Kirishsky District: Bogs and Bobbin Lace

Kirishsky District is home to the bogland of the “Chisty Mokh” State Nature Reserve and the Kirishi Museum of Local History, with its exhibition on the district’s history. Nature and culture offer two different perspectives: the reserve draws attention to bogs, forests, and lakes, while the museum focuses on the region’s history and a distinctive textile craft.

Bogland in the “Chisty Mokh” Nature Reserve

The “Chisty Mokh” State Nature Reserve is located in Kirishsky District and covers 6,434 hectares. It includes part of a large bog complex in the Volkhov River basin, comprising several raised and transitional bogs. Forests surround the bogs, grow on bog islands, and lie in the valley of the Dubnya River. There are small bog lakes in the western part of the reserve. The landscape therefore encompasses not only different types of bog, but also forests in varied locations and lakes in the west. If you are interested in wetlands, this combination offers concrete points of reference for understanding the reserve’s landscape.

History and Bobbin Lace at the Museum of Local History

The exhibition at the Kirishi Museum of Local History presents the district’s history from the earliest times to the present day. Its timeline therefore spans everything from the beginnings to the present. Sachozhye (Kirishi) bobbin lace occupies a central place. The exhibition includes photographs of lace-makers and examples of traditional peasant lace. The photographs bring the lace-makers into focus, while the lace examples showcase the craft itself. In this way, the exhibition combines a broad overview of the district’s history with a specific cultural theme.

More Perspectives in Leningrad Oblast

Looking at the wider destination of Leningrad Oblast broadens the perspective to include other nature and culture themes. In the far east of the oblast lies the Veps Forest Nature Park, which encompasses seven reserves with particularly strict protection regulations. There are numerous lakes in the park; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name. Among the area’s special features are well-preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepsskiy Les” and “Aschtschosjorski” reserves. These forests are important for numerous organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity. The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in the nature park.

Koporye Fortress is also in Leningrad Oblast. It is a museum and a monument of ancient Russian stone architecture. It has been preserved in its present form since the 16th century; parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. The multimedia guide “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0” is recommended for visits without a guide. Check its availability when planning your visit. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in a state of disrepair.

Discover more destinations: Kingiseppsky District, Volosovskiy rayon, Vyborgsky District, Kirovsky District, Vsevolozhskiy Rajon, Priozerskiy rayon, Priozerskiy Rayon, Lomonosovsky District.

Go to the broader travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.