Ethnic parks and ethnographic complexes in the open air are one of the most interesting and affordable entertainments for all ages. Their visit allows you to better understand the worldview, culture and art of the indigenous peoples of Russia, and just have fun with the whole family.
The analytical agency "TurStat" presented a list of the most popular Russian ethnic parks and ethnic museums in the open air in 2018. Their ranking is based on visit statistics and offers for tourists.
10. "Small Korely", Arkhangelsk region
This is one of the best museums of wooden architecture, if you are interested in the Russian North with its distinctive architecture. On an area of 140 hectares, more than 100 wooden structures are located.
You can conduct a tour of the museum on your own, as there are signs and schemes on the route. But it is better to use the services of an experienced guide. He will guide you through four different sectors.
Each of them shows an old village with a special layout and modeling of the life of the northern village. There are also interesting expositions and exhibitions dedicated to the interior of the northern house, local vehicles and famous people.
9. "Vatan", Republic of Bashkortostan
This park is one of the most interesting projects implemented in preparation for the SCO and BRICS summits in 2015. It was built in the city of Ufa, in a picturesque area with a beautiful view of the Belaya River. And it demonstrates to all comers the life of the peoples of Bashkiria.
On the territory of Vatan there is a library, as well as many yurts, including a tea and souvenir. At informative stands you can admire the beauties of Bashkiria. And along the well-groomed paths and squares it is pleasant to leisurely walk with the whole family.
Near the park there are many cafes, restaurants and hotels.
8. “My Russia”, Sochi
The opening of this park was timed to coincide with the 2014 Olympics. It is located in the village of Esto-Sadok, and accommodates eleven pavilions showing the history and life of peoples from different regions of Russia.
Children under 6 go to the park for free, there are benefits for different categories of citizens.
There are several cafes and a museum of Cossack life in the park.
However, excursions to “My Russia” will have to be carried out independently, since there are no audio guides or live guides in the park. Perhaps this omission will soon be corrected.
7. The Golden Horde, Irkutsk Region
One of the best ethnic parks in Russia is located in the village of Ust-Ordynsky, on the way to Lake Baikal.
He offers an introduction to the peculiarities of the culture and everyday life of the Buryat people, carefully preserved for centuries.
The park has the most beautiful carved yurt in Russia. And tired of a long walk, you can eat dishes of the national Buryat cuisine. The Golden Horde has regular and seasonal thematic exhibitions, sports, master classes (including gastronomic and applied), historical quests, and national ceremonies.
And young visitors will surely be delighted with the contact zoo, with sheep, goat goats, horses and yaks.
6. "Tygydym", Yaroslavl region
This ethnic village with a funny name is located in the village of Mukhino. Its peculiarity is a quest entitled "Secrets of the Tygydym horse", recognized as the best children's event in Russia in 2015.
To unravel the mysteries of the magic horse, you have to work hard: melt the furnace, get honey, and feed the horse and do many more good and useful things.
All guests of the village can taste old peasant dishes, learn about the rituals and superstitions associated with the peasant table and admire
Children under 3 years old will be able to see the famous Tygydy horse for free.
5. "Nomad", Moscow region
TourStat gave fifth place in the ranking of the most popular ethnic parks in Russia to an excellent place for families. The park is located in Khotkovo, only 45 kilometers from the capital.
In “Nomads” you can learn more about the life and life of nomadic peoples, feed animals at the zoo, visit various types of yarangas, plagues and yurts (including music and tea), attend thematic workshops, and various performances for children.
Little nomads will probably want to shoot at the shooting range, ride a camel, or deer. And the big ones might risk trying a special Mongolian tea with salt and milk.
Children under three years old are admitted to the park free of charge.
4. "Okolitsa", Tomsk region
Famous Russian rural park located in the village of Zorkaltsevo. This is the embodiment of the beautiful and ancient wooden architecture of Siberia. The open-air museum occupies 17 hectares, although so far only half of this territory has been developed.
The mini-farm operating on the territory of Okolitsa contains a Vietnamese fold pig, horses, rare breeds of chickens, moose and many other animals that children like to mess with.
Perhaps the most famous program of the museum is the “Ax Feast”, which this year will be held from August 21 to 26. In addition to the "traditional" carpenters, lumberjacks, wood carvers and woodworkers, glassmakers and birch bark masters will also be invited to it.
3. Finno-Ugric Ethnopark, Komi Republic
This ethnocultural park is known not only for its infrastructure, but also for the unforgettable name of the village in which it is located. It is called short and capacious - Yb.
For visitors, excursions are held devoted to the life and customs of the residents of Komi, a quiz, as well as master classes such as making a rain stick, weaving dolls and wreaths of grass, and creating a doll amulets. At the local cafe Finnougoria you can have a delicious lunch. Also, adult sightseers are allowed to shoot from a bow, a gun or a crossbow, soar in the sauna "in the black" and amuse themselves with the performances of rural ensembles.
At the beginning of May, a gastronomic festival will be held in the ethno-park, and at the end of June - a ballooning festival.
A feature of the Finno-Ugric ethnopark is free admission. But for participation in various programs you already have to pay.
2. Ethnomir, Kaluga Region
In second place in the list of the best parks and museums in Russia in 2018 is the ethnographic museum built in the village of Petrovo.
On the territory of "Ethnomir" there is an ecological bathhouse "Bereginya", a huge number of excursions are conducted, such as "Mother-stove, the soul of the Russian home", "Travel to Asia", "Travel to India", lectures and master classes. Children will be delighted with the dinosaur park, the rope park and the maze.
The area of this ethnomuseum is simply huge, and it is hardly possible to get around it in a day. But this is not a problem, because Ethnomir is also a cozy and comfortable hotel where you can stay with the whole family.
1. "Ataman", Krasnodar Territory
The first place in the top 10 went to the tourist complex located in the village of Taman. This “Cossack village“ full-size ”in 2017 was visited by 2 million people.
"Ataman" is a clear illustration of the life and life of the Kuban Cossacks, which you can touch with your own hands. And also try on the tooth, because in the village they offer excellent dishes of Ukrainian, Russian and Caucasian cuisine.
Each farmstead (kuren) in this historical and cultural complex is dedicated to a particular craft, occupation or side of Cossack life. For example, there is a compound of a potter, a cooper, a saddler and a blacksmith.
Houses, utensils of Cossacks, breeches and carts that will take you to the desired structure, creative teams in traditional outfits - all this immerses you in a special atmosphere of antiquity. And fun games, contests and performances will not let even the most tourist-fed tourist entertain.
On the outskirts of Atamani, a stunningly beautiful view of the sea opens.
