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Sights of the region

Uren

Uren is the «capital of villages», an important fairground and railway center in the north of the region. Folk crafts related to forestry and wood processing are well developed here; Old Believers have historically lived in the area, and there are just beautiful natural landscapes combining the Volga softness and the severity of the north. Here are some things to do in the Uren district.

A FEW FACTS

Mari Roots

The oldest inhabitants of the Uren district were the Mari. According to various versions, the name «Uren» came either from the Turkic «ur», or «or» — that is, a ditch, ravine, or valley, or from the Finno-Ugric «ur», which means «squirrel», «squirrel-like».

The Symbol of the Town

The squirrel is one of the symbols of the Uren district; it is depicted on the coat of arms of Uren, and you can find its statue on the Truda Square in the town center.

The Old Believers' Village

Uren has been known since 1719; originally it was the village of Trekhsvyatskoye, named after the wooden church built here at the beginning of the XVIII century and later rebuilt in stone. Historically, Old Believers who were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding lived in Trekhsvyatskoye, and by the XIX century the village had turned into a large artisanal trading center.

Local Crafts

Life in Uren has always been closely connected with the forest: oaks and pines were cut and drifted here for the needs of the fleet; lime tree was used for making chip, bast, splint, and soft white wood. Also, hunting and bee-keeping were actively developed in the Uren district.

Fairground Center

At the end of the XVIII century, large winter fairs were held in Uren, comparable in scale to the famous Makaryevskaya trade fair. Three trade fairs were held during the patronal feasts of St. Nicholas, Epiphany, and the Three Hierarchs.

Young Town

Uren is one of the youngest towns in the Nizhny Novgorod region, it received its status only in 1973.

Railway Traditions

In Soviet times, the development of Uren was directly connected with the railway that was laid here in 1927. And still Uren is an important railway junction in the northern part of the region. You can even get to the town by Lastochka high-speed train running from Nizhny Novgorod to Kirov.

Famous Guests

Famous writers visited Uren: Pavel Melnikov-Pechersky, Alexey Pisemsky and Mikhail Prishvin are among them.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Study the history of Uren in the Museum of Local History

The traditional place-to-visit in any tourist schedule is the Museum of Local History. Here you can see a large-scale collection of ancient and rare items ranging from rustic household utensils to a collection of Soviet cameras collected by a local photographer.

Visit the church where the city began

The Old Believer Church of the Three Hierarchs has been known since the beginning of the XVIII century. This church gave the name to the village of Trekhsvyatskoye, which later acquired its current placename — Uren. The church was originally made of wood, but later it was rebuilt and acquired its modern appearance in 1829.

Take a walk along a kind of «aerial path» in the park of the 40th anniversary of Victory

The 40th Anniversary of Victory Park is a modern and very cozy space with a playground, gazebos, benches and a landscaped embankment around the pond, but special attention is attracted by the extraordinary «aerial path» laid through the forest at a height of several meters. In addition, there are a lot of mushrooms in the forest. If you know how to distinguish toadstools from blueberries, then you can easily collect a basket of mushrooms or even two.

Take a master class at the Hall of Crafts

The Uren’s Hall of Crafts is the most important center of folk crafts, located in a spectacular carved wooden house. There are many different master classes here; for example, you can learn how to make things from clay, make rag dolls, decorate pottery, paint spoons and teapots, or engage in vine weaving, a traditional local craft.

Relax on the landscaped Revolutsii Square

The shape of the fountain installed on Revolutsii Square in the very center of Uren also refers to the weaving. In the warmer season, you can run under the jets of water or just sit and relax on the numerous benches.

Take a picture with the Uren symbol

One of the symbols of Uren is a squirrel; it is depicted on the coat of arms of the district and, according to one version, the city got its name in honor of the squirrel. The sculpture of a forest animal is installed in the city center, on Truda Square.

Attend a football game at the Energetik Stadium in Borok Park

Borok Park is picturesque in itself: pine forest, winding paths — it is a great place for quiet walks. It is a great place for the Energetik stadium, where football players from the Uren club play. You can support the team during the football season from April to November.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Uren Museum of Local History

Uren, 63 Lenina str.

The museum and exhibition complex is located in the ancient stone building of the Sushins traders. Its main fund contains more than seven thousand exhibits, exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Urensky district, starting from ancient times.

Central Park

Uren, 63 Lenina str.

A small and cozy park in the center of Uren, where you can rest on a bench or walk under the shade of trees.

Borok Park

Uren, 226 Lenina str.

There is a large forest area in the south-west of the city. Pine trees grow here, illuminated paths are laid between the trees, and there is also the Energetik stadium on the territory of the park, where the local football team plays.

Hall of Crafts

Uren, 5 Popova str.

The main center of folk crafts in Uren — there are many studios for children and adults, as well as master classes where you can master yourself various crafts from vine weaving to pottery.

Revolutsii Square

Uren, Revolutsii Square

The cozy and recently landscaped central square of the city with a fountain resembling both the Shukhov tower and a wicker basket.

The Church of the Three Saints

Uren, 100 Lenina str.

The church in the style of classicism was built at the expense of the townspeople in 1829. Initially, a wooden church stood on this place from the beginning of the XVIII century. The church gave its name to the village of Trekhsvyatskoye, the forerunner of the present Uren.

The house where the writer Galina Nikolaeva lived

Uren, 98 Lenina str.

This house was built in the second half of the XIX century. In 1947-48, the writer Galina Nikolaeva lived here; she came to the Uren collective farm «Tractor» and wrote the novel «Harvest» that received the Stalin Award. Now there is a music school here, and the embankment next to the house is being renovated.

40th Anniversary of Victory Park

Uren, 88 Kommunisticheskaya str.

The most spectacular and modern Uren park. There is a «podium for selfies», sports facilities and playgrounds, a pond with a pleasant embankment and floating ducks, many benches and gazebos, as well as an «aerial path» in the forest.

Lake Kocheshkovskoye

Arya village

A natural landmark firstly mentioned back in 1723. There is a legend that robbers from Stepan Razin's team hid a treasure at the bottom of the lake.

Kazan Church

Bolshoe Nepryakhino village, 21 Staraya str.

The Old Believer Church, built in 1916 in the village of Bolshoe Nepryakhino, is a historical of Old Believers settlement. According to the legend, the name Nepryakhino appeared in the time of Peter I and is connected with the fact that the villagers considered the emperor the Antichrist and refused to perform state duty — to spin flax.

Where to eat

Shafran Cafe

Uren, 73 Lenina str.

Matsuri Cafe

Uren, 70A Lenina str.

U Palycha Cafe

Uren, 38 Kommunisticheskaya 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 Semenov. The total travel distance is 630km.

Travel time

~ 8 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–Uren», «Nizhny Novgorod–Shakhunya» or «Nizhny Novgorod–Pizhma». You can buy a ticket to the long-distance train «Moscow–Vladivostok» or «Moscow-Novy Urengoy» as well.

Travel time

~ 6 hours

Cost

₽2500

By car

Leaving Nizhny Novgorod, take the P-177 highway, passing through Semenov, exit to the 22P-0159 highway and drive until you arrive in Uren. If you drive, the distance to Uren is 202km.

Travel time

3 hours

By suburban train

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

Travel time

2,5 hours

Departure time

Every 2 hours

Cost

₽450