Zalegoshchensky District: Churches, memorial sites and Tolstoy

In Zalegoshchensky District, architectural history, commemorative culture and personal stories come together. The churches in Grachevka and Kazar offer two clearly dated historical reference points; Kochety is associated with Leo Tolstoy’s repeated visits, and in Setukha, the daughter of a Decembrist lived for more than five decades. In the administrative center, there is also a monument with reliefs. Those interested in local history can explore these different forms of remembrance: sacred architecture, honors and biographical connections.

Churches in Grachevka and Kazar

The Church of the Archangel Michael in Grachevka is an architectural monument from the early 19th century, built in 1828. The named donors included M. S. Sukhotin, Golitsyn, a landowner from the village of Grachevka, and Leo Tolstoy. Thus, in addition to the year it was built, specific individuals are associated with the church’s construction.

The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Kazar was completed and restored in 1838. Its full name is the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God with a side chapel dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki. It stands on the high, open bank of the Neruch River. While the description of the church in Grachevka highlights its construction date and donors, in Kazar the precise riverside location complements the information about its history and dedication.

Memorial sites and historic lives

The Glory Monument, with bas-reliefs honoring the Heroes of the Soviet Union, is located in the administrative center of Zalegoshchensky District. It adds another perspective on the district’s commemorative culture alongside its churches. Another historical connection can be found in Zhelyabuga: on December 24, 2015, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church decided to establish a men’s monastery in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki. The decision links a specific date with the location and dedication of the monastery.

Kochety is also associated with Leo Tolstoy. He repeatedly visited its fairs and went to the village several times in the 1900s. In October 1900, for example, he stayed for about two weeks at his son-in-law’s house in Kochety. His repeated visits to the fairs and this more precisely dated stay are distinct aspects of his connection to the place.

Another biographical connection leads to Setukha. Zinaida Sergeyevna Sverbieva–Trubetskaya, the daughter of a Decembrist, lived there for more than 50 years. Together with the memories of Tolstoy, her life story adds personal connections to the place to the architectural and religious themes.

More to explore in Oryol Oblast

For a different perspective on Oryol Oblast, consider Orlovskoye Polesie National Park. Founded in 1994, the park is located in the northwest of the oblast and covers 77,745 hectares. There are more than 80 equipped tourist rest and picnic areas. One nature trail is called “V tsarstve vodyanoy lilii” (In the Realm of the Water Lily); water lily blooms can be seen there. The visitor facilities also include an open-range zoo, where more than 30 species of animals and birds can be seen.

Spasskoye-Lutovinovo Estate is also located in Oryol Oblast. The main house and other buildings are surrounded by an old park laid out by I. I. Lutovinov, the founder of Spasskoye Estate, around the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. The estate was the family property of Ivan Turgenev’s mother in Mtsensk District; several works are associated with it, including “Rudin” and “Fathers and Sons.” You can go boating on Spassky Pond, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. Check before your trip whether these rides are currently available.

Discover more destinations: Pokrovsky District, Livensky District, Oryol District, Khotynetsky District, the city of Mtsensk, Oryol, Bolkhovsky District

For the regional travel overview: Oryol Oblast.