Ramon

Ramon is a tourist pearl of the Voronezh region. The cozy village is located in a picturesque forest-steppe zone on the hilly right bank of the Voronezh River. Beyond the river begins the forest kingdom – this is the land where the Voronezh Biosphere Reserve with its famous Usmansky boron.

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Cute village with excellent ecology – a favorite place of rest for many Russians who rush to Ramon not only from neighboring Voronezh, which is located about 40 km from it, but also from the capital of Russia, located at a distance of 495 km. In these places with fertile land city dwellers are massively buying plots for the construction of dachas, and in the vicinity of Ramon placed a lot of tourist camping and prestigious recreation centers of all-Russian importance.

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Ramon is also famous for its rich history, in which the fate of Russian and German royalty is intertwined. Its pride is the Oldenburg Palace – a beautiful and original monument of architecture of the late XIX century. For more than a decade, no tourist route through the Voronezh region is without a visit to this castle.

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Video: Nature of Ramoni

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History of the village of Ramon

On the map of the Russian state Ramon appeared four centuries ago, as evidenced by documents dating back to 1613. It is also known that the settlement arose on the site where from the XI to XIII century there was a village Rodnya, which was founded here by settlers from Chernigov land. After the devastation of the Mongol-Tatar hordes until the beginning of the XVII century, the area was in desolation.

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An important milestone in the development of the village was the decree of Peter the Great on the construction of a shipyard in Ramoni. From 1696 to 1711 small military vessels were built here. At the end of the XVIII century the village became the property of retired captain Ivan Tulinov. In 1840 his son Nicholas founded a sugar beet factory here, which later became a rather large and highly profitable enterprise. After his death Ramon more than once became the object of litigation, until 1879 was not in the ownership of the royal Romanov dynasty in the person of Princess Eugenia Maximilianovna Oldenburgskaya, née Princess Romanovskaya, niece of Alexander II.

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It was thanks to the princess, famous for her enterprise, extravagance and philanthropy, that Ramon became a prosperous village, and the luxurious family castle built on her initiative became a cult place for the entire Russian aristocracy.

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Unlike many Russian landowners, Princess Eugenie was actively engaged in the development of the village she owned. She was a sweet tooth, but decided to write out of Europe not candy, and steam engines, creating in Ramon own confectionery factory, producing famous throughout the Russian Empire sweets. The factory produced more than 400 items of confectionery products. Ramon chocolates were served to the Tsar’s table and exported to European capitals. Sugar for sweets was produced here, at its own sugar factory.

The owner of the estate built a well-equipped hospital, a canteen, and a folk school for the inhabitants of Ramoni, and took them into her care. Her Highness also established a scholarship for local students sent to study at the universities of the empire. Not long ago grateful descendants named the village lyceum after Princess Oldenburgskaya, and the palace hosts annual graduation ceremonies and graduation parties.

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In 1895 at the sugar factory of Ramon was laid experimental-production station, which continued its work after the establishment of Soviet power. Since 1938 Ramon has the status of an urban-type settlement.

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Ramon is also known for its famous natives. Among them – popular in its time Soviet TV presenter Eleonora Belyaeva, who for 30 years led the program “Musical Kiosk”, an outstanding engineer-designer of small arms Sergei Mosin, the director of the cult film “Gentlemen of Fortune” Alexander Gray.

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Ramon sights

The calling card of Ramon and the most famous attraction of the whole Voronezh region is the Oldenburgskie castle complex. This outstanding landscape and architectural creation is the only palace complex in the Central Black Earth region of Russia, the owners of which were related by blood to the Russian Imperial family.

The German Oldenburg family is a branch of the ancient Holstein-Gottorp dynasty, which in different periods of history belonged to thrones in Denmark and Greece, Norway and Sweden. The Oldenburgs became related to the Romanovs in the time of Peter the Great, when his daughter Anna married the nephew of the Swedish King Charles XII. The title of Princess of Oldenburg was also given to Princess Eugenia, the owner of Ramoni, granddaughter of Nicholas I and niece of Alexander II, when she married Prince Alexander of Oldenburg. It was to her taste that the Ramon estate belonging to the couple was organized. The dominant of the castle buildings was a palace with unique architecture for these places, which, fortunately, has been well preserved and is the most attractive place of tourist routes in the Voronezh region.

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To build the palace, the princess invited a German architect. Unfortunately, there is no reliable information about who exactly was the author of the project, but many local historians believe that the project was developed by Ferdinand Miller. The architect designed the castle in the neo-Gothic style, typical of European architecture of that time. The construction and interior decoration were completed in 1887.

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The manor house is entered by a massive gate with two towers of different heights. Here was also arranged a room where the entourage accompanying the guests was to stay – the Suite Building. One of the towers (the higher one) was equipped with a clock made by Swiss craftsmen and custom-made especially for the Ramoni estate. The whole neighborhood was notified about the passing of the next hour by the sound of bells. The round dial is placed above the lancet window and faces the palace. The structure is crowned by a decorative watchtower with a narrow circular balcony.

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Further carriages drove along a wide stone-paved alley, lit in the evenings by lanterns, stylized medieval and hanging on cast-iron poles, turned around a green lawn and stopped at the front entrance to the palace, marked by a welcoming protruding from the facade of the Gothic lancet semi-arch and granite steps.

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The building is made of good red-burgundy brick, which has not succumbed to rain or frost for the second century. The narrow high windows and facades are set off by smart white dentilled cornices, the roof is adorned with turrets and massive chimneys of fireplaces and stoves, also finished with white trim. The balconies are enclosed by black wrought iron lattice patterns.

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Illustrated “Guide to Picturesque Places in Russia”, published at the end of the XIX century, describes the Ramona estate Oldenburgs as “the most charming corner, worthy of the attention of the leisurely traveler”. The magnificent palace, built “with great taste and elegance”, had a menagerie located in a forested area on the opposite bank of the Voronezh River. The author of the guidebook advised visitors to visit the exotic Japanese pavilion and model stables, to admire the surrounding landscape from the windows of the gatehouse towers, to look into the “perfectly arranged school for peasant children”, to walk in the landscaped park, to examine the artificial grotto with a waterfall.

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In the park was built a cozy guest wing, to him through a wrought-iron bridge led paved path. Here was also arranged observation deck, from where to this day offers a beautiful view of the castle and the river valley beyond the river Voronezh.

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The castle was especially charming due to the thick curtains of ivy that waved along the facade at the front entrance. The estate had apple orchards separated by lime alleys. Among them was the brother of Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Duke Constantine, who became famous as a talented poet.

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Like any castle, the Oldenburg Palace is laden with mystical legends, and it was they who became the impetus for the revival of the historical landmark, which in the 80-90s of the last century came to complete desolation. In the late 90s, journalists specializing in fashionable at the time topics about paranormal phenomena and the history of the Romanov dynasty, glorified Ramon on the central channels of Russia. Curious travelers began to come here more and more often, which was first responded to by the tourism industry, and then by the regional authorities, who reasonably assessed the potential of the historical landmark.

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Since 2006, work has begun to restore the landscape and architectural appearance of the castle complex. Today, tourists can admire the restored facade and stroll through the territory of the palace park, which has been freed from overcrowding and arranged in accordance with classical canons. Here guests are greeted by neatly trimmed trees and shrubs, while the adjoining garden has charming bright flower beds and stone paved paths.

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Restoration of the interior decoration of the palace is moving slowly, but, nevertheless, tours of the castle are very informative. They cost 150 rubles for adults and 60 rubles for children.

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Not far from the palace of the Oldenburgskys is another historical landmark of Ramon – the Olgino estate. It was arranged by Peter, son of Eugenia and Alexander Oldenburgsky, after his marriage to Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, daughter of Emperor Alexander III. Peter Alexandrovich was known for his innovations in agriculture, while Olga Alexandrovna was known for her charitable work and for having worked in front-line hospitals as a sister of mercy during World War I.

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The palace in Olgino and the adjoining complex of outbuildings, where in Soviet times arranged premises for the hospital, today, unfortunately, are in a deplorable state. The once luxurious park is overgrown, and lonely statues continue to crumble in its wilds. But if you follow the narrow path to the end of the former palace, you will find yourself in a place that offers a very pretty view of the surrounding countryside.

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In Ramon you can look at the museum of ceramics. Here are exhibited products made of clay, found by archaeologists in the vicinity of the village. They date back to the III-II centuries B.C. Also in the exposition of the museum are traditional ceramic toys, created in the XIX-XX centuries, and modern ceramics, produced at a local factory. There is also a small exposition about the creation and evolution of the Russian three-line rifle developed by Sergey Mosin, a native of Ramon. The monument to Mosin, Major-General of the Russian army, is set in the center of the village.

Recreation in nature

The surroundings of Ramoni have long been famous for their dense deciduous and pine forests. The Oldenburg family often organized picnics for their guests, but their main entertainment was horseback riding and hunting. Today it is forbidden to hunt in these protected lands, but you can “arm” yourself with a camera and go on an excursion to the Voronezh Biosphere Reserve, adjacent to the neighborhood of Ramon. Ecological paths laid for tourists lead to the arboretum, to the beaver nursery, enclosures with animals. Foxes, wild boars, wolves, moose, deer live in this unique preserve. Active travelers and children will be interested to spend time in the rope park “Ezhkiny lanes”. There are three routes: children’s (70 rubles), for the whole family (150 rubles), extreme (250 rubles).

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In summer Ramon turns into a mini-resort: dacha owners, romantic tourists with tents, which they set up right on the bank of the Voronezh River with its natural sandy beaches.

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Demanding for comfort vacationers can stay at one of the campgrounds, which are arranged along the banks of the river and deep in the forest. Among them – recreation center “Forest Fairy Tale”. Here you can stay in stylized cottages with different levels of comfort. The cost of accommodation – from 800 rubles per person per day (meals are not included).

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Popular is the hotel “Way to yourself”, located right on the bank of the river, near the forest. Here you can stay in a corps building or cottage. The cost of accommodation in a standard double room – from 3000 rubles per day. This amount includes three meals a day.

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In summer in Ramoni and its vicinity daytime air temperature – from +23 ° C to +27 ° C, however, June is often rainy. In winter hard frosts are rare.

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Many campgrounds work all year round, for May holidays and New Year’s vacation places should be booked in advance.

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Cultural events

In July Ramoni hosts the jazz festival “Manor House JAZZ”. Musicians from different countries perform in the open-air on the territory of the Oldenburgskys’ palace complex.

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For the second year in a row, the palace hosts the All-Russian action “Night of Cinema”. In 2017, documentaries dedicated to the Imperial House of Romanovs were shown here.

Periodically, the castle holds poetry evenings, photo exhibitions.

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Where to eat

A hundred meters from the palace you will find the cafe “At the Countess”. The menu includes appetizers, hot dishes of Russian and European cuisine, a variety of drinks. Prices are democratic. If you wish, a table for two will be served for you. For organized groups here are prepared complex dinners by order of tour operators. The cafe is open daily from 11:00 to 23:00.

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Full-fledged lunches are offered by the cafe “Marka”, located in the building of the cinema “Kolos” (center, 50-letiya VLKSM Street, 3). The highlight of the menu – original desserts, exclusive confectionery. On weekends the cafe does not work, on weekdays the institution is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

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At the service of visitors – canteen catering “Ramon” and a small cafe “Voyage.”

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How to get there

To get to Ramon from Voronezh by your own car, you need to take the M-4 highway towards Moscow, then turn at the sign for Ramon and continue along the local road.

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From the central bus station of Voronezh to the village every 15-20 minutes, buses leave every 15-20 minutes (from 6:00 to 22:00). Travel time is 1 hour. The price of a ticket depends on the level of comfort of the vehicle and starts from 70 rubles.

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In Ramon you can also get to Ramon by electric train. Electric trains depart from the railway station of Voronezh. It will take you a little less than two hours and will cost more than traveling by bus.

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It takes approximately seven and a half hours to get to Ramon from Moscow by car.

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