MandrogI, Russia

Description — Mandrogi, Russia

Upper Mandrogi - a village in the Podporozhskoye Urban Settlement of the Podporozhsky District of the Leningrad Oblast. It serves as a tourist center, hosting river cruise steamers. Located on the left bank of the Svir River, below the town of Podporozhye.

This is a living Russian tourist village recreated by enthusiasts on the banks of the Svir. Terem houses and traditional cottages, workshops of folk crafts, Russian cuisine with bread and salt hospitality, vodka at the Vodka Museum, and other amusements. Any foreigner will feel like a character from a Russian fairy tale. And for Russian tourists rafting along the Svir, it’s a great way to stretch your legs by taking a horse ride or cycling.

The location of this village is rather remote from major settlements, which creates favorable conditions for a great vacation. This is a unique tourism center and an ideal place for the so-called “green stopover” of vacationers during cruises to Valaam.

Climate

The oblast’s climate is Atlantic-continental. Maritime air masses cause a comparatively mild winter with frequent thaws and a moderately warm, sometimes cool, summer. Average temperature in January −8… −11 °C, July +16…+18 °C. Absolute maximum temperature +37,8 °C, absolute minimum −52 °C. The eastern areas are the coldest, and the warmest are the south-western areas.

Annual precipitation is 600-700 mm. The largest amount of precipitation falls in the highlands, with a maximum at the Lembolovo Heights. The minimum precipitation falls in coastal lowlands. The largest amount of precipitation falls in summer and autumn. In winter, precipitation occurs mainly in the form of snow. A continuous snow cover appears in the second half of November - the first half of December. Snow melts in the second half of April.

Mandrogi
Mandrogi
Mandrogi
Museum of Russian Vodka
Mini zoo
Park of Wooden Sculptures
Horseback riding excursions
Holiday for Kids “MandroNyan”
Mandrogi

Location on the map

Sights

Russian Vodka Museum

Among the village museums is the “Museum of Russian Vodka,” whose collection includes more than 2,800 varieties of vodka. The vodka brought from any part of Russia can be exchanged in the museum for vodka produced in Saint Petersburg. And you can also sample a noble 40-degree herbal drink prepared according to ancient recipes of Catherine the Great.

Mini zoo

In the village, there is a charming little zoo with the status of a rehabilitation center. All the animals and birds in the mini-zoo were either hit by a car, shot by poachers, or rescued from training stations. Those that are able to survive in the wild are released, while the others remain in the mini-zoo. A quail farm operates here.

Wooden Sculpture Park

Visit the only park of wooden sculptures in Russia’s northwestern region-“Along the Path of Russian Fairy Tales”-located on the opposite side of the Mandrogi, across the Petkeleva stream, from the main part of Mandrogi. This, without a doubt, will stay in the memory of all river cruise travelers. The park features a large number of sculptures depicting famous heroes from A.S. Pushkin’s Russian folk tale “Ruslan and Ludmila.” The entire sculptural composition has been created by the talented woodcarver, artist, and sculptor Yuriy Gusev.

What to see

Horseback rides

On the territory of the village there is a stable with 19 head of horses, including Vladimir heavy draft horses, as well as several ponies. You can ride the horses both mounted and in a carriage, including in a troika.

Local Holidays

In summer, at the height of the tourist season, local festivals are traditionally held in the village: MandroNyan, MandroVanKupan, MandroBan, and MandroKon. The MandroNyan festival is geared towards children-clowns, kites, circus performers, bouncy castles, prize giveaways, and sweets. MandroVanKupan is a Mandrog-style celebration of Ivan Kupala. For the MandroBan festival, bathhouse attendants come from all over Russia, and in portable steam-bath stations they steam everyone free of charge who would like to try it, sharing the subtleties of the bathhouse craft. MandroKon is a festival dedicated to horses. Traditionally, the festival is divided into two parts: a staged performance using horses from the Mandrog stables and a team jigit drill by the “Bagmuth” squad.

Recommended excursions

Excursion to the village of Mandrogi

The excursion program includes: a historical introduction about the village. Transfer to the village center. A story about the main street, log houses, the stove, and the slide. Craft settlement - observing the work of craft masters: potters, bark-paper (birchbark) makers, lace makers, artists painting matryoshka dolls and home utensils; weavers, woodcarvers. Visit the Fairy Tale Glade “Lukomorye” and a mini-zoo. Ferry crossing on a 19th-century ferry over the Petkelye stream. A story about the wooden sculptures made by woodcarver Yu.I. Gusev. Tavern. Viewing of the building. A story about taverns in Rus’. Old Arkhangelsk houses, the blacksmith shop. Viewing the interior and observing the work of the masters. A noble estate. Exterior viewing of the estate and a story about its history. Visit the Vodka Museum, review the exhibition, and a tasting.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can review it after booking the cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.