Russia is an amazing country. Numerous historical and architectural monuments are located not only in large cities visited by tourists from all over the world, but also in such small towns as Zadonsk, which is located on the Central Russian Upland, on the left bank of the Don.
The city is located 60 km from Lipetsk. Its population is only 9,630 (2016). The Zadonsk region is rich in unique historical monuments. This turned the city into a unique entity on the territory of our country, one of the recognized centers of Orthodoxy in Russia. In the 19th century it was often called "Russian Jerusalem". The bed of the dried-up river Teshevka divides the city into two parts. The right part of Zadonsk was considered noble, but the left part was considered petty-bourgeois.
Sights of Zadonsk: photo and description
On a hill, in the noble part of the city, there is the Bogoroditsko-Tikhonovsky Monastery (male). Today, after the restoration of the bell tower, it looks especially majestic. SaintBishop Tikhon moved to Zadonsk in the middle of the 18th century. He sought solitude, going to the village of Tyunino, which is located north of Zadonsk. Tikhon liked this place so much that he considered it holy. At the beginning of the 19th century, a temple was erected on this land, and in 1820, a church and a bell tower.
Thus, a monastery appeared on the Zadonsk land. In Soviet times, as usual, it was closed and almost completely destroyed. The surviving premises were used as a warehouse for used agricultural machinery. In 1994, the restoration of the monastery began.
Today it is already a functioning monastery. The cathedral, cell building, bell tower were restored, the territory was ennobled.
Nativity of the Theotokos Monastery (male)
The sights of Zadonsk in the Lipetsk region are, first of all, numerous places of worship. The townspeople and guests of the city consider the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery to be the main one. It is he who attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims to the city.
The monastery gained particular fame thanks to the miraculous list of the Vladimir icon and the relics of Tikhon of Zadonsk stored here. After extensive restoration work, the monastery regained its original appearance. This is a huge complex, enclosed by a fence, with a cathedral, a bell tower and churches. The foundation of the monastery dates back to the beginning of the 17th century (1610).
It was started by two Moscow monks who found solitude in the picturesque Don forests. At first the monastery was wooden, but inIn 1692 it burned down in a fire. The most amazing thing is that the miraculous list brought here by the founders was not damaged at all. Almost immediately after the fire, a new church was built, and in 1736 the construction of the cathedral began. The bell tower was erected much later (1837), in the Empire style, which was very common in those days.
In the Soviet period, a cannery was organized on the territory of the monastery. As a result, the buildings became dilapidated, and many were destroyed. Since the beginning of the 90s, the complex began to be restored, and by 2014 the restoration work was completed.
Assumption Church
Many people who have never been to these places are interested in: "What can you see in this small town, what sights?" Zadonsk Assumption Church is not too big, but it is very beautiful, the building with an attached bell tower rises on the square, surrounded by gardens and fountains.
It was built in 1800, in the style of classicism. The church is surprisingly harmoniously combined with the monastery visible from here. During the Soviet period of our history, it housed a local history museum. Thanks to that, she didn't get hurt too much. Restored and transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1997.
Local History Museum
If you are interested in the sights of Zadonsk, Lipetsk region (we posted a photo in this article), we strongly recommend that you visit the Museum of Local Lore,which is housed in the city's most famous and beautiful building.
The Ulrich House is an example of residential architecture in the Empire style. I must say that immediately after the October Revolution, a museum appeared in the city. G. M. Pavlov became the initiator of its creation. In the mid-1930s, for unknown reasons, the museum was closed, and no one can say anything about the fate of the first exhibits.
On a voluntary basis, the museum was recreated only in 1975. Initially, it was located in the Assumption Church. And in 1997, the museum's exposition was transferred to an unusual mansion for such a small town. It is believed that it was built by the landowner Vikulin, and later the pharmacist Ulrich became its owner. The last owners of the house were the nobles Grushetsky, who received it as a wedding gift from their parents.
Russian Fantasy Museum
Folk art is a huge layer in the culture of the people. In many cities, sights are dedicated to its history. Zadonsk can be proud of its Russian Fantasy Museum, which presents handicrafts of local craftsmen. There is also a gift shop here.
If you happen to go on an excursion to this museum, you will learn about the production of Pavlovo Posad shawls, crystal, Khokhloma, enamel, glass. And at the same time about when and how this or that craft arose, who keeps the ancient traditions, how a masterpiece of folk craftsmanship is born. The organizers decided to create a museum of things that until recently were understandable and familiar to everyone. Today, for example, Russian crystal is alreadyrare. And many people cannot distinguish colored crystal from cheap Chinese colored glass.
In this museum you can see how a baklusha turns into a spoon, find out how kudrin differs from grass and why Khokhloma gold has not faded for centuries. Here you can admire products made of Rostov enamel - real small masterpieces of jewelry art. The exquisite combination of enamel and openwork filigree frames create unique jewellery.
Monument to Tikhon Zadonsky
Many city attractions are dedicated to famous and revered people. Zadonsk keeps the memory of St. Tikhon, who came to Zadonsk in 1769 in search of solitude in his old age. At this time, he was already a recognized miracle worker. In 1846 he was canonized as a saint.
Today, the relics of the holy elder are kept in the monastery cathedral and, along with the list of the Vladimir icon, are considered miraculous pilgrims.
Safari Park
There are cultural attractions in the city. Zadonsk became known outside of its borders, thanks to the wonderful park that opened here with the funny name "Kudykina Gora". This event took place in 2010. Now, seeing the sights of Zadonsk, the safari park (that's what it is called in the city) will definitely recommend you to visit.
The fact is that this park has become a favorite vacation spot for citizens, where not only children, but also adults have fun. The territory of Kudykina Gora can be divided into several zones:
- sand playground;
- city of craftsmen with a "Scythian" fortress;
- artificial reservoir;
- platforms with art objects ("Three Heroes" and "Trojan Horse").
But most of all, visitors to the park love to visit the pen with animals in the open air. More than fifty species of animals graze on the meadow, whose area is 70 hectares, including exotic kangaroos, pheasants and peacocks, yaks and argali, camels and ostriches, as well as deer, elk and roe deer. It is forbidden to go inside the corral (animals approach the fence themselves).
In the "Scythian" fortress (a wooden stylized structure), the creators of the park made a city of craftsmen - a place where craftsmen from different regions are invited to demonstrate their products.
Sights of Zadonsk, Lipetsk region: oak of Tikhon Zadonsky
This tree in the city is known to every resident. According to legend, St. Tikhon liked to rest under it. Old-timers warned the owners, on whose plot a tree that is more than two centuries old grows, that it should not be cut down. However, the owner of the site considered these warnings frivolous. And he hired workers to cut down a tree, the mighty branches of which blocked the house, not letting in the light. But as soon as they got to work, there was some kind of unearthly music, reminiscent of church singing. Frightened, the workers threw down their axes and hurried away.
In 1973, the owner of the site where the oak grows, died. After the funeral, the widow, returning with her relatives from the cemetery, heard an oak"sang" an akathist. The news of the miracle tree instantly spread around the city, people came to listen to its melody. However, the oak does not always sing. More often this happens when someone dies a violent death.
And in the late 90s, the miracle tree began to stream myrrh. But from the bark, it was not the usual myrrh that oozed, but a red liquid. Scientists who came from Moscow confirmed that this is indeed myrrh, but scarlet in color. Local priests do not comment on anything related to this tree, although they do not deny its healing power.
Unusual Monuments
There are unusual attractions in this city. Zadonsk is the only city in the world where a monument to penicillin has been erected. It is located in the courtyard of the district veterinary clinic in 2001. This is a brick pedestal, one meter high, on which a three-meter ampoule made of wood is installed, under which the inscription “Penicillin” is carved.
In 2007, a monument to the microscope and Anthony Van Leeuwenhoek (its inventor) appeared in the yard of the laboratory. On a small concrete path, you can approach the pedestal on which the "globe" is installed. It is painted with bronze paint. It depicts a great inventor, and a microscope is hoisted above him.
And that's not all the unusual sights. Zadonsk in 2007, on the eve of the Year of the Rat, became the owner of a monument to a white laboratory mouse. A 70 cm high rodent figurine was carved from linden wood and installed on a wooden pedestal by the head of the laboratory, Yury Sedov.
