To Visit Kitezh Visitors are welcome  at any time of the year. There is always plenty to do! Kitezh is not a holiday resort and most guests like to participate in the life of the Community. Guests eat in the community canteen together with other Kitezhans. The diet is simple and wholesome, ecologically clean, healthy, and rich in vitamins, herbs and vegetables. We are not vegetarians. In spite of the fact that Kitezh farm has started to treat Kitezhans and our visitors with meat delicacies, you will not see meat courses on the menu every day. But our visitors can drink pure whole milk daily and buy fruit and other additional products in the local town of Baryatino 8 km from Kitezh. A car goes to Baryatino from Kitezh every day. Accommodation in Kitezh Guesthouse:   The Guesthouse is 100 meters from the centre of the village on a picturesque clearing near an ancient Lime Tree Park and a small wooden church built in the style of Northern-Russian churches. The Guesthouse was opened in 2002. It is an original two-storey log building, decorated in natural wood. We have tried to keep the homely atmosphere of a comfortable country home. The Guesthouse is equipped with a heating system and indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water. A modern shower and toilet adjoins each bedroom. Near the Guesthouse is space for parking. 50 meters from the Guest house is a computer centre with internet and telephone connections. Only the first floor of the Guest house is functioning this season. The second floor will be completed in 2004. It is important to mention the Kitezh Banya in particular. Traditionally, the banya was always a place for purification and conversation. The banya is an art form that is alive in Kitezh. The original Russian steam room, with birch or oak twigs followed by herb tea and sincere dialogue (many Kitezhans, both adults and children freely speak in English) will leave no visitor indifferent to our village.   Activities for Visitors: 200 metres from the Guesthouse is a picturesque peat lake with clean "soft" water, and Kitezhans spend much time there during the hot summer months. Within a radius of several kilometers around Kitezh there are many other picturesque forest lakes where one can fish or swim with pleasure. At the request of our visitors we can organise trips to these lakes along remarkable and beautiful untarred roads through the forests. It is possible to hire a  " Russian jeep", UAZ and a tent. Kitezh is located in the area where the opposition of the Soviet and German armies lasted for almost two years during the Second World War.  There are many traces of war in the forests surrounding Kitezh. We can show our visitors a Russian tank 34 turned upside down and half-sunk in a bog, as well as other war relics. Our guests may also go horse-riding for a small additional payment. We assume, based on our experience, that visitors who come to our Community like to take part in the daily working life, together with Kitezhans.  The spectrum of work in Kitezh is wide and changes according to the season. In addition to farm work we make traditional Russian crafts and woodwork – starting from sawing logs and finishing with woodcarving. Our visitors can do craftwork and learn to paint with our icon artist in his studio. Kitezhans actively play sports all year round. Morning exercises, kung-fu, skiing, skating and every possible ball game - football, basketball, volleyball. Summer evenings we gather around the bonfire, sing songs, play guitars, recite poems, and discuss subjects of all kinds. At visitors’ request, Dmitry Morozov, the founder of Kitezh and eastern historian bachelor of historical sciences, will invite them home for tea and tell them with pleasure about the most interesting moments of Russian history. An excellent knowledge of English language allows Dmitry to make sense of all the discrepancies of Russian history to his foreign listeners. Our visitors often sit and listen until long after midnight at such “tea sessions”. Russian history told by a remarkable storyteller in log house in the middle of Kaluga forest hundreds of kilometers from comfortable Europe makes a lasting impression.     Traditional Holidays: We celebrate New Year, Christmas and Shrove-tide in traditional Russian style.  Kitezh Children's Theatre constantly updates their repertoire and pleases Kitezhans with new performances in Russian and English. On the main Christian church holidays there are church services in Kitezh church. Visitors pay extra to participate in traditional Russian holidays.

 

Ecologia Trust is a Scottish Charity no SC023976 working with youth & education in Russia since 1988.

Last Updated December 2005