Krapivna – The Rebirth of a Pearl of the Russian Province
EU project
2007 – 2009
Partners: International Foundation “Heritage of Leo Tolstoy”
Heritage Association of Thuringia
The project started in May 2007. It aims to prepare the reconstruction, revitalisation and future tourist use of the historical village of Krapivna in the Tula region.
Krapivna – the former capital of the Krapivna district, having a 600-year historical background - is a small village nowadays. Until the 19 th century Krapivna was a prosperous district capital, famous for its fairs, crafts, charity and educational traditions. Furthermore, Krapivna can be understood as an example for the best traditions of Russian local self-governance bodies (in Russian called “zemstvo”) at the end of the 19 th century.
Until now, Krapivna has preserved its unique appearance – a church in the central square, two-storey merchants' houses, cobble roads etc.
Krapivna is a key element in the life and literature of Leo Tolstoy. We can find numerous records of Krapivna in Tolstoy’s diaries, and local inhabitants served prototypes of his characters. A branch of the Leo Tolstoy Museum-Estate “Yasnaya Polyana” - the Krapivna Local History Museum - is situated in a historic building in the centre of the town.
We regard the future of Krapivna as an open-air museum, a typical chief town of an “uyezd” (district), brilliantly depicted in classical Russian literature. This vision corresponds to the intended tourist use. Hotels, restaurants and shops will create new jobs and open up new economic possibilities. Also the local small businesses will benefit from this tourist development.
German/European best practices of revitalisation through culture and by involving the inhabitants provide the necessary knowledge and will help to convince the local actors. A communication centre in the very heart of the village will serve as a place of public presentation and discussion, and it will host the local development key group.
By doing so, the project will develop an example for the whole of Russia how to strengthen regional development by using the traditional culture and by actively involving the local population.
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