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Sights of the region

Tonshaevo

Tonshaevo district is called the «Nizhny Novgorod taiga» for its lush forests — this is the northernmost and farthest point from Nizhny Novgorod, beyond which the Kirov region begins. It is considered the edge of the Mari culture: since ancient times, the Mari people lived on the Pizhma river; they prayed to the gods in the groves, and the birch tree — the symbol of the nation — was especially revered among the trees. In our guide, we are going to tell you what is definitely needed to be seen in Tonshaevo.

A FEW FACTS

The Farthest Land

Tonshayevo district is the north-easternmost and farthest from the regional center area; the distance from Nizhny Novgorod to Tonshayevo is about three hundred kilometers.

The Intersection of Paths

In ancient times, the lands of Tonshaevo served as a kind of crossroad from north to south and from west to east. The first settlements found on the territory of Tonshaevo district date back to the VIII–X centuries and belonged to the Finno-Ugric peoples.

Mari Land

The historical population of Tonshayevo district is Mari. According to experts, Russians have been living here for only 200 years. The Mari people were pagans and worshipped the forces of nature — there were 77 Mari gods in total.

Sacred Groves

The outskirts of Tonshaevo are known for the Mari sacred groves. It was forbidden to graze cattle, break branches and chop down trees, as well as visit these places without a good reason.

The Border with the Horde

Historically, the border between Russia and the Horde passed in the Pizhma area of the Tonshaevo district. Gravestones with runic inscriptions had been found at the local cemetery until the 1950s.

Important Shopping Center

In the late XIX — early XX centuries, the village of Tonshaevo, along with the villages of Troitskoye, Vokhma, Pechenkino and Shangskoye Gorodishche were one of the main commercial and administrative centers of the Vetluga uyezd, to which it then belonged.

Local Crafts

The main occupation of the local residents was agriculture, and all crafts were connected with the forest and its processing, one way or another — from beekeeping to the production of tar and resin. In the 80s of the XIX century, the turning industry was developed here, soap and oil were manufactured.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Visit the local history museum

The museum of local history is located in the former gatehouse of the XIX century church: there are five expositions dedicated to the Tonshaevo district. Among other things, you will see the furnishing of a peasant hut, learn about the Vetluga uyezd merchants, find out what a «sharpan» is. You can also take the master class on embroidery on clothes or making a clay cat. By the way, you can also buy books by the local chronicler and historian Zakhar Solonitsyn.

Taste the local cuisine

Tonshaevo district has its own national cuisine that can be tasted in cafes or on holidays: comanmelna — three-tier or layered pancakes, kvass or mors based on cranberries with mint, tukmachi — balls of minced pork with potatoes and flour, local honey gingerbread, podkogylo — large Mari pelmeni that are more like dumplings in size. There are also quite unusual dishes: cabbage rolls with cottage cheese, fish noodles and cow parsnip soup!

Walk through the sacred grove

The culture of the Mari people is closely connected with nature: the Mari people worshipped the gods in sacred groves, which were usually located on high ground. There are as many as 12 such places in Tonshaevo district! The Grozny Grove is dedicated to the sun god Ketse-Yumo; Romachinskaya Grove, according to legend, became the burial place of the XIV century Vetluga prince Osh Pondash. Kuverbskaya (or «Widow») Grove was revered as well: it was believed that the local birch and linden trees can heal. In any case, a walk will inspire and calm you down.

Study the Mari culture

The village of Bolshaya Kuverba remains one of the few surviving centers of Mari folk culture (namely— the northeastern Mari) in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The local hall of culture lives quite an active life: concerts are held, there are two museum exhibitions and there are children’s clubs. During cold season, be sure to visit the «Mari Dumpling Day», which is celebrated on December 4.

Visit orthodox shrines

If none of your trips is complete without studying religious architecture, then we recommend you to pay attention to the beautiful stone St. Nicholas Church built in the spirit of classicism architecture in the early XIX century. Its headman was Zakhar Solonitsyn, a chronicler, the author of the local history document «The Ark of the Vetluga Antiquity» and the great-grandfather of actor Anatoly Solonitsyn. Most likely, it was his image that inspired the role of Andrei Rublev in Tarkovsky's film of the same title.

Buy a woven rug

Weaving is considered one of the traditional crafts of the Tonshaevo district — this tradition is being revived in the village of Bolshye Ashkaty, where there is a workshop club headed by Vyacheslav Terkin, a handyman. There you can see peasant looms, spinning wheels, carved wood items, folk clothes and, of course, bright homespun rugs that will be a wonderful decoration for any home.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Hall of Culture

Tonshaevo, 18 Tsentralnaya str.

The Hall of Culture has more than 30 artist teams including folk vocal and dance ensembles and a theater. There is an original folklore-themed mosaic on the facade of the building.

Public Park

Tonshaevo, Tsentralnaya str.

A small park founded in the 1930s; the first trees in the park were planted by students of the local school.

Tonshayevo Museum of Local History

Tonshaevo, 38 Tsentralnaya str.

Five expositions dedicated to the Tonshaevo district are located on two floors of the former gatehouse of St. Nicholas Church. Here you can learn about the XIX century merchants of the Vetluga uyezd, see Mari folk costumes, visit a peasant hut, and also take the master class on traditional crafts.

St. Nicholas Church

Tonshaevo, 40 Tsentralnaya str.

The stone church, built in 1811 in the style of classical architecture. The headman of the church was the local chronicler and author of the «Ark of the Vetluga Antiquity» Zakhar Solonitsyn, the great-grandfather of the famous actor Anatoly Solonitsyn.

Bolshaya Kuverba Village Hall

Bolshaya Kuverba village, 11A Tsentralnaya str.

Tonshaevo is one of the centers of Mari culture, that is, belonging to the Mari — representatives of the Finno-Ugric people. There are small local history expositions in the center; performances by ethnic ensembles and master classes are held here. In winter you can participate in the celebration of the Day of the Mari Dumpling, an important festival for the local residents.

Kuverba Sacred Grove

Bolshaya Kuverba village

One of the 12 sacred Mari groves located in the district; a place for the worship of pagan gods and for conducting rituals. Another Mari’s name for the grove is «keremetishche». Many representatives of the people still believe in two different religions.

St. Michael the Archangel Church

Oshminskoye village, 37B Tsentralnaya str.

A stone church of the middle of the XIX century, built in the style of Russian-Byzantine architecture.

Bolshye Ashkaty Village Club and Workshop

Bolshye Ashkaty village, 18 Bolsheashkatskaya str.

The Folk Arts Center, headed by master Vyacheslav Terkin. There, you can see restored looms, spinning wheels, carved wood items — all that allows you to touch the Mari culture.

Where to eat

Pizhma Cafe

Tonshaevo, 16, bld. 4 Tsentralnaya str.

How to get there

By car

Heading along the M-12 highway through Vladimir region, take the exit to the M-7 highway and follow it to Nizhny Novgorod, then leave the city using the 22P-0159 highway, passing through Shakhunya; finally take a turn to the 22К-0010 highway. The total travel distance is 720km.

Travel time

9 hours

By train

Go to Nizhny Novgorod by Lastochka high-speed train, then make a transfer to any suburban train running towards Kirov: «Nizhny Novgorod–Shakhunya» or «Nizhny Novgorod–Pizhma» to the Tonshaevo train station. You can buy a ticket to the long-distance train «Moscow–Vladivostok» or «Moscow-Novy Urengoy» as well.

Travel time

~ 7 hours

Cost

₽2800

By car

Leaving Nizhny Novgorod, take the P-177 highway, exit to 22P-0159 highway and follow it, passing through Shakhunya, until arriving to Tonshaevo. If you drive, the distance is 293 kilometers.

Travel time

4 hours

By bus

Trains from Nizhny Novgorod to Tonshaevo Station depart daily from Moskovsky Train Station.

Travel time

4 hours

Departure time

09:05, 13:08, 18:28

Cost

₽660

Tonshaevo

A FEW FACTS

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Hall of Culture

Public Park

Tonshayevo Museum of Local History

St. Nicholas Church

Bolshaya Kuverba Village Hall

Kuverba Sacred Grove

St. Michael the Archangel Church

Bolshye Ashkaty Village Club and Workshop

Where to eat

How to get there

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Tourist Information Center