Khitrovka on the Upper Matrjonka

Khitrovka lies on the upper reaches of the Matrjonka River. The river gives the village a clear geographical setting; Khitrovka is also the birthplace of two poets: Fyodor Karasyov and Viktor Barabyshkin, a poet and writer. The river and literature offer two distinct ways of approaching the place—a specific geographical location and biographies directly linked to Khitrovka.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

Roads 20N-6-21 and 20K-V41-0 are relevant for getting there: they connect Khitrovka with Panino via the Kursk–Borisoglebsk–Panino–Ertil route. Check the route before setting off.

When looking for a holiday house or apartment, it helps to decide on your priorities: Would you mainly like to explore Khitrovka, with its location on the Matrjonka and the biographies of the two poets, or would you also like to visit other destinations in Voronezh Oblast? This will help you distinguish the local connections you want from regional excursions and choose accommodation based on your planned priorities.

More Nature and Culture in Voronezh Oblast

Exploring Voronezh Oblast adds distinct nature and culture themes to Khitrovka’s local character. The Khopyor Nature Reserve extends across the administrative districts of Novokhopersky, Povorinsky, and Gribanovsky. The “Legendy Khopra” walking excursion is five kilometres long and takes three hours; it is closed during the spring flood. The “Tur de Khopyor” cycling tour covers 26 kilometres and takes four hours. The two options can be compared by distance and time: the walking excursion is shorter, while the cycling tour is longer; the seasonal closure should also be taken into account for the walk.

The Nature Museum in the Khopyor Reserve covers the area’s wildlife and habitats in two halls. The exhibitions focus on beavers, the Russian desman, water-dwelling and predatory birds, as well as wild boar, elk, fallow deer, and red deer. A large relief map shows the reserve. It is worth checking visitor arrangements before your visit.

The “Divnogorye” Museum-Reserve in Voronezh Oblast is known for its chalk landscapes, with unusual rock formations on steep slopes and large, ridge-like ravines. Divnogorskiy Canyon is about one kilometre long and up to 200 metres wide. Its cultural heritage includes Stone Age settlements, the ruins of the medieval Mayatskaya Fortress, and six ritual caves or cave complexes. Hewn into the chalk massif on the right bank of the Tikhaya Sosna and Don rivers, they extend for about 8.5 kilometres. The “Paleoliticheskiye masterskiye” recreate the Stone Age and host workshops on making stone tools.

The “Kostenki” Museum-Reserve also offers an archaeological focus in Voronezh Oblast. The Archaeology Museum building completely covers a Stone Age settlement site. The nine-hectare museum-reserve includes 25 protected zones with around 60 Upper Paleolithic sites. Thus, alongside landscapes and nature, the region also offers early settlement history and archaeological sites as distinct topics to explore.

Another cultural highlight is the Khrenovskoye Stud Farm in the southeast of Voronezh Oblast. Count Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov-Chesmensky founded it on October 24, 1776. It is considered Russia’s oldest stud farm and the birthplace of the Orlov Trotter. Tours are held daily but must be arranged in advance. A visit includes the old stables and modern horse stalls; visitors can see Orlov Trotters. The horse-breeding museum displays, among other things, old breeding books and the breed’s pedigree.

Discover more destinations: Rossosh, Ostrogozhsk, Borisoglebsk, Chertovitsy, Voronezh, Petropavlovka, Liski, Boguchar.

For the broader travel overview: Voronezh Oblast.