Funny village names. Names of villages in Russia. Longji Rice Terraces, China

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Each of us has our own ideas about what a village and a village holiday are. However, such settlements around the world vary greatly, and at the same time they have something in common: clean air, a small number of inhabitants and a small cozy space.

website I have made a selection of 17 unusual and amazing villages that will win your heart and become the highlight of any trip.

1. Hallstatt, Austria

(Hallstatt, Austria)

Bright, like toy houses, nestled in several tiers on the mountainside, an azure lake with swimming swans, the Alps, which are reflected in the mirror-like surface of the water - all this gives the impression of a fairy tale come to life.

The population of Hallstatt does not exceed 1,000 people. And the location is unique: on a narrow strip of land between the majestic Alpine mountains and Lake Hallstattersee.

2. Simian-la-Rotonde, Provence, France

(Simiane-La-Rotonde Village in Provence, France)

Azure sky, lavender fields, Alpine mountains, Mediterranean cuisine and the charm of Provence - what else is needed to relax your soul? One of the attractions of this place is Agoult Castle (Château des Agoult), built in the 12th century. The 12-sided pyramidal rotunda in the castle gave its name to the town. Summer festivals of ancient music are held there.

3. Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan

(Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan)

On one of the outskirts of the city of Taichung there was a military settlement, which over time was almost abandoned by all its inhabitants. The authorities decided to demolish the houses, and the 86-year-old war veteran, in order to save his yard from demolition, painted the walls of the houses with various characters and patterns. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Taiwan.

4. Marsaxlokk, Malta

(Marsaxlokk, Malta)

Marsaxlokk is a picturesque fishing village in Malta. There are no storms in the harbor, so the yellow sandstone houses are located close to the water, leaving only a strip for the roadway and pedestrian embankment. The population of Marsaxlokk is only about 3,000 people. Most men fish in the same way as their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers did in their time.

5. Floating Islands of Uros, Bolivia and Peru

(Floating Islands of Lake Titicac, Bolivia, Perú)

On the border of Peru and Bolivia on Lake Titicaca lives the Uru tribe, which inhabits 42 floating islands on the lake. These islands are built by the uru themselves from reeds. From the same material, residents make boats on which they go for fish. Despite the remoteness from civilization, solar panels can be seen on the reed islands, which allow local residents to watch TV.

6. Alberobello, Italy

(Alberobello, Italy)

Alberobello is famous for its complex of 1,400 trulli houses, recognized by UNESCO as part of the historical and humanitarian heritage. Trulli - limestone residential peasant houses - are unique examples of buildings with dry masonry walls (without mortar). They take their name from the Latin word trulla, which means dome.

7. Monsanto, Portugal

(Monsanto, Portugal)

The small village of Monsanto bears the proud title of “the most Portuguese village in Portugal.” The local saying, “In Monsanto, you never know whether a house is made of stone or a house made of stone,” very accurately reflects the uniqueness of local architecture. Boulders serve as walls and roofs of some houses.

Small houses with red tiled roofs are hidden under huge granite boulders, and the narrow streets seem to have been carved out of stone by a giant.

8. Uchisar, Türkiye

(Uchisar, Turkey)

Uchisar is one of the most densely populated villages in the region. Most of the population, of course, lives in a modern village built near the famous rocks, but there are also living quarters in the rocks themselves.

It is a one-of-a-kind rock settlement with white tuff towers and spiers centered around a central peak. From the top of the rock there is a magnificent view of the entire valley.

9. Longji Rice Terraces, China

(Longji Rice Terraces, Chinese)

Rice terraces in Longji are considered one of the most beautiful in China. Popularly called the Dragon Ridge Terraces, they are located around the picturesque village of Ping An. The terraces are the fruit of many years of work; they have existed almost since the 12th century and were built on the slope of mountains up to 1,100 meters high. The peasants who built them were concerned about their survival in the mountainous regions, and this was their only opportunity to feed their family.

10. Pariangan, Indonesia

(Pariangan, Indonesia)

The active volcano Merapi, which towers over this village in West Sumatra, is one of the country's main natural assets. Pariangan is considered the oldest village of the Minangkabau people, so an inquisitive tourist will be able to learn a lot about the culture and customs of the indigenous population.

There are charming gabled traditional houses, including a 300-year-old structure with rattan walls, and a beautiful 19th-century mosque.

11. Cua Van, Vietnam

(Fishing Village Cua Van, Vietnam)

Cua Van is a picturesque fishing village in Halong Bay. This is one of the largest floating fishing villages, located right on the water surface. You can get there by rowing boats and see local residents mining all kinds of gifts South China Sea. live local residents in colorful raft houses, the school is also located in one of the floating houses.

12. “Dutch Venice”, Giethoorn, Netherlands

(Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice, Nederland)

Giethoorn is one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands, it is also often called the “Dutch Venice”, as it is located on water canals with a total length of about 7.5 km. The settlement was founded back in 1230. To get around the village there is a bicycle path and numerous water channels. The main transport is rowing boats and boats with electric engines. The houses are located on islands and connected wooden bridges(there are more than 50 of them throughout the village).

13. Bibury, UK

(Bibury, England)

Bibury is considered one of the most beautiful, picturesque and oldest villages in England - the first mention of it dates back to the 11th century. It seems that time has stopped here - ancient houses, beautiful nature and even public transport does not travel so that nothing disturbs the pristine beauty. Poets and artists, as well as filmmakers, come to the village for inspiration - “Bridget Jones's Diary” and films about Mrs. Marple based on the stories of Agatha Christie were filmed here.

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Russia was created several years ago with the aim of developing tourism, preserving national heritage and original architecture in rural areas. Based on the results of several competitions and contests, the Association was replenished with picturesque villages from different corners countries, and some of them managed to get into the guide to the most beautiful villages. We have highlighted the most striking of them and hasten to tell you about their history, attractions and geographical location.

Vyatskoe

Vyatskoe - old village, located in middle lane Russia, namely in Yaroslavl region on the Ukhtanka River. This place was the first to be included in the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in 2015. The history of the village begins in the distant 16th century: in the early days of its existence, Vyatskoye became famous as the patrimony of the patriarch. Later the village was known as a place of cucumber fishing, large fairs and bazaars. IN at the moment the place is more like a vast museum complex, attracting thousands of tourists at any time of the year. Preserved houses and architectural buildings The 18th century, the presence of a dozen museums and the amazingly beautiful nature make Vyatskoye extremely attractive. For the convenience of tourists, there are several hotels, restaurants and even a cinema and concert hall, and thanks to its close location to Yaroslavl, the flow of people wanting to see Vyatskoye does not dry out. A number of festivals and traditional events are held here annually: Harvest Day, Red Hill, Russian Wreath Festival, and the “Province - Soul of Russia” festival. The historical and cultural complex of Vyatsky was recognized as the best in Russia, and the village has more than once become the winner of many national and state awards.

Not every city can boast as many museums as the village of Vyatskoye: at the moment there are ten of them. Some of them attract attention with their extraordinary themes and intriguing names: on the territory of the village there is a museum of angels, a museum of love stories, a museum of Russian entrepreneurship, “Russian Bathhouse in Black” and other fancy museums. In addition to the museum complex, there are several active churches in Vyatskoye. In addition to architectural attractions, the village is famous for several healing drinking sources, and its district is recognized as the most environmentally friendly in the region.

How to get there?

Vyatskoye is located in the Nekrasovsky district of the Yaroslavl region. The distance from Yaroslavl is only 30 kilometers along a straight road. Travel time by car will be 40 minutes. Buses leave from Yaroslavl daily.

Photo source: kulturologia.ru

Desyatnikovo

Following famous place with a developed ethnoculture - the Old Believer village of Desyatnikovo. Thanks to its preserved architecture, way of life and local traditions, the village was included in the UNESCO list. The first mentions of it refer to XVIII century. Desyatnikovo is located in Buryatia, a few kilometers from the regional center - the large village of Tarbagatai. Desyatnikovo joined the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in 2016. The architecture of the village is unique: historically, the Old Believers exiled here several centuries ago gathered in one place the culture of several peoples, which mixed with local traditions. Desyatnikovo differs from other settlements in its unusually bright wooden buildings. Information about the architectural features of the village of Desyatnikovo is available here.

Main attractions

Each house in the village is a local pride and landmark due to its unique painting method both inside and outside, construction method and preserved customs. Another important object cultural heritage in Desyatnikovo there is a functioning St. Nicholas Church.

How to get there?

From the capital of Buryatia, Ulan-Ude, to Desyatnikovo along the federal highway “Baikal” you will have to cover about 60 kilometers and 11 kilometers from the regional center of Tarbagatai. You can get there from Ulan-Ude by minibus.

Kiltsa

Kiltsa village - picturesque place, known since the 17th century. It is located in the Mezensky district of the Arkhangelsk region at the mouth of the river of the same name. Kilza belongs to the Arctic zone of the country and was officially included in the Association of Beautiful Villages quite recently due to the preserved hundred-year-old wooden buildings, the traditional way of life of the local residents and the presence of fabulous nature around. Any residential building is an indicator of the skill of northern architects.

Main attractions

Kilca is primarily known for its votive crosses, which can be seen at the entrance to the village. It was customary to place votive crosses on any occasion, both happy and sad. The indigenous people have a special attitude towards them - it has long been believed that placing a votive cross is the strongest amulet against misfortune. In addition, Kiltsa became famous for its incomparable architectural style, characteristic of northern rural settlements: every residential building, decorated with patterned platbands and carved balconies, is a work of folk art.

How to get there?

Kiltsa is connected by road to the village of Kimzha, also part of the Beautiful Villages Association. This place is quite inaccessible. The nearest highway is 12 kilometers away on a winter road; in summer it is not easy to get there by car. At the moment, the administration is faced with the issue of building a road to develop tourism. The place belongs to a rural settlement, the center of which is the village of Kozmogorskoe. Map and additional information O geographical location available at the link.

Photo source: krasaderevni.ru

Kimzha

Another village, Kimzha, is no less famous in the Arkhangelsk region. Just like neighboring Kiltsa, the village is located in the Mezensky district. Kimzha joined the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in 2017 and immediately took an honorable first place in this list. It has been known since the 16th century, and the permanent population of this Arctic village is very small - no more than a hundred people. Every house in the settlement seems to come to life museum exhibit and a keeper of history, is of great interest to visiting tourists. For those who are interested in folklore and customs of indigenous peoples, Kimzha is a real treasure: the local population strictly observes traditions, celebrates events according to the canons, carols at Christmas and gathers folk choirs for the holidays. But according to one of the folk legends, local settlers have the gift of divination and witchcraft, for this reason residents of neighboring areas still call them blacktropes. Until the middle of the last century, paganism and Old Believers were widespread in Kimzha, which left their mark on the modern way of life. Basic and important activities local population- hunting, fishing, berry gathering.

Main attractions

The visiting card of the village is the museum complex “The Northernmost Mills in the World”. One of these mills is currently operating, the other is the Northern Mills Museum. These two mills were built in late XIX centuries and are monuments of regional significance. Odigitrievskaya Church is the only local landmark of the Mezen type of construction, preserved from the beginning of the 18th century.

How to get there?

From Arkhangelsk to Kimzhi 350 kilometers. At any time of the year you can get there by plane, summer time Ferries ply along the Mezen River. It will be easiest for motorists to drive along scenic road Arkhangelsk-Belogorsky-Pinega-Kimzha. According to the official version, public transport does not operate in this area, but there are private transportation from Arkhangelsk. Detailed information You can find information on how to get to the place on the website of the village of Kimzha.

Photo source: tourinfo.ru

Oshevensky Pogost

Arkhangelsk region can be proud of the presence of many ancient settlements with preserved ethnoculture: another village located on the Churiega River in the Kargopol district of the region and accepted into the Association of Beautiful Villages - Oshevensky Pogost. It is no coincidence that the village was included in this list: some architectural structures have been preserved here since the 15th century, and local residents still observe rituals inherent in this place. Tourists come here to see local traditions: watch how ritual cookies are baked, learn how to bake pies, go to a real black bath and try out ancient spinning wheels. Master classes are held especially for visitors, and you can stay in a guest house.

Main attractions

The functioning Holy Dormition Alexander-Oshevensky Monastery, located at the entrance to the village, is a national pride. An attractive building with an octagonal dome, the Church of the Epiphany has existed since the 18th century and is also famous for its painted ceiling. Detailed history villages is available at the link.

How to get there?

The settlement of Oshevensky Pogost is located 45 kilometers from Kargopol. You can get there by road from Kargopol by car.

Photo source: korsar-travel.ru

Kinerma

The Karelian settlement of Kinerma is a real original village, where the rural way of life is still actively supported. The first mention of the village dates back to the 16th century. Kinerma was burned by Swedish troops and restored, destroyed by Polish-Lithuanian troops, but still retained its original appearance to this day. Kinerma was admitted to the Association of Beautiful Villages in 2016, which caused a huge flow of tourists to the village and its surroundings. Most of the surviving residential buildings recognized as architectural monuments. For all interested guests, master classes are held here with demonstrations of folk crafts and the preparation of traditional dishes.

Main attractions

The Chapel of Our Lady of Smolensk with an iconostasis, functioning since the 18th century, is the main local attraction. The village has an ethnocultural center in a restored historical barn with traditional hedges, a well and a black sauna. A significant part of the attractions are the oldest residential buildings. You will see detailed information about services and attractions in

Russian village... For some she is a relic of the agrarian past, for others she is the keeper of the Russian soul. One way or another, on average, urbanization “eats” three villages in the country every year.

What are the reasons for the extinction and degradation of the Russian village? How many villages are there in Russia today? And which of them are the most beautiful? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.

Unemployment, hopelessness, despondency...

These are the unpleasant words that most often describe the modern Russian village. Broken asphalt, fragments left over from prosperous Soviet times, abandoned farms, destroyed cultural centers, dirt, lack of lighting and central sewerage - this is typical for most of the villages and hamlets of today's Russia. Of course, there are pleasant exceptions. But there are catastrophically few of them.

Many villages in Russia, due to the vast area of the latter, are literally cut off from any benefits of civilization. They can be located several hundred kilometers from the nearest city or regional center. In such villages, people, just like a hundred or two hundred years ago, live by subsistence farming: they sow fields, raise livestock, fish, hunt and drink strong tea from real samovars.

A classic example of the “Russian hinterland” is the so-called Krasny Bereg. This is an area consisting of three villages, lost among the coniferous forests of the Vologda region. Their total population is 10 people. In fact, there are no roads to these populated areas. In winter, it can be overcome only on a snowmobile, and in summer (after heavy rain) - exclusively on a tractor. Water comes from springs, light comes from kerosene lamps, and there is one generator for three villages.

And it’s hard to say how many similar villages are scattered across the vast expanses of Russia.

Russian villages are dying out

According to Rosstat, in the first nine months of this year, the population of Russia decreased by 173 thousand people. Villages in the north-west and center of Russia are dying out faster than others. And in the Tver region the pace is higher than the Russian average.

“The most alarming situation in terms of mortality today is observed in the Ivanovo, Tula, Novgorod, Tver and Pskov regions,” Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova named the five regions suffering from a demographic disaster.

Rural areas are especially affected. The government financially encourages the birth of a second and subsequent children, and the same measures are provided at the regional level. But bad roads and lack of work convince more than maternal capital.

“Only relocation from the village to the city gave 20-30% of the salary. It was enough to move to the city. And if you increase the level of qualifications, the difference will be even higher,” says demographer, research fellow at the Higher School of Economics, Salavat Abylkalikov.

In the summer of 2018, experts counted 2,234 empty villages in the Tver region. This is more than in any other region of Russia. The statistics will be updated, because there are many villages in which 1-2 people live.

Every fourth village in the Tver region is abandoned. Dilapidated houses stand far from the main roads. The further you are from the Rossiya highway, the more often this picture occurs.

“The houses are empty. This one is empty, this one is empty, this one is empty. This one is empty, this one is empty and this one is empty. Three houses on the street are residential. That is, a dying village. Well, let’s move on,” says Sergei Krivchenkov, a resident of the Tver region.

Not only businesses and hospitals are closing, but also schools. Due to optimization, schoolchildren have to be transported to large villages and small towns. Villagers call life in the village difficult.

“There were 800-900 people here. I graduated from school in 1972. There were 200 of us - students in this school. But everyone died before my eyes.”

“We’re used to it, but life is, of course, hard. Because they pay little attention to us. The roads are bad. The light turns off. They pay little attention to us.”

The Tver region is in third place both in terms of mortality and population decline. The neighbors in all these ratings are the same old-developed “root” regions of Russia near Moscow and St. Petersburg.

“Therefore, the leaders’ priority is millionaire cities. That’s why all millionaire cities want... or rather, all cities want to get the status of a millionaire or 500,000 population. If this status has been acquired, this is a different level of attention, a different level of funding,” says demographer and research fellow at the Higher School of Economics Salavat Abylkalikov.

Is it necessary and possible to stop this process?

Alexander Merzlov: In our opinion, this certainly needs to be done. But, unfortunately, modern agricultural policy does not contribute to this. Since the rate of depopulation continues to be very high, let's say there is a program for sustainable rural development. But it mainly affects those rural settlements that are located next to large agricultural facilities. Most rural areas are not covered by this program, and the rate of disappearance of villages and their depopulation continues to be very high.

So, in essence, this is an inevitable process?

Alexander Merzlov: No, it depends on the type of agricultural policy. If agricultural policy is focused on large agricultural holdings, if the center of its interests is not the interests of the rural community, but the interests of large agricultural businesses, of course, this is in fact the American model, everything will remain as it is. Our agriculture is developing, milk yield is growing, and productivity is also growing, but at the same time the state of the social sphere continues to deteriorate. It can be said that business continues to concentrate in rural areas.

There are countries with more socially oriented models, for example, France, where greater emphasis is placed on supporting small forms of business. And this leads to a greater variety of agricultural products, and to better care of rural landscapes, and has a very large indirect effect in the form of attractive jobs in a variety of areas. Our country is large enough, and in order to engage in the agro-industrial complex, thank God, we have vast expanses where I don’t want to do it, I mean large-scale farming.

But, in our opinion, in residential areas where people live, in areas with increased recreational and cultural potential, it is necessary to develop small types of farming that will be focused on high-quality food, a varied diet, on the development of recreational, tourism potentials. And in this way we will be able to implement these models.

List of abandoned villages in Russia

Bezenchuksky
Zolotovsky
Grigorievka
Shirokopole
Victory

Bolshechernigovsky
Khasyanovo

Borsky
14th km
Bazhenovka

Elkhovsky
Voskresenovka
Petropavlovka
Zabotskoe
Sosnovka
Berezovka

Isaklinsky
New Bogolyubovka

Kinelsky
platform 1150 km
platform 1157th km

Klyavlinsky
Barkovo crossing
Chistakovka junction
Dolgorukovo
Klyuchevka
Red Elkha
Upper Key

Koshkinsky
Bogodukhovka
Verkhnyaya Ivanovka
New Zubovka
Grannovka

Krasnoarmeisky
Nesterovka

Pokhvistnevsky
Podbelshchina
Sadovaya

Sergievsky
Elkhovka
Bolshaya Lozovka
Queen
Mamykovo
Round Bush
Deep
Slingshot

Syzransky
Petrovka
junction 912 km
junction 950 km
Rizaday crossing
Pechersky Bereg
Priusinsk
Hemp
Yasnaya Polyana

Chelno-Vershinsky
Krivozerikha
Pokrovka
Shihan
Viburnum Bush
Verkhnyaya Kondurcha

Shentala district

Surusha
Balandaevo
Cheremshanka
Svetlaya Polyana
Light Key
Verkhnyaya Khmelevka
Motherland
Wolf

Russian village... For some it is a relic of the agrarian past, for others it is the keeper of the Russian soul. One way or another, on average, urbanization “eats” three villages in the country every year. What are the reasons for the extinction and degradation of the Russian village? How many villages are there in Russia today? And which of them are the most beautiful? You will find answers to all these questions in our article.

Unemployment, hopelessness, despondency...

A classic example of the “Russian hinterland” is the so-called Red Beach. This is an area consisting of three villages, lost among the coniferous forests of the Vologda region. Their total population is 10 people. In fact, there are no roads to these populated areas. In winter, it can be overcome only on a snowmobile, and in summer (after heavy rain) - exclusively on a tractor. Water comes from springs, light comes from kerosene lamps, and there is one generator for three villages.

And it’s hard to say how many similar villages are scattered across the vast expanses of Russia.

Russian village: in facts and figures

As of the beginning of 2018, 19.1% of the total population of the Russian Federation lives in rural settlements.
Between 2002 and 2010. (between the last two censuses) the number of depopulated villages in Russia increased by 6 thousand.
Today there are about 150 thousand rural settlements.
About half of them have a population of no more than 100 people.
17 thousand Russian villages do not have a permanent population.
The average density in the Russian Federation is 2 people/sq. km.
The maximum percentage of the rural population is observed in Krasnodar region- almost 45%.
The largest villages in size are located in the North Caucasus.
The largest village in Russia by population is Novaya Usman. 27.5 thousand people live here.

Reasons for the extinction of the Russian village

Village degradation is one of the most pressing socio-economic problems modern Russia. Over the past twenty years, the country's rural population has been constantly declining. And not only due to natural decline (high mortality against the background of low birth rates), but also due to the colossal migration outflow.

Young people categorically do not want to live in the village, trying in any way accessible ways escape to the capital or the nearest large city. As a result, in many Russian villages only old people and openly antisocial elements remain. The share of depopulated villages in some regions of the Russian Federation has already reached 20%.

Why is the Russian village dying out? There are several reasons:

High unemployment rate.
Degradation of social infrastructure (lack of schools, kindergartens, clinics, etc.).
Lower standard of living compared to urban environments.
Frequent lack of housing and communal services (sewage, gasification, lighting, Internet, etc.).

To revive Russian village and return young people to it, a comprehensive state program is required to save it and further development. Of course, this also requires colossal cash.

The most beautiful villages in Russia: list

Let's try to end our article on a positive note. Not all villages in Russia look sad and hopeless. Some of them can surprise you with their color, authentic spirit and original architecture. Below are five ancient Russian villages that are definitely worth visiting at least once in your life:

Varzuga, Murmansk region. The village arose in the middle of the 15th century. Atlantic salmon fishing center.
Bolshoi Kunaley, Buryatia. Quite a large village, reminiscent of appearance illustration for a collection of children's fairy tales. The decor of all the houses here is absolutely the same: brown walls, blue windows, green fences.
Vershinino, Arkhangelsk region. Traditional village of the Russian North. It is famous for its unique and perfectly preserved architecture of the 17th-18th centuries.
Okunevo, Omsk region. A colorful, amazing and mystical village in which adherents of five different religions found refuge. The village is a place of attraction for all lovers of esotericism and meditation.
Yelovo, Perm region. An ecologically clean village located on the banks of the Kama River. It amazes all guests not only with its magnificent natural landscapes, but also with its amenities. There is asphalt, pedestrian paths, flower beds and playgrounds.

In conclusion...

The process of rural extinction is not a unique Russian phenomenon. In general, it is similar to similar processes in other countries and regions of the planet. But, despite everything, the Russian village still lives, with all its advantages and disadvantages. And, let's hope, in the near future it will begin to revive. After all, as one old Russian proverb says: “The city is a kingdom, and the village is paradise.”