Borovsky District: Frescoes, Monasteries and Museums

Borovsky District brings together a range of things to see: Borovsk has frescoes, museums devoted to history and technology, and a large coniferous forest; ETNOMIR is in Petrov. On your trip, you can choose between religious and urban history, technology, distinctive visitor attractions and natural landscapes.

Frescoes and history in Borovsk

Borovsk has dozens of frescoes, most of which depict historical subjects. Some murals are gradually disappearing, but there is still plenty to see. The “Stolny Gorod Borovsk” Museum includes frescoes by Dionisius and white stone blocks from the Pafnuty-Borovsky Monastery. The exhibition also tells the story of Boyarina F. P. Morozova and Princess E. P. Urusova. Both suffered for their faith in the second half of the 17th century and were buried in Borovsk.

The “Roshcha” complex includes the Pafnuty-Borovsky Monastery, founded in 1444, and a fortress dating from the late 16th century. The Borovsk Computer Museum focuses on the history of technology: its exhibition covers the history of computing from its beginnings to the end of the 20th century. The K. E. Tsiolkovsky Museum Apartment offers another perspective on science and space exploration. It provides insights into his life and work as the founder of theoretical astronautics, as well as his childhood, youth and family.

Hands-on experiences and distinctive places

The “Dom Samolyota Yak-40” Museum showcases rare civil aviation exhibits. Visitors can climb into the cockpit, sit at the controls, and operate the buttons and switches on the control panel. Check current opening arrangements before your visit.

Workshops for children and adults are held every weekend at “Domik Schastya”; check the latest details in advance. The art space is housed in an old two-storey building. It includes exhibition halls, the “Magazin Suvenirov i Vpechatleniy” souvenir shop and the “Chashechnaya” café. The site also has an observation platform and cascading terraces. Workshops and exhibition spaces sit alongside food and other on-site amenities.

The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God at Vysokoye is a preserved wooden church dating from the 17th century. Russian carpenters built it from pine logs without using a single nail. There is a holy spring by the church where you can collect water; bathing is possible at the baptismal pool built specifically for this purpose. Check practical access arrangements in advance.

Woodland and international themes

ETNOMIR is in Petrov. It is a cluster devoted to ethnic, ecological, educational and rural tourism. It includes museums, faithfully recreated ethnic farmsteads from different countries, and entertainment for children. The range of themes gives you the option to tailor your visit to interests such as history, technology, architecture or cultural traditions.

The “Gorodskoy Bor v g. Borovske” is a 300-hectare coniferous forest and part of Borovsk’s historic landscape. Spruce predominates in its lower section; some trees are 160 to 180 years old. The forest offers a different perspective on Borovsk from its frescoes and museums, focusing instead on the tree species, their age and the extent of the landscape.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bereg, Korostelevo, Zhukovsky District, the city of Kaluga, Peremyshl District, Medyn District, the city of Obninsk, Ferzikovsky District.

Go to the regional travel overview: Kaluga Oblast.