Discover Serpukhov: Culture, Crafts and City History

• The Vysotsky Monastery for Men was founded in 1374 on Vysoky Hill.
• The History and Art Museum has a local history exhibition and owns works by Natalia Goncharova.
• The Museum and Exhibition Centre has a permanent ethnographic exhibition and craft classes.
• Pitomnik Park combines family events with a squirrel enclosure near the fountain.

Serpukhov’s Vysotsky Monastery for Men was founded on 2 December 1374 on Vysoky Hill and named after the hill. The Kremlin is also part of Serpukhov’s historic cityscape. Those interested in architecture can visit the Pokrovskaya Old Believers’ Church, a rare architectural monument in the Russian style that has survived without alterations or losses.

The History and Art Museum also offers an introduction to the city’s past: it is housed in a 19th-century mansion that belonged to the local merchants and textile manufacturers, the Marayevs. The museum features the city’s only local history exhibition, entitled “Serpukhov – Key City of Muscovite Rus.” The monastery, Kremlin, architecture and exhibition offer different perspectives for exploring Serpukhov’s history.

The Museum and Exhibition Centre Serpukhov has a permanent ethnographic exhibition called “The World of the Russian Village.” The History and Art Museum, meanwhile, focuses on art: its Russian collection includes nine paintings and more than forty graphic works by Natalia Goncharova. The two museums offer different ways to explore these subjects, from life in a Russian village to the work of a single artist.

The Bread Museum’s exhibition focuses on historical equipment and tools for kneading and baking, old household items and models. A visit includes the exhibition, a guided tour and a tea break. Visitors are offered a selection of baked goods to sample, including Serpets, a ring-shaped pastry considered a gastronomic specialty of Serpukhov. The exhibition thus offers a tangible insight into local food culture.

The craft school at the Museum and Exhibition Centre offers craft classes and workshops for children and adults. If you would like to include a specific session in your itinerary, check availability with the centre. A walking city tour of the Kremlin grounds is aimed at younger visitors; check its current availability with the provider.

Pitomnik Park has a squirrel enclosure beside the fountain, where visitors can feed the animals by hand. The park also hosts family events and has a stage. If an event is important to your visit, check the schedule in advance. Alongside museums and historical sites, crafts and park activities offer different ways to enjoy a stay with children.

When looking for a hotel, you can start by considering which themes you want to shape your stay: city history, museum collections, crafts or family activities. The experiences described above offer different starting points, without requiring you to focus on just one theme.

When and where was the Vysotsky Monastery for Men founded?

The monastery was founded on 2 December 1374 on Vysoky Hill, after which it was named.

What activities are specifically available for children?

The craft school offers craft classes and workshops for children and adults. There is also a walking city tour of the Kremlin grounds aimed at younger visitors. Check the availability of specific sessions with the centre or provider.

What does a visit to the Bread Museum include?

A visit includes the exhibition, a guided tour and a tea break. Visitors are offered a selection of baked goods to sample, including Serpets, a ring-shaped pastry and a gastronomic specialty of Serpukhov.

For the main travel overview: Serpukhov.

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Serpukhov in Russia: Kremlin remains, monasteries and the Oka region.