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Sights of the region

Perevoz

At different times, Perevoz (originally called Pyansky Perevoz) was a rural settlement, a village, a county and a provincial town, as well as a working settlement. The main attractions here are natural, in particular, one of the most winding rivers in the world — the Pyana, as well as the Ichalki forest, caves and a sand quarry. A trip to the Perevoz district is best to combine with a trip to Vad (it is only 25 kilometers away) and Arzamas (70 kilometers away).

A FEW FACTS

Pyansky Perevoz

The village of Perevoz arose in the XVI century as a settlement at the crossing of an important road over the Pyana river. The historical name of the village — Pyansky Perevoz - came from this crossing. Interestingly, even before the settlement appeared here, the plain in these places was called Perevoznaya.

Ivan the Terrible's Campaign

Another version of the origin is that, according to legend, Ivan the Terrible crossed the Pyana river with an army during a campaign against Kazan where the modern Perevoz is located.

The Golden Raft

Perevoz has a very curious coat of arms, which depicts a golden raft on a river — it means transportation to the other side. The symbol of the city was developed on the basis of the historical coat of arms of Perevoz that was approved back in 1781.

Young Town

Perevoz received the status of a city relatively recently — in February 2001. Throughout its history, it was a rural community, a village, a county and a provincial town, and in Soviet times it became a village again.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

See one of the most winding rivers in the world

One of the most winding rivers in the world, the Pyana, flows through the territory of the Perevoz district, known for the sharp turns of its course. There are several versions of the origin of the river’s name: for example, Melnikov-Pechersky wrote that the river was «nicknamed for staggering; she swings in all directions like a drunken woman.» On the other hand, according to linguists, the name came from the Finno-Ugric word «pien», which means «small».

View the sand dunes in the Ichalki quarry

Not far from the Ichalki forest, on the way to the caves, there is a quarry with limestone, chalk, and gypsum stone. Against the backdrop of spectacular sand dunes, you can hold a small photo shoot and imagine yourself in a hot desert.

Study the flora and fauna of the Ichalki forest

One and a half kilometers from the Ichalki village founded under Ivan the Terrible, there is Ichalki forest, a protected natural area where plants from different climatic zones, from steppe to arctic, have been preserved. Rare animals can also be found here, for example, the Red Book imperial eagle, the great jerboa, as well as owls, eagle-owls, and owlets.

Go down to the ancient karst caves

One of the main attractions of Ichalki forest is the ancient karst cave complex. A seven-storey building can fit in the deepest cave. The path to the caves runs along a forest track with a tourist marks (focus on the trees marked with red and white stripes). It is very picturesque here, but you should go to the caves only in dry weather and preferably with special equipment!

Collect water from the sacred spring near the Odigitria Church

Odigitria Church in the Palets village is one of the oldest preserved churches in the region; it was built in the 1680s on an elevated place near a ravine. Now the church is being restored; the territory around it has been landscaped. There is also a sacred spring «Sacred Valley». According to the legend, there was an appearance of the miraculous Holy Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary at this place in 1641.

Take a picture in the field of sunflowers

Not far from the Kovalevo village, on the way from Perevoz to Nizhny Novgorod, you can spot a large field of sunflowers. This is a great place for a romantic photo shoot, but it's better to go there in the middle of summer, before the sunflowers have faded.

Visit the spectacular Hall of Culture

Another space suitable for photo shoots is the Hall of Culture in the Tilinino settlement, built in 1964. Exhibitions, concerts and creative master classes are held here now, and you can take some great photos by its columns.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Ichalki caves

Ichalki village

The famous karst caves located in the Ichalki forest. The place is very picturesque. There is a tourist route for convenience. Keep your safety in mind, and chose a good weather to go for impressions.

The Devil's Bridge

Ichalki village

The karst passage between the sinkholes in the Ichalki forest resembles a bridge in its shape and looks very impressive!

The bell tower of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity

Ichalki village

The only preserved structure in the ensemble of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity built in 1914.

The windmill

Dubskoye village

An ancient wooden mill, one of the few preserved in the region.

Perevoz Museum and Exhibition Center

Perevoz, 30 Shkolnaya str.

The museum has several exhibition halls that tell the story of the Pyana region: among other things, there are expositions about the Perevoz merchant class, the life of the early 20th century and the post-war period.

Sculpture of a female collective farmer

Perevoz

A sculpture at the entrance to the Perevoz created in Soviet times symbolizes the agricultural activities of the area.

The Odigitria Church

Palets village, 6 Keli str.

One of the oldest preserved churches of the Nizhny Novgorod region, built in the 1680s, with a beautifully landscaped territory and a sacred well.

Tilinino Hall of Culture

Tilinino village, 14 Molodezhnaya str.

The Hall of Culture was constructed during the Soviet years on the site of an unfinished church. Nowadays, it hosts concerts, exhibitions, and creative master classes.

Church of the Transfiguration

Pilekshevo village

An abandoned church, where fragments of once beautiful murals can be seen on the walls and ceiling.

Pyana River

Pyana river

The river flows almost throughout the Nizhny Novgorod region. It is considered one of the most winding in the world.

How to get there

By car

Heading along M-12 highway through Vladimir, take the exit to Р-158 highway, then to 22К-0042 highway, and drive until arriving in Perevoz. The distance is 480km.

Travel time

~ 5 hours

By train

Long-distance trains from Moscow to the Perevoz railway station depart daily from Kazansky Railway Station.

Travel time

7,5 hours

Cost

₽2000

By car

Leaving Nizhny Novgorod, drive through the Kazan highway towards Kstovo and follow the M7 highway. Then exit to highway 22k-0162 and turn to highway 22k-0052 before reaching the Bolshoe Murashkino village.

Travel time

2 hours

By bus

To get by bus, reach the Shcherbinki bus station; minibuses run daily to the Perevoz from there.

Travel time

2,5 hours

Departure time

8:35, 9:20, 11:45, 15:15, 16:00

Cost

₽500