Smolenskiy District: Teremok and Natural Monuments

In Smolenskiy District, the range of themes extends from a former country estate with arts and crafts to protected springs, lakes and wetlands. Those who focus on cultural history or natural monuments will find a variety of ideas for planning their trip. At Flenovo, the art collection and history are especially tangible; the source of the River Sozh, in turn, is a distinctive landmark in the district’s landscape.

Teremok in Flenovo: Arts and Crafts and History

The Teremok Historical and Architectural Complex comprises the surviving buildings of the former Tenishev estate in Flenovo. On display are works from the Talashkino workshops: furniture designed by S. V. Malyutin, watercolours by M. A. Vrubel, ceramics by N. K. Roerich and painted balalaikas. The collection brings together a variety of forms and materials. Visitors can compare, for example, furniture design, watercolour, ceramics and a painted instrument.

Another focus is the history of a school for peasant children, opened by M. K. Tenisheva in 1894. As part of the exhibition, museum staff lead interactive tours for children. This offer combines a specific historical subject with an interpretive format explicitly aimed at children.

Spring, Lake, Park and Bog

The source of the River Sozh is near Radkevshchina in Smolenskiy District, 10 km southwest of Smolensk. It has been a natural monument of regional significance since 1981. Lake Kasplya has held the same designation since 1981. Both were therefore protected in the same year, although the spring and the lake represent different landscape features and natural attractions.

Priyutino Park has been a natural monument of regional significance since 1975. Its historical and memorial value lies in 18th- and 19th-century garden and park art; at the same time, the park needs restoration and protection. The Domanovskoye Peat Bog natural monument covers 440 hectares. These four examples highlight different features: a river source, a lake, a historic park and an extensive bog.

This suggests a clear question to consider when planning your trip: should Teremok, with its collection and children’s tour, be the focus of the cultural part of your visit, or would you prefer to centre your trip on the natural monuments? When looking for a holiday apartment, you can use this priority as a starting point for choosing where to stay in Smolenskiy District.

More places to explore in Smolensk Oblast

The wider destination of Smolensk Oblast also offers its own cultural and natural attractions. The Gnezdovo archaeological complex is located in the city of Smolensk. Today, around 2,500 burial mounds and a settlement remain there. It is the largest complex of archaeological monuments in Russia and Europe dating from the period when the Old Russian state was emerging, and is protected by the state as an archaeological monument of federal significance.

Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on 15 April 1992 in the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of Smolensk Oblast to protect unique natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes. The “K istokam” ecological trail is also in Smolensk Oblast. This circular route starts in the village of Stary Dvor. A track for mobile apps such as Geotreker or MAPS.ME helps visitors explore it independently. Two viewpoints were set up at Lakes Svyatets and Sapsho in 2023–2024.

More destinations

Another destination is Khokhlovo.

Discover more destinations: Kardymovskiy District, Shumyachskiy District, Sychevskiy District, Sychyovsky District, Smolensk, Yelninsky District, Kholm-Zhirkovskiy District.

See the overview of the wider destination: Smolensk Oblast.