Tarusa, a beautiful provincial city near Kaluga, was comfortably located on the banks of the Oka River a very long time ago - 8 centuries ago. Many years have passed since that time, and he lived his own life and retained magnificent beauty. His culture, history and famous people are described in this article.
History of the Prioksky town
It was not possible to establish a specific date for the creation of the first settlements on the site of the present Tarusa, and the first mention of the inhabitants of this area dates to the end of the second half of the X century. Hypotheses are put forward that there already in those days there lived tribes of Slavs - Vyatichi. Their main business was fishing, housekeeping, and the sale of various crafts, since river communication already connected the lands of Russia with each other, and the city of Tarusa is located on which river? On the Oka.
About the town under its modern name there is a document dated 1246, where there is evidence that the owner of these lands was the son of Prince Chernigov Yuri. Then Tarusa was an outpost and center of the prince's possessions.
There is a legend about the origin of the name of the settlement: the court of the lord of these lands was fenced around the perimeter with a high fence, which the Golden Horde troops tried to destroy for a long period. During the assault, the Mongol-Tatars attacked her with cries of "Ta Russia!" Their efforts were in vain, and the local population gave the name of the fortress of Tarus, which was later renamed the current name of the town.
In the XIV century, the small principality merged with Moscow.
In the XVII century, almost all the inhabitants of Tarusa died of a disease (plague). Only a few decades later the city recovered from this blow.
During the Second World War from 10.24 to 12.19.1941, Tarusa was captured by the Nazis, but they did not bring serious harm. The bridge over the Tarusa River was destroyed by the retreating units of the Red Army. Later it was rebuilt.
In 1961, during the reign of N. S. Khrushchev, the anthology “Tarusa Pages” was published. Party members banned the publication, but a certain number of copies were still acquired. Currently, this work is very much appreciated by antique dealers.
After 10 years, dissenters often stopped in Tarusa. Joseph Brodsky, Alexander Ginzburg, A. Solzhenitsyn and many others visited here.
Now the town has the legal status of an architectural and nature reserve. For more than 7 years, work has been carried out here to perpetuate the memory of Lieutenant General M. G. Efremov, who was born in this provincial town. In addition, Tarusa is famous for its minerals, which are actively used in construction (for example, the so-called Tarusa marble).
Cultural Heritage of Tarusa
The city is rich in various attractions. The most famous among them are:
- Housing Museum of K. G. Paustovsky. The writer considered Tarusa a comfortable, quiet place that did not affect the process of industrial development. The city seemed to have been mothballed in imperial time forever.
- Housing Museum of the family of Marina Tsvetaeva. Located in a picturesque place. The house was erected by the grandfather of the world famous poetess. The building is located near the river. Nearby are crystal clear keys and a path is laid along which tourists and fans of Marina Tsvetaeva walk.
- Temple of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Also located on the Oka coast. The cathedral was erected by the famous architect I. Yasnygin in 1785. In 1779, on the site of the temple was a small wooden church dedicated to Nikolai Ugodnik.
- S. Richter's country house was built in the middle of the 20th century (in 1950). From there, a magnificent panorama of the surroundings opens.
- The housing of Vasily Alekseevich Vatagin, who was in the city in 1902, fell in love with his identity and decided to stay here to live. After 12 years, he was erected a home. He gave priority to the style of ancient architecture of the North of Russia.
- House of Writers. The calm pacifying beauty of the city fell in love with many talented people of the country. Among them was Professor I.V. Tsvetaev - the creator of the museum A.S. Pushkin and the father of the famous poetess.
This is not a complete list of cultural heritage, which annually attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims.
Famous inhabitants
The list of celebrities who visited the city at different times will be very impressive. They had different fates and goals. There were writers Paustovsky, Chekhov and Tolstoy, Tarkovsky and Richter, Sumarokov, painters Polenov and Borisov-Musatov and many other prominent representatives of national culture.
An honorable place among famous people whose life is connected with Tarusa is assigned to the family of the poetess M. Tsvetaeva. The estate of her ancestors was preserved, and the dwelling of the poetess herself did not spare time. Her house was later restored and set aside as a museum. Not far from the Peter and Paul Church there is a monument in the form of a lady who fixed her eyes on the river and the countryside. In 1960, through the efforts of the local population, a large boulder was established, which recalls the cordial attitude of M. Tsvetaeva towards Tarusa.
In the town on the Old cemetery, the poet's daughter, A. Efron, found the last refuge.
The famous artist V. Borisov-Musatov lived in this architectural and nature reserve, from which unique canvases came out from under his brush. The urban environment, the charm of the surroundings, the beauty of the Tarusa River, as well as the mighty and mysterious Russian spirit inspired the painter.
One cannot but mention K.G. Paustovsky, who is still loved by the inhabitants of Tarusa. The writer did a lot to make the inhabitants of the town comfortable. Through his efforts, the streets were landscaped in those days. Now in the city is the aforementioned house-museum of this great man.
