Yelabuga a Town Worth Visiting
In Russia there is very often a sense that tourism is not something
which is held in very high esteem but in Yelabuga, one of the
principal towns of Tatarstan, close to the River Volga, you have a
real sense of what is possible here. In 2007, this town celebrated
its millennium and with the help of money from the state, it
renovated a large part of the old town and restored areas of
outstanding interest. You will have no doubt noticed the quaint
style of Russian villages but here in Yelabuga, this form of
architecture is alive and well. Ancient log buildings have been
brought up to date and the variety and quality of decoration is
phenomenal. In these days of green, ecological developments, they
are shining examples of the new learning from the old. Whole
sections of the old town are made up of these beautiful, individual
low-rise wooden houses
Part of the redevelopment of this town is due to its part in
literary and art history as it is home to the museums dedicated to
both the celebrated poet Marina Tsvetayeva and also the early home
of the artist Shushkin which is now also a museum. Both are worth
visiting and are easy to find thanks to the modern signposting in
Yelabuga.
The old town is also home to three beautiful churches, the most
interesting of which is called the Spasskaya Church, not far from
the striking war memorial. This church is currently undergoing
restoration, which may or may not change its character forever. Try
and see it soon before all the old and beautiful paintings are
restored; they are striking even as they are and the church itself
has a certain magic in its very fabric. Best of all, for just a few
roubles, the price of an altar candle, you can climb the bell tower
which is over 150 feet high up rickety wooden steps until you are
at the highest point in the district looking down over mile after
mile of the countryside leading down to the Kama River. The small
towns of Russia can be beautiful and here is one which is ready and
willing to welcome visitors.
David Turner, September 2008
09.08.2008
1-800-884-1721
