Excursion Malye korely wooden architecture museum tour at Archangelsk

Explore the Old World wooden architecture of northern Russia during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion to the remarkable Malye Korely Museum.

Arkhangelsk, Malye Korely Museum

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to Malye Korely, a wooden architecture museum nestled amidst picturesque hills and surrounds. For ages, northern Russian has been famous for its wooden churches and houses. The Malye Korely Museum houses a collection of over 100 unique samples of old wooden architecture, and is the largest open-air museum of its kind in Europe.

Guided Museum Tour

Upon arrival, you are welcomed with bread and salt, an old Russian tradition, then escorted by a guide clad in traditional clothing for a narrated tour of the museum. The setup portrays a typical Russian village of the past, with churches, bell towers, barns, windmills, and houses collected from the Arkhangelsk region of Russia. Houses built only with axes during the 18th and 19th centuries still stand today. During your guided tour, learn carpentry secrets and folk traditions whilst strolling past these wooden treasures. Although most buildings are viewed from the outside, interior visits include an impressive, five-domed Orthodox Church and a house heated in black.

Free Time

Following your tour, some free time is made available for independent exploration, taking photographs and observing exhibitions which may be on display. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.93 miles (about 1.5 kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 30 steps at the sites visited. Walking at the Malye Korely Museum is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear comfortable, layered clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, insect repellent, and a waterproof jacket or coat from the ship. Due to the local climate, most of the coaches are air-cooled. Guests must be at least seven years old to participate on this tour. Coaches, guides and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guides may have a strong accent.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Arkhangelsk, Northern Russia, Malye Korely Wooden Architecture Museum, Churches, Bell Towers, Barns, Windmills, Houses, Orthodox Church