Shchelkovo, Russia
Region: Moscow Oblast
Geographic Coordinates: 55.916700, 38.000000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 25.0°C (-4°F to 77°F)
Climate: Cold winters and mild summers with precipitation throughout the year.
Population: 125634
Language: Russian
Shchelkovo is a small town located in the Moscow Oblast of Russia. It is situated approximately 30 kilometers east of Moscow and has a population of around 100, 000 people. The town has a rich history that dates back to the 16th century when it was founded as a trading post on the Moscow River. One of the most notable landmarks in Shchelkovo is its beautiful Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas. This stunning church was built in the early 19th century and features intricate frescoes and ornate decorations throughout its interior.
Visitors can also explore other historic buildings in Shchelkovo, Including old merchant houses and traditional wooden homes. Shchelkovo is known for its beautiful natural surroundings as well. The town sits on the banks of the Klyazma River, Which offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation such as fishing, Boating, And hiking along its scenic banks. In addition to this, There are several parks located throughout Shchelkovo that offer peaceful retreats from city life. The town also boasts an impressive cultural scene with several museums and galleries showcasing local art and history.
One such museum is dedicated to famous Russian writer Ivan Turgenev who lived in Shchelkovo during his childhood years. In terms of economy, Shchelkovo has developed into an important industrial center over recent years with many factories producing goods such as machinery parts and textiles among others. one cannot talk about Shchyolkovskaya Maslenitsa without mentioning their famous annual festival known as Shchyolkovskaya Maslenitsa.
This week-long celebration takes place during February or March each year before Lent begins; it features various activities such as folk music concerts , Ice-skating competitions , Food fairs offering traditional Russian cuisine , Dance performances among others making it one event not to miss! Overall, Whether you’re interested in exploring the town’s rich history, Enjoying its natural beauty, Or experiencing its vibrant cultural scene, Shchelkovo has something for everyone.
- The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – a beautiful Orthodox church built in the 17th century.
- The Museum-Reserve Ostrovsky Estate – a museum dedicated to playwright Alexander Ostrovsky that includes his former estate.
- The House-Museum of Ivan Turgenev – a museum dedicated to writer Ivan Turgenev who lived in Shchelkovo for some time.
- The Palace Park – a large park with beautiful gardens and fountains located near the Ostrovsky Estate.
- The Memorial Complex Eternal Flame – a monument dedicated to soldiers who died during World War II.
- The Klyazma Reservoir – a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating located just outside Shchelkovo.
- The Art Gallery Na Kashirke – an art gallery featuring works by Russian artists from different eras.
- The Shchelkovskaya Toy Factory Museum – a museum showcasing traditional Russian toys made by local artisans.
- The Church of Sts Peter and Paul – another Orthodox church built in the 18th century with stunning frescoes inside it.
- The Yakhroma Nature Reserve – A natural site that is home to various species such as beavers, elks etc., where tourists can hike or bike on its trails while enjoying nature’s beauty.
- Chemical Industry: Shchelkovo is known for producing various chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, and other industrial chemicals.
- Food Industry: The food industry in Shchelkovo includes the production of dairy products, meat products, and baked goods.
- Engineering Industry: The engineering industry produces machinery and equipment for sectors like agriculture, construction, and transportation.
- Retail Trade: Numerous stores in Shchelkovo sell clothing, electronics, household goods among others.
- Construction Industry: Due to increasing demand for residential properties the construction industry has been growing rapidly in the city.
- Service Sector: Tourism-related services such as hotels and restaurants are part of the service sector along with financial services like banking institutions.
Overall these industries contribute to the economic growth of Shchelkovo while providing employment opportunities to its residents.
- Ivan the Terrible: The famous Russian Tsar visited Shchelkovo in 1565 and ordered the construction of a fortress there.
- Battle of Moscow: During World War II, Shchelkovo was one of the key battlegrounds during the Battle of Moscow in 1941.
- Yuri Gagarin: The first man to travel into space was born in the nearby village of Klushino and attended school in Shchelkovo.
- Alexander Pushkin: The famous Russian poet visited Shchelkovo several times during his lifetime and wrote about it in his works.
- Ivan Turgenev: Another famous Russian writer, Turgenev spent time living in a house near Shchelkovo that is now a museum dedicated to him.
- Mikhail Lomonosov: A prominent scientist, poet, and writer from Russia’s Enlightenment period, Lomonosov spent some time living and working at a glass factory near Shchelkovo.
- Peter the Great: This famous Russian Tsar is said to have stopped at an inn in Shchelkovo while traveling through the area on horseback.
- Sergei Eisenstein: One of Russia’s most celebrated film directors lived for several years near Shchelkovo before moving to Moscow later in life.
- Museum of Local Lore: This museum showcases the history and culture of Shchelkovo and its surrounding areas.
- Museum-Estate of A.N. Radishchev: This is the former home of a famous Russian writer and philosopher, Alexander Radishchev, which has been converted into a museum.
- Church of the Intercession: This historic church was built in the 17th century and features beautiful frescoes and icons.
- Monument to Alexander Pushkin: This monument honors Russia’s most famous poet, who spent time in Shchelkovo during his lifetime.
- Park Dubki: A beautiful park with walking paths, benches, playgrounds for children and scenic views.
- Art Center Kovcheg: An art center that hosts exhibitions by local artists as well as workshops for children.
- The House-Museum of N.I.Pirogov – The house where Nikolai Pirogov lived from 1848 until his death in 1881 has been turned into a museum showcasing his life’s work as a surgeon.
- Shchyolkovsky Historical-Architectural Open Air Museum – An open-air museum presenting traditional folk crafts such as blacksmithing or pottery making.
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions some places might be closed or have limited access hours so it is recommended to check beforehand with each venue before visiting them physically.
- Shchelkovo, Russia has a strong sporting tradition with ice hockey and football being the most popular sports.
- The city has both amateur and professional sports teams that participate at various levels.
- HC Shchelkovo-2 is one of the most popular ice hockey teams in the region, founded in 2008 and competing in the Russian Minor Hockey League (MHL).
- Another local team is HC Shchelkovo-3 which competes at a lower level.
- FC Zvezda-Bolshaya Cherkizovka represents Shchelkovo in football, founded in 2015 and currently playing its home matches at Bolshaya Cherkizovka Stadium while competing in Moscow Football Championship.
- In addition to these two major sports, locals also enjoy playing basketball, volleyball, handball, wrestling and athletics with several clubs offering training facilities for these sports as well as tournaments throughout the year to showcase local talent.
- Shchelkovo Day – This annual festival celebrates the city’s founding and includes parades, concerts, and various activities.
- Maslenitsa – A traditional Russian festival that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring with pancake feasts, folk games, and dances.
- Victory Day – A national holiday celebrated on May 9th to commemorate the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
- International Women’s Day – Celebrated on March 8th as a public holiday honoring women’s achievements in various fields.
- Christmas – The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7th with religious services and traditional festivities such as caroling and gift-giving.
- City Day – Celebrated annually on the first weekend of September with street fairs, concerts, fireworks displays, food vendors etc.,
- Pelmeni: a traditional Russian dish of dumplings filled with meat or vegetables.
- Blini: thin pancakes served with various fillings such as sour cream, caviar, or jam.
- Shashlik: grilled meat skewers marinated in spices and served with vegetables.
- Borscht: a soup made from beets and other vegetables.
- Cafe Cuba Libre: a cozy cafe serving coffee, pastries, and light meals.
- Restaurant Baltic House: specializes in seafood dishes such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail.
- Restaurant Kazan-Mangal: serves shashlik and other grilled meats cooked over an open flame.
- Restaurant Chaykhana: offers traditional Uzbek cuisine such as plov (rice pilaf) and lagman (noodle soup).
- Cafe Kvartira 46: a hipster-style cafe serving brunch items like avocado toast and smoothie bowls.
