kremlin, the Bishop's Courtyard. It was moved to the center of the Kremlin under construction during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, and earlier the bishops' buildings stood on Lazy Square. Nowadays the Bishop's Court is one of the best preserved residences of church leaders in the country.
The buildings of the complex have never been completely rebuilt, so now visitors can observe the ensemble in its historical form. The oldest building of the Small Kremlin (Economy building) dates back to the 50s of the 17th century. The newest buildings were erected in the 19th century. Since 1923, the complex has housed a museum-reserve.
Among the exhibitions housed in the Kremlin, collections of ancient Russian painting, carved wooden sculpture, textiles and metal stand out. There are also exhibitions of numismatics, jewelry, and archaeological finds. All collections are connected by a single theme of historical and ethnographic education; during the course of the exhibitions, visitors will learn about the life of their ancestors, their activities and the history of Vologda.
Cities and villages
Vologda
This city is called the cultural capital of northern Russia for its wooden buildings from the 14th to 18th centuries, ancient temples and monuments. A monument to the letter “O” was erected here as a symbol of urban pronunciation.
The poet Nikolai Rubtsov and the author of “Kolyma Tales” Varlam Shalamov were born in Vologda, and the writers Viktor Astafiev and Vasily Belov worked.
Attractions:
- Lace Museum. Located in an architectural monument of the 18th century. The exhibitions are divided into several eras, ranging from the 15th-16th centuries to modern works. Nearby there is a lace workshop and a store where you can buy products made in a single copy.
- Vologda Kremlin. It was built under Ivan the Terrible, but after the 17th century it fell into disrepair. Only the bell tower and two towers have survived.
- Saint Sophia Cathedral. The church contains the largest fresco in the country with an area of 400 square meters. m, it shows the process of the Last Judgment.
- House-Museum of Peter I. The emperor's personal belongings and his death mask are kept here. Part of the exhibition is devoted to a description of the life of the Slavs of the 16th-18th centuries.
- Spaso-Prilutsky Dimitriev Monastery. It is the largest in the Russian north. It was founded by Dmitry Prilutsky, a student of Sergius of Radonezh. The monastery houses his relics, which are considered healing.
Useful information and interesting facts about Vologda for tourists.
Veliky Ustyug
The city is considered one of the most ancient settlements in the North of Russia. Best known as the birthplace of Father Frost.
Travelers and explorers of Siberia and the Far East Semyon Dezhnev and Erofei Khabarov were born here. Emperor Peter I visited the city twice.
Attractions:
- Veliky Ustyug State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve. The museum's collection contains more than 90 thousand objects; exhibitions are devoted to numismatics, icon painting, crafts, and handwritten books.
- Glass Bottle Museum. The exhibition includes 689 bottles, most of which were made during the reign of Peter I. The exhibits include not only alcohol containers, but also medical, perfume and dairy containers.
- Factory "Velikoustyug Patterns". It produces handmade items from birch bark - boxes, baskets, souvenirs.
- Dymskaya Sloboda. It consists of three churches - Dmitry of Thessalonica, St. Dmitry and St. Sergius of Radonezh. There are excursions around their territory, but you can’t get inside - restoration work is underway.
- Cathedral of Procopius the Righteous. It was founded and named after the patron and protector of the city in 1668. The cathedral was built on the tomb of Procopius. Five-tiered iconography from the 18th century has been preserved here.
Read more about Veliky Ustyug and its interesting places
Cherepovets
It is believed that the city was founded by order of Catherine II, although archaeological finds indicate an ancient settlement dating back to around the 5th century.
There is a legend about the appearance of Cherepovets: the merchant Theodosius, sailing along the Sheksna River, was caught in a strong storm. Afraid of drowning, he began to pray fervently, after which he saw a mountain with an unusual glow. Taking the direction towards the hill, Theodosius was able to get out of the storm. A year later he returned to this place and founded a chapel. Now it is called Cherepovets Resurrection Monastery.
Test pilot Valery Pavlovich Chkalov, actress Anna Samokhina, and brothers Vasily and Nikolai Vereshchagin, the first producers of Vologda oil, were born here.
Attractions:
- Museum of Archeology. The collection contains ancient inventions, arrowheads, jewelry, and household items dating from the 5th to 9th centuries.
- Art Museum of Old Russian Art. Russian folk art is presented here, including icons, paintings, and items made of precious metals.
- Museum of the Metallurgical Industry with interactive excursions, where they talk about the history of industrial development of Cherepovets. They also conduct master classes for children and scientific experiments.
- Museum "House of Milyutin". Ivan Milyutin was the head of the city for several decades, and it was under him that Cherepovets developed as a mining and metallurgical center of the Vologda region. The museum tells about his life, affairs and family.
- Chapel of St. Philip of Irapa. In 2002, during excavations near the chapel, the relics of Philip were discovered; now they have been transferred to the monastery, and you can venerate them.
More important and interesting information about Cherepovets.
Belozersk
The first chronicle mentions of the city date back to 864. Initially, the city was located in a different place, but was moved here due to the outbreak of a plague epidemic.
The chemist Andrei Ivanov, the poet Sergei Orlov and the Privy Councilor Nikolai Kachalov were born and lived here.
Attractions:
- Church of Elijah the Prophet. Monument of wooden architecture of the 17th century. Part of the iconostasis was made of wood carvings at the beginning of the 18th century.
- Belozersky Kremlin. The rampart was built in 1487; a bridge of a later construction, dating from the 17th century, crosses it.
- Museum "Russian Izba". Inside, all the decoration is made with an exact copy of the life of Russian peasants.
- Transfiguration Cathedral. The temple was built in 1668; from that time, a carved wooden iconostasis, icon cases and icon frames have been preserved here.
Totma
The city was founded in 1125 and was called Toshma. It received its greatest development when the North Dvina trade route was built through it.
There are almost no modern buildings here - most of the buildings date from the 15th to 19th centuries. Nikolai Rubtsov (poet), Stanislav Zaitsev (local historian and historian), Anatoly Lunacharsky (Minister of Education in the USSR), Feodosius Vakhrushov (artist) lived and worked here.
Attractions:
- Museum of Sailors. Located in the building of the Church of the Entry into Jerusalem. The exhibition presents the history of the development of local navigation, photographs and ship equipment.
- Spaso-Sumorin Monastery. Drawings from the 16th century have been preserved here; a museum has been organized in the cells, where you can look at spinning wheels, old furniture of monks, and dishes. The grave of the sailor Ivan Kuskov has been recreated on its territory.
- Totemsky Museum of Local Lore. Its collections contain handicraft items - items made of blackened silver, enamel, birch bark, embroidery and artistic painting.
- Museum of Church Antiquities. Here are presented wooden sculptures, icons, and objects from the everyday life of clergy.
Village Sizma
The settlement got its name because of the large numbers of mosquitoes that live here. The official date of formation of the village is considered to be 1460. The local population speaks a dialect from the 17th century.
Types of ancient crafts have been preserved here - lace and blacksmithing, weaving, embroidery and cooperage.
- Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The holy relics are the remains of an ancient stone cross, nailed to the shore by the river flow, and the icon of the Mother of God, which itself was restored during restoration work in the temple.
- Museum of the Life of Russian Peasants. Here they show how beer was brewed and clothes were sewn; there is a large collection of handmade items - homespun towels for all occasions, antique furniture, dishes and jewelry.
- Source of St. Panteleimon. It is believed that the water in it can wash away sins and heal the body. For ablution there are special fonts and a gazebo.
Home to Santa Claus
For two decades now, one of the oldest cities in the region, Veliky Ustyug, has been welcoming travelers from different parts of the country and from abroad.
At first, only 2 thousand tourists a year visited the estate of the main winter wizard, but ten years later their number exceeded 209 thousand people.
Temple complex - Cathedral courtyard in Veliky Ustyug
People come to Veliky Ustyug to take part in the holidays and admire the beauty of northern nature. Here you can enjoy the silence, look at the cathedrals and temples of the 16th-18th centuries, as well as the ancient St. Michael the Archangel Monastery, which was founded in 1212.
The homeland of Father Frost has become so popular that tours are now organized there both in winter and summer. How did this affect the city's economy? Trade turnover increased 15 times, and unemployment fell sharply.
Lace Museum in Vologda
Reviews from tourists about Vologda in winter
Many tourists choose Vologda for a winter trip, especially for a New Year’s trip. The reasons may be completely different, but the main ones often sound new, interesting and not very far away for those who live in the European part of Russia. One of the most unusual things is getting to know the Russian North in winter, because in some cities of the country you can’t expect snow. Tourists shared their impressions of Vologda and walking routes:
- Homochka77 in the story “The City Where the Carved Palisade”;
- Elena Karaseva in the publication “Vologda Holidays”;
- Irina Porunova in the review “New Year holidays. Vologda";
- Ena in the story “Vologda: patterns of northern lace.”
All tourist reviews about Vologda in winter on Tourister. RU
Our routes:
- What to see in Vologda in 1 day and 2 days
- What to see in Veliky Ustyug in winter
- and the main page about the city with useful information
Hotel "Palisade" in Vologda Photo: © Andrey Panin
What to see in Vologda in the Kremlin:
- Bell tower of the Vologda Kremlin
- Saint Sophia Cathedral
- Vologda State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve
- Church of the Resurrection of the Vologda Kremlin
- Bishop's Court
- Church of the Nativity of Christ at the Bishop's Courtyard in Vologda
- Pyatnitskaya Tower of the Vologda Kremlin
- Gingerbread house
- Southwestern tower of the Vologda Kremlin.
The Vologda Kremlin is a unique architectural monument, built by order of Ivan IV the Terrible and planned as the future personal residence of the Tsar. But due to historical events this was not destined to come true. Construction work was carried out from 1565 to 1571 under the leadership of the famous engineer of the 16th century - Razmysl Petrov. Even after construction was completed, many structures were still erected and rebuilt over the centuries. Traditionally, the complex of the Vologda Kremlin includes: the Bishop's House, the Resurrection Cathedral, the St. Sophia Cathedral with a bell tower, located outside the Kremlin walls. Among the attractions it is worth seeing the amazing frescoes of the St. Sophia Cathedral, which is a monument of painting of the 17th century. Their total area is about 5000 square meters. meters. Today, tourists and pilgrims can visit the Vologda Kremlin through two entrances: the main one, located between the Bishops' and Resurrection Cathedrals; and the second - the northern side of the stone fence. On the territory of the Kremlin, buildings are haphazardly located, conventionally divided into three courtyards: the central, Consistorsky and utility courtyards. Most of the premises of the bishop's residence and courtyard are used by the Regional Museum-Reserve.
Read more about the structures of the Vologda Kremlin here.
The Vologda Kremlin is located on the Kremlin Square of Vologda - the main square of the city. The ensemble of Kremlin Square includes three churches and a bell tower. Cathedral Hill is located next to the Kremlin. Ivan the Terrible began to build the Kremlin, but the area was built up over several centuries. Therefore, the buildings located here differ from each other in architecture and style. Initially, the pavement of Kremlin Square was wooden. In 1947, for the 800th anniversary of the city, a new stone pavement was laid in place of the old pavement on the square. Both boulevards were restored, and a lawn was installed in the center. In 1957, the pavement on the square was covered with asphalt. In the mid-1970s, traffic through the square was closed. In 1960, for the anniversary exhibition of industry in the Vologda region, a glass pavilion “Mechanical Engineering and Transport” (glass) was built next to the Alexander Nevsky Church, which was dismantled a few years later. In 2006, reconstruction of the square began and was completed in 2007. The area was tiled, and the lawn in the center, on which spruce trees grew, was cleared. The square became pedestrian.
Where to go in Vologda with a child
You can explore the sights of Vologda with a little traveler - there are a lot of interesting locations for children. It all depends on the age and interests of the young tourist. If your child doesn’t want to see a church or monastery, give him real children’s entertainment! To do this, we recommend visiting the Vologda Regional Puppet Theater “Teremok” . The architecture of the building looks unusual, because it is located in the former church of Zosima and Savvaty Solovetsky. The theater's repertoire includes favorite children's fairy tales: Cinderella, Thumbelina, Gray Neck, etc. The theater is located on the street. Lenin.
Another option to keep an inquisitive fidget busy is to visit the Einstein Museum of Entertaining Sciences in Vologda on Leningradskaya Street. All conditions have been created here to interest a young traveler in natural sciences and give parents a break. Indeed, during the visit, children will be offered an interactive program in which they themselves will become participants in experiments and experiments from the world of biology, physics and chemistry. But there is no need to fear for the health of the kids - all activities here are completely safe for young researchers.
About the sights in general
The Vologda region, whose sights are of interest not only to historians, but also to ordinary tourists, has over 3.5 thousand monuments of cultural and historical heritage on its territory. They are represented by archaeological sites, stone buildings, church and monastery complexes, wooden architecture and ancient estates.
Ferapontov Monastery is the pearl of the Vologda region. This Orthodox complex dates back to the 15th–17th centuries and has a solid and special architecture. On the territory of the cultural site there is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, decorated with frescoes painted by Dionysius. Thanks to this, the cathedral gained worldwide fame. After all, the name of such a great artist is on a par with the name of Andrei Rublev himself.
The Vologda region can be proud of the true achievements of church art. The sights are clear proof of this. Their role is played by the Kazan Cathedral, which is located in Ustyuzhna, St. Sophia Cathedral (Vologda), Resurrection Cathedral (Cherepovets) and the Cathedral of Procopius the Righteous (Veliky Ustyug).
Brianchaninovs' estate
One of the most beautiful estates in the Vologda region is the Brianchaninovs’ estate in the village of Pokrovskoye, a unique cultural and historical monument of federal significance. This is an old beautiful stone house in a traditional classical style with galleries and outbuildings, which Alexander Semenovich Brianchaninov built for his family. Literary, theatrical and musical evenings were regularly held in the mansion.
In 1810, on the territory of the estate, the Intercession Church was built in the same style, which later became part of the cultural and educational center along with the house itself and the manor park, a beautiful masterpiece of landscape art of the 18th-19th centuries. A complete reconstruction of this place was carried out in 2007-2009.
Pharmacy Museum
More than 340 years ago, the first pharmacy was opened in Vologda, and at that time it was the third in all of Russia. Naturally, after so many years, little remains of the original appearance of the building. However, despite this, in 2004 it was decided to open a pharmacy museum in this building on the main street. There has been nothing like this in Russia before.
The museum's exposition consists of a wide variety of things, from vessels for weighing medicines to pills and lists of Vologda folk recipes. The Museum of Pharmacy will, first of all, be of interest to lovers of object tourism, and if you combine a visit to the museum with a colorful story and tea, then everyone who decides to come here will enjoy such a vacation. Address: Lenin street-1.
Vologda Hotels
In Vologda, all main types of accommodation are available for accommodation: hotels, apartments, hostels. When choosing where to stay, you need to determine the necessary amenities and a suitable location. The most popular hotels are in, “Svetlitsa”, “Aura Hotel & Spa”, “History”, “Palisade”.
- Vologda Hotels
- Hostels for Budget Travelers
- Flats and apartments
Are you going to visit Santa Claus? Review Tourist. Ru for this case:
- Hotels in Veliky Ustyug for the New Year
A way to save on travel is to book accommodation on Booking.com with cashback: Cashback promotion on Tourist. RU
Climate of the Vologda region
Weather
The climate of the Vologda region is temperate continental. Winters are cold and long, summers are warm and short. Average January temperature: -14ºС in the east and -11ºС in the west, average July temperature: +16ºС in the east and +18ºС in the west. Precipitation falls about 550-600 mm per year in the west and about 500 mm per year in the east.
Best time to travel
Thanks to the mild climate, holidays in the Vologda region are good all year round. Rivers and lakes with clear water, calm and measured relaxation in cozy guest houses in the silence of the village, clean air, natural products, a Russian bathhouse with brooms, fishing, horseback riding - all this attracts lovers of rural tourism to the Vologda land at any time.
In winter, ski resorts and trails are equipped for fans of snowboarding, alpine and cross-country skiing. In the summer, the Vologda region organizes exciting trips on catamarans, boats and kayaks, bicycle rides and even off-road races “Vologda Expanses”.
These lands are famous all year round among avid hunters and fishermen. They go to these places not only for rich booty, but also for communication with the picturesque nature of the Russian North.
And those traveling with children can go to a fairy tale at any time of the year. The real Santa Claus from Veliky Ustyug is always happy to see his grandchildren, just like the mistress of the river Vashkinskaya Zolotaya Rishka, who is ready to fulfill the most cherished wishes of children and their parents for 12 months in a row.
- Church in Vologda
- Night in Vologda
- Bridge over the Vologda River
Parks, entertainment and more
Father Frost's estate
Address: Mardengskoye rural settlement Tel: +7 81738 5 21-10, +7 981 502 57-8 Website: https://votchina-dm.ru Opening hours: daily, around the clock Cost: from 1200 rub. How to get there: from Vologda along the M-8 highway, after the bridge over Dvinitsa turn right, further along the highway to Veliky Ustyug, after 13 km to the settlement (the road takes about 5 hours, 450 km). Buses run only from Veliky Ustyug.
The place of residence of Father Frost was determined in 1999, since then an amusement park and many places for entertainment and recreation have been built here.
The following are open to the public: the summer house - Glacier, in which even in summer the temperature does not rise above -15 degrees; a zoo with hares, owls, deer (more than 400 animals in total); A winter garden in which plants bloom year-round; The Russian tower is directly the house of Father Frost.
In the Throne Room, next to the thrones of the Snow Maiden and Grandfather, there is always a living decorated spruce, in a separate room all the gifts from children are collected, and in the study there is a travel map.
A master class on making horseshoes will be held at the forge, and at the Folklore House they will talk about the life of the northerners.
Manor tourism
Eight ancient estates have been preserved in the region, most of which have been turned into historical and architectural museums.
Tourist and pilgrimage routes are laid through picturesque towns and villages.
28 km from the regional center stands Pokrovskoye, the family estate of the Bryanchaninov nobles. The estate was built at the beginning of the 19th century in the traditions of early classicism. Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov) was born and spent his childhood here, so today an endless stream of pilgrims reaches Pokrovskoye. They go to learn more about the life and fate of the saint, to see the restored manorial buildings and to venerate the ashes of the Bryanchaninovs in the family necropolis.
Khvalevskoye estate in the village of Borisovo-Sudskoye
In Cherepovets there is a house-museum popular with tourists, which belonged to the famous Russian battle painter Vasily Vasilyevich Vereshchagin. The estate was built in the 30s of the 19th century, and the Vereshchagins owned it for 50 years. Now the old house displays reproductions of the artist’s paintings, which are kept in various museums around the world.
In the Vologda village of Danilovskoye there is an estate in which the poet Konstantin Nikolaevich Batyushkov and the writer Alexander Ivanovich Kuprin lived at different times. Nowadays, the main manor house has been turned into an interesting museum, and next to it, on the bank of the river, there is a green park.
The Gallsky estate in Cherepovets
Another famous estate meets tourists on the Suda River in the Babaevsky district of the region. Since the middle of the 19th century, Khvalevsky was owned by the nobles Kachalovs. Today, the descendants of this ancient family live in different cities of the country, in Riga, Paris and London. Thanks to them, the manor house and the elegant Church of the Intercession were restored on Vologda land. Tourists can visit the museum room, near the source of St. Nicholas and in the beautiful park.
Opoki tract
Sukhona is the largest river in the Vologda region, famous for its rapids, rifts, and beautiful banks. The backward flow in it regularly creates floods with repeated changes of the channel at the mouth. The Opoki tract is the most dangerous and longest rapid on the river, its length is 1.5 km, the height of the banks is 60 m, and the flow speed can only be compared with mountain rivers.
On the fault, the banks of the tract look like a layer cake with brown-brown, white and dark gray stripes of clay, marls, siltstones, and limestones. These beautiful places are also known for their gushing source of ferruginous waters, and although over 50 years of mining the pressure has noticeably subsided, in winter an original ice sculpture forms near the fountain.
The nature of this beautiful place is also unique - rare plants (northern tuberous calypso orchid, clematis vine), larches, fir trees, and many species of birds have made Opoki an important natural site in the Vologda region and Russia; it was given the status of a landscape reserve at the beginning of the 21st century.
Lace
What is Vologda famous for? Of course, lace, which is also called very poetically - “frozen colors of the northern winter.” The peculiarity of needlework is that weaving is done on wooden sticks or bobbins. The main plot is represented by a dense pattern of ribbons. Most often, the design is applied to a patterned lattice.
This type of needlework is very original; it has existed in the north of Russia for more than three centuries. It has not lost its relevance and best traditions today, which is why Vologda is famous for lace. Today, industrial production and handicrafts occupy a special niche in the city’s economy.
The works of the best masters have been exhibited more than once at international exhibitions since 1876 and often received the highest marks. And in Paris (1925) and Brussels (1958), lace from Vologda received gold awards.
Historical and Ethnographic Museum "Galsky Estate"
In 2009, an interesting museum opened in the city, located in a house considered a masterpiece of wooden architecture in provincial settlements. The house was built by the landowner Kudryavtsev in 1830 on a beautiful spot on the banks of the Sheksna. Later, the Gali nobles became its owners.
Now a museum has been opened in it, conveying the atmosphere of 150 years ago in an interesting exhibition called “Family History, History of Russia,” reflecting the way of life of the Russian nobility. The first floor is occupied by the “Ethnography” exhibition, created from elements of private collections.
Numerous outbuildings have been preserved. Some of them have been restored. For example, you can ride horses in the stables. In the forge, try your hand at the difficult work of a blacksmith. Sitting in the cozy hall of the estate, listen to a chamber concert of artists of the Cherepovets Philharmonic.
Address: Maturinskaya street-28.
A trip around the city's outskirts will complement the list of interesting attractions in the area. The beauty of the Rybinsk Reservoir, the fascinating stories of its creation, legends about the secrets of forest lakes, impenetrable swamps, clear rivers, sparkling fish with silver scales, will definitely invite you to see these places in Russia.
Museum of the Metallurgical Industry
Using modern interactive technologies, the museum interestingly tells about the history of the creation of a large metallurgical center of the country. Thematic halls house interactive screens, audiovisual installations, and electronic stands. They reflect the features of the technological processes of the birth of steel from ancient times to modern times. The entire first floor is dedicated to the history of steel production.
An entertainment children's center with master classes and scientific experiments begins operating on the second floor. The museum is a modern information and educational center. Important scientific conferences are regularly held in its halls.
Address: Mira street - 42.
Historical places
Architectural and Ethnographic Museum
The museum is a monument to the history of the Russian peasantry. Religious buildings here include the 17th century St. George Church and the Chapel of Elijah the Prophet.
Most of the exhibition is occupied by the houses of peasants and landowners from the 17th to 19th centuries. Among the outbuildings, the most noticeable are the glacier of the Zhukovs’ house for storing food and the black bathhouse. All houses contain museum exhibits - household and labor items. On excursions they talk about the production of felt boots, fishing and hunting, and crafts.
Museum workers also conduct master classes on birch bark weaving, making amulets dolls, painting, making paints, and even playing Lapta.
Brianchaninovs' estate
On the territory there was a manor complex with the main building, the Church of the Virgin Mary, stables, garden, pond and cellars. All this was built in the 19th century.
Nearby is the family cemetery of the Brianchaninov family. A special feature of the park is the linden trees planted in the shape of a cross.
Part of the residential building is currently being restored. The entire first floor and the staircase to the second have been preserved from the moment of construction.
Khvalevskoye Estate
The estate is the ancestral home of the Kachalovs. At the beginning of 2000, the descendants of Privy Councilor Nikolai Kachalov bought the entire territory along with the buildings and restored it. It is believed that Nikita Kachalov was the murderer of Tsarevich Dmitry, for which he was beaten to death by a crowd.
The interior of the house was completely preserved, as was the chapel.
Now the house is residential, so to visit it you need to contact the owners through the website.
Batyushkov Estate
Konstantin Batyushkov was a famous poet and mentor of Alexander Pushkin.
Alexander Kuprin, a good friend of Konstantin, came here to visit. It is believed that it was in this estate that the “Garnet Bracelet” was written.
Of the things belonging to the two writers, little remains: a bell for calling servants, a collection of Batyushkov’s works and part of the office.
Now the estate houses a museum. The entire territory is available for visiting, except for the left wing of the main building - it is being restored.
Museum "Submarine B-440"
The museum is housed in a real submarine built in 1969. In 2003, the Ministry of the Navy donated it to the Vologda region.
During excursions they talk about the boat’s combat past and its purpose. The situation inside has been recreated as during service in the North-Baltic region. The guides here are former professional submariners.
The exhibition also features exhibits from the first Soviet submarines, materials on shipbuilding, and an interactive exhibition about the life of sailors.
"Ancient Russian settlement Sugorye"
The village tells about the history, architecture and customs of the ancient Slavs. Archaeologists say that Finno-Ugric and Viking tribes lived in this place.
On the territory there are houses stylized as Viking dwellings with their traditional decorations, animal skins and fireplaces. All exhibits can be picked up or tried on.
Sugorye hosts costume shows, historical battles, and pagan holidays. Here you can try to play the harp, shoot a bow, forge weapons and horseshoes.
All excursions are immersive in the life of the Drevlyans, which includes dressing in their costumes and eating traditional food for those times.
House-Museum of A.F. Mozhaisky
The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the inventor Alexander Mozhaisky. The first working monoplane models were invented in this house.
On the second floor of the building there is a scientist’s study, an antique piano and restored furniture that belonged to the Mozhaisky family. Some of the halls are decorated with items brought by Alexander Fedorovich from his travels.
On the ground floor, exhibitions are dedicated to famous Vologda residents who contributed to the development of aeronautics and navigation. There are parts of the first airplanes, the development of space food adapted for astronauts, photographs and models of aircraft.
Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve
The museum was created in the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery, later it included the Ferapontov and Goritsky monasteries.
The museum itself has the largest collection of church bells in Russia, household items of the Tserkovnitsky family living in Kirillov, and a collection of religious books. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the history of the city.
Also among the exhibits are the cells of monks, the exhibition “Antiquities of Belozerye”, works of icon painting and applied art.
Ferapontov Monastery
The Ferapontov Monastery is located in the Vologda region on a hill between Paskoye and Borodaevskoye lakes near the village of Ferapontovo. The beautiful architectural complex of the monastery has been a cultural and historical monument of federal significance since 1997. This place, significant for Orthodox Christians, was founded by the monk Ferapont in 1937; for more than 400 years the monastery was a major cultural and religious educational center of the Belozersky region.
At the end of the 15th century. Stone construction began on the territory of the monastery. The oldest building, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, was built in 1490 and painted in 34 days in 1502 by the most famous temple artist Dionysius and his sons; beautiful frescoes today are the most valuable asset of the Ferapontov Monastery. Active construction was carried out in this place in the 16th-17th centuries, but the Ferapontov Monastery never became a fortress like Kirillov.
That's why the Poles ruined it in 1614, and from the end of the 17th century. The decline of this holy place begins, until in 1798 it was closed altogether. The monastery was re-opened in 1904, but as a monastery, restoration work began. After the revolution, this place was closed again and restoration was interrupted for almost 50 years, and in 1970 a museum of Dionysian frescoes was opened in its buildings. Since 2000, the beautiful ensemble of the Ferapontov Monastery has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Geography of the Vologda region
The Vologda region is located in the north of the European part of Russia, 479 km from Moscow and 683 km from St. Petersburg. In terms of area, it is one of the largest regions of the Russian Federation and accounts for almost 1 percent of its territory (145.7 thousand sq. km); the greatest length from north to south is 385 km, from west to east – 650 km.
The regional center is the city of Vologda, founded in 1147. The largest industrial center of the region is Cherepovets. The region borders in the north with Arkhangelsk, in the east with Kirov, in the south with Kostroma and Yaroslavl, in the southwest with Tver and Novgorod, in the west with Leningrad regions, and in the northwest with the Republic of Karelia. The region is divided into 26 municipal districts and 2 urban districts (Vologda and Cherepovets).
The terrain is hilly. The main lowlands are Mologo-Sheksninskaya and Prionezhskaya, the main uplands are Andomskaya, Vepsovskaya, Vologda, Verkhnevazhskaya, Galichskaya. The main rivers are Andoma, Vologda, Dvintsa, Luza, Mologa, Chagodosha, Sukhona, Unzhi, Sheksna and others. Lakes - Beloe, Vozhzhe, Kubenskoye, Onega. In the southwest of the region there is part of the Rybinsk Reservoir. The region is located in the taiga zone, forests occupy about 70 percent of its area.
- Brianchaninovs' estate
- Bell tower of the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Vologda churches
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nelazi
Architectural monuments of ancient Russian wooden architecture, made without a single nail from beautiful, neat logs, amaze with their grandeur and originality. This is exactly what the church, built in 1694, is like. The architectural style of the church is based on an equal-pointed cross.
The center is decorated with a cross-shaped barrel. Five majestic domes rise above it. From a distance, the church resembles a mysterious ship, forever stuck among the endless fields of the Vologda region. The church is closed for regular services. You can only enter it on holidays.
Address: Nelazskoe village.
Memorial complex in Victory Square
To the sailors who died in all centuries. The monument was erected on this place in the summer of 1968. A complete memorial, with galleries of sculptures, the author of which was M.M. Kuznetsov, was inaugurated on May 9, 1985. Along the alley that leads to the main monument of the complex - a soldier in a raincoat with a lowered machine gun, there are busts of fellow countrymen - heroes of the Patriotic Wars.
To all the dead sailors throughout the ages. The monument was opened in the summer of 1997 with the support of the Club of Reserve Military Sailors named after. Vice Admiral K.F. Petryashova. Memorial lists appeared here 12 years later.
Location: s. Kichmengsky Town.
Cultural and educational holiday in Vologda
There are a lot of interesting places where you should go in Vologda to fill your leisure time with vivid impressions and broaden your horizons. The city has several remarkable museums; in the evenings, theaters invite fans of Melpomene to see the art.
Lace Museum
- Opening hours: from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 10:00 to 17:00.
- Ticket price: adult 150 rubles, reduced price 70 rubles, for preschool children 50 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Address: Kremlin Square, 12. Transport stop "Center".
When you come to the city, you simply cannot ignore the colorful museum. Exquisite lace, created by the hands of skilled craftswomen, has glorified Vologda throughout the world. Why miss a great opportunity to see all this splendor with your own eyes? The exhibitions of the institution, occupying an area of 1.5 thousand m², tell about the history and evolution of a unique artistic craft from its inception to the present day. During the excursion, tourists will see many exhibits. Among them there is not only stunning Vologda lace, but also creations made of silver or gilded thread, made by needlewomen from Germany, Slovakia, Poland, and Spain in the 17th–19th centuries.
House-Museum of Peter I
- Opening hours: from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 10:00 to 17:30.
- Ticket price: adult 80 rubles, reduced price 50 rubles, for preschool children 40 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Address: Sovetsky Prospekt, 47. Transport stop “Yashina Street”.
The first Russian emperor visited Vologda quite often. On one of these trips, he stayed in a house built for the Dutch merchant Johann Goutman. In 1872, the city authorities bought the building and, after restoration, set up a museum in it dedicated to Peter I. The house is also interesting in itself as an architectural monument. The historical interior has been recreated in the premises; the stoves lined with tiles have been preserved. Among hundreds of museum exhibits, visitors will see the death mask of Peter I, clothes that the emperor wore during his lifetime, antique furniture, a beater with the royal seal, and an ancient musket. A cannon from the Peter the Great era is installed in front of the museum building.
Art Gallery
The exhibition halls of the regional art gallery are located in the building of the Resurrection Cathedral - a stunning monument of Russian Baroque architecture, erected in the last third of the 18th century. The collection of the institution, founded in 1952, consists of several thousand works by masters of painting, graphics, sculpture, and decorative and applied arts. The gallery halls display paintings by A. Benois, B. Kustodiev, I. Aivazovsky, K. Korovin, I. Levitan. Connoisseurs will especially enjoy the unique collection of bookplates.
City Drama Theater
Last year, the regional Drama, one of the oldest Russian theaters, opened its 168th season. Over its long history, the theater has known periods of ups and downs. Actors performed on its stage who later made careers on the stages of capital cities. The current generation of artists constantly delights audiences with bright performances of various genres, including colorful productions for children. Performances often attract full houses. Since 1991, the most interesting International Festival of Theater Arts “Voices of History” has been held in Vologda.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
Address: st. Sergeya Orlova, 15 Telephone Opening hours: from 10:00 to 17:00 (weekends - Monday, Tuesday) Cost: 200 rubles for adults, 100 for students and schoolchildren
The oldest stone building in Vologda is St. Sophia Cathedral. It was erected by order of Ivan the Terrible in 1568-70. The tsar took the image of the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow as a basis, so great was his desire to build a similar building in his new residence.
In 1570, a brick falls on Ivan the Terrible’s head near the entrance to the temple. Immediately all finishing work stopped - and the temple remained unfinished for 17 years. According to legend, the tsar took the fall of the stone as a bad sign and dissatisfaction with higher powers, but in reality the reason for stopping construction was most likely the abolition of the Oprichnina.
The St. Sophia Cathedral was nevertheless consecrated and decorated. It becomes the cathedral of the entire Vologda diocese in 1587. And until its closure in 1923, it remained the center of the religious life of the region. During Soviet times, a museum was located here; in 2007, the temple was opened already restored. Now the building is also listed as part of the museum-reserve, but on holidays services are held here.
The cathedral is combined into one ensemble with a bell tower, from which an impressive panorama of Vologda opens. Impressive wooden steps lead to the top of the bell tower.
Churches, cathedrals and temples
Museum of Frescoes of Dionysius - Ferapontov Monastery
Ferapontov Monastery is an architectural ensemble, the main part of which is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin. It preserves frescoes by Dionysius, a 15th century artist. These images are the oldest among others in Russia.
You can look at them quite rarely - on clear days from June to September; the rest of the time the cathedral is closed: the frescoes lose color due to humidity and are destroyed. Photography is prohibited during the excursion.
Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery
In the monastery, in addition to the men's monastery, there is a museum with collections of ancient icons, church utensils and household items.
The monastery complex includes 11 temples, 14 towers and sections of walls, 13 residential and utility buildings. The Assumption Cathedral, founded in the 15th century, is one of the first buildings in the north. Its belfry contains a collection of bells. The relics of the saint are buried in the Church of St. Cyril, and there are also 29 icons from the 16th to 19th centuries.
In the cells of the 17th century there are exhibitions of icons, oil paintings, graphics and folk textiles.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nelazi
Address: s. NelazskoyeHow to get there: from Vologda along the A-114 highway to the village. Nelazskoye (road about 2 hours 30 minutes, 130 km), by bus 3 hours 14 minutes.
The church is a monument of wooden architecture of the Vologda region. Painted twenty-tetrahedral skies from the 17th century have been preserved here.
The temple is under restoration; all the interior decoration has been taken to the Cherepovets Museum of Local Lore.
Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ustyuzhna
Address: Ustyuzhna, st. Korelyakova, 12
The church was founded in 1557.
Previously, it contained paintings by Aivazovsky and the ancient icon “Hodegetria of Ustyuzhenskaya”. But in 1992 they were stolen.
The church is not operational; it is opened only on church holidays.
Spaso-Kamenny Monastery
Coordinates: 59.607500, 39.573300 Address: Kamenny Island How to get there: from Vologda along highway 19K-052 to Isakov, then turn left to the village. Mouth. From there by boat to the island (the journey is about 1 hour 40 minutes, 82 km). By bus along the highway 2 hours 17 minutes.
Previously, it was the oldest monastery in the Vologda region. Now all that remains is a bell tower and a small chapel. Everything is surrounded by ruins.
According to legend, the monastery was founded here in 1260 by the Belozersk prince Gleb Vasilkovich after being rescued from a strong storm.
In 2007, a small hotel and a church shop were built here.
It is believed that bricks need to be brought to the island to restore the temple, this will bring good luck.
Trinity-Gledensky Monastery
Address: Morozovitsa village, st. Tsentralnaya, 122 How to get there: from Vologda along the M-8 highway, after the bridge over Dvinitsa turn right, then along the 19K-054 highway to the village of Morozovitsa, across the Sukhony bridge 4 km (road time about 5 hours, 440 km)
The monastery is now invalid and is a branch of the Veliky Ustyug Museum-Reserve. On the territory there is a hospital church, the Trinity Cathedral and the Tikhvin Tower.
The stone fence around the buildings was not destroyed - there was not enough money for construction.
A gilded iconostasis from the 16th century has been preserved in the Trinity Cathedral.
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What places can you visit with children?
The Vologda region is exactly the region where it is recommended to come for a family holiday. What is a family without children? Even the little ones will find an adventure to their liking that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Russian North Park
- Address: Siverskaya st., 9A, Kirillov.
A specially protected area located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans was created to preserve not only the unique nature of the Vologda Lake District, but also its rich historical past.
The national park includes lakes and rivers, endangered flora and fauna, monuments of Russian northern architecture and archeology, and ancient historical villages. For tourists, park employees have developed special routes (on foot and on water) and eco-trails that allow them to cover as many attractions as possible.
Sugorye
- Address: Kirillovsky district, Goritsy village.
15 km from the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery there is an unusual open-air museum. Once inside, you are completely immersed in the atmosphere of Ancient Rus' of the 11th-12th centuries. Several interactive programs have been prepared for guests, thanks to which they can
- introduce yourself as a warrior of the prince and take part in the military council;
- visit a forge and make a forged souvenir with your own hands;
- learn some secrets of blacksmithing.
The Viking House exposition will introduce visitors to the way of Scandinavian housing.
Holiday programs and master classes are often held on the territory of the museum complex. For example, here you can walk a special hunting trail with obstacles, shoot with a bow and crossbow, or practice throwing the ancient Russian sulitsa spear.
And then come to a gathering with an ancient samovar, heated on coals with traditional northern treats and Russian drinking songs.
