Borovsky District: Frescoes, Forest and Museums

Borovsky District combines urban history, museum exhibits, a 300-hectare coniferous forest and hands-on activities. Borovsk is known for its frescoes, museums and distinctive architectural history; in Petrov, ETNOMIR features recreated ethnic farmsteads and entertainment for children. If you are looking for a holiday rental in the district, you can choose one based on the themes you want to shape your stay: culture, nature or activities to enjoy together.

Borovsk: Frescoes and a Wide Range of Museum Themes

Borovsk has dozens of frescoes, most of which depict historical subjects. Some of the murals are gradually disappearing, but frescoes can still be seen. Frescoes are also a theme at the Stolnyy Gorod Borovsk Museum: its exhibition includes frescoes by Dionisius and white-stone blocks from the Pafnuty-Borovsky Monastery. Murals and stone artefacts are presented side by side, while the frescoes around the city mostly depict historical subjects.

The Stolnyy Gorod Borovsk Museum also tells the story of the boyar lady F. P. Morozova and Princess E. P. Urusova. Both suffered for their faith in the second half of the 17th century and were buried in Borovsk. The Computer Museum offers a different perspective on the past and technology: its technical exhibition spans the period from the early to the late 20th century. The K. E. Tsiolkovsky Museum Apartment focuses on his life and work as the founder of theoretical astronautics, as well as on his childhood, youth and family.

Buildings, too, tell the story of different eras. The ROSHCHA ensemble includes the Pafnuty-Borovsky Monastery, founded in 1444, and a fortress dating from the late 16th century. The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Vysokoye is a surviving wooden church from the 17th century. Russian carpenters built it from pine logs without using a single nail. The contrast between this construction method and the fortress brings the district’s long architectural history to life.

Hands-on Activities and Discovery

Workshops for children and adults are held every weekend at Domik Shchastya; check the latest details before your visit. The art space is housed in an old two-storey building. It includes exhibition halls, the Magazin Suveniriv i Vpechatleniy souvenir shop and the Chashechnaya café. There is also an observation deck and cascading terraces. The venue thus combines workshops with exhibitions and other visitor facilities. A hands-on activity is also described at the Dom Samolyota Yak-40 aircraft museum: visitors can view rare civil aviation exhibits, climb into the cockpit, take the pilot’s seat and operate the cockpit controls and switches. Check current visitor arrangements before planning this cockpit experience.

ETNOMIR is located in Petrov. It is a cluster devoted to ethnic, ecological, educational and rural tourism. It includes museums, authentically recreated ethnic farmsteads from different countries and entertainment for children. Its offerings differ in focus from Borovsk’s museums: here, international ethnic farmsteads and entertainment sit alongside educational and museum themes. For families looking to include activities for children in their travel plans, this is a useful point of reference.

Borovsk’s urban forest offers a different kind of natural attraction. This 300-hectare coniferous forest is part of the historic landscape of the district centre. Spruce trees predominate in its lower part, and some are 160 to 180 years old. The details about tree species and age give the urban forest a character distinct from the historic exhibitions and buildings. The range of experiences in Borovsky District therefore extends from urban history and technology to woodland and the attractions in Petrov.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Stay

When choosing a holiday rental in Borovsky District, it helps to start by sorting out your interests. Museums, frescoes and architectural history offer a different focus from the coniferous forest or the workshops and entertainment at ETNOMIR. Even Borovsk itself offers different experiences: you can explore exhibitions on history and technology, admire architectural styles or plan to take part in the activities described.

More Places and Destinations

You can also discover Bereg and Korostelevo elsewhere in Borovsky District.

Discover more destinations: Kaluga, Tarussky District, Kozelsky District, Ferzikovsky District, Mosalsky District, Maloyaroslavetsky District.

Return to the main travel overview: Kaluga Oblast.