Main

Sights of the region

Dalnee Konstantinovo

The word «Dalnee» means «far», but actually, Konstantinovo is not really that far away, about an hour by car from Nizhny Novgorod.The town is named in honor of Grand Duke Konstantin Vasilyevich, nephew of Alexander Nevsky, and these lands once belonged to him. Historically, the territory was Mordovian, so the names of the settlements here - Simbiley, Sarley, Lazazey - are quite unusual for Russians. There are plenty of interesting places here, so be sure to pay it a visit

A FEW FACTS

The Village’s Name

The first mention of Dalnee Konstantinovo dates back to the end of the XIV century. The settlement was founded on Mordovian lands, and belonged to Grand Duke Konstantin Vasilyevich. The name of the village owes itself to the fact that Konstantinovo was one of the prince's more distant from Nizhny Novgorod possessions: to this day, there is a village next to Nizhny Novgorod called Blizhnee Konstantinovo («Blizhnee» means «near»).

The Princes’ Summer Residence

The villages of Konstantinovo and Borisovo, founded by the great Nizhny Novgorod princes Konstantin Vasilyevich and Boris Konstantinovich, were the personal possessions and summer residences of the princes, as well as a stronghold for the colonization of the Mordovian lands.

Bolshoe Teryushevo

The district’s most famous village in the old days was Bolshoye Teryushevo, center of the vast Teryushevskaya volost (municipal district), and the «capital» of the Teryukhanskaya Mordva. In fact, before the 1917 revolution, there was nothing in Dalnee Konstantinovo apart from a church, with the district mayor, the bailiff, the local station and the post and telegraph offices all located in the village of Bogoyavlenie.

The Country Market

Above all, the village was known for its market, where bread, meat, and other products, as well as handicrafts and commodity goods were traded.

The Kazan Church

The oldest church in the district is the wooden Kazan Church in the village of Rumyantsevo, which was built in 1751. In Soviet times, it was the only functioning Orthodox church in the Dalnee Konstantinovo district, all the others having been closed.

The Orlov-Davydov Estate

In the village of Simbiley, there was once a rich estate of the Counts of Orlov-Davydov, which at one time was well maintained, but has now fallen into disrepair. The estate consists of nine ancient buildings, including the main house and the church, as well as a vast park.

The First Train

The first railway train passed through Surovatikha station from Nizhny Novgorod to Arzamas in 1901. The early XX century buildings have been preserved here: the station building, the water tower, and the residential barracks.

Anton Chekhov's Visit

Dalnee Konstantinovo district was visited by the writer Anton Chekhov. The district was called Tamozhnikovskaya volost of Nizhny Novgorod uyezd back then. In January 1892, he came here to reveal the extent of the famine that had befallen the Volga region, and to help the peasants. Funds raised by the writer were used to set up a free canteen for starving peasants which was opened in the village of Belaya. In 1970, a monument to the writer was erected in the village.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Climb the Somov Hills

Probably the area’s main attraction, albeit not the most obvious, has appeared here not so long ago. The Somov Hills are named after the folk craftsman Veniamin Somov, who established a memorial dedicated to the soldiers of various battles here. The monuments are scattered over a vast territory, so let’s see if you can find them all! One of the most interesting is dedicated to the victims of Stalin's repressions. It takes the form of a flat bells that nonetheless ring.

Take a stroll around the Orlov-Davydov estate in Simbelei

This is the large estate of the famous Orlov and Orlov-Davydov families: the very Orlov brothers who enthroned Catherine the Great. The estate consists of nine buildings and a vast park. The most interesting building here is the XIX century Church of the Transfiguration. It has seen better days, but originally it was designed by the famous architect Pavel Hess, painted by Italian craftsmen, and the oak altar-screen was made in London. Now separate fragments of this altar-screen are kept in the regional museum of local history.

Go on a fishing trip in the Chistye Prudy

Not far from Surovatikha, in the Chistye Prudy («the Clear Ponds») Country Club, you can rent a house and arrange a fishing trip to six specially equipped lakes, where you can fish for trout and sturgeon. You will be helped to cook your freshly caught fish in the Three Minnows cafe, which is located in the country club’s grounds. You can also ride snowmobiles here, or just take a walk and get some fresh air. There are available activities here all year round.

Visit the places Chekhov touched

In point of fact, there is only one such place in the district, the village of Belaya, where a monument was even erected to the great writer. A crop failure led to famine in 1891-1892, and at that time Chekhov was friends with the local mayor Egorov, and he organized a collection of donations for the hungry, travelling here himself on two occasions. He wrote of the local village, «I will be in the most remote area of the Nizhny Novgorod province, where there are no landlords, no doctors, nor even intelligent girls, of whom there are many even in hell now».

Spend a summer photo shoot in the lavender fields

You can feel like you’re in Provence right here, in real lavender fields, where you can go for a walk, arrange a photo shoot, take part in master classes, or buy a bouquet, sachets or seedlings as a souvenir. More recently, gala dinners have also been held in the lavender fields. Bear in mind that the lavender flowering season is quite short, so you can only fully enjoy the views from mid-July to the end of August.

Visit the Kazan Church in Rumyantsevo

Be sure to stop off in Rumyantsevo to admire one of the oldest wooden churches in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which was built in 1751. You can't miss it, because it stands out with its bright turquoise color.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

The Church of the Epiphany of the Lord

Bogoyavlenie Village, Shosseynaya str.

A stone church built in 1826 in the Empire style on the site of the former wooden church and decorated with beautiful stained-glass windows depicting the crucifixion.

The Chistye Prudy Country Club

Surovatikha

A complex consisting of six lakes, a fishing club, steam baths, a spa, chalet cottages, cafes, and a whole range of other facilities to help you relax with your family or in a large group.

The Church of the Assumption

Sarley Village

A church dating to 1812, which once boasted a bell weighing five tonnes. The church is distinctive for its unusually restrained style. In Soviet times it was converted into a school.

The Church of St Nicholas

Sarley Village

The Church of the Assumption, located next to it, was built a decade later, in 1822. An interesting detail: next to the destroyed temple lies one of its former domes.

The Monument to Anton Chekhov

Belaya Village

A monument erected to commemorate the fact that in 1892 the writer visited the village and saved the locals by collecting money for them during a winter famine.

The Somov Hills

Simbiley Village

A memorial dedicated to those who died in wars of various periods of history created by local resident Veniamin Somov.

The Orlov-Davydov estate

Simbiley Village

This estate once belonged to the famous Orlov noble family. It incorporates more than a dozen buildings, including three houses, a stable, barns, as well as a park and alleys. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior with numerous arches in eclectic style is preserved here. It was built in 1850 by the architect Pavel Hessin. Previously, the walls of the church were decorated with paintings by Italian masters that alas have not survived to our time.

The Lavender Farm

Dalnee Konstantinovo municipal district

Luscious lavender fields where you can take a walk, arrange a photo shoot, take a master class, or throw a dinner party: a genuine piece of Provence just an hour's drive from Nizhny Novgorod. Please bear in mind that the lavender flowering season is from mid-July to the end of August.

The Kazan Church

Rumyantsevo Village

One of the few remaining wooden churches in the region, built in 1751. It is distinguished by its bright turquoise color.

How to get there

By car

Leave Nizhny Novgorod on the R158 highway through the Blizhnee Borisovo and Vyazovka, then head along the Kstovo-Dalnee Konstantinovo road to Sovetskaya Street. If you drive, the distance to Arzamas is 69.9km.

Travel time

1 hour

By bus

You can get to Dalnee Konstantinovo by bus from the Shcherbinki bus station, from which a minibuses run to the bus stop at Dalnee Konstantinovo.

Travel time

1 hour

Departure time

5 - 60 minutes

Cost

₽281