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Each of us has our own ideas about what a village and a village vacation is. However, such settlements around the world are very different, and at the same time they have something in common: clean air, a small number of inhabitants and a small cozy space.

site made a selection of 17 unusual and amazing villages that will win your heart and become the highlight of any trip.

1. Hallstatt, Austria

(Hallstatt, Austria)

Bright, like toy houses, sheltered in several tiers on a mountainside, an azure lake with floating swans, the Alps, which are reflected in the mirror-like water surface - all this gives the impression of a fairy tale come to life.

The population of Hallstatt does not exceed 1,000 people. And the location is unique: on a narrow strip of land between the majestic Alpine mountains and the Hallstattersee lake.

2. Simian-la-Rotonde, Provence, France

(Simiane-La-Rotonde Village in Provence, France)

Azure skies, lavender fields, Alpine mountains, Mediterranean cuisine and the charm of Provence - what else do you need to relax your soul? One of the attractions of this place is the castle of Agout (Château des Agoult), built in the XII century. The 12-sided pyramidal rotunda in the castle gave the town its name. Summer festivals of ancient music are held there.

3. Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan

(Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan)

On one of the outskirts of the city of Taichung, there was a military settlement, which, over time, almost all of its inhabitants left. The authorities decided to demolish the houses, and the 86-year-old war veteran, in order to save his yard from demolition, painted the walls of the houses with various characters and patterns. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Taiwan.

4. Marsaxlokk, Malta

(Marsaxlokk, Malta)

Marsaxlokk is a colorful fishing village in Malta. There are no storms in the harbor, so the yellow sandstone houses are located close to the water, leaving only a strip for the roadway and the pedestrian promenade. The population of Marsaxlokk is only about 3,000 people. Most men are engaged in fishing in the same way as their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers once did.

5. Floating Uros Islands, Bolivia and Peru

(Floating Islands of Lake Titicac, Bolivia, Perú)

On the border of Peru and Bolivia, on Lake Titicaca, the Uru tribe lives, inhabiting 42 floating islands on the lake. These islands are built by the Uru themselves from reeds. From the same material, residents make boats on which they go for fish. Despite the remoteness from civilization, solar panels can be seen on the reed islands, which allow the locals to watch TV.

6. Alberobello, Italy

(Alberobello, Italy)

Alberobello is famous for its complex of 1,400 trulli, recognized by UNESCO as part of the historical and humanitarian heritage. Trulli - residential peasant houses made of limestone - are unique examples of buildings with dry masonry walls (without mortar). They take their name from the Latin word trulla, which means dome.

7. Monsanto, Portugal

(Monsanto, Portugal)

The small village of Monsanto is proudly called "the most Portuguese village in Portugal." The local saying “In Monsanto you never know whether a stone is born from a house or a house is made of stone” very accurately reflects the originality of local architecture. The boulders serve as the walls and roofs of some houses.

Small houses with red tiled roofs hid under huge granite boulders, and the narrow streets seemed to be carved out of stone by a giant.

8. Uchisar, Turkey

(Uchisar, Turkey)

Uchisar is one of the most densely populated villages in the area. Most of the population, of course, lives in a modern village built around the famous rocks, but there are living quarters in the rocks themselves.

This is a one of a kind rock settlement with towers and spiers of white tuff, located around the central peak. From the top of the cliff you have a great view of the entire valley.

9. Longji Rice Terraces, China

(Longji Rice Terraces, Chinese)

Rice terraces in Longji are considered one of the most beautiful in China. Popularly referred to as the Dragon Ridge Terraces, they are located around the picturesque village of Ping An. The terraces are the fruit of many years of work; they have existed almost since the 12th century and are built on the slopes of mountains up to 1,100 meters high. The peasants who built them took care of their survival in the mountainous regions, and this was their only opportunity to feed their families.

10. Pariangan, Indonesia

(Pariangan, Indonesia)

The active volcano Merapi, towering over this village in West Sumatra, is one of the main natural assets of the country. Pariangan is considered the oldest village of the Minangkabau people, so an inquisitive tourist will be able to learn a lot about the culture and customs of the indigenous population.

Charming gabled traditional houses have been preserved here, including a 300-year-old building with wicker rattan walls, as well as a beautiful 19th-century mosque.

11. Cua Van, Vietnam

(Fishing Village Cua Van, Vietnam)

Cua Van is a picturesque fishing village in Halong Bay. This is one of the largest fishing floating villages, located right on the water surface. You can get there by rowing boats and see the locals engaged in the extraction of all kinds of gifts from the South China Sea. Local residents live in colorful raft houses, the school is also located in one of the floating houses.

12. "Dutch Venice", Giethoorn, Netherlands

(Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice, Nederland)

Giethoorn is one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands and is also often referred to as the "Dutch Venice" as it sits on water channels with a total length of about 7.5 km. The settlement was founded in 1230. To move around the village there is a cycle path and numerous water channels. Rowing boats and boats with electric motors are the main transport. The houses are located on islets and are connected by wooden bridges (there are more than 50 of them throughout the village).

13. Bibury, UK

(Bibury, England)

Bibury is considered one of the most beautiful, picturesque and oldest villages in England - the first mention of it dates back to the 11th century. It seems that time has stopped here - old houses, beautiful nature and even public transport does not run so that nothing violates the pristine beauty. Poets and artists, as well as filmmakers, come to the village for inspiration - Bridget Jones's Diary and films about Mrs. Marple based on the stories of Agatha Christie were filmed here.

For real beautiful villages in Russia there are not very many left, they are painstakingly collected and numbered by specialists of historical and security organizations in order to carefully preserve the remaining crumbs. Today in the list of "not yet lost" there will be a little more than a dozen. Each of them is interesting in terms of history, architecture, traditional way of life. Each will leave a mark in the heart after visiting.

So, the most beautiful villages in Russia:

The most colorful villages

Desyatnikovo village. Buryatia. The first mention is 1746.

Desyatnikovo village consists of five streets.

Currently, 778 people live in the village of Desyatnikovo.

The village of Desyatnikovo is located near the Selenga River.

Atsagat village. This word translated from the Buryat language means “stone”.

There are about 100 households in the village of Atsagat.

Atsagat datsan. Founded in 1825.

The village of Tarbagatai is one of the largest Old Believer villages in Transbaikalia.

The village of Tarbagatai is located along the Kuytunka River (the right tributary of the Selenga)

The village of Tarbagatai was founded in the 1710s.

The village of Bolshoi Kunaley was founded in 1765.

The name of the village of Kunaley is "khunilla", which in Buryat means "assembly" or "fold".

The village of Kunaley preserves the identity, culture and traditions of its ancestors.

Lost among the mountains and meadows with fragrant herbs, very similar to each other and not similar at all, there are four villages in Buryatia at once, located approximately at the same distance to the east and south of Ulan-Ude.Desyatnikovo, Atsagat, Tarbagatai and Bolshoi Kunaley. Almost all the buildings in these villages are painted on the outside with bright colors: red, orange and blue, and the interior walls, furniture and even ceilings are painted even brighter. Such traditional decoration was very typical for wealthy peasant houses. No less striking are the traditional folk costumes, it seems that the most cheerful people in the world live in these villages, who do not want to part with their childhood. Meanwhiletraditional culture of Tarbagatai villageIt has been declared a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. And the village of Atsagat is also one of the religious centers of the region. Back in 1825, a datsan was erected here, which brought up more than one generation of lamas. And local herbs can be found even in the atlases of Tibetan medicine.

The oldest villages

The village of Staraya Ladoga was founded in 753.

Until 1703, Ladoga was a city.

According to the Novgorod Chronicle, the grave of the Prophetic Oleg is located in Ladoga (according to the Kiev version, his grave is located in Kiev on Mount Shchekovitsa).

When the daughter of the Swedish king Olaf Schötkonung, Princess Ingigerda, married the Novgorod prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1019, she received the city of Aldeigyuborg (Staraya Ladoga) with the adjacent lands, which have since received the name Ingermanlandia (the land of Ingegerda), as a dowry (veno).

Afanasievskaya Church in Varzuga.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Varzuga.

The main source of income for the local population at all times was the sale of salmon caught in the Varzuga River.

Perhaps it was the harsh northern weather, frosts and winds and ice that contributed to the fact thatthe most ancient villages in Russialocated in the northwest, in the Leningrad and Murmansk regions: Staraya Ladoga and Varzuga. Let's not argue who is older than them, let's leave it to specialists, the history of both of them has more than 600 years. , which stands on the Volkhov River is considered the starting point of the great journey "from the Varangians to the Greeks", one of the three Varangian brothers called to Russia ruled here. It was the largest trading center even before Novgorod, and the walls of its fortress were stormed by the Swedes. She absorbed the entire culture of the North Russian peoples. stands on the banks of the river of the same name, which flows into the White Sea. Its main decorations are wooden churches, of which as many as five were built here, built without a single nail, like many religious buildings of northern masters. Here wasPatriarchal House of the Solovetsky Monasterytherefore, the lands and springs around are holy. And the main craft of the locals was salmon fishing and pearl mining, which gave birth to the Varzuga River.

The harshest villages

The first mention of Teriberka dates back to the 16th century.

The village got its name from the Teriberka river of the same name, the name of which, in turn, according to one version, goes back to the outdated name of the Kola Peninsula - Ter.

Until 1984, Teriberka did not have a road connection and it was possible to get there either by sea or by helicopter.

The village of Esso got its name in 1932.

Almost the entire village of Esso is heated by natural geothermal waters.

The village of Esso is called "Kamchatka Switzerland".

Every year in March, the international dog sled race "Beringia" starts from the village.

Harsh not because of the characters of the locals, but because they are located in such places that it is not clear how people can live here at all, and even build such beautiful villages. They are scattered on the two extreme sides of our country: on the Barents Sea and Esso on the . Teriberka appeared on the Kola Peninsula in the 16th century, but it became very famous only now, after Filming "Leviathan". Here, in the tundra zone, where the cold sky meets the cold earth and is reflected in the cold water, there was a commercial whaling village. Today, this village is beautiful, perhaps only by nature, because most of the infrastructure is abandoned and in a very deplorable state. It is the combination of the decline of civilization against the backdrop of harsh landscapes that makes this place eerily beautiful. On the contrary, the village of Esso is full of health in the middle of the snowy Kamchatka, because it is surrounded on all sides by hot thermal springs. Happy people live here who even manage to grow grapes in such a climate. And from here starts every year the most famous dog sled race.

The very first and the very last village

The ancient merchant village of Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district, one of the most environmentally friendly and historically significant areas of the Yaroslavl region.

The village of Vyatskoye was first mentioned in documentary sources in 1502 as the center of the metropolitan Vyatka volost.

The village of Vyatskoye is a unique town-planning complex of the 18th – 19th centuries with more than 50 registered architectural monuments, former merchant and peasant houses, tea and tavern establishments, almshouses.

Not so long ago, Russia joined the world association that is looking for the most beautiful villages on earth in every country. The main selection criteria are: the village must be alive, not museumified, it must have no more than 2,000 inhabitants, and the rural way of life must be preserved. Each found village is solemnly awarded the honorary title of “Most Beautiful”, a corresponding tablet is issued, and a special inauguration ceremony is held. After that, the village falls into the list of its own kind. There are only six officially recognized beautiful villages in Russia so far, but we must not forget that the list was opened only in 2015. The very first was recognized as a beautiful village, or rather a village, . Old merchant houses, almost each of which is a monument of architecture, as well as ten museums of completely different directions: from traditional to polytechnic. The last village on the listin Karelia, whose inauguration took place on June 10, 2016. The village, which got into the scribe books back in the 16th century, and began its history with four households, now consists of only 16 old Karelian houses, the Chapel of the Smolensk Mother of God and five residents, two of whom have a family tree with local roots of 500 years.

The Russian village... For some it is a relic of the agrarian past, for others it is the keeper of the Russian soul. One way or another, on average, urbanization “eats up” three villages in the country every year. What are the reasons for the extinction and degradation of the Russian village? How many villages are there in Russia today? And which of them are the most beautiful? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.

Unemployment, hopelessness, despondency...

It is with such unpleasant words that the modern Russian village is most often described. Broken asphalt, fragmentarily left over from prosperous Soviet times, abandoned farms, destroyed houses of culture, dirt, lack of lighting and central sewerage - this is typical for most of the villages and villages of today's Russia. Of course, there are pleasant exceptions. But they are catastrophically few.

Many villages in Russia, in view of the vast area of ​​the latter, are literally cut off from any benefits of civilization. They can be located several hundred kilometers from the nearest city or regional center. In such villages, people, like a hundred or two hundred years ago, live by subsistence farming: they sow fields, raise livestock, fish, hunt and drink strong tea from real samovars.

A classic example of the "Russian hinterland" is the so-called Krasny Bereg. This is an area consisting of three villages, lost in the middle of the coniferous forests of the Vologda region. Their total population is 10 people. In fact, there are no roads to these settlements. In winter, it can only be overcome by snowmobile, and in summer (after heavy rain) - only by tractor. Water - from springs, light - from kerosene lamps, a generator - one for three villages.

And how many similar villages are scattered across the expanses of vast Russia - it's hard to say.

Russian village: in facts and figures

• As of the beginning of 2018, 19.1% of the total population of the Russian Federation lives in rural areas.
• Between 2002 and 2010 (between the last two censuses) the number of depopulated villages in Russia increased by 6,000.
• Today there are about 150 thousand rural settlements in the country.
• About half of them have no more than 100 people.
• 17 thousand Russian villages do not have a permanent population.
• The average density in the Russian Federation is 2 persons/sq. km.
• The maximum percentage of the rural population is observed in the Krasnodar Territory - almost 45%.
• The largest villages are located in the North Caucasus.
• The largest village in Russia in terms of population is Novaya Usman. 27.5 thousand people live here.

Reasons for the extinction of the Russian village

The degradation of the countryside is one of the most acute socio-economic problems of modern Russia. In the last twenty years, the country's rural population has been steadily declining. And not only due to natural decline (high mortality against the background of low birth rates), but also due to the colossal migration outflow.

Young people categorically do not want to live in the village, trying by any available means to escape to the capital or the nearest large city. As a result, in many Russian villages only old people and openly asocial elements remain. The share of depopulated villages in some subjects of the Russian Federation has already reached 20%.

Why is the Russian village dying out? There are several reasons:

• High unemployment.
• Degradation of social infrastructure (lack of schools, kindergartens, clinics, etc.).
• Lower standard of living compared to urban environment.
• Frequent lack of housing and communal benefits (sewerage, gasification, lighting, Internet, etc.).

To revive the Russian village and return young people to it, a comprehensive state program is required to save it and further develop it. Of course, this requires huge amounts of money.

The most beautiful villages in Russia: list

Let's try to end our article on a positive note. Not all villages in Russia look dull and hopeless. Some of them are able to surprise with their color, authentic spirit and original architecture. Listed below are five ancient Russian villages that are definitely worth visiting at least once in your life:

1. Varzuga, Murmansk region. The village arose in the middle of the 15th century. Fishing center for Atlantic salmon.
2. Big Kunaley, Buryatia. Quite a large village, reminiscent of its appearance an illustration to a collection of children's fairy tales. The design of all the local houses is exactly the same: brown walls, blue windows, green fences.
3. Vershinino, Arkhangelsk region. Traditional village of the Russian North. It is famous for its unique and perfectly preserved architecture of the 17th-18th centuries.
4. Okunevo, Omsk region. A colorful, amazing and mystical village, in which adherents of five different religions found refuge at once. The village is a place of attraction for all lovers of esotericism and meditation.
5. Elovo, Perm region. Ecologically clean village located on the banks of the Kama. It impresses all guests not only with magnificent natural landscapes, but also with its landscaping. There is asphalt, walking paths, flower beds and playgrounds.

Finally…

The process of rural extinction is not a unique Russian phenomenon. In general, it is similar to similar processes in other countries and regions of the planet. But, in spite of everything, the Russian village is still alive, with all its advantages and disadvantages. And, hopefully, in the near future it will begin to revive. After all, as they say in one old Russian proverb: "The city is the kingdom, and the village is paradise."

cultural guides

Five most attractive villages in Russia

The Russian cultural heritage portal Kultura.RF and the Perspektiva Foundation have developed a rural tourism guide as part of the All-Russian campaign of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation #have a restinRussia. The tourist guide, designed to increase the popularity of rural tourism, includes enticing and unexpected routes.

1. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE. Vyatskoye (Yaroslavl region)

This Russian hinterland was in caring and loving hands. The village has not only its own website (you won’t surprise anyone with this), but also a map of attractions, the possibility of online booking of huts, and even its own press center.

The ancient merchant village of Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district - one of the most environmentally friendly and historically significant areas of the Yaroslavl region. It can be easily reached by car from Yaroslavl, the journey will take less than an hour. What is the peculiarity of Vyatka and why was it recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in the country?

The village of Vyatskoye is a unique town-planning complex of the 18th-19th centuries with more than 50 registered architectural monuments, former merchant and peasant houses, tea and tavern establishments, almshouses. There are 10 museums on its territory.

In Vyatka, the festival "Province - the soul of Russia" is held. During the festival, young musicians, artists, sculptors come here.

In 2015, at the Intermuseum festival, the museum community recognized the Vyatskoye historical and cultural complex as the best museum of the year in Russia, awarding the Grand Prix of the international festival.

View of the village from the bell tower of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. Photo: krasaderevni.ru/villages/vyatskoe

Baths in black on the bank of Ukhtomka. Photo: krasaderevni.ru/villages/vyatskoe

Church of the Resurrection of Christ in autumn. Photo: krasaderevni.ru/villages/vyatskoe

2. THE MOST HISTORICAL DISTRICT. Uvek (Saratov region)

Few people know that in the Saratov region you can find objects of all historical eras: from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. These unique monuments make the region one of the richest in cultural and historical terms throughout the Eurasian space. One of the main attractions of the region is now the outskirts of Saratov, in which, since the 8th century AD, the largest urban center of the Golden Horde - Ukek.

Today, the festival of historical reconstruction "One day in the life of a medieval city" is held here. In 2016, the event will take place from 2 to 4 September. Guests will see the work of medieval artisans, take part in master classes in birch bark weaving, try their hand at archery and belt wrestling.

Several main locations will be presented on the historical site: the Emir's Headquarters, the Russian Quarter, the European Embassy, ​​and the Bazaar. Each of them will recreate the past of the times of the Golden Horde.

The village of Uvek (Saratov region). A day in the life of a medieval city. Photo: ukekfest.ru/gallery

The village of Uvek (Saratov region). A day in the life of a medieval city. Photo: ukekfest.ru/gallery

3. THE MOST HAPPY VILLAGE. Esso (Kamchatka Territory)

Getting here is not easy. The village of Esso is located 600 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, on the very border of the tundra.

Numerous thermal springs have turned a simple village into a geothermal resort. They also feed the pool open all year round on the main square. Locals say that Esso can claim the title of "Happiest Village".

After all, there are no such coniferous forests as in Esso anywhere else in Kamchatka, and the Ichinsky volcano (3621 m) is the second largest (after Klyuchevskaya Sopka) of the active volcanoes of Eurasia. Hot springs heat houses and greenhouses that grow cucumbers, tomatoes and even grapes! The climate in Esso is sharply continental, so in summer Esso is the warmest place in Kamchatka, and in winter the thermometer here can drop to -47 ° C!

Esso has festivals every year. The main event is held on the last Sunday of February: Beringia, an extreme dog sled race, starts on this day.

Esso village (Kamchatka Territory). Photo: kamchatkatravel.net/special/esso-selo.html

Esso village (Kamchatka Territory). Photo: strana.ru/places/37245

4. THE OLDEST VILLAGE. Varzuga (Murmansk region)

Varzuga is located just 20 kilometers from the White Sea and is considered one of the oldest villages on the Kola Peninsula. She is almost 600 years old. In addition to age, its main attraction is the wooden tented Assumption Church. The temple was erected in 1674 without a single nail.

And here, every spring, Atlantic salmon rises along the river - earlier it was the main fishery of the villagers. Today, the movement of fish attracts more and more tourists. Someone goes to see a unique natural phenomenon, and someone goes fishing - camps for fishing tourists stretch for hundreds of kilometers along the Varzuga River of the same name.

The village of Varzuga (Murmansk region). Photo: v-varzugu.ru

The Association of the most beautiful villages in Russia was created several years ago with the aim of developing tourism, preserving national heritage and original architecture in the countryside. As a result of several competitions and competitions, the Association was replenished with picturesque villages from different parts of the country, and some of them managed to get into the guide to the most beautiful villages. We have identified the most striking of them and are in a hurry to tell you about their history, sights and geographical location.

Vyatskoe

Vyatskoye is an ancient village located in central Russia, namely in the Yaroslavl region on the Ukhtanka River. In 2015, this place was the first to be included in the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages. The history of the village begins in the distant 16th century: in the early days of its existence, Vyatskoye became famous as the estate of the patriarch. Later, the village was known as a place for cucumber fishing, large fairs and bazaars. At the moment, the place is more like a vast museum complex, gathering thousands of tourists at any time of the year. The surviving houses and architectural buildings of the 18th century, the presence of a dozen museums and the nature of amazing beauty make Vyatskoye extremely attractive. For the convenience of tourists, there are several hotels, restaurants and even a concert hall, and due to the location close to Yaroslavl, the flow of people who want to see Vyatskoye does not dry out. A number of festivals and traditional events are held here annually: Harvest Day, Krasnaya Gorka, the Russian Wreath Festival, the Province - Soul of Russia festival. The historical and cultural complex of Vyatsky was recognized as the best in Russia, and the village has repeatedly become the winner of many national and state awards.

Not every city can boast of such a number of museums as the village of Vyatskoye: at the moment there are as many as ten of them. Some of them attract attention with extraordinary themes and intriguing names: the museum of angels, the museum of love stories, the museum of Russian entrepreneurship, the “Russian Bathhouse in Black” and other quaint museums operate on the territory of the village. In addition to the museum complex, there are several active churches in Vyatka. In addition to architectural sights, the village is famous for several healing drinking springs, and its area is recognized as the most environmentally friendly in the region.

How to get there?

Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district of the Yaroslavl region. The distance from Yaroslavl is only 30 kilometers along a straight road. Travel time by car will be 40 minutes. Buses run daily from Yaroslavl.

Photo source: kulturologia.ru

Desyatnikovo

The next well-known place with a developed ethnic culture is the Old Believer village of Desyatnikovo. Thanks to the preserved architecture, way of life and local traditions, the village was included in the UNESCO list. The first mention of it dates back to the 18th century. Desyatnikovo is located in Buryatia, a few kilometers from the regional center - the large village of Tarbagatai. Desyatnikovo joined the Association of the most beautiful villages in 2016. The architecture of the village is unique: historically, the Old Believers sent here several centuries ago gathered in one place the culture of several peoples, which mixed with local traditions. Desyatnikovo differs from other settlements in unusually bright wooden buildings. Information about the features of the architecture of the village of Desyatnikovo is available at the link.

Main Attractions

Each house in the village is a local pride and landmark due to the unique method of painting both inside and outside, the method of construction and the customs preserved. Another important cultural heritage site in Desyatnikovo is the functioning St. Nicholas Church.

How to get there?

From the capital of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude, to Desyatnikovo, you will have to overcome about 60 kilometers along the Baikal federal highway and 11 kilometers from the regional center Tarbagatai. You can get from Ulan-Ude by minibus.

kiltsa

The village of Kilca is a picturesque place known since the 17th century. It is located in the Mezensky district of the Arkhangelsk region at the mouth of the river of the same name. Kielce belongs to the Arctic zone of the country and was officially included in the Association of Beautiful Villages quite recently due to the preserved hundred-year-old wooden buildings, the traditional way of life of the locals and the presence of fabulous nature around. Any residential building is an indicator of the skill of northern architects.

Main Attractions

Kielce is primarily known for its votive crosses, which you can already see at the entrance to the village. It was customary to put votive crosses on any occasion, both happy and sad. The indigenous people have a special attitude towards them - it has long been believed that the set votive cross is the strongest amulet against misfortunes. In addition, Kilza became famous for its incomparable architectural style, typical of the northern rural settlements: each residential building, decorated with patterned architraves and carved balconies, is a work of folk art.

How to get there?

Kiltsa is connected by road with the village of Kimzha, which is also a member of the Beautiful Villages Association. This place is quite inaccessible. The nearest motorway is 12 kilometers along the winter road, in summer it is not easy to get there by car. At the moment, the administration is faced with the question of building a road for the development of tourism. The place belongs to a rural settlement, the center of which is the village of Kozmogorskoye. A map and additional information about the geographic location is available at the link.

Photo source: krasaderevni.ru

Kimzha

No less famous in the Arkhangelsk region is another village - Kimzha. Just like neighboring Kilza, the village is located in the Mezensky district. Kimzha joined the Association of the most beautiful villages in 2017 and immediately took the honorable first place in this list. It has been known since the 16th century, and the permanent population of this Arctic village is quite small - no more than a hundred people. Each house in the settlement, like a revived museum piece and a keeper of history, is of great interest to visiting tourists. For those who are interested in the folklore and customs of indigenous peoples, Kimzha is a real treasure: the local population strictly observes traditions, celebrates events according to the canons, carols at Christmas and gathers folk choirs for holidays. But one of the folk legends, local settlers have the gift of divination and witchcraft, for this reason, residents of neighboring areas still call them blackthropes. Until the middle of the last century, paganism and Old Believers were widespread in Kimzha, which left their mark on the modern way of life. The main and important occupations of the local population are hunting, fishing, and berry picking.

Main Attractions

The hallmark of the village is the museum complex "The northernmost mills in the world." One of these mills is currently functioning, the other is the Northern Mills Museum. These two mills were built at the end of the 19th century and are monuments of regional significance. The Hodegetrievskaya Church is the only local landmark of the Mezen type of building that has been preserved since the beginning of the 18th century.

How to get there?

From Arkhangelsk to Kimzhi 350 kilometers. At any time of the year you can get there by plane, in the summer, ferries run along the Mezen River. It will be easiest for motorists to drive along the picturesque road Arkhangelsk-Belogorsky-Pinega-Kimzha. According to the official version, public transport does not run in this area, but there are private transports from Arkhangelsk. Detailed information on how to get to the place can be found on the Kimzha village website.

Photo source: tourinfo.ru

Oshevensky churchyard

The Arkhangelsk region can be proud of the presence of many ancient settlements with preserved ethnic culture: another village, spread out on the Churega River in the Kargopol district of the region and accepted into the Association of beautiful villages - Oshevensky churchyard. The village is not accidentally included in this list: some architectural structures have been preserved here since the 15th century, and local residents still observe the rituals inherent in this place. Tourists come here to see local traditions: see how ritual cookies are baked, learn how to bake pies, go to a real black-bath and try out old spinning wheels. Master classes are held especially for visitors, and you can stay at the guest house.

Main Attractions

The active Holy Assumption Alexander-Oshevensky Monastery, located at the entrance to the village, is a national pride. An attractive building with an octagonal dome is the Church of the Epiphany, which has existed since the 18th century and is also known for its painted ceiling. A detailed history of the village is available at the link.

How to get there?

The Oshevensky Pogost settlement is located 45 kilometers from Kargopol. You can get there by road from Kargopol by car.

Photo source: korsar-travel.ru

Kinerma

The Karelian settlement of Kinerma is a real original village, where the rural way of life is actively maintained at the present time. The first mention of the village dates back to the 16th century. Kinerma was burned by the Swedish troops and restored, destroyed by the Polish-Lithuanian troops, but still retained its original appearance to this day. Kinerma was admitted to the Association of Beautiful Villages in 2016, which caused a huge flow of tourists to the village and its surroundings. Most of the surviving residential buildings are recognized as architectural monuments. For all comers, master classes are held here with a demonstration of folk crafts and the preparation of traditional dishes.

Main Attractions

The chapel of Our Lady of Smolensk with an iconostasis, which has been functioning since the 18th century, is the main local attraction. The village has an ethno-cultural center in a restored historical barn with traditional fences, a well and a smoke sauna. A significant part of the sights are the oldest residential buildings. You can find detailed information about services and attractions in