Tchaikovsky Church & Fet Museum
If you feel the city center is getting a little pale, then let’s take a short trip to the outskirts of Kursk region. In this guide, we will show you step by step to the most local and possible way to travel out of the city and discover its hidden gems without the benefits of a car.
‘Elektrichka’ is the suburban train that one can take to move efficiently to the outskirts. Go to the underground floor and head over to the counter to buy a ticket to 507KM . Make sure to get a ticket to go and to return as it will be cheaper. * Tuda i Obratno* . Russian trains are known for their punctuality, so never miss it. 20 minutes earlier is the safest time to be at the train station.
Departures to 507km: 8.25am, 1.55pm, 4:24pm, 6:40pm, 8:21pm
Departure to Kursk: 6:40am, 11:00am, 3:33pm, 6:52pm, 8:25pm
8.25am
Ride in the Elektrichka all the way to our stop ‘507km’. After 20 minutes we arrived and follow the pathway to the left. Enter the forest, and remember to never stray away from the pathway. Keep going straight and you will reach the first hidden gem.
10.00am
‘Tserkov Georgiya Pobedonostsa’ a.k.a Tchaikovsky’s church. The famous Russian composer’s brother used to live in this region in a manor and had built this church. The composer himself paid a visit to his brother and was around this village for a short period of time. Unfortunately, the doors to the church were closed. But the surrounding setting was nothing but utter silence and calm.
10.30am
After some picture sessions we decided to further continue our journey to A. A. Fet’s Museum (Muzei Usadba Feta). Heads up. A long journey ahead with an estimated 7 km walk which is not for the weak or a beginner traveler. From the church progress ahead and keep walking straight all the way! You will pass by a little village of ‘Ukolovo 1’ and keep heading forwards while following the asphalt. It took us almost 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the museum. Making little stops to take photos with the picturesque Russian nature is something you shouldn't miss.
12.00pm
Reaching Fet museum and straight to the cashier. If you have your student card then use them to get free tickets! Don’t miss the golden power of your student cards but regular adults pay 130 rubles. By now the question of who is this man must have triggered your curiosity I hope. Fet Afanasy Afansiyevich was a renowned Russian poet regarded as the finest master in Russian literature in the period of 1800s. Only in 1873 he bought his 2nd manor in Kursk to which that rekindled his magic to continue producing magnificent art with his pen tip.
In the preface to the book of ‘Poems by A. A. Fet’, Nekrasov wrote:
“Not a single poet since Pushkin has managed to give such delight to those who understand poetry and readily open their soul to it, as Fet does. This does not mean to say both are equal: it’s just that in his own field Fet is as superb as Pushkin was in his, much more vast and diverse one.”
Once you reach the manor, you will understand the little moment and the source of inspiration that Fet has experienced there, surrounded by 3 little ponds with domestic animals such as swans, horses and not to forget his favourite donkey ‘Nekrasov’.
“At Vorobyovka my muse awoke from many years of sleep and started visiting me as often as she used to at the dawn of my life,” Fet wrote to Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov on 25 August 1891.
Though he moved to Moscow soon after, the building was reused as a school and even survived the world war. In the museum, you can observe many of the artifacts are still in its original state. Local government had spent billions of rubles to restore the place and today we are able to appreciate it. We decided to just get an afternoon pause while being protected from the blazing sun at the benches by the vast shadows created by the tall trees. The afternoon wind was almost like a Siren’s call to take a little nap after a little afternoon picnic by the pond.
3.30pm
After a well-spent afternoon and dozens of pictures, we continued on our journey back to the train stop. According to the schedule, we targeted to catch the 6.52pm ride. Leaving at 3.30pm was a wise decision. Just follow back the same way we came. Halfway on our journey, we have finished our water supply, and around the village of ‘Ukolovo 1’ a kind babushka helped us to refill our bottles with fresh and chilling underground water which quenched our thirst and moisten our dry lips and throat. Thank you random babushka!
6.20pm
After a 2-hour journey walk, we decided to take a short break at the Tchaikovsky church, and continued our journey at 5.30pm to the train stop. At 6.20pm we reached the stop and waited at the provided benches. Sharp in time our train horn was heard and all of use eagerly waiting to take one last journey to the main train station of Kursk.
7.30pm
Safely arrived at the Vokzal and all that was left was to go home. Our journey was not easy as I would say it is an intermediate travel level. But when there is a will, there is a way. Hope this guide will come in handy to you. All the best and good luck!
Tips to survive the journey:
- Learn to use google maps to guide your pathway
- an umbrella or sunscreen to protect your skin
- be punctual at the train station
- practice your Russian with the officers, museum curators or strangers in case you get lost
- pack sufficient food & water as there is not a single market available in the region
GOOGLE MAPS GUIDELINE
-Tserkov’ Georgiya Pobedonostsa, 3-Ye Ukolovo, Kursk Oblast, 306041
-Muzey-Usad’ba A. Feta, Kursk Oblast, 306043
STEP 1
STEP 2:
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
STEP 5:
To return, you must walk all the way back to the train station as there are no buses or taxis working in the region :) All the best and good luck!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us through our Instagram @thefadedriverbank or via email: thefadedriverbank@gmail.com
