Voznesenskoe

Aside from the railway at the very border of Nizhegorodskaya area and Mordovia there is the most distant region – Vosnesensky. The regional centre Vosnesensk is situated 250 km away from N. Novgorod. Very long ago these lands were inhabited by the great Mordovian tribes. In the 13th century they were ruled by powerful prince Purgas, who fought against Vladimir-Suzdal Rus and wanted to destroy N. Novgorod in 1229. The local population was occupied with hunting and agriculture. When the Mordovian lands became a part of Russia, Temnickov was the major town of the region, the administrative and cultural centre. Great rebellions shook the region in the 17th century. At the beginning of this century the peasants of the region supported the rebellion under the command of Ivan Bolotnickov and the peasant war under the command of Stepan Rasin in 1770.

Being defeated under Arzamas, the rebels under the leadership of Alena Arzamasskaya, made for the south for Temnickov which was the stronghold’ of the rebels. The town attacked by the regular military forces. The peasants were defeated and Temnickov freed. The rebels were savagely treated, about 11000 peasants were executed. Alena was burnt in the town square being blamed not only for stealing robbery but for witchcraft as well. People say that on spot of her execution a beautiful red rose came out and was in full bloom. Some rebellious Polch-Maidan craftsmen painted that rose on their wooden toys in Alena’s honour. Those wonderful toys, “tararushki” as they called them made the village had always worked with wood, made wooden barrels, sledges and wash-rags. When the first matreshkas (Nested dolls) appeared in Russia at the and of the 19th century, efficient Polch-Maidan craftsmen quickly organized the production of this beautiful sectional “young lady”. Nowadays Polch-Maidan “taratushkis” (matreshkas, wooden dishes or money-boxes) are very popular with people. They surprise not only children, but imposing grown-ups as well. This wonderful handicraft is one of the youngest in Nizhegorodskaya area. It was born and flourished in Polch-Maidan at the beginning of the 20-s of the 20th century. At that time the local master P. Polin brought an apparatus for burning from Sergiev-Posad and began to decorate dishes with its with its help. The local craftsmen also designed  their own form of a matreshka. Now every in Polch-Maidan is able to work with a wood-turner and every girl can paint.

The centre of Voznesensky region is the working-class settlement Voznesensk. Long ago there was a village of Oshpire on this spot, and its inhabitants participated in the peasant war under the command of I. Bolotnikov. Vasily Shuisky’s punitive regiment savagely treated the peasants. The village was emptied, and only many years later the people came there again, built the saint church and called the village Voznesensk.

You could visit the centre of handicrafts in Voznesensk now and in addition – the museum which keeps a lot Polch-Maidan painted toys, and other beautiful things. You can see here a smart matreshka containing 50 dolls, an elegant spinning-wheel, Russian barin's daughters and a Russian knight. Many unique masters live here. Everybodyknows one of them – A. Shanin. People from all over Russia arrive at Kurikha to look at his works of art. He makes wonderful wooden things such as tiny decorated chairs, masks, figures f animals and fantastic desk lamps. In front of his house you’ll be amazed at the helicopter being constructed by Shanin.

Only few people know that 5 km away from Kuricha once upon a time there was a monastery in the dense forests built in honour of God’s mother icon “The Omen” blessed by Seraphim Sarovsky in 1825. Its founder was a peasant girl Anastasia Lagacheva. Nowadays there is no monastery here. The forest path will lead you to a little chapel and 4 saint springs where you can pray, drink clean water and wash in the bath-house. You’ll also see the remaining parts of the cave where Anastasia lived. Near the chapel there is a huge stone. According to the legend Anastasia was praying for 40 days standing on that stone, thus repeating Seraphim Sarovsky’s soul feat. Coming back from Kurikha, you can go down Luktossky ravine with three medicinal springs. The local people think the water to be very useful.