Bogatyrskaya Sloboda

Bogatyrskaya Sloboda is a colorful theme park in the traditions of Russian wooden architecture, located on the bank of the Usa River, a tributary of the Volga River, on the territory of the Samarskaya Luka National Park. The architectural complex in the Zhigulev Mountains was created according to sketches by Viktor Petrov, an artist from Togliatti, with the aim of preserving Slavic culture and reviving ancient traditions.

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Video: Bogatyrskaya Sloboda

Contents

Highlights

Bogatyrskaya Sloboda was started to be built in 2000. Nowadays it is enclosed by a high palisade. On the territory of the wooden town above the steep bank of the Usa River you can see huts, Bogatyr’s Ristalische, towers, a consecrated chapel and terems. And on the river bank there are three wooden rooks.

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On the expanses of Samarskaya Luka tourists are brought by the desire to see the picturesque nature and the dream to visit a fairy tale. In addition to Russian travelers, many guests from abroad come to Bogatyrskaya Sloboda. It is noteworthy that not only ordinary travelers come here, but also heads of state. The place where Bogatyrskaya Sloboda stands is in the lap of nature, far away from noisy cities, so in the wooden city you can easily forget about TVs, cell phones, traffic jams and city bustle.

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The theme park is still developing. It has built less than half of what is planned. Bogatyrskaya Sloboda has no sources of funding other than contributions from sponsors, and work to expand the complex is ongoing as donations come in.

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What you can see in Bogatyrskaya Sloboda

To the left and right of the entrance gate are wooden figures of 33 bogatyrs. In front of the gate is a deep moat, and a footbridge is crossed over it. At the entrance, according to tradition, all guests are greeted with a fresh loaf with salt.

Beyond the gates of Bogatyrskaya Sloboda begins the street of craftsmen. There are still few buildings on it, and the free area is covered with grass. Time will pass and there will be several workshops and a blacksmith’s shop, and a bell will hang on a wooden belfry. One of the huts on the street of artisans today houses a gold embroidery workshop, where one can see samples of Russian utensils and national clothing.

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Next is a spacious refectory, where 200 people can dine at the same time. The refectory has a large stove, long wooden tables and benches, protected from the weather by decking. There is electricity and hand washing facilities. Curiously, the traditional clay dishes in the refectory are next to metal pots and plastic bowls.

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A large area is reserved for the place where bogatyrs train and compete. Under wooden canopies, masters of hand-to-hand combat compete, exciting battles with swords and spears take place, and even mock duels on hats. And spectators can watch the action from wooden bleachers.

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Off to the side stands a shooting range where you can learn to shoot bows, throw spears, knives and axes. Since Bogatyrskaya Sloboda is located in a natural park, hunting of animals and birds is prohibited here, and bogatyrs use targets for shooting.

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Near the Bogatyr’s ristalische bogatyrsky you can see an unusual island-topped building “Helmet”. This is the place for competitions. Inside there is a fenced ring and stands for 200 spectators. Under the “Helmet” every year is a popular hand-to-hand combat tournament “Bogatyrskaya silushka”. And overhanging the ring is a huge metal chandelier donated to Bogatyrskaya Sloboda by bikers.

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The main building of the theme park is a large Princes’ Terem. It displays exhibits of the museum of Russian weapons and armor, as well as a neat layout of the theme park. Here guests can touch heavy swords and try on ringlets and helmets. The walls of the Princes’ Terem are hung with paintings depicting bogatyrs, as well as photos of holidays and festivals.

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Another large structure of the Bogatyr Sloboda is the dormitory building. On its lower floor are the training hall and classrooms, and upstairs are dormitories. In the summertime, it houses a children’s camp.

Below, on the river bank is built a small fishing house, from the veranda of which opens a wonderful view of the bay. The width of the Usa in this place reaches 1.5 kilometers. There is also a wharf, there are three rooks of Bogatyr Sloboda – “Vityaz”, “Slavyana” and “Hrabr”. Guests ride on them. These wooden ships can be sailed or motorized. In the future there will be a shipyard on the shore, but for now the ships are parked in one of the yacht clubs in Togliatti for the winter time.

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Visiting Bogatyrskaya Sloboda

To Bogatyrskaya Sloboda come independently and as part of an organized tour. The group tour of the theme park is designed for 4 hours. If you visit on your own, you will have to pay separately for entrance to the territory: 150 rubles per person on weekdays and 200 rubles on weekends and holidays. Entertainment – horseback riding, archery, a visit to the museum, a half-hour ride on a rook and others – guests of the park pay separately. Children under 6 years old travel free of charge in Bogatyr Sloboda.

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Dinners in the refectory are prepared only for large groups and on condition of pre-order. If a group of friends or family is traveling, you should remember to bring thermoses and sandwiches.

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In Bogatyrskaya Sloboda you can stay overnight in your own tents or in cabins. A place to set up a tent costs 200 rubles, and renting a cabin – 500 rubles per person.

How to get there

Bogatyrskaya Sloboda is located on the right bank of the wide Usinsky Bay, 4.5 km southwest of the village of Zhiguli and 35 km from the railway station of Togliatti. You can arrive by plane or come by train to Samara, and from the city bus station to Bogatyrskaya Sloboda by shuttle bus (2 hours).

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Those who get there by private car, from the city of Zhigulevsk continue driving on the highway E30 south to the village of Valy. Then turn right to the village of Zhiguli, and after the village head towards the tourist center, towards Usa. Here the asphalt ends, and to Bogatyrskaya Sloboda they drive 2 km through a wide field on a non-paved road. It is easy to find the right direction by the signs.

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During the navigation season you can sail to Bogatyrskaya Sloboda from the river port of Komsomolsky district of Togliatti (96 Kommunisticheskaya Street).

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