Two clearly distinct themes come together in Pavlovskiy District: the historical architectural monuments of the town of Pavlovsk and Shipova Oak Forest, a woodland area with special protected status. This is a useful starting point when planning a stay in Voronezh Oblast: Pavlovsk offers a focus on cultural history, while Shipov Forest brings the landscape and the protection of natural monuments into view. When choosing your destination, you can first consider whether you are more interested in the town’s architectural history or the forest landscape.
Pavlovsk and its architectural monuments
The town of Pavlovsk is designated a historic city of the Russian Federation and belongs to the second category of historic cities of federal significance. The town has a total of 43 architectural monuments, seven of which are of federal significance. The designation as a historic city and the number of architectural monuments refer to two different aspects: Pavlovsk’s status and the extent of its architectural heritage. Together, they make the town a clearly defined cultural and historical destination within the district.
Shipova Oak Forest: woodland and natural monuments
Shipova Oak Forest, also known as Shipov Forest, lies on the right bank of the Osered River and extends across Buturlinovskiy and Pavlovskiy districts. Since 1950, Shipov Forest has been considered a valuable forest stand; its oldest oak groves have been designated natural monuments. Its riverside location, its extent across two districts and its protection history give this landscape its own distinct character. While Pavlovsk is defined by its architectural monuments, the forest is distinguished by the combination of woodland and protected oak groves.
More places to explore in Voronezh Oblast
The wider destination of Voronezh Oblast also offers nature and cultural experiences at other specifically named locations. The territory of Khopyor Nature Reserve extends across the three districts of Novokhoperskiy, Povorinskiy and Gribanovskiy. There, the “Legendy Khopra” walking excursion is five kilometres long and is listed as taking three hours; the route closes during the spring floods. The “Tur de Khopyor” cycling tour covers 26 kilometres and takes four hours. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by mode of travel, length and stated duration. The seasonal closure during spring floods is an important part of planning for the walking route.
The Nature Museum at Khopyor Reserve presents the reserve’s wildlife and habitats in two halls. The exhibitions cover beavers, the Russian desman, aquatic and predatory birds, as well as wild boar, elk, fallow deer and red deer. There is also a large relief map of the reserve. If you are planning a visit to this museum, check visitor arrangements before your trip.
The landscape of the Divnogorye Museum-Reserve is defined by chalk formations, including chalk cliffs on steep slopes and large, ridge-like chalk ravines. Divnogorskiy Canyon is about one kilometre long and up to 200 metres wide. Six ritual caves and cave complexes are carved into the chalk massif on the right bank of the Tikhaya Sosna and Don rivers and extend for about 8.5 kilometres. The reserve’s cultural heritage also includes Stone Age settlements and the ruins of the medieval Mayatskaya Fortress. At the “Paleoliticheskiye masterskiye” (Palaeolithic Workshops), the Stone Age is recreated and workshops on making stone tools are held.
There is a specific access condition for the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Malyye Divy: the footpath crosses the grounds of the Divnogorye Museum-Reserve and takes 30 to 40 minutes. Access to the church is by arrangement with the monastery’s pilgrimage service.
Discover more destinations: Poddubnyy, Verkhnekhavskiy District, Bogucharskiy District, Nizhnedevitskiy District, Povorinskiy District, Novousmanskiy District, Anninskiy District, Novousmansky District
For the wider travel overview: Voronezh Oblast.
