Soletsky District: Park Art and Cycling History

In Soletsky District, historic park art, local history, and Soltsy’s cycling and craftsmanship traditions come together. The district is also home to a church associated with a battle on the River Shelon and a museum room dedicated to M. M. Prishvin. Those wishing to include nature and culture in their holiday plans will find a range of themes here rather than one all-defining attraction. When choosing a holiday apartment, it may therefore help to first consider which of these interests will shape your stay.

Park Art in Vybiti and Gorki

The park in the village of Vybiti is a natural monument and a cultural heritage site of regional significance. It is considered an example of garden and park art from the second half of the 18th century. The park in the village of Gorki also has the status of a natural monument and a cultural heritage site of regional significance. It lies on the banks of the River Lemenka in the southwest of the district and represents garden and park art from the second half of the 19th century. The two grounds thus offer different historical reference points: Vybiti takes you back to the late 18th century, while Gorki dates to the late 19th century. Those interested in designed park landscapes can compare these periods while exploring local history.

History by the River and in Soltsy

The Church of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist was built in Velebitsy in 1903. It stands on the banks of the River Shelon, at the site of the 1471 battle between the Novgorodians and the forces of the Moscow prince Ivan III. The year the church was built and the battle point to two different time periods associated with the same place: the construction of the church in the early 20th century and the historical event that took place more than four centuries earlier.

Soltsy offers another way to explore the district’s history: in the 18th century, it had workshops for woodworking, wheels, and gun carriages. The “Wheel Museum” exhibition includes various types of wooden wheels and tools used to make them. It also features models and examples of carts, models of artillery guns from the 17th and 18th centuries, and items of horse tack, including collars, reins, and horseshoes. The collection thus ranges from tools and wheels to vehicle models and equipment for horses.

Everyday culture of the past is also part of Soltsy’s cycling history: rolling a wheel whose axle was attached to a long pole was once a popular pastime for children. Separately, at the district level, a Wheel Settlement existed in the area of today’s Soletsky Municipal District from the 16th to the 18th century.

A Museum Room Dedicated to M. M. Prishvin

On May 31, 2011, a museum room dedicated to M. M. Prishvin was ceremonially opened at the Central Library in Soltsy. It displays exhibits from the period of his life. This topic complements Soltsy’s history of wheels and craftsmanship with a distinct collection focus. If you plan to visit the museum room, check current visitor arrangements in advance.

Choosing a Holiday Apartment Based on Your Interests

When looking for a holiday apartment in Soletsky District, these themes can help guide your choice: Vybiti and Gorki represent different periods of park art, while Soltsy is associated with wheel-making and its exhibitions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Novgorodsky District, Staraya Russa, Novgorodskiy rayon, Malovisherskiy rayon, Okulovskiy rayon, Demyanskiy rayon, Khvoyninskiy rayon, Lyubytinsky District.

For the main travel overview: Novgorod Oblast.