Historical and cultural potential
Historical and cultural potential of the Republic of Komi consists of various types of historical monuments, memorial places, museums, buildings and constructions closely linked to the historical events as well as to old holidays and traditions.
Total amount of historical heritage objects numbers 1355 items, among them 397 are under state protection and 71 are of federal level.
The people of the komi land has developed such national handicrafts as woodcarving, artistic processing of birch bark, braiding (rods and roots), weaving, figured knitting, lacemaking, processing of clay, leather, fur, embroidery and making of national dolls.
Spiritual beauty
Komi village Yb of Syktyvdinsky district of the Komi Republic is one of the most ancient settlements within the basin of the Sysola River; it is 56 km far from Syktyvkar, the capital of the Republic. It was first mentioned in an official document in 1586. According to the archeologists opinion the Yb settlement appeared in the XI century.
This village consists of several settlements, extended almost to 15 km. Translated from the Komi language “Yb” means “upland”: village occupies seven hills, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of taiga and floodplain.
Spiritual sources of the Komi people are considered to originate from the Syktyvdinsky lands. The Yb history is inseparably connected with the orthodox enlightener of komi people - Stephan Permsky, the first bishop of the Komi Land. In the past fourteen chapel and churches were placed on the territory of the village. Now the Church of Ascension of Jesus constructed in 1825-1830, the convent named after Serafim Sarovsky and five chapels beautify this land. Ten springs which ancient legends of healings are related to have been renewed and consecrated.
Among natural attractions of the Yb village you can find an exposure of sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic period; an exposure of blue and white clay; a juniper pond; the larch, 2.7m around, 1825 “birth”.
In this old settlement many historical and cultural monuments are of a great tourist interest: traditional komi houses with utensils and tools; the Shoynayagsky burial ground (the migration period, the V-VI century); Chudskoe ancient settlement; the historical and cultural museum (building of zemskaya school, 1892), where about 1,5 thousand artifacts are collected.
The Government of the Republic of Komi is implementing the largest and the most perspective tourist project on the base of Yb village. Modern multifunctional complex “The Finno-Ugric ethno-cultural park” designed for the internal and entrance tourism development is being constructed according to the step-by-step approach. This park will become a cultural, educational, sport, entertaining, political and business centre of international level.
Capital objects of the first phase of construction have been brought into operation.
In whole the project realization will last till 2020. Circle of interested parties and investors, including the sphere of construction and objects maintenance, is constantly widening. Except this fact the Government of the Republic considers suggestions connected with development of entertaining infrastructure of the complex.
Fidelity to traditions
The Northern village Ust-Tsilma acts as a centre of uniquely preserved ancient russian culture and traditions. It is rich in old rites, costumes, and folk holidays.
It is believed that just in Ust-Tsilma people have kept language, way of life, old belief, ethnographic image of ancient Novgorod settlers in an untouched condition.
During 500 years many old national holidays have been held annually: the holiday “Ust-Tsilemskaya Gorka” from Ivan’s till Peter’s days, according to nowadays calendar on 7-9 of June. According to folklorists Ust-Tsilma is the only place where the sequence of this unique medieval holiday devoted to the beginning of haymaking, has been successfully preserved till our days. Each figure of a choral dance is sacral and has its own rite meaning. Isolation of mentioned places allowed keeping safe all national handicrafts connected with cult ceremonies: wooden dishes, spoons, belts, mittens and socks with original Ust-Tsilma ornament.
Spiritual heights
Historical settlement Ust-Vym is included into the Great Golden Ring of Russia and possesses a unique complex of monuments of history, architecture, attractive to believers and fans of cultural tourism.
Village is situated on the right bank of the Vym river near its flowing into the Pechora. Exactly at this crossing of river ways at the end of the XIV century the baptist of ancient komi Stephan Permsky founded the Perm Eparchy, the main institute of Christianization of the komi land. In the XIV century the first Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky monastery was opened between two hills in Ust-Vym. Main churches and shrines of this monastery are represented by the Stephanovskaya (1775-1766) and the Mikhailo-Arkhangelskaya churches (1795), ancient stone constructions, wooden chapel of three saints: Gerasim, Pitirim and Ion (1894). Saint healing water from an old spring helps to cure many diseases.
Peasant house with historical interior, house of priest Kirillov (the beginning of the XX century) and house of merchant Kambalov (the end of the XIX century) are additional attractions of Ust-Vym village.
Light of the northern soul
The first mentioning of Izhma village can be met in the archive documents of 1576. Native locals call themselves “izvatas”, in Russian “komi-izhemcy” (komi inhabitants of Izhma) and consider themselves as separate nationality. Basis of their way of life is reindeer-breeding. In spring reindeer breeders lead a nomad’s life within tundra meadows till the Kara Sea, and return only in winter. And then in pine forests a great amount of chums is constructed, deer obtain moss (“yagel”) under snow for feeding.
Izemsky district is the only in the Komi Republic where some national kinds of sports are exercised: jumping over sledge, lasso throw, axe throwing on the base of sports schools.
Tourists attend winter stands of reindeer breeders, ride a deer team, purchase products made of deer leather, especially boots made of fur (“pimy”) and fur slippers.
The most spectacular old holiday in that places is “Lyud”. It is held on the last Sunday of June or the first one of July during haymaking period. Dancing and singing procession begins the holiday. Horse races in meadows are of a great interest on this holiday due to its unusualness for komi people.
Reservation of traditions
“Hunter’s Holiday” is held annually in September in Troitsko-Pechorsky district of our Republic. Village Eremeevo, difficult to achieve is situated on the banks of the Ilych River, where competitions of hunters, national games and amusements are organized. The holiday starts with the “Eremeevsky march”, scenic performance consisting of more than 30 choreographic figures. Hunters throw spears, make snares for gamebirds, shoot and build fires.
Hunting as well as deer breeding is considered to be the main occupation of the locals. In village Lasta of the same district the Hunter’s Day is celebrated once a year. Hunters put on themselves traditional costumes composed of overcoat, bag-jacket (“luzan”), belt (usually it is a heirloom) with a decorated knife. The majority of hunters use wide ski and narrow long sledge for a bag.
Hunters show their trophies and participate in contests. Many folk groups all over the republic take part in this remarkable holiday.
Spiritual heritage
Museum of literary heroes of Ivan Kuratov, the first komi poet and founder of the komi literary language, titled “The House of stovemaker Zakhar” has functioned since 1985 in the native settlement of poet, Kuratovo, Sysolsky district. This complex includes museum –estate with yard, bathhouse and barn. Exposition reflects life of the southern part of komi inhabitants, diversity of their occupations. Some elements of this exhibition are devoted to biography and activity of I.A. Kuratov. Museum was organized according to his poem “To Zakhar”, which contains the description of stovemakers’ house to whom fourteen guest are coming, each person in a poem represents a particular handicraft and character.
Visitors of the museum have a unique opportunity to take part in daily and holiday rites and traditions of the komi village.
Ancient origins
“Reindeer breeder’s Day” is a professional holiday of breeders with old traditions, dedicated to the beginning of deer nomad to winter pastures. It is held annually as an event of sports contest of the northern peoples in Vorkuta, often titled “The Polar games”.
Rein deer breeders, participants of this holiday are representatives of various nationalities: komi, nenets, khanty, mansi. Reindeer races are of a great popularity during this event. This colourful show performs ethnographic peculiarities of the Far North people.
Depth of nature
Boundaries of Udorsky district of the Komi Republic are defined by watershed of the cleanest river, the Mezen. It makes a loop of 577km in length at those places and forms the “Necklace of Udora”. Variety of natural, historical and cultural attractions: spacious pine forests, virgin woods, nearly 200 lakes including tens of deep karst ones, - are located in this district.
From time immemorial Udora was famous for traditional occupations of its dwellers: hunting and fishing. And now rich in fish, game and animals this land attracts thousands of tourists.
Inhabitants of Kerchomya village in Ust-Kulomsky district of the Komi Republic celebrates a traditional holiday “Pyzha Gazh” (translated from the komi language “Boat walk”) dedicated to the settlement foundation day. National harmonists, singers, dancers, “chastushka” singers and guest from all over the republic gather for this event. Competitions, games, contests, boat walks, tasting of fresh fish constitute the holiday program.
You can find in those lands mysterious relict lakes, preserving its clean water: the Big, the Medium and the Small Kadams. Area of the largest lake is approximately 4.6km², its average depth reaches 4m. Lakes draw the attention of tourists, fishers, hunters as well as scientists, who consider the Kadams as a fount of scientific riddles.