The Volga Republic was inhabited by ancient tribes since prehistoric times, which was facilitated by its location on the banks of the Volga, in a temperate continental climate. The indigenous population of the Cheremis (now the Mari) began to be mentioned in chronicles from the 10th century, and already at that time they closely interacted with the Slavic tribes, despite being under the yoke of the Tatar yoke for quite a long time. Today, Mari El has wide opportunities for tourism, both recreational and educational, during which you can see many local attractions.
Museum of the History of Yoshkar-Ola
Opened about twenty years ago, the museum of the history of the capital of Mari El, Yoshkar-Ola, is one of the largest in the republic. historical museums and a local landmark. It contains about 17 thousand exhibits that tell visitors about the history of the indigenous people - the Cheremis - who have inhabited these territories since ancient times. This story is illustrated by numerous archaeological finds, as well as household items of the ancient Mari, their jewelry, clothing, weapons and objects of applied art. Here visitors can see with their own eyes the recreated ancient trading shop of Tsarevokokshaisk (as Yoshkar-Ola was called before the revolution), as well as living quarters with ancient paraphernalia and furnishings.
National Park "Mari Forest" ("Mari Chodra")
This park, with a total area of almost one hundred thousand hectares, was created to preserve as much as possible and, if possible, increase natural resources Republic of Mari El. Here you can find tree species characteristic of these latitudes: pines, spruces, lindens, oaks, aspens, maples, elms and many others. Particularly protected are the relict linden-oak forests, which are still inhabited by brown bears, moose, wild boars and other fauna middle zone. There are horseback riding and hiking trails throughout the park.
Museum of Applied Arts
Opened in 1999, the Museum of Applied Art of the Mari El Republic in Yoshkar-Ola is dedicated to introducing its visitors to the traditions of the indigenous Mari. Here you can see a variety of objects and the fruits of the labor of local craftsmen: wicker furniture made of bird cherry, carved wooden dishes, skillfully made musical instruments and national everyday and festive costumes with rich embroidery. The attraction regularly hosts exhibitions of works by contemporary masters from all over the republic.
Tsarevokokshay Kremlin
This historical and educational complex was opened in the center of Yoshkar-Ola several years ago, but has already become one of the central attractions of the Mari El Republic. In ancient times, on the site of the Kremlin there were city fortifications, which were not preserved because they were built of wood. Then the city market was located here, and after the Revolution - the central square. Today it is a city park, enclosed by a massive wall with four towers; specially cast cannons are placed along the wall. On its territory there is a church, cozy benches for walkers, and also scattered information stands where the history of the city is described in detail. Here is also the archaeological museum of Yoshkar-Ola and the only monument to its founder Fyodor Ioannovich.
Museum of Peasant Labor and Life
This attraction of the Republic of Mari El is more often mentioned in guidebooks as the Museum of Bells. This is due to the fact that a unique collection of bells and bells for various purposes, produced in different times on the territory of Russia. In fact, there are just over a hundred of them, which is only a small part of the attraction's 2,000 exhibits. In addition to bells, a variety of labor tools are presented here, with the help of which many centuries ago the indigenous Mari cultivated the land, grazed livestock, built houses and created comfort in them. Here you can also find objects of local applied arts, exhibitions of contemporary works, as well as photographs of past years.
Pugachev Oak
This ancient tree, found in Mari Chodra Park, is one of the few plants listed as a National Treasure and a local landmark. This powerful oak tree in Mari El, whose age, according to experts, has already exceeded four centuries, is famous for the fact that it was from its branches that the famous Emelyan Pugachev watched the fire in Kazan, which he himself started in retaliation for the city’s reluctance to surrender to his mercy .
Sculpture "Tree of Life"
This bronze monument is installed in the central city park of the capital of Mari El, Yoshkar-Ola, and is a unique landmark of the city. It depicts an old man, a man and a boy who, under the shade of a small tree, play traditional Mari musical instruments - the harp, flute and drum. The landmark is intended to represent the connection between generations, as well as the historical and cultural heritage republics.
It is a richly decorated fairytale palace, with dark red walls and a green roof. Windows and doors are framed in snow-white. Graceful turrets in the Old Russian style and battlements in the Gothic style. The palace is difficult to attribute to any one architectural movement. There is a successful combination of several here. Further, seven columns support the glass dome of the winter garden. The interior decoration of the castle is incomparable. Particularly noteworthy is the sophistication of the “Eastern Cabinet”, “Picture Gallery”, “Oak Room”. There are also magnificent fireplaces. One of them even contains a slab found during excavations in Pompeii.
After admiring the castle, you can stop for a rest here. There is a good hotel in the Sheremetyev estate, and a cozy cafe is located very close by. In addition, here, as throughout the republic, you can admire the amazing landscapes to your heart's content.
Museums
Continuing to describe the sights of Mari El, photos of which are presented in the article, one cannot help but talk about the museum of the city of Yoshkar-Ola. Those who want to learn about the history of the republic can visit it. You can learn about the traditions of the indigenous people at the Museum of Applied Arts. It is located in a modest one-story building with an attic. The city also has a museum of peasant labor and life. Its “highlight” is the rich collection of bells and bells.
More recently, the Tsarevokokshay Kremlin was built in the center of the capital. The impressive ancient Russian fortress made of red brick, walls and towers covered with a green roof, resembles the scenery of a historical film. This complex contains a church, an archaeological museum and a monument to the founder of the city, Fyodor Ioannovich.
Sights of Mari El: photos and descriptions
There is an unusual street sculpture in Yoshkar-Ola. It's called Yoshkin the cat. A representative of the bronze cat family sat imposingly on a bench, smiling condescendingly at passers-by.
Let's continue to describe the sights of Mari El. Five years ago, a very significant monument was unveiled. This is a bronze sculpture depicting the great Russian poet A.S. Pushkin and his most famous hero - Eugene Onegin.
What other interesting sights of Mari El? In the Italian Park of Yoshkar-Ola, the sculptural composition “Lorenzo di Piero de Medici the Magnificent” was recently installed, which symbolizes the triumph of science and art.
Churches and cathedrals
The Church of the Holy Trinity is a monument of Russian church architecture. With the advent of Soviet power, it suffered the same fate as many churches in the country. It was closed and almost destroyed. The restored temple amazes with its splendor and marvelous architecture.
What other interesting sights of Mari El? For example, the Orthodox shrine of the capital of the republic is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. This is aimed at the sky with its high towers a building with reddish walls with white stripes that visually increase the height of the structure. Green roofs and golden domes attract the gaze of a traveler amazed by this beauty for a long time.
In 2007, the Annunciation Tower was built in the central part of the city. The structure is 55 meters high and resembles a fragment of the Kremlin. Equipped with the most accurate clock, which is regulated by satellite.
Conclusion
Now you know the main attractions of Mari El. Photos with descriptions are presented in the article for clarity. We hope that the sights of the republic and information about them were interesting to you.
The Republic of Mari El is located on the Volga River, in the very center of the Volga region. This region is famous not only for its forests, but also for its historical and cultural attractions. Let's find out about the most interesting places that you definitely need to visit in the Republic of Mari El.
Sheremetyev Castle (Yurino village)
The castle was erected in 1880, and its construction was started by the landowner Vasily Sheremetyev, the grandson of the same Count Sheremetyev who served Peter the Great. Inside the castle there were about a hundred rooms, some of which contained galleries with paintings by famous artists.
The architecture of the castle is dominated by neo-Gothic style, oriental style and baroque. From the beginning of the 90s to this day, the object has been actively restored - today the external part has been completely restored, while the internal rooms are in need of repair and restoration.
Ethnographic Open Air Museum
The museum was opened in 1983 and is located in the city of Kozmodemyansk. There are more than 60 structures and buildings and 7,000 exhibits telling about the life, customs and peculiarities of life of the mountain Mari.
The museum contains architectural monuments, tools, and cultural objects of the ancient Mari. The historian managed to reconstruct the dwellings and important architectural structures of the people from archival documents.
Sea Eye Lake
The lake is geographically located in the Volga region in the village of Shariboksad. They were formed about 20 thousand years ago as a result of the failure of karst rocks. The lake has an unusual green color of water and a perfect oval shape, which is surrounded by growing trees.
The lake is shrouded in many legends and mystical theories. One of the popular legends says that in this village lived a girl and a boy who loved each other very much. On their wedding day, they learned the terrible truth - they are blood brother and sister. This did not stop the lovers and they still decided to get married. Then the gods became angry with them - at the moment of the wedding feast, the earth opened up and took the newlyweds and guests of the celebration with it, and a lake formed at the site of the failure. They say that wedding songs can still be heard from the side of the lake.
Stone adits in Sernur district
In the village of Gornyak there are unique man-made caves. When approaching the village, you can see an Atlantean holding a large boulder in his arms. The total length of the cave is 300 meters. Inside there are stalactites, ice accumulations and bat nests. The stone adits were preserved as a tribute to the memory of the ancient craft of the people - the extraction of stones.
Unfortunately, the adits are now closed to tourists due to the risk of collapse.
Green key
This source is one of the attractions of the village of Klenovaya Gora and is located next to the flowing Ilet River. The Green Key is one of the largest sources in the Republic. Water contains many minerals and helps treat diseases of the stomach, liver, and genitourinary system. That is why the Klenovaya Gora sanatorium is located next to the Green Key.
Lake Tabashinskoye (Zryv)
The lake is located in the village of Tabashino and is the deepest reservoir in the Volga region - its depth reaches 170 meters. Until recently, it was believed that the depth was about 60 meters, but new research has refuted this information.
The Pizhanka River flows from the reservoir, and on the shore is the Floro-Lavra Church, which was built in 1898.
Lake Mushan-Er
Mushan-Er is a system of lakes located on the territory of the Mari Chodra Nature Reserve. The system consists of three lakes, which stretch one after another in a chain. The largest of the reservoirs has a length of 1116 meters.
On the shore of one of the lakes there is a kyusoto - a sacred grove where the Mari worship their gods.
What attracts tourists to the Volga Republic? Where do its indigenous people live and what beliefs are preserved here? Traveling to the central regions of Russia is gaining popularity, and tourists coming to Mari El get many vivid impressions from their visit to Yoshkar-Ola and other Mari cities.
Content:Climate, population and location
The territory of Mari El lies in the temperate continental climate zone. In summer, especially in July, it can be hot here - up to +28°C, and in winter the thermometer drops to -20°C and below. The coldest month of the year is January. This is worth considering when choosing clothes for a trip to Mari El.
Mironositsky Convent
The republic is not very densely populated; only 682 thousand people live in it. Relatively large city– Yoshkar-Ola, where about a third of the total population or 277 thousand people live.
Today, the majority of the indigenous inhabitants of Mari El are Orthodox Christians, but 10-15% of the Mari continue to adhere to traditional beliefs. Among the peoples of Mari El in use lunar calendar. They worship several main gods. Rituals are held in the Sacred Groves or Kyusoto, of which about five hundred remain. The main prayers or “tunya kumaltysh” occur once every five years, and Mari people from all over Russia come to it.
When traveling around Mari El, it is most convenient to rent an apartment or rent a hotel room in Yoshkar-Ola. Those who want to travel through the regions can stay at recreation centers, guest houses, boarding houses, estates and campsites that accept tourists in different regions of the republic.
Church of the Holy Trinity in Yoshkar-Ola
What to see in Yoshkar-Ola
The main Mari city was founded in 1584 and in those days was called Tsarevokokshaysk. It was an outpost of Russia in the Zavolzhsky region and served to pacify the rebellious local residents. Today there are many interesting sights in Yoshkar-Ola, and since the city is small in size, they are easy to get around on foot.
In the center there is a complex of copies of monuments of the Moscow Kremlin. In the capital of Mari El you can see the Annunciation and Spasskaya towers, a copy of the famous Tsar Cannon and even the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, similar to St. Basil's Cathedral. It is as much as 650 km from here to the Russian capital. Therefore, the Mari decided not to waste energy on a long journey, but to admire Moscow monuments at home.
Travelers are surprised that in relatively small town Several theaters and museums are open. But perhaps Yoshkar-Ola is most famous for its original monuments. All guests of the Mari capital come to one of them, Yoshka the cat. A carefree bronze cat on a bench greets tourists on Lenin Square, not far from the building of the National Art Gallery.
Sea Eye Lake
IN central park you can see the sculptural group “Tree of Life”. It symbolizes the continuity of the traditions of the indigenous peoples of the republic. Voskresenskaya embankment is decorated with a sculpture of Alexander Pushkin, who talks with his literary hero, Evgeny Onegin. And on Sovetskaya Street in the Mari capital there is an unusual monument... to a simple hammer.
Outdoor recreation
Most tourists travel to Mari El for its natural beauty. Popular throughout the republic walking routes and horseback riding, and in winter people come here to ski.
The Mari rivers and lakes have long been chosen by fans of water tourism who like to spend their vacation time on kayaks and catamarans. Rafting on the Bolshaya and Malaya Kokshaga, Bolshaya and Maly Kundysh rivers is popular in the republic. Tourists do not neglect Vetluga, Ilet, Irovka, Lazh, Lunda, Nemda, Rutka, Yuronga and Yushut. The picturesque Mari lakes are very attractive - Yurinskoye, Bolshoye Stepankino, Irir-Er, Kar-Yar, Mary-Er, Bryukhan, Kichier and others.
Sheremetevsky Castle in Yurino from a bird's eye view
Near the village of Shariboksad, in the Volga region, there is a real natural pearl - the karst lake Sea Eye. It lies on the side of the mountain and reaches a depth of 38.5 m. The water in unusual body of water has a bright turquoise color, and its transparency reaches 5.5 m. In the summer heat at the surface, the lake water heats up to +20°C, and at a depth its temperature does not exceed +4°C.
Fans of caving tourism visit the beautiful Nolkin caves. Many years ago, there were adits in this place where building stone and crushed stone were mined. Even in summer it is cool inside the Mari caves. On the walls and vaults you can see stalactites, stalagmites and sleeping bats. Nearby there are ancient millstones, the size of a man. Previously, such devices for grinding grain were used in Mari mills and sold in other provinces of Russia.
Tourists really enjoy traveling through the picturesque Mari Chodra National Park. On the territory of the Middle Volga region there are preserved cleanest lakes, rivers and mighty mixed forests. IN natural park Bears, lynxes, moose, foxes, brown hares and squirrels live here. Among the birds that nest here are wood grouse, grouse, green woodpeckers, ospreys and orioles - a total of 188 species of birds, 11 of which are listed in the Red Book of Russia.
Cathedral of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in Kozmodemyansk (1698)
What to see in different parts of the republic
People come to the ancient town of Kozmodemyansk to visit the wonderful ethnographic museum, where examples of peasant buildings, wells, barns and a mill are exhibited in the open air. Lovers of antiquity are sure to check out the majestic Cathedral of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God and the ancient Streletskaya Chapel.
In the Volga region of the republic stands the huge oak of Pugachev, steeped in legends. It rises on Maple Mountain - one of the places of pilgrimage for tourists. According to legend, it was near this tree that one of Pugachev’s detachments stopped, and the rebels buried their treasures near a noticeable oak tree. Today the tree rises 26 m from the ground, and the diameter of its trunk exceeds 1.6 m. According to recent biologist researchers, the age of the Mari oak exceeds 400 years.
Connoisseurs of Russian architecture lay out routes through ancient Mari estates. One of the most noticeable is. The former count's estate was built in the late Neo-Gothic style at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Chapel of the Savior of the Image Not Made by Hands (Streletskaya Chapel) in Kozmodemyansk
Fishing
It’s very good to come to Mari El for fishing! Fish is caught here on rivers and lakes, and fishermen are never left without a catch. True, the volume of trophies depends on luck, experience and skill.
Most often they fish on the Volga and Vetluga. These rivers are rich in pike, pike perch, perch, carp and bream, and are especially popular with those who want to catch a big catch. The shores near the city of Zvenigovo, near the village of Dubovsky and near the city of Volzhsk are considered fishing spots. In the Mari River Ilet you can catch pike, perch, crucian carp and roach, and on the lakes pike, crucian carp, tench, catfish and chub catch well.
Mari souvenirs
No one leaves Mari El without memorable gifts. What souvenirs do tourists most often buy? Many people like to take home images of Yoshka the cat. One of the main symbols of Yoshkar-Ola can be seen on souvenir mugs, magnets, keychains, T-shirts and even bottles of vodka.
Church of the Archangel Michael in the village of Yurino
Vodka is readily brought from the Mari capital. Local stores sell different varieties, including bottles with the label “Yoshkin Kot”. This vodka is not supplied outside the republic, so it can become an original souvenir from Mari El.
Those who like strong alcohol do not ignore the “Ogni Mari El” balm infused with local herbs. It is sold in bottles and clay containers with national ornaments.
The republic produces excellent cheeses. Today, Mari cheeses are considered one of the most delicious in our country. The Sernur cheese factory produces excellent cheeses, cottage cheese and bio-yogurt from goat and sheep milk. In addition, pickled mushrooms and sausages from the Zvenigovsky meat processing plant can be recommended as tasty souvenirs.
Those with a sweet tooth do not leave without products from the Volga Sweets confectionery company. An excellent souvenir of a trip to Mari El can be a 2 kg box with delicious waffles, cookies, marmalade, marshmallows, sherbet and candies. Want even more? Please! In Mari El they sell boxes of sweets weighing 4.4 kg.
Natural attractions of Mari El are monuments natural heritage With interesting story. Natural attractions of Mari El are natural heritage monuments with an interesting history. Many places are unique and have national significance. Many places are unique and have national significance. Sanatoriums, reserves, natural national parks. Sanatoriums, nature reserves, and natural national parks have been created and are operating.
The Republic of Mari El is located in the east of the East European Plain in the middle part of the Volga River basin. From the north, northeast and east, our republic borders on the Kirov region. From the southeast and south with the Republics of Tatarstan and Chuvashia, and in the west and northwest - with Nizhny Novgorod region. The length of its borders exceeds 1200 km, and the total area is 23.3 thousand sq. km. The capital of Mari-El is Yoshkar-Ola. There is a lot of interesting things in the Mari-El Republic. Let's look at some of the natural attractions that our native land is rich in.
Sea Eye From the depths of the karst hole, the Sea Eye is looking at us - this is the name of the famous local lake. They dubbed it so for its regular round shape and amazing emerald color of water. Green algae give this color to the lake. According to one version, the reservoir appeared 20 thousand years ago - back in the Ice Age! Many ancient legends are associated with the Sea Eye. From the depths of the karst hole, the Sea Eye is looking at us - that’s the name of the famous local lake. They dubbed it so for its regular round shape and amazing emerald color of water. Green algae give this color to the lake. According to one version, the reservoir appeared 20 thousand years ago - back in the Ice Age! Many ancient legends are associated with the Sea Eye.
Castle of Count Sheremetyev On the left bank of the Volga, in the village of Yurino, a castle that looks like a medieval one, with crenellated towers, colored stained glass windows, and a domed winter garden, attracts the attention of tourists. This is the castle of Count Sheremetyev. Covered in legends, it attracts with unknown mystery and unique beauty. On the left bank of the Volga, in the village of Yurino, a castle that looks like a medieval one, with crenellated towers, colored stained glass windows, and a domed winter garden, attracts the attention of tourists. This is the castle of Count Sheremetyev. Covered in legends, it attracts with unknown mystery and unique beauty.
Temple of the Archangel Michael In the center of the village of Yurino, famous for its Sheremetyevsky Castle, among the trees the Temple of the Archangel Michael rises majestically - one of the most magnificent Orthodox buildings on the land of Mari El. This church is often called the pearl of the entire Volga region. In the center of the village of Yurino, famous for its Sheremetyevsky Castle, the Church of the Archangel Michael rises majestically among the trees - one of the most magnificent Orthodox buildings on the land of Mari El. This church is often called the pearl of the entire Volga region.
National Park"Mari Chodra" Established in 1985, the Mari Chodra National Park is an interesting natural-territorial complex. Numerous mineral springs, significant outlets of which are located in the valleys of the Ilet and Yushut rivers, are used for medicinal purposes in sanatoriums, rest homes and hospitals. A characteristic element of the landscape are lakes (sinkholes, inter-dunes, floodplains). Established in 1985, the Mari Chodra National Park is an interesting natural-territorial complex. Numerous mineral springs, significant outlets of which are located in the valleys of the Ilet and Yushut rivers, are used for medicinal purposes in sanatoriums, rest homes and hospitals. A characteristic element of the landscape are lakes (sinkholes, inter-dunes, floodplains).
Pugachev's Oak Located on Maple Mountain, the Mari Chodra National Park is an interesting natural-territorial complex. The oldest specimen of oak, called Pugachevsky, has been preserved here. According to legend, under the shade of this oak tree E. I. Pugachev stopped for the night with his detachment. The oak differs sharply in its size among the forest stand. This is a gigantic tree with a powerful trunk, the diameter of which is 159 cm, which is part of the upper tier. The Mari Chodra National Park, located on Maple Mountain, is an interesting natural-territorial complex. The oldest specimen of oak, called Pugachevsky, has been preserved here. According to legend, under the shade of this oak tree E. I. Pugachev stopped for the night with his detachment. The oak differs sharply in its size among the forest stand. This is a gigantic tree with a powerful trunk, the diameter of which is 159 cm, which is part of the upper tier.
Reserve "Big Kokshaga" State Nature Reserve"Big Kokshaga" was created on March 14, 1993. The reserve was created to protect forest ecosystems on the border of southern taiga and broad-leaved forests. The reserve preserves intact plant communities: forests, swamps, meadows, which are habitats for animals and the growth of many rare and endangered plants. The Bolshaya Kokshaga State Nature Reserve was created on March 14, 1993. The reserve was created to protect forest ecosystems on the border of southern taiga and broad-leaved forests. The reserve preserves intact plant communities: forests, swamps, meadows, which are habitats for animals and the growth of many rare and endangered plants.
Green Spring At the foot of Klenovaya Mountain a sulfate-bicarbonate calcium-magnesium spring flows into the Ilet River. It is formed from a system of springs flowing directly from the ground. The largest of them is called the Green Key. At the foot of Klenovaya Mountain, a sulfate-bicarbonate calcium-magnesium spring flows into the Ilet River. It is formed from a system of springs flowing directly from the ground. The largest of them is called the Green Key.
Stone Mountain A stone mountain is a large hill with a rock on its surface. There is a spring on the mountain, and there is a table with benches. This is an amazing place to relax. Below, under the steep slopes, there is a dense forest. A stone mountain is a large hill with a rock on its surface. There is a spring on the mountain, and there is a table with benches. This is an amazing place to relax. Below, under the steep slopes, there is a dense forest.
Immediately after Atlant with a stone, the road goes to the village of Gornyak. There, in the forests behind the village, far from prying eyes and well-trodden paths, ancient quarries are hidden. This is a whole network of caves, hand-hewn by people. Since ancient times, millstones for mills have been mined here. Samples of such stones lie in front of the caves. Inside there is permafrost. Even in the hottest weather, the ice in the caves does not melt. Immediately after Atlant with a stone, the road goes to the village of Gornyak. There, in the forests behind the village, far from prying eyes and well-trodden paths, ancient quarries are hidden. This is a whole network of caves, hand-hewn by people. Since ancient times, millstones for mills have been mined here. Samples of such stones lie in front of the caves. Inside there is permafrost. Even in the hottest weather, the ice in the caves does not melt.
