Oryol Oblast is located in the European part of Russia. This is one of the smallest constituent entities of the Russian Federation. What is a tourist worth coming here for? What interesting will a traveler find here? After reading this article, you will learn about exactly what the sights of the Oryol region deserve special attention.
Oryol Oblast: history, geography, climate
Orlovschina, or Middle Russia, is a unique region, the heart of Russia. Its cities are mentioned in ancient chronicles: Kromy, Mtsensk, Novosil ... It was on the territory of this region that the ancient Russian fortress city of Khotiml was located.
Oryol Oblast was officially established only in 1937. However, the history of this region is much richer and older. Orel many times became the scene of bloody battles with the hordes of the Mongol-Tatars. In the XII century, the territory of the region was part of the Chernigov Principality, and then - Lithuanian Russia. It was here that the main events of the so-called Time of Troubles unfolded.
Oryol Oblast is not only a rich history, but also all kinds of natural beauties. Gentle hills, mild climate and full rivers make the stay in this region very enjoyable. Natural attractions of the Oryol region are especially beautiful in late autumn, when the forest-steppe is painted in the most incredible shades and colors.
The climate of the region is temperate continental with hot summers and fairly snowy winters. It is best for tourists to visit the numerous attractions of the Oryol region from June to October. It is during this period of the year that sunny and relatively dry weather is established here.
Tourist potential of Oryol
Oryol region will delight the tourist with an abundance and variety of its attractions. On its territory there are numerous cultural, architectural, natural and technogenic objects that will be very interesting to the traveler. The largest number of valuable ancient monuments is located in such settlements as Mtsensk, Bolkhov, Spasskoye-Lutovinovo, Turgenevo and others.
No less interesting is the regional center of the Oryol region - the city of Oryol. It is famous for its many museums and monuments. The fates of many famous cultural figures are closely connected with proud: Turgenev, Bunin, Granovsky, Leskov, Fet. After visiting the monuments of history and architecture, visiting museums in the city, you can relax. The most popular green areas of Oryol are Tankist Square, a city park of culture and leisure, and the Noble Nest landscape park.
Oryol Oblast is also considered an important center of folk crafts in Russia. Pottery, wood carving, wickerwork, and the manufacture of folk musical instruments are historically very developed here.
The most interesting sights of the Oryol region
Orlovschina is fascinating museums, beautiful monuments, ancient estates and harsh fortresses, monasteries and unique natural sites. Below we tried to highlight the ten most interesting and beautiful sights of this region. Among them:
- Museum-estate Spasskoye-Lutovinovo.
- Vvedensky Orthodox Monastery in Orel.
- National Park "Oryol Polesie".
- Saburovskaya fortress.
- Adam's Mill.
- Landscape Park "Noble Nest".
- The origins of the Oka River.
- House Museum I.A. Bunina.
- Lace Museum in Mtsensk.
- Castle of General Okhotnikov.
Vvedensky monastery in Orel
Vvedensky Convent in the city of Orel is one of the most important shrines of the Oryol region. It was founded in the XVII century and is located on the 1st Kursk street of the regional center.
The most beautiful building in the ensemble of the monastery - Tikhvin Gate Church - was erected in 1770. A miraculous list of the Balykin icon of the Mother of God is now kept in the monastery.
In 1923, the Vvedensky monastery was closed by the Soviet government, and railway workers were located in its buildings for a long time. In the 1920s, the cathedral church of the monastery was also demolished. The restoration of the architectural ensemble and the restoration of its interiors took up only in 1993.
Manor Spasskoye-Lutovinovo
Museum-estate Spasskoye-Lutovinovo in the village of the same name is perhaps the most popular and most visited attraction in the Oryol region. After all, the famous Russian writer Ivan Turgenev spent seventeen years of his life here. The works “Fathers and Sons”, “The Noble Nest” were written by him on this estate.
The estate includes a manor house, several outbuildings, a park with artificial ponds, as well as a temple in which Turgenev’s parents were married. From the time of the writer, everything here has been preserved almost unchanged. Tourists come to Spasskoye-Lutovinovo to inspect Turgenev’s private office, take a walk in the beautiful park and go boating.
Castle of General Okhotnikov
In Kolpnyansky district, in the small village of Yakovka, there is a little-known, but very interesting attraction. This is the estate of General Okhotnikov, which is more reminiscent in appearance of a real castle.
The brick estate was built in the 19th century on the land donated by Okhotnikov herself to Catherine II. The building is a monument of architecture and history. It organically intertwines elements of modern and neo-Gothic. In Soviet times, the estate housed a sugar factory, a village club and a dining room, so, unfortunately, excellent stained glass windows and interior interiors have not been preserved to this day. Nevertheless, the appearance of the structure is so impressive that it is worth coming here at least once in a lifetime.