Discover Kameshkovskiy District

• The Davydovskiy Nature Reserve includes the Davydovskaya floodplain on the left bank of the Klyazma, as well as the terraces above the floodplain.
• Lake Svyato lies in the northern part of the reserve and is its only body of water of karst origin.
• The Davydovskaya floodplain is used for activities including fishing, mushroom and berry picking, swimming, picnicking and weekend trips.
• The shepherd’s horn festival “Khorosho rozhok igraet” takes place every summer in Mishnevo.

The Davydovskaya floodplain is dotted with oxbow lakes. During the spring floods, they connect with the Klyazma. Both the floodplain and the higher terraces are key features of this landscape. Lake Svyato offers a contrast: its karst origin sets it apart from the reserve’s other bodies of water.

Much of the reserve consists of floodplain forests that are mostly swampy. Alder forests predominate in the lower-lying areas, while oaks, lindens and elms are the main trees on higher ground. Various types of pine forest dominate the terraces above the floodplain. The protected Patachinskaya Roscha, in turn, is a mixed forest that is 110–130 years old. Trees found there include birches, aspens, oaks, lindens, maples, elms, pines and spruces.

The flora of the roscha is another distinctive feature: rare species found there include the white water lily, spring sedge, creeping thyme and broad-leaved bellflower. The landscape thus offers several distinct features, from floodplain and terrace forests to habitats with unusual plant species.

Leisure activities in the Davydovskaya floodplain include fishing, mushroom and berry picking, swimming, picnicking and weekend trips. At the Shumarki and Staritsa Lakes natural monuments, recreational fishing and recreational and sport hunting of waterfowl, especially ducks, are mentioned. Observe the rules in effect in each protected area.

It is also useful to distinguish between former and current facilities: there used to be a hunting and fishing base near Lake Voykhra, while a tourist facility belonging to the Avtopribor factory was located near Lower Lake Vyshikhra.

The Kameshkovo local history museum has five exhibitions: “Osnovaniye goroda,” “Yego prisutstviye na zemle,” “Russkaya izba,” “Vladimirskie rozhechniki” and “Front. Tyl. Plen.” Check the visiting conditions directly with the museum before planning your visit.

In Davydovo, the A. P. Borodin Museum focuses on the life and work of the Russian composer. Borodin spent three summers there with his favorite student, A. P. Dianin, and later bequeathed his archive to him. Arias for the opera “Knyaz Igor” were composed in Davydovo; songs by villagers were incorporated into the “Khor poselyan” scene. The museum offers the tours “A. P. Borodin v s. Davydovo” and “Semya Dianinykh.” Check availability before your trip.

Another cultural attraction is the felt boot museum in Usolye. It opened in 2019 and presents the history and production of traditional Russian felt boots. Visits are by prior arrangement; the museum’s curator and village elder, Nina Fyodorovna Gerasimova, leads tours there. Confirm the possibility of visiting with the museum in advance.

At the village drama and comedy theater in Fomikha, the forest, fields and river become both participants and the main stage for the performances. Check the current program and visiting conditions before your visit.

At the traditional shepherd’s horn festival “Khorosho rozhok igraet,” the shepherd’s horn sounds again every summer. Visitors can take part in workshops on making a “Kukla-zakrutka” and painting clay toys. The annual festival also includes an exhibition and fair featuring works by craftspeople from across Kameshkovskiy District. The traditional participants include the Russian folk song ensemble “Baloven” and the dance ensemble “CHAS PIK.”

If attending the festival is important to your travel plans, check the program for that year’s event: workshop details and specific offerings may vary.

Discover more destinations: Kirzhachskiy District, Suzdalsky District, Kolchuginskiy District, Alexandrovsky District, Kovrovskiy District, Sudogodskiy District, Vyaznikovskiy District and Sobinskiy District.

What makes the Davydovskaya floodplain special?

It is part of the Davydovskiy Nature Reserve and includes numerous oxbow lakes that connect with the Klyazma during the spring floods. The floodplain is also used for various leisure activities.

What leisure activities are mentioned in the region?

Activities mentioned in the Davydovskaya floodplain include fishing, mushroom and berry picking, swimming, picnicking and weekend trips. At the Shumarki and Staritsa Lakes natural monuments, recreational fishing and waterfowl hunting are listed.

Can you visit the felt boot museum without an appointment?

No. Visits are by prior arrangement. Check availability with the museum in advance.

When does the shepherd’s horn festival in Mishnevo take place?

The traditional festival takes place every summer. Check the dates and program for that year’s event when planning your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Vladimir Oblast.