Shikhovo: Stringed Instruments and Cycling Route
Accommodation in Shikhovo
Shikhovo combines a stringed-instrument-making tradition that continues to this day with a cycling route that runs through the village. This gives you two tangible themes to consider when planning your trip: cultural history and a longer ride through the surrounding area.
Shikhovo at a Glance
- Stringed-instrument making survives today only in the village of Shikhovo.
- After the factory was destroyed in 2007, home-based workers from Shikhovo carried on the craft of their ancestors.
- The “Lutsinskiy Rodnik” cycling route passes through Shikhovo and is about 20 kilometres long.
- From the 15th to the 18th century, Shikhovo was part of the holdings of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery.
What defines the stringed-instrument-making tradition?
Stringed instruments are instruments whose strings are plucked. In Shikhovo, their production is not just a matter of history: the craft survives today only in the village. After the factory was destroyed in 2007, home-based workers from Shikhovo continued the work of their ancestors. A decisive break and the continuation of the craft through home-based work thus stand side by side.
Their use in music is also part of this story. Soloists from the Alexandrov Ensemble, the N. P. Osipov Russian Folk Instruments Orchestra, and the Pyatnitsky Choir played musical instruments made in Shikhovo. This connection leads from production to performance: instruments from the village were played by soloists from these ensembles.
Another historical connection is Shikhovo’s inclusion in the holdings of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery from the 15th to the 18th century. This places an earlier ownership relationship alongside the craft that continues to this day as distinct historical perspectives.
What is the cycling route through Shikhovo like?
The “Lutsinskiy Rodnik” cycling route starts at Upper Posad in Zvenigorod, crosses a field, passes through Shikhovo to Lucino, and continues to the start of the Biological Station of Moscow State University. The village is therefore part of a longer described route that extends beyond Shikhovo.
The full route is about 20 kilometres long. According to the route description, it takes two to three hours and requires no special physical preparation. These details may vary depending on conditions; check local route conditions before setting out.
The route’s wider regional setting offers a landscape of forests, hills, fields, and the Moskva River. The described scenery also includes old houses, trains moving slowly across the river, and sunset views of the opposite bank. These impressions add a scenic perspective to the route description.
Discover more destinations: Khvoynoye, Vyrubovo, Dubki, Barvikha, Perkhushkovo, Khotyazhi, Novoivanovskoye, Ussovo.
FAQ
Is stringed-instrument making still practised today?
Yes. The craft survives today only in Shikhovo. After the factory was destroyed in 2007, home-based workers from the village continued the work of their ancestors.
How long does the “Lutsinskiy Rodnik” cycling route take?
According to the route description, the route, which is about 20 kilometres long, takes two to three hours. No special physical preparation is said to be required; conditions may vary.
What historical connection did Shikhovo have to the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery?
From the 15th to the 18th century, Shikhovo was part of the monastery’s holdings.
Go to the main travel overview: Odintsovsky Rayon.
