Gerchiki: Estate History and the Church of the Holy Trinity

The history of Gerchiki can be traced through several phases of construction and ownership at the estate and the Church of the Holy Trinity. I. V. Leslie had the estate’s first buildings constructed between 1769 and 1774, including a wooden Church of the Holy Trinity and other estate buildings. Later, M. A. Korbutowski had a two-storey stone house with a mezzanine built on the estate in the classical style. The church also changed: a stone Church of the Holy Trinity replaced the earlier wooden church.

Gerchiki Estate: Construction History and Changes of Ownership

A mezzanine is an intermediate floor and adds a specific architectural detail to the description of the house. Together with its two storeys and classical style, it gives a more precise picture of the building’s design. The dates relating to the buildings and ownership tell different parts of the estate’s history: in the 1790s, the estate passed as a dowry to Praskovya Ivanovna, I. V. Leslie’s daughter, and her husband, M. A. Korbutowski. In 1854, it became the property of members of the Polyansky noble family. Thus, Leslie’s early building phase and the later changes of ownership stand as separate milestones.

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Gerchiki

The church’s affiliation adds an institutional dimension to local history: the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gerchiki belongs to the Smolensk Deanery of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Diocese of Smolensk, and the Metropolis of Smolensk. Along with the change from a wooden church to a stone building, this affiliation makes the church a distinct topic in the estate’s history.

More Historical Sites in Smolensk Oblast

In the wider destination of Smolensk Oblast, archaeological and natural sites offer a different focus from Gerchiki’s estate history. Around 2,500 burial mounds and a settlement have been preserved at the Gnyozdovo archaeological complex. It is the largest complex of archaeological monuments in Russia and Europe dating from the formation of the Old Russian state, and is protected by the state as a monument of national (federal) significance. This offers a distinct historical focus for travelers interested in the archaeology of Smolensk Oblast as well as the estate’s history.

Trails and Landscapes in Smolensk Oblast

Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on April 15, 1992, in the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of Smolensk Oblast. It protects unique natural areas for recreation, educational, scientific, and cultural purposes. The “K istokam” circular trail begins in the village of Stary Dvor; a track for mobile apps such as Geotreker or MAPS.ME helps visitors walk it independently. Two observation platforms were set up at Lakes Svyatets and Sapsho in 2023–2024. An observation platform on the high southern shore of Lake Sapsho also offers views of the lake and several islands.

For a different way to experience nature, there is the “Poozerye bez barierov” eco-trail. It was created in 2017 for people with health conditions and begins near the “Baklanovo” Eco-Center building. The barefoot trail in Boroviki offers another hands-on nature experience: it has 14 sections, each six meters long, with different natural surfaces to walk on barefoot. At the end, you can wash your feet and, if you wish, take a walk through the “Aptekarskiy sad.” The different trails offer distinct experiences, from a circular route with observation platforms to a mindful experience of varied surfaces.

Guided Cultural Activities

A guided tour of the “Stargrad” ethnographic village introduces visitors to the way of life of the ancient Slavs and showcases household items, weapons, and clothing. Visits are possible only as part of a guided group. The extended tour program includes various hands-on activities: the “Babiy kut” workshop focuses on traditional women’s crafts, where visitors can make souvenirs themselves. At “Polevaya kuznia,” participants can mint coins and make chainmail; at the “Srednevekovy tir,” activities include shooting with a bow and slingshot, as well as throwing axes and sulitsas. The program also includes a water activity in the Viking oak boat “Fornkor”—participants can sail and row on one of the national park’s deepest lakes—and a meal prepared according to old recipes. Historical dishes from maritime and field cooking are prepared in cauldrons over an open fire. The extended program also requires visits to be made with a guided group and arranged in advance.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Gerchiki, you can consider whether the history of the estate and the Church of the Holy Trinity will be the main focus of your trip, or whether you would also like to include other destinations in Smolensk Oblast. Archaeology, nature trails, and guided cultural activities cater to different interests. Choose your location based on the destinations you actually want to include in your trip.

Discover more destinations: Yasennaya, Bibirevo, Rudnya, Lipuny, Vyazma, Pechorsk, Gorodnya, Yartsevo.

View the main travel guide: Smolensk Oblast.