Many foreigners come to Russia in order to learn more about the culture and customs of the country. However, modern Russian cities are less and less different from European ones. Where to go in search of true national color? An excellent choice is Mandrogi - a village whose sights will not leave anyone indifferent.
Rebirth from the ashes
In a picturesque area between Ladoga and Onega lakes, on the banks of the Svir River, people have lived since time immemorial. The local settlement consisted mainly of the Finno-Ugric people - the Veps. Peter I ordered the laying of shipyards on the river . Svir, like many other Siberian rivers, had many rapids, the Vepsians called them in their own language - “mandrogs”. It is from this word that the village of Upper Mandrogs got its name.

Local residents were engaged in agriculture, among them there were many talented carpenters and potters. The village was characterized by a measured pace of life, before the start of World War II, its population reached 450 people. During the fighting, the territory between Onega and Ladoga lakes was occupied by enemy troops. All local settlements were completely destroyed and destroyed. In 1996, it was decided to create a unique ethnographic-tourist site on the site of the ancient settlement. Today Mandrogi is a village whose sights amaze visitors from other countries and residents of our country.
National traditions combined with modern comfort
Today Mandrogs are not only a reconstruction for tourists. There are real farms and stables, and in painted towers you can rent a room. The authors of the project thought through everything to the smallest detail. You can enjoy the Russian way of life of the 19th century sample without abandoning the comfort of five-star hotels. The complex has hotels, restaurants and bars. Particular attention is paid to entertainment infrastructure. Guests are offered a variety of excursions, visits to the museums of the complex, master classes in ancient craft techniques and folk fun. Young visitors to the village will like the local touching zoo and Glade of Fairy Tales - a place for an interactive tour, designed based on the tales of A. Pushkin.
Upper Mandrogs (village): attractions, photos and description of entertainment
Each building on the territory of the complex is special. We will not mislead you, most of the buildings are modern reconstruction, and only a few are genuine historical monuments. During the construction of all buildings, the traditions of Russian architecture, characteristic of the northern regions and the selected time period, were observed. The facades of the buildings are richly decorated with carvings, bas-reliefs, and many houses have complex roofs. On the very bank of the river there are three baths, in one of which you can steam "in the black", as well as a real windmill.
Mandrogi is a village whose attractions will be interesting to tourists from other countries. On the territory of the complex there are museums nesting dolls and vodka. Not far away begins a craft settlement where you can go to the forge or see the work of the potter.
Each tourist personally decides for himself who he wants to be when he arrives in Mandrogi. The village, interesting places in which are amazing, gives everyone the opportunity to be a guest in the past or to live the whole day, feeling like a real peasant. There are all conditions for a family holiday. It will be interesting for children to ride horses and ponies, visit the contact zoo and a real farm. It also offers typical tourist attractions in the old Russian style. In the village you can order spa treatments, visit restaurants and cafes, go hunting or fishing and watch a movie in the open-air cinema.
Guest Accommodation
Most of the houses in the Mandrogi village are residential. Behind the carved and painted facades, thematic interiors are hidden, in the design of which there are genuine antiquities. These are cozy rooms and whole apartments, everyone can stay in. The cost of living per day depends on the popularity of a particular building and the area of the apartment. For example, a double room in a tavern costs from 3,000 rubles, and renting a manor will cost 60,000 rubles. Mandrogi is a village, the sights of which are at every step. For accommodation, guests are offered a manor house (up to 6 people inclusive), a tavern with small rooms, townhouses and Russian-style huts. “House-tower”, “Elegant house”, “Painted house”, “Carved house”, “House-casket” - you will agree, from these names alone is breathtaking. Each hut is decorated in its own unique style.
Mandrogs is a village. Sights. How to get to this amazing place?
Originally a tourist village was built for foreign tourists traveling on cruise ships and yachts. Today, moorings are best equipped.
How to get to the tourist village from the Leningrad region? The exit to this unusual attraction is available from the R-21 highway (St. Petersburg-Petrozavodsk-Murmansk). The road to the village is unpaved, its length is about 10 km. It is more convenient to travel by car using the navigator, the exact coordinates are 60.9272, 34.0351. Many travel companies in St. Petersburg offer organized excursions to Mandrogi with a transfer.
Tourists reviews
What do travelers who have been there personally say about the old Russian village? Almost everyone likes mandrogs. Foreigners are struck by this piece of Russian traditions and cultural customs. The Russians are no less interested in admiring the towers and huts, participating in master classes and visiting local museums.
Developed infrastructure and a variety of entertainments - this is how the village differs from its analogues in Mandrogi. Attractions reviews are positive, as is the organization of entertainment. Russian tourists do not always like the prices of the services provided. Indeed, local prices were developed taking into account the popularity of the object with foreigners. However, if you want to relax inexpensively, you can, for example, if you come one day on an excursion and participate in master classes.