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Sights of the region

Shatki

Shatki district in the south of the region is a former border area, known since the XVI century and served in the old days as a kind of gateway to Arzamas and Nizhny Novgorod. Local crafts are historically associated with the wood processing. One of the few mineral springs in the region flows here and there are lakes with therapeutic mud. Here are some things to do in the Shatki district.

A FEW FACTS

Shatki Gate

The first mention of Shatki dates back to the XVI century. The village was known as the Shatkovskiye Vorota («Shatki Gate») back then, as it served as a fortified point on the border.

The State Border

In the XVI century, the army of Tsar Ivan the Terrible marched through this area towards Kazan. The Kazan Khanate was defeated resulted in expansion of Russian borders. The abatized Arzamas fortress became the military-administrative center of the south of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Name Origin

According to one version, Shatki got its name because locals were engaged in robberies (they were called «shatuny» or striders). Based on another version, the state border moved away from its initial position here, and «moved away» is consonant with the Russian word «otshatnulas». In addition, the name could come from the Mordovian word «syatko», that is «coal» — and this testified to the occupation of local residents.

Mordovian Roots

Historically, in the XVI century, the Mordvins lived here, namely the Erzya, who burned charcoal required for metalworking. Later, Shatki became known as a large trading settlement.

Settlement of the Territory

In the XVI century, it was possible to get to Arzamas from the south, through the Shatki Gate. These lands began to be populated by Russian peasants then; many new settlements were founded here and the region, due to its proximity to the border, actively began to participate in the military affairs of the state.

Traditions and Crafts

The way of life of local residents is historically closely connected with the forest provided housing, warmth, crafts and income. As forests were being cut down, agriculture, beekeeping, milling and cattle breeding were actively developing in the Shatki district.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Study the history of the region in the Museum of Local History

The Museum of Local History is one of the not-to-miss points in the schedule of any trip around the region. The Shatki Museum of Local History has a classic exposition that tells about the history of the area, its nature, crafts, culture and way of life of the Russian and Mordovian peoples historically inhabiting this place.

Learn about the blockade life at the Tanya Savicheva Museum

A significant part of the Shatki district history is that Tanya Savicheva was evacuated from Leningrad in 1942. She is known for her diary, the most important document of the time of the Leningrad siege during WWII. Tanya died on July 1, 1944 in the Shatki district hospital from dystrophy and nervous exhaustion. The museum is dedicated to her memory. The life of Leningrad residents during the Nazi siege is presented here, and authentic wartime items are displayed.

Visit the most ancient temple of Shatki district

The temple, built in 1758 in the village of Britovo, is considered the oldest church in the area; its height is more than 30 meters. The temple is located in a very picturesque and secluded place. In addition to its architecture, it is worth paying attention to the surrounding space itself.

Honor the memory of Tanya Savicheva at her grave and at the memorial

The burial place of Tanya Savicheva was discovered only in the 70s, and in 1981, a monument was installed on her grave at the Shatki cemetery. There is also a memorial dedicated to the children of besieged Leningrad in Shatki. There is a monument to Tanya Savicheva in the center of the memorial.

Visit the museum of the history of the Shatki forest exploration

An outstanding new museum dedicated to the Shatki forest. Its exposition tells in detail how closely forestry and wood processing are connected with the life of local residents. Here you can also see architraves, woodworking tools, carved barrels and many other wooden items.

Collect mineral water in the sacred «Boiling Spring»

One of the few mineral water sources in the region is located near the same-named recreation center. Here, you can collect some water that is similar to the mineral waters of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk.

Visit the revived temple of the village of Hirino

The Forerunner is the central landmark of the Hirino village. It is a spectacular two-level church of the XVIII century, built in the style of Russian Baroque and recently restored. In addition, every year in mid-September, a large folklore and crafts festival «The Voice of Traditions» takes place in Hirino.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Shatki Museum of Local History

Shatki, 24 Tsentralnaya str.

The museum's exposition is dedicated to the history of the Shatki work settlement and the Shatki district. Here, you can learn about the crafts, culture and way of life of the Russian and Mordovian peoples. The collection includes household, ethnography and numismatics items, and many historical photographs.

Tanya Savicheva Children's Museum

Shatki, 7 Federativnaya str.

The exposition of the museum present the life of the residents of besieged Leningrad on the example of the fate of the Savichev family. Here, you can see authentic pieces of furniture from the wartime, as well as learn about how the memory of Tanya Savicheva was perpetuated.

Memorial to Tanya Savicheva and the children of war

Shatki

The memorial consists of concrete arches lined with marble. Inside, there are 12 bas-reliefs depicting stories from the lives of children of besieged Leningrad. The monument to Tanya Savicheva is located in the center of the memorial.

The grave of Tanya Savicheva

Shatki

Tanya Savicheva died on July 1, 1944 in the Shatki hospital; she was 14 years old. The burial place was discovered only in the 70s, and on May 31, 1981, a monument was installed at the Shatki cemetery. Now, there is a marble tombstone and a stele with a bronze bas—relief.

Trinity Church

Shatki, 7A 1st May str.

The church built in the Baroque style in 1788, had the shape of a cross. It was rebuilt several times, and according to one assumption, Seraphim of Sarov himself participated in the consecration of the church.

Museum of the History of Shatki Forest Exploration

Lesogorsk worker’s settlement, 1 Elektrikov str.

A modern museum dedicated to the Shatki forest. In its exposition, you can find out how closely the culture, way of life and activities of the local population are connected with forestry and wood processing.

The Forerunner Church

Hirino village

The central landmark of Hirino village is a two-level church built at the end of the XVIII century. It is a wonderful example of the Russian Baroque style, almost completely destroyed during the Soviet era and restored over the past ten years.

Sacred «Boiling Spring»

Shatki

One of the few sources of mineral water in the region. The composition of water is close to the waters of the Jamgat spring in Pyatigorsk and the Kislovodsk «Pestrotsvetny Narzan».

Church of the Life-Giving Trinity

Arkhangelskoye village, 104 Tsentralnaya str.

The white stone Church of the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity was built in 1810 in a style that was classic for that time. It is distinguished by strict symmetry; the domes are located at different levels so as not to overshadow each other. In Soviet times, the temple was closed, but now it is functional again.

Recreation center «Boiling Spring»

Shatki

A large forest area with two children's summer camps, a recreation center and a family spa where you can be treated with Shatki therapeutic mud and Svetloozero water.

Ascension Church

Britovo village

The oldest church in the Shatki district was built in 1758 in the Britovo village; its height is more than 30 meters. It is known that in 1767, the village, which then stood on the Moscow-Simbirsk post road, was visited by Empress Catherine II.

Serafimo-Ponetaevsky Convent

Ponetaevka village

The convent was founded in 1864 in memory of Seraphim of Sarov. During the Great Patriotic War, a hospital and boarding school for evacuated children were located here. Tanya Savicheva lived here, in a home for the disabled, for two months in the spring of 1944. Now the territory of the convent is closed to the public — there is a psychoneurological boarding school here.

Trinity Church

Krasny Bor village

The official opening date of the church is considered to be 1833, while it is known that the church was completed in 1832 and opened on the feast of the Holy Trinity, May 29 (according to the Julian Calendar) — that's how it got its name.

Where to eat

Astoria Restaurant

Shatki village, 68 Nechayevka str.

Caramel Coffee Shop

Shatki village, 158 Lenina str.

Cafe «Zhemchuzhina» (Pearl)

Shatki village, 35 Tsentralnaya str.

How to get there

By car

Heading along the M-12 highway through Murom, take the exit to R-158 highway and move to Shatki, passing through Arzamas. The distance is 480km.

Travel time

5 hours

By train

Trains from Moscow to Shatki railway Station depart daily from Kazansky Railway Station.

Travel time

~ 8 hours

Cost

₽1200

By car

Leaving Nizhny Novgorod, take the P158 highway and drive towards Sarov passing through Arzamas until you arrive in Shatki. The distance from Nizhny Novgorod to Shatki is 142km.

Travel time

~2,5 hours

By bus

To get to Shatki by bus, reach the Shcherbinki bus station; minibuses to the Shatki bus station start from there. Buy ticket to the passing bus to Lukoyanovo or Gagino.

Travel time

~3 hours

Departure time

Every 1 hours

Cost

₽500