How the most beautiful village in Russia lives. The most beautiful European villages and towns The wildest village in the world
Soglio, Switzerland
The Italian artist Giovanni Segantini once called his winter residence in the Alpine village of Soglio La soglia del paradiso, translated into Russian as "the gate to paradise." And this is indeed a fitting description - a picturesque village overlooking the chestnut forests, located on a sunny terrace in the Bregaglia valley, can be called a great place for hiking trails. Neat houses, narrow streets and rose gardens give this place the look of an ideal mountain village. Only 300 people live here official language- Italian, but many people speak German. In 2015, the media named the village the most beautiful in Switzerland.
Rougon, France
The mountain village of Rougon, remote from civilization, is located on a high plateau with a panoramic view of the Verdon, the most impressive canyon in Europe. The village has fewer than a hundred people and is so tiny that it doesn't even have streets. From Rougon you can literally go in all four directions: go down and explore the gorge or climb further into the Alps, to the ruins of a dilapidated castle and observation deck from where you can enjoy views of the canyons, Haute-Provence landscapes and red-tiled roofs.
Arnastapi, Iceland
The sparsely populated peninsula of Snaefellsnes is located west of Borgafjordur, West Iceland. The island looks like a miniature copy of the "big brother". At the foot of Mount Stapafel lies the village of Arnastapi. Hikers can take a three-kilometer path along the coast from Arnastapi to the neighboring town of Helnar, and 8 kilometers from the village is the famous volcano with an ice cap, Snaefellsjokull, which can be seen even from Reykjavik. On the coastline there are colonies different types birds, minke whales and even killer whales often approach the shore. In a small cafe, visitors will be offered a "signature" fish soup, hot waffles, plus an incomparable view of the sea. A small church surrounded by rocks looks especially unusual.
Torla, Spain
In 1918 Ordesa Valley became a national park. Today it is the oldest nature reserve in the Pyrenees. Hiking trails run along the rocks overlooking mountain peaks and canyons, lakes and snowfields. The village of Torla, one of the smallest (pop. 400) places in the Pyrenees, is located at the entrance to national park. There is a hotel and two campsites in Torla, and an unusual church adorns the center of the settlement.
Gerstruben, Germany
One of the best ski resorts in the German Alps is the Bavarian Obersdorf, next to it is the small alpine village of Gerstruben, which looks like a museum thanks to its ancient buildings. But not only the architecture is striking: a sawmill, a cheese factory and mills still operate here. The chapel and several 17th century farmhouses have recently been restored.
Ushguli, Georgia
The Ushguli community is the main attraction of Svaneti, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located at 2200 meters above sea level, Ushugli is the highest settlement in Europe. Getting there is an adventure: three hours by car on a rough dirt road along the Enguri River. Some sections of the road are very dangerous - in winter, for example, avalanches can come down from the mountains, and the road is closed. Guests of Ushguli can look at the ancient Svan towers that survived the battles with the Mongols and the low winter temperatures of the mountainous region, churches, castles. Tourists are slowly mastering this direction: a museum under open sky, several guest houses and cafes are open for visitors.
Hallstatt (Hallstatt), Austria
The small village of Hallstatt, near Salzburg, is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It is located between the rocks and the lake of the same name. The village is known for its salt mines, which are more than three thousand years old. Less than 1,000 people live in neat European houses. In addition to residential buildings, Galtata has salt mine, prehistoric museum, several churches. In China, by the way, they built a copy of the village - Echo Town - 1000 times larger than the original and with much higher real estate prices. Since 2012, houses have been on sale, but the “copy” has not yet been fully populated.
Monsaraz, Portugal
Surrounded by olive trees, Monsaraz is the epitome of a medieval town. The main attraction is the impressive castle overlooking the village. The castle courtyard, an abandoned arena, is used in July as an open-air museum site and for a music festival. The cultural program in the village is varied: here they eat, sing, dance, and theatrical performances are organized.
Alden, Norway
The cruise port with the picturesque surroundings of Alden is located at mountain lake. This fjord village is surrounded by a typical Scandinavian landscape - giant mountains covered with greenery are reflected in the blue water of the lakes. Alden lives off agriculture and tourism, so there is no urban entertainment to be found here. Small wooden houses, two churches and a minimal set of amenities. The main local attraction is the Briksdal Glacier, which can be reached by minibus. After the glacier - Jostedalsbren National Park, even in the height of summer you need to take warm clothes with you. Tourist steam locomotives ply the valley, boat cruises and camping on the lake are also available. People usually come here to admire nature and go fishing.
Castelmezzano, Italy
The village of Castelmezzano in the Basilicata region is one of the most beautiful places Italy. Even from afar, this place looks magical: steep stairs, narrow streets, closely built houses, ancient churches against the backdrop of rocks. According to legend, the treasures of the Templars are hidden here. You can admire the natural diversity of the region on foot, mountain bike and on horseback: wild apple trees, pear trees, maple trees grow everywhere, cats, birds of prey peregrine falcons and even porcupines are hiding. Tourists especially complain local cuisine. Hunters for the best view can ride through the ravine at a speed of 120 km/h on a local attraction, a 100-meter steel cable strung between the peaks of the Volo dell'Angelo mountains.
What in Russia, with all the desire, it is impossible to complain about - the lack of beautiful settlements. In this regard, the scope is unlimited: here and historical monuments, and wonderful landscapes, and the ultimate naturalness, and even modern architectural finds. Let's talk about ten most picturesque villages in Russia(we give in a conditional order, since we would not like to distribute them in places, making up the top 10).
Vyatskoe
It is unlikely that this village, invariably included in all lists and ratings, needs to be introduced; suffice it to point out the fact that there are ten museums in the settlement, a colossal number of pre-revolutionary buildings. Nature is also conducive to relaxation and study: Vyatka is “framed” by rivers and valleys on all sides. This is an ideal option for those travelers who do not like to give up comfort: there are three hotels, a restaurant, and a cinema.
Kinerma
Getting here is not easy: the village is located in Karelia. Structure - seventeen structures, ten of which are architectural monuments. In the center you can see the cemetery of Catherine's times; there is also a restored chapel. There is a smoke sauna, a well, a barn; not without a small and already quite modern hotel.
space lake
The wonderful location near the lake, which is distinguished by its peculiar shape (similar to a river one), determines the popularity of the settlement. Hayfields, ancient huts, courtyards and, of course, the bewitching tented Assumption Church (built in 1720) - that's what will appear before the eyes of those who have arrived in the village.
Staraya Ladoga
Speaking of the oldest villages in Russia, it is impossible to omit old Ladoga- a settlement whose history began more than a thousand years ago. Although not many people live here today, once the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks” began in this place (it was one of the largest settlements in Ancient Russia).
Yasnaya Polyana
A trip to Yasnaya Polyana is recommended not only for those who are not indifferent to the classics of critical realism and connoisseurs of Leo Tolstoy's novels, but also for everyone who appreciates the combination of natural naturalness and architectural elegance. Being discreet, the village strikes the imagination precisely with its conciseness. Among the attractions: the writer's house, the remains of the greenhouse, the Middle Pond, the park.
Nikolo-Lenivets
Initially, the settlement did not stand out in any way: it seemed that Nikolo-Lenivets was another of the villages of Russia gradually falling into disrepair. However, thanks to the efforts of Vasily Shchetinin, a well-known enthusiastic architect, who appeared here, it turned into a real creative gallery of folk art. The most amazing thing is that absolutely everything here is made by hand.
Tarbagatai
There are many wonderful villages in Buryatia (among the famous ones: Desyatnikovo, Bolshoi Kunaley, Atsagat); the most famous of them is Varbagatai, which is located fifty-two kilometers from Ulan-Ude. Founded in the 18th century, the settlement at one time served as a home for the Old Believers; Until now, here you can see the buildings erected by them, which are distinguished by their colorful coloring, wonderful fences and unusual shutters.
Chamerevo
The village boasts rich history: once the family of the writer Griboyedov lived here (and Alexander Sergeevich himself in childhood), Ivan the Terrible also came here. Also in the village is the holy spring of Alexander Nevsky. Panoramic landscapes around and the well-groomed village itself make this place one of the most interesting for Russian travelers.
Vorzogory
The village is right on the beach White Sea and traces its history back to the 16th century. It was already known then: wooden ships were built here for the monks of the Solovetsky Monastery. In the village itself, you can see the wooden temple of Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky (erected in the middle of the 19th century) and the “wooden tee”, consisting of the St. Nicholas Church (17th century), the Vvedenskaya Church (end of the 18th century) and the bell tower (18th century) .
Oshevensky Pogost
You should not be afraid of the name: the village of Pogost, which is also called Oshevensky Pogost, has been a wonderful place and one of the most beautiful villages in Russia for several centuries. Here is the monastery of St. Alexander Oshevensky, the Church of the Epiphany (18th century), the bell tower, Popov's house-yard.
We present to your attention the top 10 most picturesque villages in the world. Here we go…
Bibury, England
The English village of Bibury is located in Gloucestershire. It has been repeatedly recognized as the most beautiful and most English village in the world by various artists and poets. The cozy houses of the 17th century really seem to have descended from a fairy-tale illustration. The village itself is much older - the first mention of this settlement dates back to the 11th century. Despite being popular with tourists, public transport Bibury still does not go, and to get here you need to take a train at London Paddington Station, get to Kemble Station, and then only by taxi. 
Shirakawa-go, Japan
This picturesque village is on the list world heritage UNESCO. Here you can admire the wonderful houses with triangular roofs built in the "gassho" style, as well as Ogimachi Castle, which is located near the village. Tourists are brought here by a regular bus. 
Wengen, Switzerland
The views of this Swiss village at any time of the year resemble fairy-tale scenery. Indigenous people The village has a little over a thousand people. But for every local resident, depending on the season, there are from 5 to 10 tourists, so it is always crowded here. Here is the famous ski resort and the amazing Kriegsloch Cave, which is said to be able to foretell the approach of war. It is forbidden to drive ordinary cars here so as not to spoil the purest mountain air. But there are always many environmentally friendly electric vehicles at the service of tourists. 
Ezze, France
This picturesque village stands on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. For many centuries, incessant wars have been waged here, and in the village itself, a variety of cultures have mixed. All this gave rise to a completely unique architectural ensemble, which, together with stunning landscapes, today attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. 
Zaanse Schans, Holland
Unlike modern Amsterdam, the village of Zaanse Schans still retains its original original face. There are also typical houses of the 17th century and the famous windmills creating a real "Dutch" landscape. Here they sell wonderful natural cheese, beautiful painted porcelain and traditional wooden shoes. 
Pariangan, West Sumatra
The picturesque streets of this Minangkabau village are literally at the foot of active volcano Merapi, which has erupted almost 40 times over the past 200 years. The dangerous neighborhood makes the impression of beautiful landscapes especially strong. 
Savoca, Sicily
This village with a thousand-year history is well known to fans of the book and the film "The Godfather", because the events reproduced in the film were filmed here. Here you can visit the Vitelli bar and the famous Capuchin monastery, where the most famous crypt is located, in which more than fifty bodies have been stored for centuries. local nobility and clergy who were naturally mummified in the catacombs. 
Cua Van, Vietnam
The main treasure of this small fishing village is the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Small houses supported by rafts stand literally on the water in the Ha Long bay surrounded by huge cliffs. The village school is located in one of these raft houses, and students come to it by boat. To see all the beauties of this village, tourists also have to hire a boat. 
Caleta Tortel, Chile
The small village of Caleta Tortel has the glory of "Chilean Venice". True, there are no stone palaces and majestic bridges here, but there are many picturesque wooden houses towering on stilts and connected to each other by a whole web of light suspension bridges, and sometimes just stairs. For obvious reasons, on road transport it is impossible to move here. 
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
All the buildings in this Tunisian village have the traditional colors of bright white walls and sky blue shutters and gates. Against the backdrop of the dazzling blue of the Gulf of Tunis, the village looks simply superb. Many representatives of creative professions constantly rest here, and many tourist companies offer day trips here.
Quote from valniko77 The most beautiful European villages and towns
In Europe, there are many villages that, in terms of the originality of their architecture, are not inferior to the sights of the capital, but incredibly picturesque nature around them can cause genuine delight even among experienced travelers. Here are just a few of the most picturesque villages and small towns in different corners Europe.
Obidos, Portugal
This picturesque old City for a long time was part of the dowry of the Portuguese queens. The city has many architectural sights, the largest of which is the Óbidos Castle, built in the 12th century. Obidos is also famous for its delicious chocolate (it is even called the "chocolate capital") and the traditional cherry liqueur ginjinha.
Eze village, Cote d'Azur France
This is an incredibly picturesque place. resort area French Riviera. The settlement is very ancient - it was founded by the Phoenicians, and got its name in honor of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Today, the oldest building in Eze is the Church of the Penitent Sinners of the White Brotherhood, which was built in 1306. Many celebrities rested and worked in this place. For example, it was in these picturesque places that Nietzsche wrote his philosophical novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Hallstatt, Austria
This Austrian commune is located in a remote mountainous area and is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Here are the oldest European salt mines and the oldest pipeline in the world, through which brine is delivered to Ebensee.
Pitigliano, Italy
The population of this picturesque village is only 4,000 people. A fairly large part of the local population is Jewish, so the town even got the nickname Little Jerusalem. Near the city, many Etruscan crypts have been preserved, which locals used as wine cellars. In the city itself and its environs, there are a lot of architectural monuments the era of the Middle Ages.
Polperro, UK
An incredibly picturesque fishing village, located near Plymouth, attracts so many tourists in the summer that in recent times the tourism business has become the main branch of the local economy.
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen is an incredibly beautiful village located in the Bernese Alps. The number of tourists here is always 5 or even 10 times higher than the number of the local population. It is well developed skiing, and every year in winter are held famous races"Lauberhorn". In addition to skiing and the magnificent surrounding landscapes, tourists are offered a rich cultural program: evenings are held in the local church organ music, and concerts of folk and wind music are organized at the station. Also in Wengen there is a famous puppet theater.
Rapperswil. Switzerland.
Rapperswil is a small Swiss town located at the foot of the Alps, not far from the Zürichsee lake. The main feature of the inconspicuous town is roses. It is all planted with whole plantations of cultivated wild rose, and a romantic thorn also flaunts on its coat of arms. In summer, the town turns into a huge blooming and fragrant flower bed - several tens of thousands of roses of several hundred species and varieties bloom here.
Autoire, France
Many consider Autoire to be the most beautiful village in all of France. The village has existed for more than 800 years, but most of all it has preserved buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which look very picturesque against the backdrop of massive cliffs surrounding Autoire from all sides.
Deia, Mallorca
The glory of this small village is not only picturesque surroundings, but also many famous people who lived here at different times. The English poet Robert Graves, the American writer Anais Nin, the poetess Claribel Alegria are far from full list celebrities. Today Deia's popularity among tourists is so high that as many as 20 restaurants are constantly operating in the village to feed all the guests.
Ravello, Italy
The picturesque surroundings of Ravello have always attracted many tourists, among whom there were many celebrities. At one time, the composer Edvard Grieg, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Gore Vidal and many others rested here. One of the main attractions of the village is the cathedral, built in 1086. A priceless relic is kept here - a vessel with the blood of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Pucisce, Croatia
Pucisce is an amazingly beautiful small town located on the island of Brac. The island itself is only 12 km wide and 40 km long. Not far from the city there are quarries where the famous snow-white limestone is mined. Diocletian's palace was lined with this "brach stone" in antiquity, and in our time Washington DC is decorated with it. White House. But the main occupation of the inhabitants of the island is, of course, the service of numerous tourists arriving in these picturesque places from all over the world.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Kazimierz Dolny is considered one of the most beautiful Polish cities. It has been attracting crowds of tourists and artists for more than two hundred years, especially in the summer. Improvised art galleries are located here on almost every street, and any of the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also bought. There are also many in the city historical buildings, and outside the city, magnificent rural views and picturesque ruins await tourists.
Carlingford, Ireland
A little over five hundred people live in this small village. 800 years ago, a Norman knight built a castle in these places, and the village has already grown around it. This castle is still one of the main attractions of Carlingford today.
Krupe, Belgium
The village of Krupe is located in the Walloon Valley. Like many centuries ago, it is surrounded by a moat with water, and not far away stands an impregnable castle and several picturesque grottoes. Tourists are not allowed into the castle - it is privately owned, but no one bothers to admire it from afar. And the landscapes there are really such that they are worth seeing.
Mittenwald, Germany
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Each of us has our own ideas about what a village and a village vacation is. However, such settlements around the world are very different, and at the same time they have something in common: fresh air, a small number of inhabitants and a small cozy space.
website made a selection of 17 unusual and amazing villages that will win your heart and become the highlight of any trip.
1. Hallstatt, Austria
(Hallstatt, Austria)
Bright, like toy houses, sheltered in several tiers on a mountainside, an azure lake with floating swans, the Alps, which are reflected in the mirror-like water surface - all this gives the impression of a fairy tale come to life.
The population of Hallstatt does not exceed 1,000 people. And the location is unique: on a narrow strip of land between the majestic Alpine mountains and the Hallstattersee lake.
2. Simian-la-Rotonde, Provence, France
(Simiane-La-Rotonde Village in Provence, France)
azure sky, lavender fields, Alpine mountains, Mediterranean cuisine and the charm of Provence - what else do you need to relax your soul? One of the attractions of this place is the castle of Agout (Château des Agoult), built in the XII century. The 12-sided pyramidal rotunda in the castle gave the town its name. Summer festivals of ancient music are held there.
3. Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan
(Rainbow Village, Taichung, Taiwan)
On one of the outskirts of the city of Taichung, there was a military settlement, which, over time, almost all of its inhabitants left. The authorities decided to demolish the houses, and the 86-year-old war veteran, in order to save his yard from demolition, painted the walls of the houses with various characters and patterns. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Taiwan.
4. Marsaxlokk, Malta
(Marsaxlokk, Malta)
Marsaxlokk is a colorful fishing village in Malta. There are no storms in the harbor, so the yellow sandstone houses are located close to the water, leaving only a lane for the roadway and pedestrian promenade. The population of Marsaxlokk is only about 3,000 people. Most men are engaged in fishing in the same way as their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers once did.
5. Floating Uros Islands, Bolivia and Peru
(Floating Islands of Lake Titicac, Bolivia, Perú)
On the border of Peru and Bolivia, on Lake Titicaca, the Uru tribe lives, inhabiting 42 floating islands on the lake. These islands are built by the Uru themselves from reeds. From the same material, residents make boats on which they go for fish. Despite the remoteness from civilization, solar panels can be seen on the reed islands, which allow the locals to watch TV.
6. Alberobello, Italy
(Alberobello, Italy)
Alberobello is famous for its complex of 1,400 trulli, recognized by UNESCO as part of the historical and humanitarian heritage. Trulli - residential peasant houses made of limestone - are unique examples of buildings with dry masonry walls (without mortar). They take their name from the Latin word trulla, which means dome.
7. Monsanto, Portugal
(Monsanto, Portugal)
The small village of Monsanto is proudly called "the most Portuguese village in Portugal." The local saying “In Monsanto you never know whether a stone is born from a house or a house is made of stone” very accurately reflects the originality of local architecture. The boulders serve as the walls and roofs of some houses.
Small houses with red tiled roofs hid under huge granite boulders, and the narrow streets seemed to be carved out of stone by a giant.
8. Uchisar, Turkey
(Uchisar, Turkey)
Uchisar is one of the most densely populated villages in the area. Most of the population, of course, lives in a modern village built around the famous rocks, but there are living quarters in the rocks themselves.
This is a one of a kind rock settlement with towers and spiers of white tuff, located around the central peak. From the top of the cliff you have a great view of the entire valley.
9. Longji Rice Terraces, China
(Longji Rice Terraces, Chinese)
rice terraces in Longji are considered one of the most beautiful in China. Popularly referred to as the Dragon Ridge Terraces, they are located around the picturesque village of Ping An. The terraces are the fruit of many years of work; they have existed almost since the 12th century and are built on the slopes of mountains up to 1,100 meters high. The peasants who built them took care of their survival in the mountainous regions, and this was their only opportunity to feed their families.
10. Pariangan, Indonesia
(Pariangan, Indonesia)
The active volcano Merapi, towering over this village in West Sumatra, is one of the main natural heritage countries. Pariangan is considered the oldest village of the Minangkabau people, so an inquisitive tourist will be able to learn a lot about the culture and customs of the indigenous population.
Charming gabled traditional houses have been preserved here, including a 300-year-old building with wicker rattan walls, as well as a beautiful 19th-century mosque.
11. Cua Van, Vietnam
(Fishing Village Cua Van, Vietnam)
Cua Wan - picturesque fishing village in Halong Bay. This is one of the largest fishing floating villages located right on the water surface. You can get there by rowing boats and see the locals engaged in the extraction of all kinds of gifts. South China Sea. Local residents live in colorful raft houses, the school is also located in one of the floating houses.
12. "Dutch Venice", Giethoorn, Netherlands
(Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice, Nederland)
Giethoorn is one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands and is often referred to as the "Dutch Venice" as it sits on water channels. total length about 7.5 km. The settlement was founded in 1230. To move around the village there is a bicycle path and numerous water channels. The main transport is rowing boats and boats with electric engines. The houses are located on islets and are connected wooden bridges(there are more than 50 of them throughout the village).
13. Bibury, UK
(Bibury, England)
Bibury is considered one of the most beautiful, picturesque and oldest villages in England - the first mention of it dates back to the 11th century. It seems that time has stopped here - old houses, beautiful nature and even public transport does not run so that nothing violates the pristine beauty. Poets and artists, as well as filmmakers, come to the village for inspiration - Bridget Jones's Diary and films about Mrs. Marple based on the stories of Agatha Christie were filmed here.