Discover Kovylkino

• The first temple built in Kovylkino during the post-Soviet era was consecrated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov in 1993.
• The Kovylkino Local History Museum houses more than 60 works by a sculptor, who donated them to his fellow countrymen.
• A MiG-15 and three other military systems are on display in Kovylkino: the Krug, Shilka, and Tunguska.
• Military exhibits stand by the monuments to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War and to veterans of the war in Afghanistan.

Consecrated in 1993, the temple is dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov. Its distinction as the first temple built in Kovylkino during the post-Soviet era makes it a tangible landmark in the town’s recent religious history. The year refers to its consecration; its historical context dates to the period after the end of the Soviet Union.

The local history museum also offers a tangible introduction to local cultural history: it houses more than 60 works by a sculptor, who donated them to his fellow countrymen. The collection can be understood not only through its size but also through the circumstances of the donation. For visitors interested in art and local heritage, it offers a different perspective from the temple or the military exhibits.

Exhibits in Kovylkino include the MiG-15 fighter aircraft, the 2K11 Krug surface-to-air missile system, the Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, and the 2K22 Tunguska surface-to-air missile and gun system. The different designations represent various types of military technology, making these exhibits a distinct focus alongside the museum and temple.

Military exhibits are also located by two monuments: the monument to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War and the monument to veterans of the war in Afghanistan. As they explore the town’s history, visitors can also see the connection between the exhibits and these memorial sites.

The Republic of Mordovia also offers nature and educational attractions with a range of different focuses. In the Mordovian Nature Reserve, the “Get to Know the Mordovian Nature Reserve!” educational trail is located near the central administration in Pushhta. Visitors can learn about typical local flora and fauna, animals, and aquatic ecosystems. According to the visitor rules, special permission is required to access the trail.

The Mordovian Nature Reserve’s Natural History Museum offers guided tours for groups and individuals throughout the year; advance booking is expected. Visitors can listen to animal and bird calls interactively. The trail and museum offer different experiences: outdoors, the focus is on habitats and their inhabitants, while the museum complements its nature exhibits with an audio experience.

Smolny National Park was established on March 7, 1995. It protects especially valuable natural complexes in the coniferous-deciduous mixed forest zone of the Republic of Mordovia. In the southern part of the forest and the adjacent floodplain of the Alatyr River lies an internationally important ornithological area. The 1.5-kilometer “Forest Work” educational trail passes through pine and deciduous forest and offers information about forest protection and reforestation. It is accessible only during the warm season.

Other routes in the national park cater to different interests: the “Lesnoy trial” tourist trail is equipped for cycling and skiing. The “Phenology of the Russian Forest” route combines cycling, skiing, and hiking with a focus on seasonal changes in the development of plants and animals. The routes can thus be distinguished by activity and subject without conflating their respective themes.

In Parakino, the “MASTOR. Tourist trails exploring the world order and longevity” route was also established, with three ethnographic educational trails. They pass through the scenic surroundings of the old Mordovian village and are intended for year-round use. The facilities described include rest areas with gazebos, picnic areas, spaces for traditional Mordovian games, swings, and art objects integrated into the natural landscape. As the specific facilities may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Ruzaevka, Staroye Shaygovo, and Saransk.

What works can be seen in the Kovylkino Local History Museum?

The local history museum houses more than 60 works by a sculptor, who donated them to his fellow countrymen.

Is the educational trail in the Mordovian Nature Reserve freely accessible?

No. According to the visitor rules, special permission is required to access the educational trail in the Mordovian Nature Reserve in the Republic of Mordovia.

When is the “Forest Work” educational trail accessible?

The 1.5-kilometer trail in Smolny National Park is accessible only during the warm season.

Go to the main travel overview: Republic of Mordovia.