Hospitable Kokshaysk
Where is Kokshaysk?
Kokshaysk is built on the left bank of the Volga River, between the mouths of the Bolshaya and Malaya Kokshaga rivers. The village is connected to Yoshkar-Ola by a direct highway (formerly called the Kokshaysky tract of the Zvenigovsky district), the distance to the capital of the republic is 56 km. To enjoy the beauty of the local scenery, residents of Yoshkar-Ola and guests of the city just need to get in a car or bus (for example, from the Alley of Health), and get to the village in an hour. How long will it take to drive from Kazan – from the capital of Tatarstan to Kokshaysk is 117 km (about an hour and a half journey). It is much faster to get from Cheboksary, which is only 46 km away (you will have to spend only half an hour in the car). But the road is worth it – there is something to admire in Kokshaysk.
There is a chain of lakes on the border of the village. The most picturesque of them is the Round Lake. A little further away there is a White lake and an almost dried-up Tatar lake. When the groundwater level rises (for example, during the melting of snow), the lakes become flowing, and wide streams flow past the Kremlin Mountain, flowing into the Kokshai Bay.
Sokolinaya Gora is located in the southeastern part of the settlement, which offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. To the east is the Cossack Mountain, and to the west is the Barskaya Mountain. Each hill is actually a sand dune, densely covered with centuries–old forest. It's hard to find more inspiring places than these!
The nature here is so beautiful and attractive that it has inspired filmmakers to shoot several times. In the 30s, the film "Volga-Volga" was shot here, and in 33, director Mark Donskoy created his film "Song of Happiness" here, in which the famous actress Yanina Zheimo played one of the roles. All-Union fame came to her when she played Cinderella in the film of the same name.
Kokshaysk has a large area of forests and meadows typical of the nature of Mari El, therefore, in the 18th and 19th centuries, loggers actively lived and worked in the village.
The beauty of the region and its recreational riches are highly appreciated by locals and visiting travelers from neighboring regions. Therefore, nowadays Kokshaysk is gradually becoming an elite holiday village. Modern recreation centers are located near the village, offering tourists a variety of active entertainment.
River cruises in these parts are not so common, sightseeing bus tours for one day and rafting on boats and kayaks from Kokshaysk are much more popular.
If you want to relax in the expanses of the Volga, we invite you to stay at the Rosinka hotel complex. There is everything here to make you feel sincere hospitality!
The history of the village of Kokshaysk
22 years after the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible, clashes with local peoples did not stop. The Meadow Mari people actively resisted and refused to join Russia. Then it was decided to establish the first Russian city on their land. So the foundation of Kokshaysk dates back to 1574.
It got its unique name from the names of two rivers – Bolshaya and Malaya Kokshagi, between the mouths of which the settlement is located. For more than 200 years, Kokshaysk had the status of a city, and only after the administrative reform in 1781 it became a village.
The history of Kokshaysk dates back 446 years, during which important historical events took place here:
- 1774 – the crossing of Yemelyan Pugachev. A small town with a population of about 1,000 people did not participate in the riot of the Don Cossacks until one day Yemelyan Pugachev arrived here. The leader of the uprising and his squad lost the battle near Kazan and was forced to cross the Volga River to escape from his pursuers in the dense Mari forests. Despite the fact that the rebel did not stay here for long (he planned to go along the Volga to the Caspian Sea), he was greeted like a national hero: with bread and salt. Today, everyone can follow the same path, thanks to the distinctive tourist route "In the footsteps of Yemelyan Pugachev."
- 1869 – arrival of Alexander III. An important event for the village was the arrival of the future Emperor Alexander III. The Grand Duke traveled through the Russian lands and did not fail to look at the beauty of the Volga. He was greeted with a bell ringing and a church service, after which he donated 100 rubles for the opening of a rural school in Kokshaysk. It was built in the same year, and received official status in 1870.
- 1941 – the opening of a workshop for the manufacture of snowshoes and rings for ski poles. The beginning of the Great Patriotic War also affected peaceful Kokshaysk. On the territory of the village, the production of equipment for the needs of the Soviet Army was organized. Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, the workshops were closed as unnecessary.
Since the early 70s, the village has been considered as a recreation area for representatives of the Soviet government. It was decided to use the huge recreational potential of the area most effectively: numerous recreation centers are opening in Kokshaysk.
Sights of Kokshaisk
Interesting places in Kokshaisk
The main symbol of Kokshaisk and its religious center is the Church of the Intercession, built in 1793 with donations from the Tsarevokokshaisk merchant. The most interesting is the unusual architecture of the church, which combines the techniques of ancient Russian masters and the trends of modern times. The white-stone church with blue domes towers over the whole village and pleases the locals.
There is an interesting legend connected with the church. According to legend, at the beginning of the 19th century, they wanted to remove a huge bell from the church in order to install it in the Tsarevokokshaysk temple. But when leaving the village, the bell rolled off the wagon for no apparent reason and fell into the swamp. No matter how hard they tried to lift him, nothing worked, the ropes were constantly breaking. Soon he sank into the ground. Since then, local residents believe that the bell remained on "their land" to protect it.
If you love history or want to get to know the local way of life, we recommend visiting the Kokshaysk History Museum. It was opened in 1994, and its exposition consists of 10 separate sections dedicated to everyday life, archaeological finds, and local history values. The museum is small in size and can be reached in 30 minutes. But take your time: the staff will tell you dozens of fascinating stories and show you antiques.
Other distinctive sights of the settlement include:
- An obelisk dedicated to the soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War. A total of 101 people were drafted from Kokshaysk, 50 of them gave their lives defending their homeland. Their names are etched in stone to remain in history forever.
- Rural cemetery. It is located in the center of the village and was founded more than 400 years ago. Therefore, many gravestones here are declared protected and studied by local historians.
- Round lake. Kokshaysk stands between the mouths of two rivers, a few kilometers from the Volga. But the locals are most proud of the Round Lake and the green meadow that surrounds it. And all because there is a special, fabulous atmosphere here. Schoolchildren in tsarist times believed that mermaids lived at the bottom of the Round Lake.
- Monument to the Pugachev uprising. You can see it on your own or during a hiking trip "In the footsteps of Yemelyan Pugachev."
Rosinka Group employees are always ready to suggest what else interesting things can be seen in Kokshaisk. Due to the rich recreational resources of the region, many activities here are associated with outdoor recreation. For example, you can rent a boat and fishing equipment. You can find more photos of the nature of the city of Yoshkar-Ola and the village of Kokshaysk in our photo album and in any Mari El travel guide.
Interesting people from Kokshaysk
Kokshaysk is interesting not only for its sights, but also for its residents. An outstanding and most famous man was Mikhail Mikhailovich Kologrivov– a naval fighter pilot who flew 53 combat missions. For his services to the Fatherland, he was awarded the Order of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Red Star. The villagers highly appreciated the hero's exploits – the central street is named after him.
Another outstanding personality is Valentina Kazantseva. During the war, she served as a signalman in the Northern Fleet. After a happy return home, Valentina married Mstislav Neyolov and went with him to Leningrad, where she gave birth to a daughter, Marina Neyolova, a Soviet and Russian actress. Marina received the status of a People's Artist of the RSFSR and has been repeatedly awarded various prestigious prizes over her long career. Despite the fact that the girl was born in Leningrad, she often traveled to her historical homeland, Kokshaysk, to relax on the banks of the Volga.
Why will you love Kokshaisk?
Russia is a country that impresses with the beauty of nature and limitless opportunities for a good holiday. And the modest Kokshaisk is an excellent confirmation of this. Built at the confluence of two rivers, with a rich cultural heritage, the village attracts tourists not only from Mari El, but also from neighboring republics – Chuvashia, Tatarstan. The main advantages of staying here:
- Good transport accessibility: it is easy to get from Yoshkar-Ola, Kazan and Cheboksary. For more convenience, you can book a transfer directly to the Rosinka recreation center.
- A variety of accommodation options: we are pleased to offer you comfortable, modern rooms in our hotel complex.
- An interesting and eventful vacation: you can explore the sights in the village, visit the local museum. Or spend all your time on the territory of the recreation center, relaxing in the pool, sauna, or leisurely enjoying the signature dishes from our chef!
Come to Kokshaysk to appreciate our hospitality! If you have any questions, you can contact the administrator at the Rosinki contact phone number.