Recommended touristic program in Arkhangelsk
“Welcome to Russian North”
Day 1: acquaintance with “the city of Angels”
Arkhangelsk is the capital of North and the administrative centre of the region. Most of touristic routs begin here. The most famous sights are the embankment of the Northern Dvina, Gostiny Dvor, tank of the World War I, monuments to M.V. Lomonosov, Peter the Great and Stepan Pisakhov (the famous artist and fairy tale writer), and Seal sculpture. All these you can see during the Arkhangelsk sightseeing guided tour named “City-tour”.There are about 30 functioning museums in Arkhangelsk and one of them is Malye Korely – the biggest Russian open-air museum, featuring the traditional wooden architecture of Arkhangelsk area. It has preserved inimitable examples of national architecture and demonstrates the way of life in Russian Northern country of the past. The biggest Russian museum is divided into segments and such arrangement copies the arrangement of the buildings in Northern villages in different parts of Arkhangelsk region. Here one can meet all patterns of Pomor architecture – log houses, buildings with six walls, ancient churches and temples, storehouses built on piles like “a hut on the chicken legs”. The great amount of wooden wills also boggles the imagination. All these you can see during the excursion “Malye Korely”.
There is also the Novodvinsk Fortress among the other amazing sights which was built by order of Peter the Great for Arkhangelsk protection against the Swedes and is situated on one of the islands in the Northern Dvina estuary. In June 1701 Russia won the first sea battle here.
Mudyug Island is situated in Dvina Bay of White Sea and in such a way all ships heading on Arkhangelsk sweep up the island. This small island includes natural monuments, archeological monuments such as traces of hunting and fisherman’s lodgings dated by II century B.C., the oldest on the seacoast White Tower or Mudyug Lighthouse (1837) and the museum dedicated to North Civil War (1918-1920).Bobrovo village. There is the lake of glacial origin near the village which is fed by springs. It is well-known fact that the quality of water is one of the most important conditions during the process of brewing and there is “Pomor breweries” in Bobrovo village since 2003. During the excursion tourists become acquainted with the brewing technologies of “Bobroff” beer and taste freshly brewed beer. There are also exhibits dedicated to the history, traditions and peculiarities of brewing in Russian North.
Lyavlya village. Uspensky Monastery was built here in XIV century and later it was abolished. The other monument of wooden architecture and the oldest among tabernacular temples – Nikolskaya Church (1584) has been preserved till our days. In 1804 stone Uspenskaya Church was built not far from it. Church services are held there. Moreover there you can see myrrh-pouring icons. All these are included in “Malye Korely Premium-Tour”.The paddle-wheel steamer “N.V.Gogol” is the unique historic monument of Russian shipbuilding industry. In 2011 it celebrated its 100 th birthday but there are still a lot of tourists on its board who cruise along the Northern Dvina. Regular tours on board are held in significant dates in June and August. The cruise gives the possibility to combine the business and the rest, to held seminars and meetings, to organize weddings and other events.
The recommended excursions:
- “City-tour” (2 hours)
- Walk along the ancient street (1 hour)
- Malye Korely - a museum, featuring the traditional wooden architecture of Arkhangelsk (4 hours)
- Cruise by launch, yacht or steamer “N.V.Gogol” along the Northern Dvina, including excursion “Dock space” (from 1 hour)
- Summer water excursions “the Novodvinsk Fortress”, “Mudyug Island” (from 5 hours)
- Visiting museums – “Museum of Stepan Pisakhov” “Kunitsyna’s manor” Gostiny Dvor and others.
Days 2-3: Arkhangelsk outskirts
Antonievo-Siysky Monastery - was founded by Saint Anthony in 1520 on the picturesque lakeshore. In XVII century Siysky Monastery had large territories and was also well-known as Solovetsky Monastery.Boyar Fedor Romanov – the father of the first emperor from Romanov dynasty – took monastic vows here. Saint Anthony’s hallows are now lying in Troitsky Church. Monastery is restored since 1992.
Kholmogory – is the ancient administrative center of the Dvina Region. Pontifical houses and half-ruined but still magnificent Spaso-Preobrazensky Cathedral are the main proves of it. Lomonosovo village is located on the Kur-Island and consists of several villages, one of which is famous for the great scientist who was born there. Also one can find more facts about Lomonosov’s life in the Memorial Museum. Here one can also see fantastic masterpieces of bone carving art – craftsmen of Kholmogory were famous already in XVII century. The monument to Lomonosov is erected in the center of village.
Severodvinsk – is the second largest city in the Arkhangelsk Region and the center of Russian atomic shipbuilding industry. The city is located on the White Sea and the beginning of its building is related to1936. The most beautiful sight of the city – is the embankment on Yagry Island. Pines, sand dunes and the sound of the beating waves – all these consist the beauty of Yagry Island.
Zaostrovye village is located near Arkhangelsk. The first mention about Zaostrovsky Parish is dated by XVI century. Today Zaostrovsky churchyard includes 2 magnificent temples. The wooden church of
Zaosrovye dated by XVII century – is the real masterpiece of wooden architecture! Sretenskaya Church made of stone is one of 2 Russian churches that was always functioning: believers saved the church
from desolation.
The recommended excursions:
We advise you to choose the full-day excursion from the following:- “Zaostrovye – Severodvinsk – Yagry Island”
- “Antonievo-Siysky Monastery”
- “Lomnosovo and Kholmogory”
- The cost doesn’t include meal. You can have a meal in a café or order a bagged lunch.
Days 4-5: Pinezhye
Pinezhsky Nature Reserve, Pinega Carst Caves
The most part of Pinezhsky Nature Reserve is covered by spruce- and pine- forests. There are also a great diversity of rare species of flora and fauna. The biggest caves in Europe – here the main sight ofPinega is! The caves are wonderful inside – here one can take walk through icy tunnels, see underground galleries and caves halls, admire with rivers, waterfalls and cavate lakes. Near the caves
the comfortable tourist complex “Golubino” is located. Also here one can enjoy the wonderful ski and sledge slope.
How to get and where to live
You can get to the place by any motor transport from Arkhangelsk, travelling time is about 3,5-4 hours. We suggest you to stay in the tourist complex “Golubino” where you can visit Carst Caves, the waterfall“Holy Spring” and Krasnogorsky Monastery of God’s Mother. In summer time you can also attend to water rafting along the Sotka river and have a nice picnic.
The cost includes three meals daily.
The tour program and the costCountry rest
Verkola-village – is the motherland of the famous Russian writer Fedor Abramov. Here he experienced the beginning of his creative formation. Here, on the Pinega River bank he was buried. Here the museum in his honor was built. On the opposite left bank of the Pinega River the Verkolsky Monastery is in the process of restoration now (it was founded in 1645, closed in 1919 and restored in 1991). Itsprotector is considered to be Saint Artemy.
How to get and where to live
You can get to the place by train to the station “Karpogory” and stay in one of the guest houses. Here impressive tourist program is waiting for you!The tour program and the cost
Days 6-8: Kargopol and Kenozerye: Pinezhye
Kargopol. The first mention about this town can be related to 1146. Kargopol is a town in Northern Russia which has preserved the most part of churches dated by XVI-XVII century. Here, unlike the othercities of our country, we can find wood pavements built between wooden houses. Moreover monuments of wooden architecture related to XVII-XVIII centures are still preserved near Kargopol and
look magnificently surrounded by natural landscape. In 37 km far from Kargopol Lyadiny village is located, where one can see the real masterpieces of the wooden architecture of XVIII century. In 55 km
far from the town Aleksandro-Oshevensky Monastery is situated (XVcent).
The tour program and the cost
Kenozersky National Park – is a natural and historical architectural complex. There are almost 100 monuments of architecture within the Park, more than 40 “holy” groves, 39 monuments of archeology,lakes and channels systems equipped with dams and hydro wills.
The tour program and the cost
How to get and where to liveFirstly you need to get to Nyandoma by a train (7 hours) or by a car (8 hours). Then you need to get to Kargopol, travel time is 40 minutes. From Kargopol to Kenozersky Park you can travel by car and it will
take 2 hours. We advise you to stay in the guest house “The Fishing Hut” which is in Morschihinskaya village (Kenozersky Park) and is located on the very bank of the lake. You can also choose for living one
of the hotels in Kargopol or some guest house.
Days 9-11: Onega - Kiy-Island
Kiy-Island – “a stone among the sea”. Here Patriarch Nikon erected the Krestny Monastery, the architectural ensemble of which is unique and extremely interesting: it reminds a fortress and blend intothe natural rocky landscape of the Island. Nowadays Kiysky Hotel is located here.
How to get and where to live
Firstly you need to get to Onega by any motor transport (travel time is 5 hours). Here you can stay in comfortable guest house “Alenushka”. You can also visit Kiy-Island buying 1-2days tour (only for morethan 10 people groups). We also offer to you 8-days tours which include staying in Kiysky Hotel. Kiy-Island is a very popular place. In summer time up to 2 thousand tourists visit the Hotel.
The tour program and the cost
Days 12-14: The Solovetsky Islands (or Solovki)
The Solovetsky Islands – is one of the most amazing places on the Earth. Here mysterious ancient labyrinths and cultic pagan constructions have been preserved in their original form. In XV centurySolovki became extremely popular among monks seeking for solitude. At turn of XIX – XX cent pilgrims from the whole country gathered in Solovetsky Monastery but already in 1930s Solovki attained
notoriety as the awful prison camp. Solovki are especially famous for the stately defensive, church and hydrotechnic constructions which spread along the Islands.
How to get and where to live
The only way to get to Solovki is to travel by plane. We offer you tours lasting 2 and more days and including air transportation (flight time is 1 hour). We recommend to you to choose the program lastingnot less than 3 days. The tour cost includes staying in the hotel, breakfasts, transfer on the island and tourist program.
We offer you staying in the places with different amenities: from private guest houses to hotels of different status. Though the tour cost includes only breakfasts you can also order meal in any restaurants and cafes of the island in advance. Flight cost is not included in the tour cost and is paid in addition. The minimal flight cost is 8000 apiece and depends on tariff. We can arrange your flight by 2 planes. The first is L410 for 16 seats which takes off from Vas’kovo airport. The second is AN24 for 40 seat which takes off from Talagi airport. Days of flights – mon., wed., fri., sat., sun.
You can also reach Solovki through the Kem River by launch, travel time is 1,5-2 hours, the cost either side is 3000 rub.The tour program and the cost
The other sights
Today Ustyany is the ecologically cleanest place. Travelers of the past called it “Italy in Arkhangelsk”. Here one of the most ancient crafts - wild-hive beekeeping - is still alive. Ustyany are considered to bethe North centre of honey-producing: this honey is ecologically clean and of very high quality. How to get – You can get to the place by train from Arkhangelsk to Oktyabrsky township or by car.
Kimzha-village. Here the traditional ancient pattern of building arrangement and wooden architecture of XVIII-XX centuries have been preserved: Odigitrievskaya Church (1709), farm houses, barns, baths, cemeterial crosses. Here the northernmost windmill in the country is in the process of restoration now. National culture, way of life and folklore are still alive here.
How to get – you can travel from Arkhangelsk by car or by bus (travel time more than 5 hours).
Solvychegodsk – one of the oldest cities of Russian North. Beforetime it was a center of salt making, craft and trade. Here was the main residence of merchant Stroganov dynasty – wonderful cathedrals built by their order prove it. In XIX century the city became a place of political exile. I.V.Stalin was in exile here in 1909 and 1910-11.
