In Spirovskiy rayon, the churches date from 1672 to 2001. Timber and stone construction, different dedications and several centuries of history offer cultural travelers concrete points of interest. There is also a manor park and an insight into Karelian culture in Kozlovo.
Churches spanning several centuries
The stone Vvedenskiy Church in Kozlovo was built in 1834 and has six altars. They are dedicated to the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple, the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Epiphany of the Lord, the Holy Trinity and Saint Martyr Vlasiy. Two of the six dedications refer to the Mother of God; the others name additional saints and church feasts. Its construction date, stonework and varied altar dedications offer several ways to understand this church.
The earliest point in this timeline is the wooden Trinity Church in Obodovo, which dates from 1672. In Vydropuzhsk, the Church of the Mother of God Hodegetria was built in the second half of the 18th century; it is also known as the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God of Smolensk. A church complex near Novgorodka dates from 1773. In Babye stands the Church of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, dating from 1823, while the church complex of the Georgievsky parish in Matveyevo dates from 1854. In Spirovo, the Church of the Holy Martyrs Vera, Nadezhda and Lyubov and their mother Sophia was built in 2001. This makes it possible to compare different construction periods and the explicitly named materials without reducing the churches to a single era.
If you would like to visit individual churches, check visiting arrangements in advance.
Manor park and Karelian culture
The estate of N. M. Svechin is in Dubrovka. The park at the Dubrovka estate was laid out in the mid-19th century and regularly landscaped. Its design took account of both the natural landscape and the location of the estate buildings. Here, formal park design sits alongside the incorporation of the landscape—a different perspective on cultural history from the churches’ construction dates and dedications.
Another cultural connection is the VIII Interregional Festival of Karelian Culture, OMA RANDA, in Kozlovo. At the 2026 edition, craftspeople held workshops for everyone interested. The program included, among other things, making kalitki, weaving, wood carving, painting and pottery, as well as decorating toys and gingerbread. Unlike the historic buildings, the focus here was on practical activities. In that edition, the festival brought together culinary practice and various craft techniques; this does not mean that these activities will be repeated.
More topics in the wider destination of Tver Oblast
Looking beyond Spirovskiy rayon to the wider destination of Tver Oblast, visitors can also discover archaeological and monastic history. In Torzhok, Verkhneye gorodishche is an archaeological monument of federal significance and a tourist attraction in the historic center. The festivals “Blin s Pripyokom” and “Kuzminki v Torzhke” are held annually in the Novotorzhskiy kremlin. The Novotorzhskiy Borisoglebskiy Monastery in Torzhok was founded in 1038 and is one of Russia’s oldest Orthodox monasteries. If you plan your trip around one of the festivals, check the dates for the relevant year.
Nature is another feature of Tver Oblast: guided walks are offered on the “Tayny Okovskogo lesa” and “Lesnaya azbuka” ecological trails in the Central Forest Reserve. The “Boloto Staroselskiy mokh” nature trail passes through a raised bog with wide open areas completely covered in moss and unusual plants. Visitors use their own vehicles for the excursion to the “Staroselskiy mokh” raised bog. Another option in the reserve is a hike to the “Barsuchikha” cordon: it can be taken as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a forest cabin. Along the way, you will see southern taiga forest and a raised bog. Tver Oblast therefore offers a choice of cultural destinations and nature experiences with different focuses.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Kozlovo, Konakovskiy rayon, Sandovskiy rayon, Vyshnevolotskiy rayon, Rzhevskiy rayon, Kuvshinovskiy rayon, Kalininsky District, Vesyegonskiy rayon.
Back to the wider travel overview: Tver Oblast.
