Kalininsky District: Museums, Nature and Hotels

• The Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God in Turginovo was built from 1824 to 1835 and expanded from 1876 to 1887.
• The S. Ya. Lemeshev Folk Museum in Knyazevo features 15 exhibition areas in five halls.
• Akulkina Grove is an active natural monument of regional significance covering 4.5 hectares. It lies east of Brednevo in the Turginovskoye rural settlement in Kalininsky District, Tver Oblast.
• Winter celebrations are held every year in the museum park at Domotkanovo; the “Lilac Domotkanovo” festival is scheduled for late May.

The Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God in Turginovo combines Neoclassical architecture with elements of the pseudo-Russian style. The brick building has five domes and four pillars; it also has a multi-tiered bell tower with a spire. Its construction took place in two periods: it was built from 1824 to 1835 and expanded from 1876 to 1887.

At the S. Ya. Lemeshev Folk Museum in Knyazevo, 15 exhibition areas in five halls explore the singer’s childhood and youth, his family, his first caregivers and teachers, and his years of training and creative work. The collection includes family photographs, a furniture set from the Kvashnin house, and wooden objects made by students and teachers. It also includes part of the artist’s dressing-room furnishings, with mementos, posters, stage-design sketches and theatre programmes. A score of Tchaikovsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin” and the stage costume for Lensky, the singer’s favourite role, offer further insight into his career on stage.

The V. A. Serov House-Museum in Domotkanovo offers a different focus: its exhibition occupies four rooms in the house of Valerian Dmitrievich Derviz, the brother of the estate owner. It covers the history of the estate, its owners and guests, and its cultural life. One section is devoted to Serov’s time at the estate and the works he created there. The V. A. Serov Museum in Emmaus focuses on personal belongings, rare photographs, documents about lesser-known aspects of the artist’s life, and original paintings. To support school lessons, the museum offers talks on decorative and applied arts and on the types and genres of painting.

The Mednoe Memorial Complex includes a Polish soldiers’ cemetery with a memorial wall and a bell. Cast-iron plaques bear the names of the deceased; metal crosses stand over 25 mass graves. The grounds of the Kalinin Front Museum also contain a mass grave and military equipment. The museum exhibition covers eleven major military operations.

Akulkina Grove is a protected area of regional significance covering 4.5 hectares. It lies east of the village of Brednevo in the Turginovskoye rural settlement in Kalininsky District, Tver Oblast. This clearly identified natural monument adds a nature-focused option to the district’s cultural attractions. The location details help you distinguish it from the museums, churches and farms when planning your trip.

The traditional Lemeshev Song Festival is held every year in midsummer at the S. Ya. Lemeshev Folk Museum, on the singer’s birthday. Amateur ensembles, professional performers and winners of international competitions gather to honour Lemeshev. Every winter, the museum park at Domotkanovo hosts Christmas and Maslenitsa celebrations with folk games and entertainment, concerts and theatrical performances.

The “Lilac Domotkanovo” festival takes place in late May and is closely connected with the history of the estate. The festivals therefore fall at different times of the year. If an event is important to your trip, check its exact date in advance.

La Fattoria Little Italy in Mednoe offers cheesemaking workshops and tastings of its own farm produce at the restaurant. The food served includes cheese, meat, vegetables and bread. As current availability is not confirmed, it’s best to check workshop and tasting availability directly with the farm.

At the Ivanovka farm in Davydovo, visitors can picnic, fish, make their own gifts or relax outdoors. The farm also offers a “House of the Goat.” It explores why residents of the region are called “Tver goats,” as well as the goat’s characteristics and traditions and festivals associated with it. Check current activity and visit arrangements with the farm before adding them to your itinerary.

Also consider whether museums, architectural history, nature or farm activities are your main priority. Check event dates and coordinate farm visits with the businesses before adding them to your itinerary as fixed plans.

Discover more destinations: Vyshnevolotskiy rayon, Tver, Vesyegonskiy rayon, Penovsky District, Torzhokskiy rayon, Andreapolsky District, Zubtsovskiy rayon, Rzhevsky District.

What makes the church in Turginovo distinctive?

The Russian Orthodox brick church has five domes, four pillars and a multi-tiered bell tower with a spire. Its architecture is Neoclassical with elements of the pseudo-Russian style; it was built from 1824 to 1835 and expanded from 1876 to 1887.

What can you see at the S. Ya. Lemeshev Folk Museum?

In five halls, 15 exhibition areas explore the singer’s life and work, from his childhood and family to his training and creative years. The collection also includes photographs, theatre materials and Lensky’s costume.

What festivals take place in Domotkanovo?

Every winter, the museum park hosts Christmas and Maslenitsa celebrations with games, concerts and theatrical performances. “Lilac Domotkanovo” takes place in late May and is connected with the history of the estate.

What can you do at the Ivanovka farm?

Visitors can picnic, fish, make their own gifts or relax outdoors in Davydovo. The “House of the Goat” explores the goat and the traditions and festivals associated with it. Check current arrangements directly with the farm.

For the broader travel overview: Tver Oblast.