It is sometimes so nice to go away from the modern bustling city with its crazy rhythm of life and touch something ancient and calm, breathing peace! On our planet there are many places where people, abandoning life in megacities, created or recreated small islands of various ancient eras, and live in these settlements. Such places become real meccas for tourists who are eager for various wonders and fed up with familiar excursions.
Interest after a thousand years
But the history of the ancient Scandinavian people - the Vikings - attracts special attention of modern mankind with its originality, mythology, and culture. There are many such modern archaeological sites, and they are quite different in nature, but the most famous are: the village of Borg, located on the Lofoten Islands (Norway); Viking village Svengard, near Vyborg (Russia); and the Viking village in Tallinn (Estonia). In addition, a large number of historical reconstruction festivals are held that recreate the life and traditions of the Scandinavian people. The festival “Legends of the Norse Vikings”, which takes place annually in St. Petersburg, is considered the most popular among them.
Homeland of the Scandinavian warlike people
The real Viking village called the “Lofotr Museum” was reconstructed in the village of Borg, which is located near Böstad in the commune of Westwögö in Norway. It is based on archaeological excavations in Nur Norg, on the Lofoten archipelago. The museum itself has been open since 1995 and consists of a king, whose length is 83 meters, a forge and a real ship of the brave sailors of the Middle Ages - the drakkar. For tourists there are also prepared entertainment for guests and real Viking cuisine, as well as dramatization of their life. A movie about the Vikings is shown at the museum, and tourists can also buy a commemorative gizmo in a local gift shop. On the territory there is a real farm with horses, cows and other animals. But not only this is famous for the Borg. Every year there is a Viking festival, where designers come from all over Europe and not only.
Viking village near Vyborg
Russia is a huge country with an ancient rich history, so a large number of different fortresses, ruins, historical monuments and other archaeological sites are scattered throughout its territory. In the Leningrad Region, 16 kilometers from the ancient city of Vyborg, on the ninth kilometer of the Svetogorsk highway, which is on the A 124 highway, there is a unique reserve of historical and cultural significance - Svargas Manor, better known as the Viking Village Svengard (or Svargas). Both names are relevant. The word “svargas” has Indo-European roots and is translated into Russian as “sunny sky”. This object represents a "living history", because it is a real inhabited settlement, a model of a princely estate of the eleventh century in full size. This is a project of experimental archeology, as the creators themselves call it, which was created by the historical and cultural center Varyazhsky Dvor in 2005-2008.
A unique project of "living history"
Despite the fact that the settlement is known as the “Viking Village”, “Svargas”, according to one of the founders Alexei Dudin, or “Sven”, as he is called, this is a model of reconstruction not only of Scandinavian culture, but also of Slavic and Finnish. In the estate, everything is truly real, and almost like a millennium ago, there is no water supply, electricity and other benefits of civilization. But instead of the hearths of that era - stoves with pipes.
Despite the fact that there is very little reliable data about those times, the life of the Middle Ages was most accurately recreated in Svengard. For the construction, authentic technologies were used. Each visitor to the estate can touch deep antiquity, even smell it and taste it, having tried original dishes, see how the life of the Vikings in antiquity was arranged. You can even plunge into the secrets of crafts, not only observe, but also try to create something yourself. There is also a unique opportunity to see how the weapons and armor of those times were created. Well, of course, any person can feel like a real Viking for a while, clothed in chain mail, fought with swords, fired from a bow and overcome obstacles prepared by the villagers. This is a great option for relaxing with friends and family, the children get a fantastic experience.
Entertainment and leisure center in Estonia
In a very picturesque place of Estonia called Saula, on the banks of the Pirita River, since 2005 another Viking Village has been located. Tallinn is located almost 30 kilometers along the Tartu highway from this entertainment center with a historical slope. If the Vyborg Viking village is, rather, an experimental project of the so-called living archeology, then its Estonian counterpart was created specifically for the recreation and entertainment of tourists. Despite this, the owners of this place tried their best, having recreated an excellent model of the medieval settlement of the Scandinavian people. Tourists, if desired, can stay here for the night, for this there are separate rooms. True, the bathroom and shower in them are still modern, albeit stylized antique. In the tavern will feed any starving traveler from 11 to 22 hours. There are plenty of attractions for tourists.
Discover the viking in yourself
Each family member in this wonderful village can find entertainment to their liking. For example, you can try to become a real warrior: shoot archery at targets, throw an ax like a real Viking, you can also take part in the competitions of medieval warriors and in the capture of the ancient settlement, a historical and entertainment event for all ages. The Viking village provides an opportunity to fish and catch trout for lunch from a local pond, which the chef can cook on the grill. In addition to the 150-year-old Estonian bath in the Viking village, there is also an amazing cave bath, which, according to ancient beliefs, will help to heal the soul and body, as well as relieve evil spirits. Before bath procedures themed games are held.
A unique entertainment program is also thought out for tourists, including ancient dances, songs and games. And just a 10-minute walk from the village are the unique Estonian Saulaki Blue Springs. This beautiful reserve is famous for its amazing scenery, crystal clear spring water, which becomes healing if the traveler conducts a special ritual that the local guide will gladly tell you.
Petropavlovka. Viking village and festival of historical reconstruction
For 6 consecutive years, at the end of May in St. Petersburg on the banks of the Kronverksky Strait, near the Peter and Paul Fortress, a festival of military historical reconstruction "The Legend of the Norse Vikings" has been held. The format is a “living story." The festival has become popular not only in Russia, but throughout the CIS. On the Hare Island annually a real Viking village unfolds. This year the Peter and Paul Fortress even received the descendants of the real Vikings from Norway, who sailed on a real drakkar straight from the Lofoten Islands. Konung, the leader of the Vikings, along with his retinue were honored guests at this year's festival. They surprised the audience and participants with their rites, and also debunked many myths about their glorious ancestors. Norwegians spoke about the intricacies of cooking in the Middle Ages, the hygiene of the Vikings, their way of life and customs.
Recreation and entertainment
In general, in this medieval settlement for about 6 years in a row about 300 representatives of the best military-historical clubs from all over the country, as well as thousands of guests, have been gathering. The drum fight and the sounds of the war horn become the accompaniment of large-scale reconstruction battles, in which more than one hundred of the best warriors participate. The equipment of the fighters is made in the spirit of the times, the armor is almost identical to the real ones. Swords, axes, helmets, chain mail look very realistic. Reconstructors recreate, albeit not for long, the real atmosphere of the Middle Ages: camping tents, artisans 'tents and merchants' shops, as well as a real battle lists - all are sustained in the true spirit of the Scandinavian people.
In addition to direct battles, the Viking village impresses modern people with its wonders. There you can find out how the Vikings forged their weapons and created armor, how they made bows and arrows to them, how they minted coins. Well, the shops will impress with their variety of handmade goods, there are replicas of real copper, silver and iron jewelry from the time of the Vikings, and various products from clay, wood, glass and leather, as well as military armor and weapons. In addition to purchasing any product, the guest will also hear a historical reference about it. Even children will not be bored at the festival, because for them special interactive entertainments in the style of the Vikings are provided.