Bogorodsk
This town of leather-working and pottery, the birthplace of the famous actor Anatoly Solonitsyn, known to us from Tarkovsky's films, took shape from a small XVI century trading settlement. Here you can buy the famous Bogorodsky Souvenir sweets, work with clay in the ceramics museum, go skydiving in summer, and skiing or snowboarding in winter.
A FEW FACTS
The First Mention
The first written reference to the village of Bogorodskoye dates back to 1561. It derived its name from the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary («Bogoroditsa»), which stood on the shore of Lake Kabatskoye.
A royal gift
In 1614, as a reward «for Kuzma’s many services» and for «the cleansing of Moscow», Tsar Mikhail Romanov transferred the village to the patrimony of Kuzma Minin. In 1632, following Pavlovo, Bogorodsk’s title passed to the princely family of the Cherkasskys, and in the XVIII century it became a possession of the Sheremetevs.
Leather Production
Bogorodsk is one of the most ancient and well-known centers of the leather industry. At the end of the XVIII and beginning of the XIX centuries, there were about 120 tanneries here. Bogorodsk goods — saddlery and mittens — were widely distributed throughout the country. Up to a million pairs per year were made.
The Symbol of the Craft
Three golden pieces of leather are depicted on the coat of arms of Bogorodsk: this is a symbol of the ancient leather craft.
Esperantist Lane
This is the only city in Russia where there is a street named after the artificial language Esperanto. Until 2015, there were two such cities, but Esperanto Street in Kazan was subsequently renamed in honor of former Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Bogorodsk Airfield
Bogorodsk is an important center of light aviation in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and the history of the local airfield goes back to the pre-war years. Since the mid-1950s the airfield has been used as a base for the Nizhny Novgorod Aero Club. Parachutists and light-aircraft pilots are trained here.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY
01
Stop by at Sartakovo
On the way from Nizhny Novgorod to Bogorodsk, you can stop in the village of Sartakovo, famous for its sacred spring known as Prince of Vladimir. Here you will also find the Berezopolye museum of ancient folk crafts, where you can see national costumes, a large collection of samovars and harmonicas, gold embroidery, and much more besides. You can also make a wish on the Bridge of Love, and even have a tea party.
02
Visit the Ceramics Museum
Once in Bogorodsk, start at the museum of ceramics, which is located in the former apartment house of the merchant Obzhorin. Cast your eyes over the collection of ceramic products from all over Russia, learn about the process of creating clay products, and then head over to the souvenir shop where you can buy ceramic souvenirs. The Bogorodsky Historical Museum is located in the same building, so you can also have a look there if you have the time.
03
Reminisce about the roles of Anatoly Solonitsyn
In the same building you will come across a memorial plaque dedicated to the actor Anatoly Solonitsyn, whom many remember from the films of Andrei Tarkovsky — «The Stalker», «Solaris», «The Mirror», and many others. Solonitsyn is depicted on the board in the image of Andrei Rublev, and it is interesting to note that he decided to take on the role after finding out that his great-grandfather was the famous icon painter Zakhar Solonitsyn.
04
Take a break at the Krutushka
The favourite vacation spot of the townspeople is the Krutaya Gora («Steep Mountain») or the Krutushka, as the locals call it, one of the largest mountains in the region. At the top, there is an observation deck with a sculpture of the landowner Vasily Sheremetev, and at the base there is a picturesque pond. According to legend, Sheremetev forbade one of the serfs to marry, and she committed suicide. In her honour, Sheremetev ordered for a pond to be dug resembling the silhouette of a girl with the outline of the goddess Venus.
05
Take a walk along Bragina Street
It is interesting to consider this historical corner from the point of view of architecture: here you can see that it was once a rich commercial and industrial village. Harmony is also lent to the street thanks to the fact that all stone buildings are made of red brick.
06
Take a walk along Lake Kabatskoye
The area around the lake has recently been landscaped, and now there are many information stands where you can learn interesting facts about the town. On the lake, there is a figure with a silhouette of the lost Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary («Bogoroditsa»), in whose honor the village of Bogorodskoye was named. The lake itself is named after the state institution «Tsarev Kabak», which was once located here. Wealthy peasants settled around the lake, so the manor complexes that can be seen here are a real open-air museum.
07
Buy a «Bogorodsky Souvenir»
As a gift from Bogorodsk, it is best to bring back «Bogorodsky Souvenir» candies. You can buy candies at the local market or in the shop at the Bogorodsk Confectionery Factory.
08
Drop in to the Bogorodsk Aero Club
Entering Bogorodsk, you may have spotted a monument to the MiG-23 aircraft, which serves as a reminder that throughout the Great Patriotic War. Right up until the mid-50s, an air force squadron was based in the city, where combat pilots were trained. Today, you can take a tour around Bogorodsk Aero Club, fly in an aeroplane, and even do a parachute jump.
09
Visit the Dudin Monastery
On the way back to Nizhny Novgorod, stop off at the Dudin Monastery, whose name, according to legend, came from the nearby village of Dudenevo, with its first mention dating right back to the XV century. Its location is extremely picturesque, as it is perched on the high bank of the Oka River.
10
Go on an excursion to the estate of the Priklonsky-Rukavishnikovs
The real diamond of the Bogorodsk district is the museum estate of the Priklonsky-Rukavishnikovs. This is a unique XVII century architectural ensemble, the ancestral home of the wealthiest nobles — the Priklonskys — and millionaires who were the Rukavishnikovs. Here you can see a water tower, a greenhouse, European-style arched windows, and an alleyway with one of the oldest lime trees in the district. There are a lot of stories to be told here, and the estate’s current owner will take you on a tour and tell you about this incredibly atmospheric place.
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE
The Berezopolye Museum of Ancient Folk Crafts
Sartakovo village, 149В Tsentralnaya str.
The territory of the complex features a wooden tower with antique household items, gazebos and a Bridge of Love on which you should make a wish.
Working hours
Tuesday - Sunday — 10:00 – 16:00;
Monday — day off
The Prince of Vladimir Sacred Spring
Sartakovo Village, Tsentralnaya str.
A spring, next to which there are separate plunge pools for men and women, a church shop, and a small pond.
St Vladimir's Church
Sartakovo, 1A Nagornaya str.
A wooden church on a hill. You can reach it by a path from the sacred spring.
Krutaya Gora
Bogorodsk, Vanzetti str.
This hill, nicknamed Krutushka, is located in the grounds of the former estate of Count Sheremetev (a monument to whom is installed on the top) and is surrounded by a lake.
Memorial plaque to the actor Anatoly Solonitsyn
Bogorodsk, 222 Lenina str.
A plaque, on which the famous actor and native of Bogorodsk is depicted in the image of Andrei Rublev, the principal role of his career.
The Bogorodsk Museum of Ceramics
Bogorodsk, 222A Lenina str.
A museum with a vast collection of products from the finest masters of the art of pottery. Here you can visit the workshops and even make a souvenir yourself.
Working hours
Tuesday - Saturday — 08:00 - 16:00;
Sunday — 09:00 -15:00;
Monday - day off
The Bogorodsk Historical Museum
Bogorodsk, 222A Lenina str.
A museum with collections of weapons, ancient household items and leather crafts, for which Bogorodsk was so famous in centuries past.
Working hours
Tuesday - Saturday — 08:00 - 16:00;
Sunday — 09:00 -15:00;
Monday - day off
The Houses on Bragina Street
Bogorodsk, Bragina str.
Residential buildings representing the «brick style» peculiar to the architecture of late XIX century / early XX century Bogorodsk have been preserved here.
Lake Kabatskoye
Bogorodsk, Bragina str.
The place called by the locals the heart of the city: it was here that the settlement of Podolets was located, which later became Bogorodskoye.
Bogorodsk Aero Club
Bogorodsk, 1 Nizhny Novgorod highway
An airfield where you can see a collection of aircraft, fly aircraft, and even do parachute jumps.
Working hours
Visit by appointment only;
Saturday-Sunday
The Dudin Monastery
Bogorodsky District, near the village of Teteryugino
A monastery set on the right bank of the Oka. The first mention of it dates back to the beginning of the XV century.
The estate of the Priklonsky-Rukavishnikovs in Podvyazye
Podvyazye Village, 53 Okskaya str.
A noble XVII century manor, where stunning landscapes open up before your very eyes, themed events take place, and where you can walk along the alley of linden trees.
Working hours
Daily from 10:00 to 20:00;
Visit by appointment only
The Oransky Bogoroditsky monastery
Oranki Village, 2 Pochtovaya str.
A monastery founded in 1634 with several churches, a bell tower, a bathhouse at the sacred springs, and a garden.
