The most beautiful villages and villages of the Yaroslavl region. Association of the most beautiful villages in Russia. Desyatnikovo, Republic of Buryatia
Association "The Most Beautiful Villages of Russia" unites rural settlements with outstanding historical, cultural and natural heritage in order to promoting the preservation and better use of this heritage, the development of rural tourism, the involvement of rural residents in the processes of self-development and increasing the attractiveness of rural areas. “Living” (not museumized) villages, villages, towns, villages, auls and other rural settlements with a population of no more than 2,000 people, which have preserved, at least in part, the rural way of life and have an expressed desire to develop in accordance with goals and objectives of the Association, observing its criteria (link).
Mission
Inspire people to love rural Russia!
Target
Preservation and effective use of rural cultural, historical and natural heritage, human potential of the village.
Tasks
- Creating positive examples of rural development based on a more comprehensive use of the existing recreational potential of the village.
- Creating preconditions for the development of rural settlements by increasing their visibility, increasing tourist attendance and, thus, promoting their sustainable development.
- Stimulating local initiatives and promoting the emergence of new attractive jobs in rural areas, including for youth and women.
Team
The founder and president of the Association is Professor RGAU-MSHA named after. K.A. Timiryazeva, Doctor of Economics Merzlov Alexander Valerievich. The leadership of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France and the French Embassy in Russia provides active assistance and support to the project. In addition, a team has been formed consisting of experts and practitioners of rural development, see.
Join the Association
Participants in the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Russia receive many opportunities for development.
Federation of the most beautiful villages of the World (Earth)
The Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages on Earth was created in 2003 and unites national associations that have existed for more than 5 years. Younger associations, including the Russian one, are associate members.
The post-Soviet years of our country had a negative impact on the development of the Russian hinterland: most of the population of the villages moved to the city, the infrastructure did not develop, as a result of which many rural districts gradually began to fade, and some ceased to exist and be mapped altogether. But others found a way out of the difficult situation and today delight the eye with their close-knit teams local residents and picturesque nature.
In 2014, a special association was even formed, the main activity of which was the most beautiful villages in Russia. Any settlement whose population does not exceed two thousand people can take part in the competition held by the association. They are assessed according to the level of significance, external aesthetic appearance, preservation of natural attractions, and landscape features. On this moment more than 10 villages meet the requirements of the association and are ready to receive the coveted status.
The village of Vyatskoye, located in the Yaroslavl region, was officially recognized on October 15 as the holder of the title of the most beautiful village. Now a memorial sign has been installed here, notifying all guests of such a high rank. So far, this is the only village that has been awarded this status, although 20 villages are already in line to join the Association.
Visitors are greeted here by barrels forming a pyramid. Such a greeting, apparently, immediately wants to draw the tourist’s attention to the fact that during the existence Soviet Union Vyatskoe was famous for its cucumbers, which it supplied to many cities of our homeland. The cucumber workshop is now being restored, however, not to resume production, but to turn it into a tourist attraction.
The collapse of the USSR turned the village from a millionaire collective farm into an ordinary village, the economy of which sharply declined. For decades, there was nothing attractive here, until businessman Oleg Zharov bought an old 19th-century mansion and brought it into proper condition. He then restored other houses, which marked the beginning of the revival of the village.
The number of inhabitants of the modern settlement of Vyatskoye does not exceed 500 people, however, about 100 thousand guests visit it every year. The infrastructure of the village corresponds to the title of the most beautiful village: in the very center there is a large comfortable parking lot, next to which there is a map of the area and attractions. Numerous original museums also attract tourists, including the “Russian Black Bathhouse”, “Museum of Russian Amusements” and many others. In the near future, it is planned to open handicraft and brewing museums, as well as a zoo.
But the main highlight of Vyatsky is the Church of the Ascension of Christ, which has been renovated and has special religious value. Since the time of the destruction of churches by atheists, the remains of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary have been buried here, for the restoration of which money is being collected everywhere. According to the residents themselves, the collection is progressing very quickly and restoration will begin soon.
The village of Desyatnikovo was once the family nest of the Chistyakov family, who, according to legend, did not allow the settlers to live in it, and they had to stay near the cliff on the Selenga River. On those slopes they sowed wheat, farmed and even built a chapel. The village itself is located in the southeast of the Tarbagatai district of the Buryat Autonomous Okrug.
The population of Desyatnikovo is 778 people, there are only five streets, but a highway runs through them Federal significance Moscow – Vladivostok. Absolutely all the houses in the village are painted in the same style: they are very bright, lively, creating an atmosphere exotic place. The nature of the village is also pleasing to the eye, which combines hills blooming with greenery, crystal clear blue skies and endless open spaces. Local residents do their best to take care of the environment, without forgetting their own customs and traditions, which is why Desyatnikovo is one of the contenders for joining the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Russia.
Bolshoi Kunaley was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and has since become famous among the people for the scale of the holidays celebrated by its population. The village is located on the banks of the Kunaleyka River in Buryatia, its population is slightly over a thousand. All the courtyards here are decorated in a traditional style: the houses are painted with patterns, decorated with carved platbands, colorful elements on the gates, well-groomed trees, shrubs, and flowers everywhere. All this instantly immerses visitors in a warm, friendly atmosphere in which people live in harmony with nature. Kunaley residents carefully maintain order on the streets, which always remain clean and pleasant to look at.
The village of Zhukovka is located on the right bank of the Moscow River near the Barvikha district and is considered one of most popular places for summer cottages. It was formed in the 1920s on the basis of the ancient settlement of Lutsk, which was constantly flooded during floods.
At the time of the population census conducted in 1989, 527 people lived in Zhukovka in 219 households. Today these are not just courtyards, but real fashionable districts with exclusive clothing boutiques and mansions worth hundreds of millions of rubles. The appearance of the village was worked out to the smallest detail by the designer-architect Grigoryan, who turned it into a favorite corner of very wealthy Muscovites.
Srostki village – small homeland Vasily Shukshin, an outstanding cultural figure of our country, which is located on the coast of the Katun River Altai Territory. It was founded in 1840, although according to some written sources the settlement has existed since 1753. Srostki got its name because of the river flowing nearby, which breaks into small branches that connect into one stream only near the village.
Much attention is paid here to the famous native of the village, Vasily Shukshin. Monuments of the famous personality, located both in the village itself and on nearby Mount Becket, constitute the main local attraction. Mount Becket is also called Picket, and it offers incredible views scenic views to the village, the Katun River and the surrounding nature. Tourists are invited to visit the Church of the Great Martyr Catherine, erected on the remains of an ancient prayer house in 2009, or visit monuments to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War and partisan soldiers.
The village of Srostki is also of historical value: the 295-meter hill located in its vicinity was recognized as a protected archaeological monument, since burials from the 8th-9th centuries were discovered on its territory, as well as a site for ancient people of the Paleolithic era. The collected treasures in the form of weapons, money and all kinds of jewelry were transferred to the most visited museums in our country.
On July 25 every year, Mount Becket hosts the Shukshin Readings festival, dedicated to the great cultural figure. Creative works related to the industries in which he became famous, and not only: literary works, acting, art etc. The best works are awarded the Shukshin Prize. The festival is always attended by famous artists, writers, poets, and painters.
For a long time, the Russian village was unreasonably forgotten. During this period, many rural settlements were completely abandoned or disappeared from the face of the earth. Since 2014, an association has appeared, the object of which is the most beautiful villages in Russia. Settlements that meet certain criteria can participate in the competition. Considered natural landscape, historical value, appearance and the population, which should not exceed 2 thousand people. There are at least 10 villages in Russia that can compete for the status of the most beautiful and culturally interesting.
One of the most beautiful villages in Russia is located in the Murmansk region. has a history of almost six hundred years and is a decoration of the Kola Peninsula. In the center of the village is the Assumption Church, which was built at the end of the 17th century without the use of nails. This building is historical and cultural heritage, which is recognized as a monument of wooden architecture. In addition to its historical value, the village is famous for its tourism activities. Atlantic salmon migrates along the Varzuga River, for which you can catch a permit and have a good rest in the lap of nature. The village has long been chosen by the British for tourism.
Locality in Kaluga region can rightfully be called one of the most beautiful villages in Russia. It was once a dying place with few inhabitants. Thanks to the architect Vasily Shchetinin, Nikolo-Lenivets village has turned into a creative gallery in which every wall and fence is handmade from natural materials. This idea was picked up by fellow compatriots and foreign architects. Currently, the village annually hosts a festival called “Arch-Standing”. Picturesque houses fit harmoniously into the original Russian landscape.
The Kamchatka region has a harsh climate, but this does not affect the life of a beautiful and happy Russian village. is located in a fertile place where thermal springs come out of the ground. They are used for heating houses, as well as for health purposes in the local sanatorium. The village is separated from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky by 600 kilometers. The absence of civilization in the usual sense makes it possible for folk art to develop. Songs and dances can be seen and heard on national and rural holidays. The local Rotary Club solves pressing issues of the settlement and has connections with the same organization in Alaska.
In Vladimir region located 10 kilometers from the city Bogolyubovo village, dating back to the 12th century. Judging by the number of Christian shrines and their architecture, the settlement can be called one of the most beautiful villages in Russia. The foundation for the settlement was laid by the Kiev prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who made this picturesque corner his patrimony. Remnants of the foundation have survived to this day. ancient castle. The Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is built on a hill and during the flood period it is surrounded by water. In this village, a boat is not a luxury, but a means of transportation in the spring.
This pearl of Russian architecture is located in the Tver region and can rightfully be recognized as the most beautiful village in Russia. The atmosphere of this settlement takes people back to the pre-Mongol period, when the tops of churches sparkled here and there, and the green meadows were pristinely fresh. The Nativity Church, which was built in the 15th century and is still in use, is especially beautiful. The Tver principality once claimed primacy in the dispute with the Moscow principality, and then it turned into the periphery of the great state. Its originality is preserved not only in chronicles, but also in Gorodnya village.
Lost in the Altai Territory is the settlement in which the famous writer and actor of our time Vasily Shukshin was born. can confidently be called the most beautiful village in Russia, since it is here that you can see real open spaces covered with meadow grasses and grain crops. The village is considered to be the homeland of the Polovtsy, with whom the Russian princes and their squads fought so bravely. The Shukshin Museum is located in Srostki. Literary readings and even a film festival are held in honor of the famous countryman. The Katun River looks very picturesque, and the houses located on its bank look harmonious.
Moscow and the Moscow region are famous for their higher standard of living than regions more distant from the center. Zhukovka has become the most glamorous town in the entire country. Its streets have been turned into neighborhoods with fashionable boutiques, and its houses are replete with expensive and beautiful things. The professional architect Grigoryan worked on the appearance of the village, who created comfortable conditions not only for local population, but also for fashion brands. Zhukovka became so popular relatively recently, but it is not the most beautiful village in Russia, especially since it is in favor with many wealthy and respected people.
Locality Big Kunaley is located in Buryatia on the banks of the Kunaleyka River. The village appeared at the beginning of the 18th century and since then it has continued to exist and live its own life. Its population is just over a thousand people. The amazing houses in Bolshoi Kunaley are all of them, as if by choice, painted red with blue windows and green fences. The appearance of the settlement resembles a cheerful children's fairy tale. Bolshoy Kunaley can lay claim to the title of the most beautiful and unusual village in Russia. And local residents are happy to support the unusual image of their native village.
There are a lot of vibrant and original settlements in Buryatia and village Desyatnikovo belongs to this category. All the houses look very exotic because they are painted in bright colors. The surrounding nature is also inimitable: endless expanses, green hills and high blue skies are perfectly combined with the work of human hands. In the category of the most beautiful villages in Russia, the village of Desyatnikovo can take its rightful place. Residents preserve not only the appearance of their picturesque town, but also folk traditions and crafts.
In 2019 village of Vyatskoye was officially recognized as the most beautiful village in Russia. Locality managed to pass the competition according to all criteria and win this worthy title. Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district of the Yaroslavl region. On its territory you can see 10 museums of various types and architectural historical monuments. Local residents constantly take part in various competitions and become their winners. Vyatskoye is not only a historical and cultural complex, but also a developing tourist destination region.
An endless ribbon winds under the wheels Russian roads, and along it, appearing and disappearing, stretch Russian villages. Villages are almost disappearing, having lost their identity and hospitality. Somewhere they look at you with empty windows, somewhere they gape like ashes, somewhere they bristle with high, hopeless fences. Like abandoned old people who have no one to help. My heart aches when I look at them. Where did the open carved shutters, the willow fence and the good-natured grandmothers on the rubble go?
For real beautiful villages in Russia There are not very many left, they are painstakingly collected and numbered by specialists from historical and conservation organizations in order to carefully preserve the remaining crumbs. Today there are a little more than a dozen on the list of “not yet lost” ones. Each of them is interesting from the point of view of history, architecture, and traditional way of life. Each will leave a mark on the heart after visiting.
So, the most beautiful villages in Russia:
The most colorful villages
Village Desyatnikovo. Buryatia. The first mention is in 1746.
The village of Desyatnikovo consists of five streets.
Currently, 778 people live in the village of Desyatnikovo.
The village of Desyatnikovo is located near the Selenga River.
Village of Atsagat. This word translated from the Buryat language means “stone”.
There are about 100 households in the village of Atsagat.
Atsagat datsan. Founded in 1825.
The village of Tarbagatai is one of the largest Old Believer villages in Transbaikalia.
The village of Tarbagatai is located along the Kuitunka River (the right tributary of the Selenga)
The village of Tarbagatai was founded in the 1710s.
The village of Bolshoy Kunaley was founded in 1765.
The name of the village of Kunaley is “hunilla”, which translated from Buryat means “assembly” or “fold”.
The village of Kunaley preserves the identity, culture and traditions of its ancestors.
Lost among the mountains and meadows with fragrant herbs, very similar to each other and not at all similar, there are four villages in Buryatia, located approximately at the same distance to the east and south of Ulan-Ude.Desyatnikovo, Atsagat, Tarbagatai and Bolshoy Kunaley. Almost all the buildings in these villages are painted on the outside bright colors: red, orange and blue, and the interior walls, pieces of furniture and even the ceilings are painted even more brightly. Such traditional decoration was very typical for wealthy peasant houses. Traditional folk costumes are no less colorful; one gets the impression that these villages are home to the most cheerful people in the world who do not want to part with their childhood. Meanwhiletraditional culture of Tarbagatai villagewas declared a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. And the village of Atsagat is also one of the religious centers of the region. Back in 1825, a datsan was built here, raising more than one generation of lamas. And local herbs can be found even in atlases of Tibetan medicine.
The oldest villages
The village of Staraya Ladoga was founded in 753.
Until 1703 Ladoga was a city.
According to the Novgorod Chronicle, the grave of Prophetic Oleg is located in Ladoga (according to the Kyiv version, his grave is located in Kyiv on Mount Shchekovitsa).
When the daughter of the Swedish king Olaf Shotkonung, Princess Ingigerda, married the Novgorod prince Yaroslav the Wise in 1019, she received the city of Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) with adjacent lands as a dowry (veno), which has since received the name Ingermanlandia (land of Ingegerda).
Afanasyevskaya Church in Varzuga.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Varzuga.
The main source of income for the local population at all times was the sale of salmon caught in the Varzuga River.
Perhaps it was the harsh northern weather, frosts, winds and ice that contributed to the fact thatthe most ancient villages in Russialocated in the north-west, in Leningrad and Murmansk regions: Staraya Ladoga and Varzuga. Let’s not argue about who is older; we’ll leave it to the experts; the history of both of them goes back more than 600 years. , which stands on the Volkhov River, is considered the starting point of the great journey “from the Varangians to the Greeks”; one of the three Varangian brothers called to Rus' ruled here. She was the biggest shopping center even before Novgorod, and the walls of its fortress were stormed by the Swedes. It absorbed the entire culture of the North Russian peoples. stands on the banks of the river of the same name, which flows into the White Sea. Her main decorations are wooden churches, of which there are as many as five built here, were built without a single nail, like many religious buildings of northern masters. Was herePatriarchal House of the Solovetsky Monastery, therefore, the lands and springs around are holy. And the main trade of the local residents was salmon fishing and pearl mining, which the Varzuga River gave birth to.
The harshest villages
The first mention of Teriberka dates back to the 16th century.
The village received its name from the river Teriberka of the same name, the name of which, in turn, according to one version, goes back to the outdated name of the Kola Peninsula - Ter.
Until 1984, Teriberka had no road connections and could be reached either by sea or by helicopter.
The village of Esso received its name in 1932.
Almost the entire village of Esso is heated using natural geothermal waters.
The village of Esso is called “Kamchatka Switzerland”.
Every year in March, the international sled dog race “Beringia” starts from the village.
They are harsh not because of the characters of the local residents, but because they are located in such places that it is unclear how people can live here, and even build such beautiful villages. They are scattered on the two extreme sides of our country: on the Barents Sea and Esso on . Teriberka appeared on Kola Peninsula back in the 16th century, but became very famous only now, after filming of the film "Leviathan". Here, in the tundra zone, where the cold sky meets the cold earth and is reflected in the cold water, there was a commercial whaling village. Today this village is beautiful, perhaps, only because of its nature, because most of the infrastructure is abandoned and is in a very poor condition. It is the combination of the decline of civilization against the backdrop of harsh landscapes that makes this place eeriely beautiful. On the contrary, the village of Esso is full of health in the middle snowy Kamchatka, because she is surrounded on all sides by hot thermal springs. Happy people live here who even manage to grow grapes in this climate. And every year the most famous dog sled race.
The very first and the very last village
The ancient merchant village of Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district - one of the most environmentally friendly and historically significant areas Yaroslavl region.
The village of Vyatskoye was first mentioned in documentary sources in 1502 as the center of the metropolitan Vyatskaya volost.
The village of Vyatskoye is a unique urban complex of the 18th – 19th centuries with more than 50 registered architectural monuments, former merchant and peasant houses, tea and tavern establishments, and almshouses.
In the museums of the village of Vyatskoye there are interactive programs, such traditional holidays as Red Hill and Harvest Day are being revived, and new ones are being created - the Russian Wreath Festival and the Birthday of Peter Telushkin.
The first mention of Kinerma dates back to 1563.
In one of the books the village is called Samsonkovo Posidene. According to the scribe books, there were four farms in the village at that time.
Kinerma was bankrupt twice during the Russian wars with Sweden and Poland.
The literal translation of the name Kinerma sounds like precious land.
Not long ago, Russia joined a world association that is looking for the most beautiful villages in each country on earth. The main selection criteria: the village must be alive, and not museumized, no more than 2,000 inhabitants must live in it, and the rural way of life must be preserved. Each village found is solemnly awarded the honorary title of “Most Beautiful”, given a corresponding plaque, and a special inauguration ceremony is held. After which the village is included in the list of its own kind. There are only six officially recognized beautiful villages on Russian territory, but we must not forget that the list was opened only in 2015. The village, or rather the village, was recognized as the very first beautiful . Ancient merchant houses, almost each of which is an architectural monument, as well as ten museums of completely different types: from traditional to polytechnic. The last village to be included in the listin Karelia, whose inauguration took place on June 10, 2016. The village, which was included in the scribe books back in the 16th century, and began its history with four farms, now consists of only 16 ancient Karelian houses, the Chapel of the Smolensk Mother of God and five residents, two of whom have a family tree with local roots going back 500 years.
Natural landscape, historical value, stunning appearance and no more than two thousand inhabitants - these are the framework for selection into the Association “The Most Beautiful Villages of Russia”. So far, this association includes 3 villages, and the list of candidates includes more than a dozen local villages.
Vyatskoe
In 2015, Vyatskoye in the Nekrasovsky district of the Yaroslavl region was recognized as the most beautiful village in Russia. In the village you can visit one of 10 museums, photograph ancient mansions and admire the web of rivers and endless valleys of all shades of green in the surrounding area.A restaurant, a cinema and concert hall and three hotels have been opened in Vyatskoye, which are visited annually by several tens of thousands of tourists. In addition to the generally recognized Krasnaya Gorka and Maslenitsa, they celebrate their own celebrations here, such as the Russian Broom Festival or the Birthday of Peter Telushkin. The story about the trip to Vyatskoye can be read here.
Oshevensky Pogost
Oshevensky Pogost, Kargopol district, Arkhangelsk region, is the youngest member of the association “The Most Beautiful Villages of Russia”. He was included in the prestigious list earlier this summer.
It is worth coming here for the historical quarter of traditional northern buildings, the center of which is the wooden complex of the Church of the Epiphany and the bell tower from 1787. On the outskirts of the village, the Alexander-Oshevensky Monastery, founded in the 15th century, has also been preserved and operates.
Kinerma
Kinerma, located on the territory of the Pryazhinsky national region of Karelia, was named the most beautiful village in Russia in 2016. It consists of 17 houses, 10 of which are considered architectural monuments. All the buildings are located in a circle, and in the center there is an old cemetery and a restored 250-year-old chapel.
The village has a well, a black bath, a barn with a souvenir shop, a restored traditional peasant house and a mini-hotel. You can spend the night in a room with antique utensils for 1,000 rubles per day.
Desyatnikovo
Desyatnikovo, located near the Selenga River in Buryatia, will be included in the “Most Beautiful Villages of Russia” in the fall of 2016. Of the dozen original villages in the region, it is distinguished amazing landscapes- the village is located next to the Barsky ridge, overgrown with centuries-old forest, and also has an unusual “appearance”. Desyatnikovo is known for its brightly painted houses, which amaze with an unexpected combination of colors.
Photo: Kuznetsov / wikimedia Tarbagatai
In Buryatia, 52 km from Ulan-Ude on the Kuitunka River there is another candidate for the “The Most Beautiful Villages of Russia” Association. In May 2001, UNESCO declared the village “a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity” and included it in the first list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Tarbagatai was founded at the beginning of the 18th century, where Old Believers moved from the territory of modern Belarus a little later. In the village you can still see Old Believer houses, painted in bright colors with painted shutters and quaint fences.
Kosmozero
The village of Kosmozero, located near the long and narrow lake of the same name, like a river, is a candidate for the title of the most beautiful village in Russia, and at the same time the most picturesque village in the Medvezhyegorsk region of Karelia.
The village has been known since the 16th century - the historical landscape with hayfields, as well as ancient complexes of huts and courtyards-sheds, are still preserved here. The main pearl of Kosmozero is the ensemble of parish churches. True, today you can only see the restored tented Assumption Church of 1720.
Staraya Ladoga
One of the Association's candidates is located on the banks of the Volkhov River in Leningrad region. Staraya Ladoga is also considered one of the oldest villages in the country: its history goes back more than 1,200 years.
True, call Staraya Ladoga village is not entirely ethical: it was once one of largest cities Novgorod Rus' and the starting point of the great waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks.”
Izborsk
Another candidate for the best villages in Russia is located on the shores of Lake Gorodishchenskoye, 30 km from Pskov. Local guidebooks call Izborsk “the keeper of the secrets of history, a source of inspiration for artists and writers.” Nicholas Roerich really painted here, Andrei Tarkovsky filmed “Andrei Rublev,” and Pskov artist Pavel Melnikov dedicated more than 200 paintings to Izborsk.
It’s worth coming here to see the famous Truvorovo settlement with a memorial cross, see the stone fortress on Zheravya Mountain and photograph the ensemble of the Malsky Monastery, located not far from the village.
Yasnaya Polyana
Yasnaya Polyana, located 15 km from Tula, is perhaps the most famous candidate for the “The Most Beautiful Village in Russia” Association. It is here that Leo Tolstoy’s estate is located, to which fans of the writer come from all over the world.
Here you need to go to the writer’s house, and also pay attention to the local lush park. It’s worth looking at the remains of the greenhouse in which apricots and pineapples were grown at that time, looking at the stables and coachman’s quarters, walking along the birch bridge and seeing the Middle Pond, where Lev Nikolaevich set up a bath every summer.
Shinaz
The list of the most beautiful villages in Russia may be supplemented by the village of Shinaz in Southern Dagestan. It is located at an altitude of 1750 meters above sea level, 13 km from the regional center of Rutul.
“The tall minaret protrudes above the flat roofs of the saklyas, molded one above the other. In some places, pyramidal poplars decorate the village, cherries grow in the gardens, and there in the south, behind the village, snowy mountains are visible, stretching beyond the Samur valley and sparkling silver in the sun,” this is how the Russian scientist Nikolai Kuznetsov described Shinaz in 1911. And it seems that now, a century later, nothing has changed here.