On this one-day tour to Yelabuga you will visit an Historical City of Russia and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a 19th century merchant town. The regional city of Yelabuga boasts one of perhaps the best preserved city centres in the whole of Russia. Unlike many other cities, Yelabuga was spared the industrialisation of the Soviet era and most buildings in the centre look almost as they did during the 19th century. All construction work during the Soviet period took place in the upper city, leaving the whole of the original city, with its main square and street planning, untouched Yelabuga was also spared destruction during the war, but from 1943 to 1948 prisoners of war were held here and on the outskirts of the city there are German and Japanese military cemeteries.

  Yelabuga is one of the oldest settlements in Tatarstan with over 1000 years of history and as part of your excursion to Yelabuga you will see archaeological finds which witness this. The Chyortovo Gorodische, which is located in a beautiful location on highland on bend of the river, marks the place of foundation of the city. Among the scenic surroundings you will see the reconstructed tower of the fortifications that once stood here.

  A trip to Yelabuga is also a chance to find out more about three interesting figures of Russian culture and history who lived in the city: the famous landscape painter Ivan Shishkin who was born and spent his childhood here, the Russian Silver Age poet Marina Tsetaeva, who died in Yelabuga and is now buried here, and Nadezhda Durova who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Russian army during the Napoleonic era before retiring to Yelabuga. All three have museums dedicated to them, which you will visit.

  If you have a free day after looking around Kazan, it is definitely worth visiting Yelabuga as this pretty, provincial city will reward you with its interesting history and wonderful architecture.

Kazan → Yelabuga → Kazan 

 Total distance of the tour:  - 418km

 Meeting with your guide. Transfer to Yelabuga.

 Distance: 209km

• 11:00 • 

 Arrival in Yelabuga. Excursion around the village. The highlights of the tour include:

• Historical Centre of Yelabuga - this is a real open-air museum where you could easily shoot a historical film. The merchant houses, Russian wooden houses, administrative buildings, churches and cathedrals all create the atmosphere of a 19th century merchant town.
• Ivan Shishkin House-Museum - the great Russian landscape painter was born and raised in Yelabuga. At this beautifully preserved estate-house he created some of his famous works.
• Nadezhda Durova House-Museum - here you can see not only the interior of a beautiful traditional wooden house, but also find out more about the interesting life of Nadezhda Durova who pretended to be a man to serve in the Russian army and even took part in the Battle of Borodino.
• Marina Tsvetaeva House-Museum and Laundry Museum - the celebrated Silver Age poet was evacuated to Yelabuga during the war. It was not a happy time for her and in this small house she committed suicide. Next to the house is unique museum in the form of a restored 19th century laundry, which Tsvetaeva is known to have used.
• Lenin Monument - one of the most unusual Lenin statues in Russia: a tiny bust on a tall pedestal.
• Chertovo Gorodische - these ruins of an ancient settlement are located on the edge of the city on a high bank overlooking the confluence of the rivers Kama and Toyma. The settlement is believed to date from the 11th century and was part of Volga Bulgaria. From here you can also enjoy great views of the city and the surrounding nature.  

 Duration: 5 hours | Transportation: by a private car

 After the tour - transfer back to Kazan.

 Distance: 209km

• 19:00 • 

 Arrival in Kazan. 

• The tour is available the whole year round starting on any day, but please take into account that the museum’s working hours and days-off vary so we reserve the right to change the itinerary while trying to save the excursion programme.
• Optional excursions should be booked before the start of the tour.
• Some religious sights such as active monasteries require a specific dress code in order to be allowed to visit - for women a scarf to cover your head and a skirt covering your knees (no trousers); for men no shorts and all headwear must be removed.

• CANCELLATION POLICY •