Pilichki: Lake Kasplya and Archaeology

Pilichki offers two different starting points for a trip: the landscape around Lake Kasplya and a history dating back to antiquity. If you are looking for a holiday rental, consider whether you want your stay to focus mainly on the area around the village or also on other places of interest in Smolensk Oblast.

The lake, protected area and settlement history

Lake Kasplya, a natural monument of regional significance, lies near Pilichki. Its protected zone includes stands of conifers, with spruce and pine trees near the villages of Gorbuny and Pilichki. The lake and forest frame the landscape, while archaeological records offer a glimpse into its past.

In antiquity, the Pilichki archaeological settlement on Lake Kasplya stood at an important point along a trade route. It ran as a portage from tributaries of the Dnieper into the Western Dvina basin. The settlement was discovered in the 1920s by archaeologist Alexander Lyavdansky. The history of the place thus includes both the trade route and the later discovery of the archaeological site.

There was also another hillfort site near the village, dating to the early 1st millennium AD. It has since been destroyed. Together with the settlement, it offers a long historical perspective, while the two sites should not be treated as equivalent attractions or as places that have both survived to the present day.

More places of interest in Smolensk Oblast

Smolensk Oblast offers a range of other attractions beyond the immediate area around Pilichki. The Gnyozdovo archaeological complex, for example, preserves around 2,500 burial mounds and a settlement. It is considered the largest complex of archaeological monuments in Russia and Europe dating to the formation of the Old Russian state, and is protected by the state as a monument of federal significance.

Nature experiences are another focus of this wider travel destination. Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on 15 April 1992 in Demidovskiy and Dukhovshchinskiy districts to protect unique natural complexes for recreation, education, science and culture. The “K istokam” circular trail starts in the village of Stary Dvor. A track for apps such as Geotreker or MAPS.ME supports independent walks. Two viewpoints at Lakes Svyatets and Sapsho were set up in 2023–2024.

Another trail in the national park is “Poozerye bez baryerov.” It was created in 2017 for people with health limitations and starts near the Eco-Centre “Baklanovo.” In Boroviki, a barefoot trail invites visitors to walk barefoot across 14 sections with different natural surfaces; each section is six metres long. At the end, visitors can wash their feet and, if they wish, stroll through the Aptekarskiy sad. These trails offer different ways to experience nature and are separate destinations within Smolensk Oblast.

Culture and guided experiences

At the “Stargrad” ethnographic village, a guided tour introduces visitors to the way of life of the ancient Slavs and presents everyday objects, weapons and clothing. An expanded programme includes workshops: “Babiy kut” focuses on traditional women’s crafts, and participants can make their own souvenirs. At “Polevaya kuznia,” they can mint coins and make chain mail. There is also the “Srednevekovyy tir” area, with archery, slingshot shooting, and axe and sulitsa throwing. Visits are only possible as part of a guided group; the expanded programme activities need to be arranged in advance.

The expanded guided tour programme at “Stargrad” includes lunch featuring historical dishes from maritime and field kitchens, prepared in cauldrons over an open fire. When arranging the tour, check whether lunch is available. During an on-water activity, participants can sail and row in the Viking oak boat “Fornkor” on one of the national park’s deepest lakes. These experiences are also available only to visitors on a guided group tour.

Those interested in another chapter of Smolensk Oblast’s history can visit the Khmelita estate, a cultural and historical attraction that has been owned by the Griboyedov family since 1680 and is the centrepiece of the A. S. Griboyedov Museum Reserve. At the Katyn Memorial, group and individual guided tours are offered around the grounds, through the exhibits and to the exhibitions. They can be requested in advance or on the day of your visit, subject to availability. Check current opening hours and booking details before you visit.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Pilichki, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on: will your trip centre on the area around Lake Kasplya and the settlement’s history, or are you also planning time for individual destinations across Smolensk Oblast? This distinction can help you choose a suitable place to stay without suggesting that the region’s different destinations are close together. If you are travelling with children, your family’s interests—such as archaeology, landscapes or guided hands-on activities—can help you prioritise outings. You can then choose accommodation to fit your planned itinerary.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Katyn', Yasennaya, Smolensk, Novye Bateki, Staroye Selo, Svishchevo, Sliznevo, Drozdovo.

For the wider travel overview: Smolensk Oblast.