Celebrating New Year in the ancient Russian village of Svyatogorovo seemed like an interesting idea to us. Why not? Charming houses surrounded by forests, a complete winter experience, and tranquility.
The history of the ancient Russian Wooden Village of Svyatogorovo.
It turns out that the most interesting places can be quite close. This wonderful place is located in the Moscow region, not far from the other beautiful city of Sergiev Posad. The village is over 700 years old. Before the war, there were more than 65 households here, and today there are no more than 14 dilapidated houses left.
Now you can relax here, regain strength, and touch the ancient Russian wooden architecture. When you visit Svyatogorovo, you feel as if you have traveled back to ancient Russia. Each house has its own name – for example, “Ostrog” and “Ark,” “Winter House” and “Chambers.”
The wooden village of Svyatogorovo is part of Radonezh, which is inextricably linked with the life of Sergius of Radonezh. Here he looked for places for hermitages and a monastery, and after founding the Lavra, he walked along the valley of the Velya River on a pilgrimage route to Dmitrov.
The Velya River freezes only in severe frost and flows among steep hilly banks. It’s hard to believe that before the war, timber was rafted down it, and crayfish and various fish were caught everywhere. In ancient times, this small river was a road between the two oldest monasteries in Russia, located in Dmitrov and Sergiev Posad. According to chronicles, Ivan the Terrible himself traveled along it.
Fairy Tale Winter in the Village.
Besides the old huts and the Velya River, there is a watermill, a refectory, and a chapel in the village. All of this is, of course, an imitation, but it was so nice to celebrate the holiday in a winter Russian village where Slavs and pagans might have once celebrated New Year. Unlike the old days, each house here has electricity and all conveniences.
We came here with a large group and rented an entire log house. It is called the Merchant’s Cottage here. It turned out to be spacious, with a fireplace, billiards, and a Japanese bath. The Japanese bath is such fun when about fifteen people sit on a bench and watch as their friend boils in a huge cauldron. We also had a kitchen, a hall with a banquet table, and several bedrooms at our disposal.
Our New Year in the ancient Russian village of Svyatogorovo was a great success. The best gift on New Year’s morning was the snow that fell overnight. You open your eyes, and the world has become crystal. The whole village and the forests were buried in snowdrifts. When it was +3 and slushy in Moscow, we had a real New Year’s fairy tale.
In the morning, frost slightly nipped at the window. The snow resembled puffed rice, which was being poured and poured into a large bowl. The wind swirled and mixed it. And it seemed that someone big would now get out of bed and start breakfast.
Winter is what you see it as: it can be icy and prickly, or it can be majestic and beautiful. A perfect, such a wonderful, such an unpredictable season. Fairy tale winter in the village of Svyatogorovo.
How to get to Svyatogorovo from Moscow.
The village of Svyatogorovo is hidden in a nature reserve, 75 kilometers from Moscow on the Dmitrov highway. Paving an asphalt road is not allowed here, so between Svyatogorovo and the nearest settlement, there is only one hard-to-reach road with deep ruts. To get to Svyatogorovo, take an SUV.
I highly recommend traveling by your own car, as it is the most convenient and direct option. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one at very reasonable prices here.
Be sure to inspect the car for scratches or damage noted in the contract before leaving the parking lot, and return to the office to inform the manager of anything you think is not mentioned.
Check Aviasales to find the cheapest flights to Moscow if you are traveling from another country.
Official website: http://sviatogorovo.ru.
If you are looking for other remote, wild, and perfect winter travel spots in Russia, check out my posts about the marble canyon Ruskeala and the Kivach Waterfall in Karelia.
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