May/21

Snow-covered “Lesnoy Terem” in Astashovo

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Architecture, Regions, Travel

“Lesnoy Terem” in Astashovo is a former residence of the peasant Martyan Sazonov (1840/2-1914) located in the central part of Kostroma Oblast, about 200 km from Kostroma.

This is quite a unique phenomenon – a country residence built in the middle of a small village in a remote place. This picturesque wooden house was built in the Russian style with rich and varied carved decor. Lesnoy Terem in Astashovo on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

From 1918 to 1942, the house was not used in any way. After that, until the mid-70s, it was occupied by various institutions: a village council, a collective farm office, a post office, a library, a first-aid post, a savings bank, and a club. In the late 1970s, the village was deserted and the house was abandoned. Over the next more than 30 years, it was gradually collapsing.

In 2005, entrepreneur Andrey Pavlichenkov initiated work to save this unique building. From 2011 to 2017, a full-scale restoration was carried out during which more than 60% of the original structure was preserved.

In 2016, “Lesnoy Terem” in Astashovo was opened as the first hotel-museum in Russia, where, in addition to accommodation, tourists can take advantage of various programs for active recreation.

Today, it is one of the best wooden houses in Russia, where guests have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the bygone world of the Russian province.