District of Belozersk

Tourism

Belozersk known as Beloozero until 1777 (White Lake Town) is situated on the southern bank of Beloye Lake, from which it takes the name.

Numerous lakes, islands, steep slopes of lake basins covered with forest, forest lakes - all these in combination with hilly relief make the area uncommonly wonderful.

Belozersk is a quiet provincial town keeping the unique aroma of slow way of life. It seems as if the fate tried to preserve the town in its original view.

Many tourists come to Belozersk in a summer season. Every year the town holds the festival "Beloozero" which is timed to coincide with the Day of Belozersk City. You may want to witness some of the main attractions of it - open-air performances at the White Lake and at the earthen ramparts.

Major itineraries in the District of Belozersk:

• Annalistic Beloozero (mostly for students) and Bright Beloozero
  Sightsee the Belozersk Kremlin (15th century), the Shopping Square, timbered mansions (18-19th centuries), the Belozersk by-pass canal built in 1846, the wooden tiered Church of the Prophet Elijah (1690), five-doomed Church of the Assumption (16th century) and the Cathedral of the Transfiguration (17th century). Then head into the Orlov Memorial Flat (the house of the remarkable Russian poet Sergei Orlov) and a museum known by the name Russian Izba (peasant's house) that displays an authentic Russian life-style and traditions of the 19th century.
• Rest on the Southern Bank
  Begin with a tour of the City of Belozersk, visit the house of prince's armed force and have a picnic.

An imposing earth mound surrounded with a deep ditch rises in the very center of Belozersk. Fortifications appeared at the end of 15th century when the town finally passed to the Moscow princedom. Heights of the mounds reached 30 m and wooden walls with towers stood on them from above. Taking into consideration an encircling ditch with water, one might say that the fortress was strongly defended. Nowadays the mounds slipped a little, nevertheless they make the town's landscape unusual.

Not far from the bridge across the ditch leading inside the mound there is an original monument devoted to 1112-anniversary of the town. The history of Belozersk was closely connected with the water way and a boat was chosen as a symbol of the monument. A stone near the boat decorating the city center relates to it.

Dwelling houses of the classical period constitute a notable part in the town's architectural legacy. Quite remarkable are some wooden mansions.

The town's image is changing but its residents cherish the history that is imprinted in numerous monuments. Beyond these monuments beauty of the northern nature gives unique charm to the city. It should be taken into consideration that antiquity of the city is a special pride of its citizens. By right, Belozersk is a town of last century. After visiting it you will be able to know much more about Russia.

At present work on establishment of a historical and architectural complex known by the name Prince's Court is underway. It recreates the atmosphere of medieval Rus. This is a new tendency in the tourist industry of the Vologda Oblast where you will be able to step back in time and experience first-hand with authentically-costumed guides the time and lives of the townspeople in the 11th-13th centuries.