Where to go and what to see in Plyos.

Museums, art galleries, churches, houses decorated with wooden carvings and more await you.

Plyos is a small but very picturesque town on the Volga. It is located in the Ivanovo region, and Isaac Levitan often painted its surroundings. People come here to see wonderful landscapes, walk along small cozy streets, admire houses with carved wooden patterns and mansions that once belonged to local merchants. It’s beautiful here all year round, but many tourists consider golden autumn to be the best time for excursions.

How to get to Plyos and where to stay

The nearest airport is in the city of Ivanovo. From there it is about 70 kilometers to Plyos. You can get there by train, bus or taxi. The journey will take no more than an hour and a half.

Plyos is a very small city, its area is only a few square kilometers. But there are always a lot of tourists here, and therefore there are also a lot of hotels, apartments and hostels.

Travelers often choose the small three-star hotel Grand Owl, the Shalyapin, Son & Lyon and Inspiration of Levitan hotels. As well as the apartments “At Sofia Kuvshinnikova’s” and “At the Cathedral Mountain”, the mini-hotel “House on the Water” or the sanatorium “Akter-Plyos”. In October 2023, room rates for two visitors start from 3,400 rubles per night.

In Plyos you can also rent an apartment for daily rent. A one-room option for 2–4 guests can cost 3,500–4,500 rubles.

What sights to see in Plyos

The city is often called an open-air museum. Here you can simply walk along the streets of the historical center or along the Volga embankment. In addition, tourists strive to see the main city attractions.

1. House-Museum of Isaac Levitan

Address: Plyos, Lunacharskogo street, 41.

Located in the mansion of the merchant Solodovnikov. The artist lived here in 1888–1889. Isaac Levitan and two of his artist friends rented rooms on the mezzanine. Here the famous painter painted about 200 works - paintings and sketches.

The museum's exhibition consists of three parts. The first is a story about the artist’s life in a small house on the banks of the Volga. Here you can see the painter's tools. The second part is an exhibition of works by Levitan and his friends: Alexei Stepanov and Sofia Kuvshinnikova. The third is two memorial rooms. Levitan and Stepanov lived in one, Kuvshinnikova lived in the other. Personal belongings of the artists are also kept here, and the Volga is visible from the windows.

In summer the museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, in winter - until 17:00. Details can be found on the page of the official website of the Plyos Museum-Reserve, which is dedicated to Levitan’s house.

2. Cathedral Mountain

Here is the most popular observation deck, which offers a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings, as well as the Volga. From here you can admire classic Russian landscapes for a long time - they inspired Levitan and his friends.

On the mountain in warm weather you can often see contemporary artists. They bring to canvas, a piece of paper or a tablet screen the same views that their colleagues did more than a hundred years ago.

On Cathedral Hill, the remains of the ancient Fortress Rampart were preserved. And a unique architectural monument - the Assumption Cathedral, built at the end of the 18th century. In 1889, Levitan depicted the mansion in the painting “Evening. Zolotoy Plyos"

This is the only museum in Russia whose exhibitions include only landscapes. Here you can see the works of artists who painted nature in different styles. In the halls of the museum there are canvases by Savrasov, Polenov, Shishkin, paintings by Soviet artists, as well as creations of modern painters.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

4. Museum and exhibition complex “Public Places”

Address: Plyos, Sobornaya Gora street, 1.

Here you can learn about the history of Plyos. The museum contains unique archaeological finds. For example, the Alabuga treasure contains about 400 pieces of jewelry created in the 7th century. Scientists believe that they became a kind of victim - they were buried in the ground by the builders of the rampart that protected the city.

In addition to jewelry, you can see here ancient ritual and cult stones that were used back in pagan times. The guides will tell you about the Plyos fortress and the ancient city of Chuvil, about the Penkovsky settlement, and about the ancient history of these lands.

The museum is open all week except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00 in summer and until 17:00 in winter.

5. Church of the Resurrection of Christ

Address: Plyos, Lenina street, 2.

The church was built in 1817 in honor of the victory over Napoleon's troops. Gilded domes are reminiscent of the traditions of Russian architecture, and strict geometric shapes are reminiscent of the laconic architecture of the early 19th century.

This is one of the most popular temples in Plyos, which many guests of the city strive to see. It is located on a hill and is clearly visible from the Volga. Maybe that’s why the church has repeatedly appeared in films: it can be seen in “Cruel Romance” or the film comedy “Chinese Service”.

6. Wooden Church of the Resurrection of Christ on Mount Levitan

Address: Plyos, Mount Levitan.

Inspired by the views from this low mountain, the famous artist, after leaving Plyos, painted the painting “Above Eternal Peace.” On it is a small wooden church, which he depicted in a sketch, and then used for a full-fledged canvas.

The same building has not survived. But in 1982 another wooden temple was moved to Mount Levitan. He also ended up on the painter’s canvas - the painting “Wooden Church in Plyos at the last rays of the sun.” And in 2013, master carvers created a new wooden iconostasis for the temple.

Not only tourists, but also believers are keen to see the church - services are regularly held here.

7. Plyosskaya embankment

Address: Plyos, Sovetskaya street - Lunacharsky street.

The embankment appeared in Plyos in 1781. Over time, it became one of the busiest city streets. In the 19th century, merchants willingly built their mansions here - these low, neat buildings still adorn the city today.

Tourists are eager to visit the Plyos embankment, look at the Volga, and watch how ships arrive and depart from the piers. Here you can see unusual sculptures: a bronze figure of a summer resident who sat down to rest on a bench, and a cat who looks into the distance. There is also a bust of Isaac Levitan on the embankment.

Well, after the walk you can sit in one of the small cafes or look into the souvenir shop.

What to bring from Plyos

You can choose handicrafts, works of painters or gastronomic gifts.

Souvenirs from Kalashnaya Street

Here you can buy Pavlovo Posad scarves, home textiles and linen clothing, hand-painted magnets and Christmas tree decorations, wood and birch bark products. Local sellers make it easy to find souvenirs for every taste.

Paintings by local artists

Art lovers should go to any of the art salons where works by Plyos artists are sold. There are paintings for every taste. You can choose a city sketch, a view of the Volga embankment, or a landscape painted on Cathedral Hill.

Felt boots or sheepskin products

A warm accessory can be given to someone as a souvenir or worn in cold weather. From Plyos it is worth bringing felt boots made in neighboring Kineshma, sheepskin slippers and mittens, warm vests or hats .

Smoked fish

In the Volga there are catfish, pike, carp, roach, perch, and pike perch. Therefore, it is very easy to buy delicious smoked fish here. But smoked bream is especially popular among city residents and tourists.

Jam, tea, tinctures

Local berries, fruits and herbs make very tasty liqueurs and tinctures. Honey is often added there. Tea mixtures with dried berries and pieces of fruit are also good. And jam and jam made from blueberries or wild strawberries, which are collected outside the city, will be a good gift for those with a sweet tooth.

Have you been to Plyos? If yes, tell us in the comments what else is worth seeing in this city.