Ustuzhna - meaningful history and amazing nature
14 year-old
 I would like to introduce the town of Ustuzhna located 240 kilometers to the west of Vologda, on the banks of three rivers the Mologa, Vorozha and the Izhina. This wonderful town used to be a historic centre of the Vologda region. The past of Ustuzhna is rich with events that had an important impact on the life of Russia. At the end of 1608 citizens of Ustuzhna worthily repulsed the invasion of the Polish- Lithuanian hordes. In the 17 th century Ustuzhna was well-known as an important place for the manufacture of Russian weapons. The unique gates to the towers of the Moscow Kremlin were carved in Ustuzhna, and they are without doubt unrivalled in their beauty and craftsmanship. Few people know that the origins of the famous play «Revisor» (Auditor) by Nikolay Gogol go back to Ustuzhna. Nowadays Ustuzhna is no longer an iron mining centre, however it may be interesting for visitors to stroll around the graceful town and to observe the elegancy and originality of its architecture – such as stone merchants’ mansions of the 19 th century or the amazing wood carved window frames that decorate almost all houses.
Ustuzhna is not only a historic but also a religious centre. The golden-domed churches and cathedrals have become a special feature of the town. Some churches are not working currently, but never the less they remain outstanding monuments of Russian culture. Most famous among the churches of Ustuzhna are Blagoveshenskaya (Annunciation), Kazanskaya, and Uspenskaya (Assumption).
Some visitors might be interested in the Ustuzhna local history and economy museum boasting a huge collection of the folk art creations of the 15th – 20th centuries. One should not worry about accommodation and meals – Ustuzhna is a hospitable town with many nice places to stay and eat out.
It is worth mentioning that Ustuzhna is located in an ecologically pure area – well suited for rest and relaxation. In comparison with big cities or even most modern towns where people sneeze and cough because of smog, concrete and hot tarmac, Ustuzhna is an oasis of calm, plentiful with wild aromatic grasses in the midst of a sultry desert where a lack of fresh air is especially bad in the summers. Within a 5 kilometers-drive from the centre of Ustuzhna, one can see striking landscapes and admire miraculous views which encourage a pride in the native land and its nature. Vast and emerald-green in summer and dazzling white in winter, dark or light, sparkling and calm woods are waiting for visitors to explore their secret paths, to listen and to look at its unspoilt beauty, serenity and grandeur. A variety of edible mushrooms and berries are waiting to be picked virtually at each step. One can see the gay orange-cap boletus and bunches of bilberries and in a moment glimpse the partridge’s flight or notice elk’s track in the moss. Clearings abound in sunshine, trunks of birches and pines are glittering, and hairy firs stretch out branches ready to embrace a traveler and protect him from an occasional refreshing shower. Those who think all this is just a poetic exaggeration simply have not yet experienced a secret Russian wealth and miracle – its glorious woods so shamefully being illegally destroyed now, so that just a few places, such as Ustuzhna can demonstrate the wide scope of Russia’s woods and forests in their unique and natural beauty.
In addition there is the river Mologa and the crystal-clear river Kobozha originating in the Leningrad region and flowing into the Mologa. Here, the visitor can discover a forgotten river trail starting from the railway station «Kobozha» going up to Ustuzhna. Those who decide to take a boat and follow it will enjoy beautiful views and picturesque landscapes along the way. It is unnecessary to worry about long distances as there are many villages located along the banks of the Kobozha where tired travelers can find lots of opportunities to have a break. Transportation is not a problem in the entire area. Ustuzhna is comfortably connected with other towns. One can travel by coaches or by train.
I’d like to finish by appealing to those interested in tourism to start exploring our beautiful native country. Let’s discover the secret trails of Russia and better understand their natural beauty and splendor.
"A Splinter of the Golden Empire"
15 year-old
In the Sinegorye (
Blue Mountains ) area there is a small village – Gorny Khutor (Rocky Hamlet). It lives at an easy and steady pace, but in the summer period archeologists descend to make life in Rocky Hamlet more dynamic and industrious than normal. From what remains of a distant past, experts are able to judge that once upon a time life here might have been quite different – more rapid, stormy and full of dangers... Almost one thousand years ago this area in the south and east of the Russian Far East in Primorye (sea coast) was covered with a network of wide (about 2 meters width) causeways that knitted together cities and fortresses located 10-15 kilometers from each other.
This ancient area was originally inhabited by 72 tribes known as “Tchurchzheni.” These large and feuding tribes used to fight with each other, but gradually came to agreement and joined forces. In 1115 the “Tchurchzheni” founded the Tzin” (Golden) Empire which became so powerful that in 1127 its troops shattered and captured the northern provinces of
and even its capital and Emperor’s court.
 The “Tchurchzheni” were warlike and brave people. They seemed not to like idle luxury and appear to have been practical and economical. They built their houses of wood and installed special heating systems – cans. Archeologists have unearthed here smelting furnaces, such as appeared in
Europe only a century later. The “Tchurchzheni” used to manufacture weapons, jewellery and other material items. They invented their own written language and introduced compulsory education for men. Their ancient writers created outstanding pieces of poetry and prose, and scientists used observatory methods to explore the stars and planets.
In the early 13th century the Sinegorye area was invaded by Temuchin’s army and after 20 year of murderous opposition and fighting against the Mongol invaders the “Tchurchzheni” eventually lost the war. The fall of the Golden Empire is dated at 1234. Towns and settlements were demolished, and the economy and culture fell into decay. But despite the fall of the Golden Empire so many centuries ago it left a trace on the history of Primorye.
One of its remains is located in the area where I live. As you face the south spur of the Siny (Blue) mountain ridge, it may first seem there is just another knoll in front of you, however, a few moments later you realize that what you are seeing is a well-preserved fortress. It is shaped as an irregular polygon that connects the tops of three knolls. A narrow and steep wall in some places reaches 2,5 –3 meters height. What is left of the towers remains on the wall. Two gates can still be seen, and you can imagine how archers protected the road that led to the fortress by the slope of the knoll.
Imagine the slope and the top of the knoll over the ancient road, towers and solid wall the height of two- or three-storied houses, bordering the quarters inhabited by bureaucrats, craftsmen and soldiers. At the most exposed positions the fortress was protected by fortified redoubts, in front the “Tchurchzheni” raised a canyon that served as a trap where invaders were assailed by hails of stones and arrows. The fortress had a regulated layout. Archeologists exposed ancient streets where living quarters were separated from production areas. The trade and industrial potential of the ancient settlement is truly amazing. For instance it had a full metal processing and production layout.
Having heard much of this mysterious historic site, our class decided to visit it. I don’t know why, but as soon as I found myself near the knolls where the fortress was located, I imagined seeing the archers standing along the earthworks and guarding the settlement that lived at its own pace and custom… This site has a strong and strange effect on its visitors. It sharpens all senses, making possible to see things not only by one’s eyesight but also by some sort of inner sight. One can imagine the sounds of unfamiliar voices and pictures of ancient life. One feels a sense of unlimited freedom, a burst of energy and increased stamina. There impressions are strongly imbued in the memory of visitors.
We were silent on the way home. The ancient monument proposed a riddle that each of us tried to unravel in his or her own way. A splinter of the legendary Golden Empire still amazes, captivates and attracts…
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