Russia is an amazing country. Numerous historical and architectural monuments are located not only in large cities where tourists from all over the world come, but also in such small towns as Zadonsk, which is located on the Central Russian Upland, on the left bank of the Don.
The city is 60 km from Lipetsk. Its population is only 9630 people (2016). Zadonsky Krai is rich in unique historical monuments. This turned the city into a unique entity on the territory of our country, one of the recognized centers of Russian Orthodoxy. In the XIX century it was often called "Russian Jerusalem." The bed of the dried river Teshevka divides the city into two parts. The right side of Zadonsk was considered noble, but the left - the middle class.
Sights of Zadonsk: photos and description
On a hill, in the noble part of the city, is the Bogoroditsky-Tikhonov Monastery (male). Today, after the restoration of the bell tower, it looks especially magnificent. Saint Bishop Tikhon moved to Zadonsk in the middle of the 18th century. He sought solitude, going to the village of Tyunino, which is located north of Zadonsk. Tikhon liked this place so much that he considered it a saint. At the beginning of the XIX century, a temple was erected on this land, and in 1820 - a church and a bell tower.
Thus, a monastery appeared on Zadonskaya land. In Soviet times, as usual, it was closed and almost completely destroyed. The surviving premises were used as a warehouse for spent agricultural machinery. In 1994, the restoration of the monastery began.
Today it is already a working monastery. The cathedral, the cell building, the bell tower were restored, the territory was ennobled.
Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery (male)
The sights of Zadonsk in the Lipetsk region are primarily numerous religious buildings. The townspeople and guests of the city themselves consider the Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery the main one. It is he who attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims to the city.
The monastery gained special fame thanks to the miraculous list of the Vladimir icon stored here and the relics of Tikhon Zadonsky. After extensive restoration work, the monastery acquired its original appearance. This is a huge complex, fenced, with a cathedral, a bell tower and churches. The foundation of the monastery dates back to the beginning of the XVII century (1610).
It began to create two Moscow monks who found solitude in the picturesque Don forests. At first the monastery was wooden, but in 1692 it burned down during a fire. The most amazing thing is that the miraculous list brought here by the founders did not suffer at all. Almost immediately after the fire, a new church was built, and in 1736 the construction of the cathedral began. The bell tower was erected much later (1837), in the Empire style, which at that time was very common.
In the Soviet period, a cannery was organized on the territory of the monastery. As a result, the buildings were dilapidated, and many were destroyed. Since the beginning of the 90s, the complex began to be restored, and by 2014 the restoration work was completed.
Assumption Church
Many people who have never been to these places are interested in: “What can be seen in this small city, what are the sights?” Zadonskaya Assumption Church is not too large, but it is very beautiful, the building with an attached bell tower rises in the square, surrounded by gardens and fountains.
It was built in 1800, in the style of classicism. The church is surprisingly harmoniously combined with the monastery visible from here. In the Soviet period of our history, it housed the museum of local lore. Thanks to this, she did not suffer too much. Restored and transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1997.
Museum of Local Lore
If you are interested in the sights of Zadonsk, Lipetsk region (we posted a photo in this article), we strongly recommend that you visit the local history museum, which is located in the most famous and beautiful building of the city.
Ulrich's house is an example of empire-style residential architecture. I must say that immediately after the October Revolution, a museum appeared in the city. The initiator of its creation was G. M. Pavlov. In the mid-1930s, for unknown reasons, the museum was closed, and no one can say anything about the fate of the first exhibits.
On a voluntary basis, the museum was recreated only in 1975. Initially, it was located in the Assumption Church. And in 1997, the museum’s exposition was transferred to a mansion unusual for such a small city. It is believed that the landowner Vikulin built it, and later pharmacist Ulrich became its owner. The last owners of the house were the Grushetsky nobles, who received it as a gift for the wedding from their parents.
Museum "Russian Fantasy"
Folk art is a huge layer in the culture of the people. In many cities, sights are dedicated to its history. Zadonsk can be proud of its museum “Russian Fantasy”, which presents crafts of local craftsmen. There is also a gift shop.
If you happen to go on excursions in this museum, then you will learn about the production of Pavlovo Posad shawls, crystal, Khokhloma, enamel, glass. And at the same time about when and how this or that craft originated, who keeps ancient traditions, how a masterpiece of folk art is born. The organizers decided to create a museum of things that were recently understood and familiar to everyone. Today, for example, Russian crystal is already a rarity. And many people cannot distinguish color crystal from cheap Chinese colored glass.
In this museum you can see how the baklush turns into a spoon, find out how kudrina differs from grass and why Khokhloma gold does not fade for centuries. Here you can admire products from Rostov enamel - real little masterpieces of jewelry art. A sophisticated combination of enamel and filigree frames creates unique jewelry.
Monument to Tikhon Zadonsky
Famous and revered people are devoted to many city attractions. Zadonsk keeps the memory of St. Tikhon, who came to Zadonsk in 1769 in search of solitude in old age. At this time, he was already a recognized miracle worker. In 1846 he was counted among the saints.
Today, the relics of the holy elder are stored in the monastery cathedral and, along with the list of the Vladimir Icon, are considered miraculous pilgrims.
Safari Park
There are cultural attractions in the city. Zadonsk became known outside its borders thanks to the wonderful park that opened here with the funny name “Kudykina Gora”. This event took place in 2010. Now, visiting the sights of Zadonsk, a safari park (that's what it is called in the city) you will definitely be recommended to visit.
The fact is that this park has become a favorite vacation spot for citizens, where not only children, but also adults have fun. The territory of Kudykina Gora can be divided into several zones:
- sandy playground;
- a city of craftsmen with a "Scythian" fortress;
- artificial pond;
- platforms with art objects ("Three heroes" and "Trojan horse").
But most of all, visitors to the park like to visit the pen with animals in the open. In a meadow with an area of 70 hectares, more than fifty species of animals graze, including exotic kangaroos, pheasants and peacocks, yaks and argali, camels and ostriches, as well as deer, elk and roe deer. It is forbidden to enter the enclosure (animals approach the fence themselves).
In the “Scythian” fortress (a wooden stylized structure), the creators of the park made the city of masters - a place where craftsmen from different regions are invited to demonstrate their products.
Sights of Zadonsk, Lipetsk region: oak Tikhon Zadonsky
This tree in the city is known to every inhabitant. According to legend, St. Tikhon loved to rest under it. Old-timers warned the owners, on the plot of which a tree grows, whose age is more than two centuries, that it can not be cut. However, the owner of the site found these warnings not serious. And he hired workers to cut down a tree, whose mighty branches blocked the house, not letting in the light. But as soon as they started to work, some unearthly music was heard reminiscent of church singing. The workers threw the axes in dismay and hurried off.
In 1973, the owner of the site on which the oak grows, died. After the funeral, the widow, returning with relatives from the cemetery, heard an akathist “sing” the oak. The news of the miracle tree instantly flew around the city, people came to listen to its melody. However, the oak is not always sung. More often this happens when someone dies a violent death.
And at the end of the 90s the miracle tree pacified. But not the usual myro oozed from the bark, but a red liquid. Scientists who came from Moscow, confirmed that it is really world, but scarlet. Local priests do not comment on anything related to this tree, although they do not deny its healing power.
Unusual Monuments
There are unusual sights in this city. Zadonsk is the only city in the world where a monument to penicillin is installed. It is located in the courtyard of the district veterinary clinic in 2001. This is a brick pedestal, one meter high, on which a three-meter ampoule is installed, made of wood, under which the inscription: "Penicillin" is carved.
In 2007, a monument to the microscope and Anthony Van Levenguk (its inventor) appeared in the courtyard of the laboratory. On a small concreted path, you can approach the pedestal on which the "globe" is installed. It is painted with bronze paint. It depicts a great inventor, and on top, above it, a microscope is hoisted.
And this is not all unusual sights. Zadonsk in 2007, on the eve of the Year of the Rat, became the owner of the monument to a white laboratory mouse. A rodent figurine 70 cm high was carved from linden wood and mounted on a wooden pedestal by the head of the laboratory, Yuri Sedov.