Zhudre: A village in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park

• Zhudre is located in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park and in its protected zone.
• Construction of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God began in November 2017.
• The national park’s central administrative office is located in Zhudre, in Khotynetsky District, 87 kilometers from Oryol.

Zhudre is located in Orlovskoye Polesie National Park and belongs to its protected zone; this applies to the village itself, not just the wider region. The national park’s central administrative office is also in the village. For geographical orientation, the location is identified as being in Khotynetsky District and 87 kilometers from Oryol. This information helps locate the village; the distance alone does not indicate a specific route or journey.

For travelers considering accommodation in Zhudre, this description is a useful starting point: it locates the village within the protected area and also identifies a specific cultural connection. This makes it possible to consider whether Zhudre is a suitable base for your trip separately from additional destinations across Oryol Oblast.

Construction of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God began in November 2017. A report dated August 13, 2024, recorded a visit by 40 pilgrims from Bryansk Oblast. It also described Orthodox tourists from Beloberezhskaya Pustyn who came to this scenic spot to pray and relax with their children. At the time of the report, this tradition was already in its third year.

Two points in time are therefore important: the start of construction is a historical reference point, while the visit and description of the tradition refer to the report at that time.

Looking beyond Zhudre to the wider destination of Oryol Oblast, visitors can explore Orlovskoye Polesie National Park. Founded in 1994, the park is in the northwest of the oblast and covers 77,745 hectares. The national park has more than 80 equipped tourist rest and picnic areas. A drive-through zoo is also part of the visitor offering, with more than 30 species of animals and birds to see.

These regional details supplement the description of the village with other nature-related topics: the park’s size and location characterize it at the oblast level, while the rest areas and zoo are concrete examples of what it offers. They should be understood as features of the wider destination of Oryol Oblast, not as additional facilities in the village of Zhudre.

Another cultural attraction in Oryol Oblast is the Spasskoye-Lutovinovo estate in Mtsensk District. It was the family estate of Ivan Turgenev’s mother; several of his works, including “Rudin” and “Fathers and Sons,” are associated with the estate. The main house and other buildings are surrounded by an old park laid out by I. I. Lutovinov, the founder of the Spasskoye estate, around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nature and literature offer different perspectives on Oryol Oblast: the national park represents the region’s natural environment, while Spasskoye-Lutovinovo represents the history of an estate and its connection to Turgenev’s work. Boat trips are available on Spassky Pond, and carriage rides in the park. Check whether these activities are available before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Protasovo, Pokrovskoye, Zhilina, Lebyodki, Bolchow, Parakhino, Rozhkova, Nepolod'.

Where is the national park’s administrative office located?

The national park’s central administrative office is located in Zhudre, in Khotynetsky District, 87 kilometers from Oryol.

When did construction of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God begin?

Construction of the church in the village of Zhudre began in November 2017.

What nature destinations are there in the wider destination of Oryol Oblast?

Orlovskoye Polesie National Park has more than 80 equipped rest and picnic areas, as well as a drive-through zoo with more than 30 species of animals and birds.

For the wider travel overview: Oryol Oblast.