Polkhovskiy Maydan, churches in several villages, and a museum in Voznesensk give Voznesenskiy District clearly distinguishable cultural themes. Particularly notable is the combination of woodturning and matryoshka dolls; alongside these is the colorful Polkhov-Maidan painting. If you are looking for a vacation rental, this selection can help you decide on the focus of your trip: crafts, painting, or historic churches.
Woodturning and Matryoshka Dolls
Polkhovskiy Maydan was founded in 1667 by exiles who came to the Polkhovka River after the suppression of the uprising led by Razin. Woodturning there produced household utensils and was taken up at the end of the 18th century by monks from the Sarov Monastery. The matryoshka doll came to the village from Sergiev Posad; local craftspeople developed their own version of the figure. The history of utilitarian crafts and a local variation of the matryoshka doll thus stand side by side as distinct aspects of Polkhovskiy Maydan’s craft history.
Polkhov-Maidan Painting
Polkhov-Maidan painting is also practiced in Polkhovskiy Maydan. Aniline dyes are used, especially bright pink, yellow, green, and violet. The painting decorates kitchen utensils, toy taratushki, small souvenirs, and matryoshka dolls. It therefore extends beyond the well-known figure to everyday objects and toys. In contrast to woodturning, which produced household utensils, the emphasis here is on the colorful decoration of various objects. Matryoshka dolls connect both themes: craftspeople in Polkhovskiy Maydan developed their own version of the figure, and matryoshka dolls are also among the painted objects.
Museum in Voznesensk
The Center for Folk Crafts in Voznesensk has a museum that preserves more recent works by masters of Polkhov-Maidan painting. The museum also displays a matryoshka doll with fifty figures. These recent works and a specifically named exhibit represent two aspects of the art preserved there. If you are planning a museum visit, check access in advance.
Churches and Their Dates
The churches in the villages of Voznesenskiy District can also be distinguished by their names and dates of construction. The Church of the Trinity in Alamasovo dates from 1795, while the Vladimirskaya Church in Kriusha dates from the late 18th century. The Pokrovskaya Church in Motyzley dates from the 1780s, and the church of the same name in Naryshkino dates from 1780. The dates therefore include two exact years, alongside a decade and a broader period. In Motyzley and Naryshkino, the village name and date help distinguish the churches that share the same name.
Another Look at Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
The cultural offerings of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast also include the Museum of the Russian Patriarchate in Arzamas. Its exhibition is devoted to the lives and work of Patriarchs Nikon and Sergius, as well as Alexius I, Pimen, Alexius II, and Kirill. It displays original items belonging to the patriarchs and modern reconstructions. An overview tour presents the history of the Russian Patriarchate from its beginnings to the present day and offers insights into the lives and spiritual development of the patriarchs. While the churches in Voznesenskiy District can be explored through their villages and construction dates, the history of the Patriarchate takes center stage in Arzamas.
Discover more destinations: Put' Lenina, Borskiy District, Dalnekonstantinovskiy District, Kstovskiy District, Krasnooktyabrskiy District, Kulebakskiy District, Arzamassky District, Vachsky District.
Return to the regional travel overview: Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
