The small town of Tutaev is located on the Volga River, 30 kilometers northwest of Yaroslavl. Now the tourism industry in Tutaev is at the initial stage of its development. However, if you are looking for a quiet holiday in the midst of beautiful rural landscapes, then Tutaev will be an excellent choice.
In painting, there is a genre called "pastoral landscape". The artists described rural life in a poetic manner. The life of the peasants was usually embellished. The Volga River and the churches on the picturesque hilly banks create an atmosphere of such a pastoral landscape in Tutaev.
On the Volga there are three cities that are part of the famous Golden Ring of Russia: Yaroslavl, Kostroma and Uglich. Many tourists come to them. In the same region, on the banks of the Volga River, there are two other small towns that are less well-known for tourists, but their provincial beauty is very attractive.
Artists came here in search of inspiration. We are talking about the city of Ples, which Isaac Levitan liked to visit, and the city of Tutaev, where Boris Kustodiev came.
History of Tutaev
The two cities on the banks of the Volga, facing each other, were founded in the 13th century. The city of Borisoglebsk appeared on the right bank in 1238. It was founded by people who fled to remote places from the Mongol-Tatar troops. The city was named after the church of Boris and Gleb, which they built. In 1283, the Uglich prince Roman Vladimirovich founded the city of Romanov on the opposite bank.
Both cities were successful in agriculture and trade. The main occupation of the residents of Borisoglebsk was fishing. The chronicles preserved records that they were obliged to deliver to the royal court: "30 sturgeons, 25 white fish, 20 large sterlets, 50 medium sterlets, 80 smaller sterlets per year for 10 people." Nowadays, for the upper reaches of the Volga, the records of such fish and their numbers look fantastic.
The main occupation of the inhabitants of Romanov was agriculture, blacksmithing and trade. They achieved great skill in the construction of light single-pair ships, which in Russia were called "Romanovki".
Romanov became even more famous in the field of sheep breeding. There is a legend that Tsar Peter I was fascinated by the beauty of the local landscapes. They reminded him of Switzerland, and he decided to order a special breed of sheep in Switzerland, which began to be bred here. According to another version, they were brought here by the Tatars, who were settled in Romanov by Ivan the Terrible. However, in reality, the Romanov sheep breed was bred directly in Tutaev. The first mention of this breed is preserved in the records of 1802.
In 1822, for the convenience of management, the cities of Borisoglebsk and Romanov were merged into one city, which was named Romanov-Borisoglebsk. In the 19th century, the city flourished. This is how Boris Kustodiev captured it in his paintings.
Boris Kustodiev in Tutaev
The famous Russian painter Boris Kustodiev came to Tutaev several times in search of inspiration. Here he looked for provincial landscapes, which he liked to depict in an embellished pastoral style. Kustodiev in his paintings depicted the lives of people: merchants, burghers, clerks who idly spend time drinking tea and walking. Boris Kustodiev also loved to portray women with lush forms, in festive outfits.
Romanov-Borisoglebsk was perfectly suited for Kustodiev`s work. Therefore, after several trips by ship on the Volga in the early 20th century, the artist in 1906 specially came here with two large canvases. Kustodiev settled in the Hermitage Hotel on the Volga Embankment. Here he painted his famous paintings "Walking on the Volga", "Bathing", "On the Volga" and others.
The most famous paintings painted on the Volga Embankment are called "Walking on the Volga". One of them he painted from the window of the hotel, and the other directly from the boulevard. It depicts a rich society walking along the embankment, drinking tea. In the pavilions there is a brisk trade, a brass band plays.
Bogisogleb side of Tutaev
The main road from Yaroslavl to Tutaev and then to Rybinsk goes on the right side of the Volga through the Borisoglebsk side. The easiest way to get here is by car. Here are the main attractions of Tutaev and all the hotels.
On the high bank is the Resurrection Cathedral, built in the 17th century. It is one of the largest churches on the Volga River. There are several museums nearby. The most visited museum in Tutaev is the House of the Merchant Vagin, where the interior of the merchant`s house of the 19th century is recreated.
Romanov side of Tutaev
During a visit to Tutaev, you should cross river to the Romanov side. On the high bank of the Volga, to the right of the pier, is located the Holy Cross Cathedral. Next to it is the Zatsepin Estate, which is open to the public.
On the hills of the steep banks of the Romanov side, many churches were built. On the slope of the high bank of the river, near the water, there is the Kazan-Transfiguration Church. It looks very nice from the river.
Near the Kazan-Transfiguration Church begins the Volga Embankment, which offers a picturesque view of the Volga and the Borisoglebsk side. Wooden houses are built on the embankment. In the 19th century, the Hermitage hotel was located here, where the artist Kustodiev lived when he came to Tutaev. The hotel building was damaged by fire in the 20th century and has not survived to this day. Now in its place is an unremarkable rectangular residential building. In the last century, the Volga embankment was a favorite place for walking residents of Tutaev.
