Dzerzhinsky brings together the history and collections of the Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery with seasonal activities at Freestyle Extreme Park. When planning your trip, the first thing to decide is whether to focus on the monastery’s history and culture or on summer water sports or winter sports.
Monastery History, Architecture and Collections
Nikolo-Ugreshsky Monastery was founded in 1380 by Saint Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow Oblast and Russia, and was called the “second Lavra” in the 19th century. The monastery’s Transfiguration Cathedral is built in the Russian-Byzantine style. By area, it is described as the second-largest cathedral in Moscow and Moscow Oblast, after the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
The collection at the Museum of Emperor Nicholas II includes postcards, photographs, books, portraits, personal belongings and everyday objects. It originated with A. V. Renshin’s private collection, dedicated to Nicholas II and his family, which was transferred to the monastery in 2008. The museum also holds documents and objects commemorating the Imperial Martyrs.
The Cultural and Aesthetic Centre offers another way to explore local history. Its permanent exhibition features everyday objects from past eras, photographs, rare books and documents. Its themes range from life in Ugresh since the 12th century and the Great Patriotic War to peacetime in the second half of the 20th century and local folk art. The centre also includes a local history exhibition, arts and crafts and visual arts studios, and exhibition halls.
The art salon regularly hosts solo and group exhibitions by professional artists and craftspeople. Its programme also includes competitions, concerts, performances, presentations, festivals and city-wide contests. Dates for individual events vary; check them if you want to plan your trip around a particular event. Visitors can take part in workshops in the folk art and crafts hall. Check the current workshop schedule in advance.
Food is also part of a stay at the monastery: guests can try artisan sourdough bread, rasstegai pies, farm milk, cottage cheese and cheese, honeycomb, homemade honey kvass, honey kovrizhka and medovik at the pilgrims’ refectory and café. As opening hours may change, check the current service details in advance. The Pilgrim Centre also organises multi-day trips to holy sites.
Seasonal Activities at Freestyle Extreme Park
In summer, Freestyle Extreme Park offers wakeboarding, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Several wakeboard cable systems include reversible systems for riding forwards and backwards, as well as a circular cable system. There are options for beginners and advanced riders, with tricks also available for advanced riders. As these activities are seasonal, check current operating conditions before travelling.
The park also has a tubing run over 350 metres long with a lift; tubes are available to rent. Check whether this seasonal facility is currently operating before your visit.
Ski and snowboard enthusiasts will find eight runs of varying difficulty at Freestyle Extreme Park, including a practice slope and runs for beginners and experienced skiers. The configuration may change seasonally, so it is worth checking current operating conditions before your trip. The children’s ski school accepts children from age three and groups them by ability into beginner, confident skier and sports groups. Check current enrolment and group arrangements in advance.
The seasonal difference is a useful guide when choosing when to travel: water sports are part of the summer offering, while the ski and snowboard runs make winter sports a focus. If you are planning to attend a particular event or take part in a park activity, check the relevant dates and operating conditions against your travel dates.
For the wider travel overview: Dzerzhinsky.
