Yuzhsky District: Hiking, Theater, and Crafts

In Yuzhsky District, travel ideas range from a two-day hiking route to the brick architecture of Yuzha, folk theater, and handicrafts. This lets you plan your stay around nature, architecture, or local culture.

Hiking with an Overnight Stay by Lake Tonki

The district hiking trail “Tropoy zveroboya” is 22 kilometers long and designed to be completed over two days; an overnight stay is planned on the shore of Lake Tonki. Before setting out, check whether the route is still maintained and available.

Textile Mill Buildings and Crafts in Yuzha

The textile mill building in Yuzha has a brick tower and is reminiscent in shape of a Catholic cathedral. The mill grounds are closed; its brick buildings can be viewed from Lenin Square or from the opposite shore of Lake Vasal. Plan to view the architecture from these locations, and check before your visit whether the access arrangements have changed.

At the House of Handicrafts in Yuzha, visitors can make a souvenir themselves. The artists revived Yuzha, or Teza, painting using old examples found during excavations on the Teza River. This combines the opportunity to make something yourself with a revived painting tradition and its archaeological models. Check in advance whether souvenir-making is currently available.

Folk Theater and Local History

The folk theater at Narodny Dom has a performance tradition spanning more than 100 years. Any city resident can take part; visitors may be lucky enough to see a rehearsal. The building also houses a small museum about the theater’s history and life. Together, the stage and museum offer different perspectives: on the theater tradition and on the practice of putting on performances. If you plan to attend a performance, check the schedule in advance.

In Kholuy, the house museum of artist V. D. Puzanov-Molev tells the story of his life. One of the founders of Kholuy lacquer miniature painting, he is connected with a handicraft tradition; the museum also introduces visitors to the history of Kholuy and the surrounding area. As a cultural stop, it brings together an artist’s biography and a broader historical perspective.

Near the former village of Preobrazhenskoye in Yuzhskiy Rayon are the ruins of an old estate and a church. They are associated with several owners of the Yuzha factory and with the first masterpiece by St. Petersburg architect N. K. Rein. The two buildings are thus connected to a story that touches on local industrial and architectural history.

Yuzha is known as the cranberry capital; berry-picking competitions are held there every autumn. If you would like to include the competition in your travel plans, check that year’s program.

Handicrafts in Ivanovo Oblast

In the wider destination of Ivanovo Oblast, the “Handicrafts of the Ivanovo Region” exhibition in Plyos showcases weaving and embroidery, products from the lacquer miniature centers of Palekh and Kholuy, and a jewelry collection. In Palekh, visitors can try making their own object in the authentic Palekh style at the “BAKANOVA 46” gallery. A collection of icons in Palekh includes icons from different parts of the country, from Novgorod to the Urals and from the Volga region to the Russian North; they date from the 14th to the 19th centuries. The exhibition, hands-on creation, and historical collection thus highlight different aspects of the region’s handicraft tradition.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gavrilovo-Posadskiy rayon, Privolzhsky District, Privolzhskiy rayon, Gavrilovo-Posadsky District, Engelssky Rajon, Shuya, Vichugskiy rayon.

Go to the regional travel overview: Ivanovo Oblast.