Korostel': School History on the Rosson

• In 1920, Korostel' and several neighboring villages became part of Estonia under the Treaty of Tartu (Yuryev).
• An elementary school opened in 1918 and operated intermittently until 1941.
• In 1935, the school in Korostel' was the only Russian school in Estonian Ingermanland; the Russian school in Venkul reopened in 1940.
• Korostel' and Gorka, the settlement on the far side of the Rosson, were considered together to be the only exclusively Russian village on the Rosson.

For Korostel', 1920 marked a political turning point: the town and several neighboring villages became part of Estonia under the Treaty of Tartu (Yuryev). Another historical perspective concerns the Rosson. Korostel' and Gorka, the settlement on the far side of the river, were considered together to be the only exclusively Russian village on the Rosson. This description therefore applies to both places together. Korostel's history thus brings two different scales into focus: the territorial change involving neighboring villages, and the shared classification of Korostel' and Gorka.

The school history can be traced through several milestones. An elementary school opened in Korostel' in 1918 and operated intermittently until 1941. In 1935, the local school was the only Russian school in Estonian Ingermanland, after the Russian school in Venkul had closed. The school in Venkul reopened in 1940. Comparing it with another school location also helps explain the regional context of the Korostel' school. The different dates tell a story of interruptions and changes, not just of a single founding.

The Vepsian Forest Nature Park lies in the far east of Leningrad Oblast. It includes seven reserves with particularly strict protection rules and numerous lakes. The largest is Lake Lerinskoye, located in the reserve of the same name. The park's special features include preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsski Les” and “Aschtschozjorski” reserves. These forests are important to numerous organisms that depend on woodland undisturbed by economic activity.

Wildlife and culture are also part of this regional picture: brown bears are found in greater numbers in the nature park, and the wolverine, extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. These facts do not guarantee wildlife sightings. The Vepsians, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in the park. Landscape, nature conservation, and cultural context are distinct aspects of this nature park.

Koporye Fortress is a museum and a monument to ancient Russian stone architecture. It has been preserved in its present form since the 16th century, while parts of its masonry date from the 13th century. Visitors should note one clear restriction: climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because of their emergency condition. The multimedia guide “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0” is intended for visitors exploring without a guide. Check its availability when planning your visit.

The Ladva Trail offers a contrasting landscape. It passes through glacially shaped terrain and middle-taiga vegetation, by the Vepsian village of Ladva, and to Lake Ladva in Podporozhye District. The route description thus brings a natural area and a named settlement into focus together. These examples from Leningrad Oblast complement Korostel's own historical themes with regional perspectives on architecture, landscape, and culture.

Discover more destinations: Sinyavino, Issad, Primorsk, Rozhdestveno, Pasha, Kotly, Berezhki and Rappolovo.

When did the elementary school in Korostel' open?

It opened in 1918 and operated intermittently until 1941.

What was notable about the school in Korostel' in 1935?

At the time, it was the only Russian school in Estonian Ingermanland, after the Russian school in Venkul had closed. The latter reopened in 1940.

What nature-related features define the Vepsian Forest Nature Park?

The features described include numerous lakes, old spruce and pine forests in protected reserves, as well as brown bears and the wolverine, which is extremely rare in the region.

For the broader travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.