On the left bank of the Oka River, near Serpukhov town an island of untouched nature has remained. It is Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve, the only reserve in Moscow region. Here, on the small area of plain flood, which is called “Doly”, unique communities of steppe plants have been preserved. During the journey you will enjoy virgin nature and picturesque landscapes and also visit a unique Bison Breeding Center. By 1927 bisons were under the threat of extinction, and there were just 48 individuals left in the European zoos. Today 50 bisons leave in the Center, and more than 250 animals were released into the wilderness. This powerful beast is the symbol of Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve.
10.00 Arrival to the reserve 10.00 - 10.30 Breakfast 10.30 - 12.30 Excursion to the central museum and bison breeding centre 12.30 - 14.30 Short trip to the depth of the virgin forest. Views of pine forest, lakes, karst funnels, steppe dales 14.30 - 15.00 Arrival to the guest house, check-in 15.00 - 16.00 Lunch, free time 16.00 - 18.00 Beaver dams 19.00 Dinner, free time. Discussing the problems of nature conservation with reserve’s staff
2 day. Sunday
9.00 - 10.00 Breakfast 10.00 - 13.00 Educational walk in the forest (only in late spring, summer and early autumn). Walk to the spring meadow. Optionally we can organize city tour to the Serpukhov and visit to Polenovo monument 14.00 - 15.00 Lunch. Time for souvenirs! 17.00 Departure
Accommodation.
Cosy but very basic guest house (4 twin rooms, dining room, shared facilities in the house)
Russian cuisine.
Places of interest. Polenovo Museum of Great Russian artist. The State Memorial Museum-Reserve for History, Art and Nature is one of the biggest and most famous in Russia and abroad. 100 years ago famous Russian artist Vasily Polenov lived and worked in this wonderful estate the. The area of 870 hectares includes the original House Museum, Polenov's Abbey Studio, workshops, Byokhovo St.Trinity Church, all designed by Polenov, as well as a park, a garden, surrounding grasslands, forests and farmlands. On the Museum official web-site you can make virtual walk and appreciate poetry and beauty of the country. Here you'll pick up information about Polenov's biography, the history of the Museum and its collections.
Melikhovo Museum of A. Chekhov. Melikhovo is one of the most remarkable memorials of the Russian culture, where a great Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov lived and worked (1892-1899). The Museum carefully preserves the memory of Chekhov as a writer, a doctor and a public figure. The museum collection includes more than 2000 items. It includes painting by Levitan, Polenov, Braz. Its most interesting section deals with the creative works of painters from the Chekhovs family. Chekhovs autographs are exhibited in the museum too. Actors, stage directors, playwrights come here to see the wing of the house where "The Seagull" was written. Melikhovo holds concerts, theatre and music festivals, matinees, Christmas celebrations for children.
Yasnaya Polyana Museum of L. Tolstoy. The country estate of the late 18th- early 19th century has preserved its look up to this day. It includes the Tolstoy house with original furniture and library, a guest wing used for temporary exhibitions and a house for the domestic staff which is now occupied by the administration. There are several farm buildings, parks with a cascade of ponds laid out at the end of the 18th century. Noteworthy are the apple garden that occupies 40 hectares and the forests planted by Tolstoy in 1870-1900. Here in Stary Zakaz wood the writer was buried in November 1910.
Additional excursions:
Ornithological and landscape excursions, excursions to Polenovo Museum of great Russian artist, Melikhovo Museum of A. Chekhov, Serpukhov city tours, Yasnaya Polyana Museum of L. Tolstoy, Voznesenskaya Pustin Monastery.
;)
;)
;)
2 days
guest house
FB
easy
2 - 8
car/bus/train
all year round
