Kozelsk, Kaluga region: attractions and photos

Kozelsk (Kaluga region) is the oldest inhabited place. It was founded by Slavic-Vyatich about ten centuries ago. The settlement was burned twice - both times during the attack of the Tatar-Mongols. In the first case, Batu, who besieged Kozelsk for seven weeks, did this. The second time he was burned by the order of the Khan of Almaty several centuries later.

Kaluga region, the city of Kozelsk. General information

At all times, residents of the settlement have endured the adversity that fate has presented to them. After both burning, Kozelsk (Kaluga region) was restored to spite of enemies. In 2009, he received an award from the President of the Russian Federation. He became the city of military glory.

Features

Kozelsk (Kaluga region) is located on the left bank of the Zhizra. This river is a tributary of the Oka. Kozelsk is located 72 kilometers from Kaluga. The climate here is quite mild. The weather in Kozelsk (Kaluga region) in the beginning of September is sunny and warm. The air temperature is about 20 degrees in the afternoon.

Historical information. First mentions

Earlier Kozelsk (Kaluga region) (his photo is presented in the article) was part of the Chernigov princedom. The first mention of it dates from the beginning of the XII century. Mstislav Svyatoslavich was the first prince of Kozelsk. He died in battle with the Mongols. At the beginning of the XIII century, the city defended itself for seven weeks from the troops of Khan Baty. After that he was burned. Later the city became part of the Karachev princedom.

Further development

In the 14th century, Tit Mstislavich Kozelsky took part in the Battle of Shishevsky Forest. In 1480 the city was incorporated into Lithuania. At this time he was burned by the order of Khan Ahmat. This was done in order to take revenge on Casimir IV, who did not send his troops to the Horde for a joint campaign. In the beginning of the XVIII century Kozelsk turned into a county town. He was then part of the Moscow province. Later, he belonged to the Kaluga Province.

Life in the USSR

In the 1920s the settlement became the district center of the Sukhinik district. In 1944, Kozelsk became part of the Kaluga region. During the Second World War the settlement was occupied by German invaders. Later, the Belyovo-Kozelskaya operation was carried out. The city was liberated by the Guards Cavalry Corps.

Infrastructure Features

Kozelsk (Kaluga region) is a fairly small city. Nevertheless, there are many places where guests can refresh themselves and stop for the night. On the territory of the city there is a large number of hotel complexes. Among them:

1. "The house of a pilgrim."
2. "Knight".
3. "Kars".

Currently, these institutions stop a lot of tourists. Most of them come to the city in order to visit Optina Desert. It also has a hotel complex. There are many religious monuments in the city.

Restaurants and cafes

In Kozelsk there is a large number of similar institutions. Following the example of other settlements in the country, there also works its own version of the cafe "Meeting". Gourmets should look into the cafeteria "Rainbow" and the dining room "Kozelsk". Travelers can enjoy delicious dishes at reasonable prices.

Kozelsk. Optina deserts (Kaluga region). General information

The complex is a famous monastery. Its foundation dates from the end of the 16th century. Later he became one of the spiritual centers of Russia. At the beginning of the XX century the monastery was closed. For a long time it functioned as a museum. At the end of the century, the Russian Orthodox Church restored the monastery to itself.

Historical reference

The monastery is a few kilometers from the city. In 1931, the House of Rest. Gorky. After the institution was reorganized under the special order of L. Beria. Since then, there was a concentration camp "Kozelsk-1". Several thousand Polish servicemen were sent to it. They were kept here during the waiting period for the exchange of prisoners of war between the USSR and Germany. The officers had to return home. However, in 1940 they were all shot in Katyn. During the Second World War the monastery began functioning as a hospital. Later it was decided to create a checkpoint for the soldiers who were released from captivity. In the post-war period, the military unit was located here .

Modern realities

Currently, the complex is carrying out extensive work on the restoration of temples. Here, the monastic life is revived. Now the complex again became the object of pilgrimage. Every year, many believers come here. They pray and are applied to the relics of the Optina elders.

Excursion activities and attractions

Now on the territory of the complex there are seven temples. Among them:

1. Vvedensky Cathedral. It is the main temple of the monastery. Located in the heart of the complex.
2. The temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It is the largest in the complex. Its walls are decorated with numerous frescoes.
3. The temple in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. It was restored more than a decade ago. In it, just as in the above, the relics of the saints are kept.
4. Temple in honor of St. Hilarion the Great. It is located outside the complex. The temple is in the same building as the refectory with the hotel. Here the deceased are sung and the rites of baptism are held.
5. Temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Sporite of loaves". Located in the ancillary zone of the complex.
6. The temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The building was erected in a new location. Previously, there was never a temple there. Here, too, are the relics of a saint.

Currently, several churches are being restored on the territory of the monastery. Some of them are already consecrated. Behind the monastery grove there is a monastery. Now ten monks live there. The entrance to this place is closed to visitors.

Selection of the optimal route

The monastery is located in the Kaluga region, a few kilometers from Kozelsk. Buses from the capital depart every day. They leave from the metro station "Teply Stan". Every day about ten flights are made. The first bus leaves at 7:00. Some of them make a stop right in the monastery itself, the rest follow up to the bus station. From there you need to get on the minibus. On the way passengers spend about five hours. The ticket price is around 450 rubles.