Tosno: Museum, Church History and Monuments

Tosno comes to life through specific stories: one exhibition is dedicated to Maria Smolina, a church has a varied history of use, and several monuments commemorate different subjects. The town brings together personal biography, architectural history and remembrance.

Permanent Exhibition and Museum History

The permanent exhibition “The Tsar’s Wet Nurse’s Home” opened on 17 May 2018 at the Tosno Museum of Local History. It is on the first floor and is divided into three themed sections. One explores the history of wet-nursing in the Saint Petersburg Governorate and Maria Smolina. It features a recreation of a 19th-century living room, furnished with authentic objects from that period.

Maria Andreyevna Smolina, the young mistress of the house, was summoned to the imperial apartments to serve as wet nurse to the infant Tsarevich. The child later became Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia. The exhibition thus combines a recreated living room with a personal story. The museum’s development also has two datable milestones: the collection of its first exhibits began in 1984 under the auspices of the Tosno City Komsomol Committee; in 1991, the museum received official status.

Church History and Monuments

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Tosno was closed in 1937, operated from 1941 to 1944, and reopened in 1947. It was enlarged in 1951–1952 according to plans by architect V. P. Zasorin. On 4 December 1952, Roman, Archbishop of Riga and Latvia, reconsecrated the church. These dates mark several phases in its use and architectural history.

Monuments also highlight distinct historical themes. On 21 April 2001, a monument was unveiled to all residents of Tosno who fell victim to radiation accidents and disasters. Another monument, dedicated to participants in the fighting in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other armed conflicts, followed on 8 May 2003. On 9 November 2012, a monument to Musa Jalil (Musa Mustafovich Zalilov) was unveiled by the Children’s and Youth Art Centre. Jalil was a Tatar poet and war correspondent who fought in the Tosno area in 1942 and was posthumously named a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Another Activity in Tosno

The Tosno equestrian club «Status» offers riding lessons and visits to a pony farm. Check the current public booking and operating arrangements before visiting.

Nature and Culture in Leningrad Oblast

Leningrad Oblast offers other distinct nature experiences. In the far east of the oblast lies Vepsian Forest Nature Park, with seven nature reserves subject to particularly strict protection rules. The park has numerous lakes; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye, in the reserve of the same name. Its special features include preserved old-growth spruce and pine forests in the “Vepssky Les” and “Askhozersky” reserves. These are important for many organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by commercial activity.

The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in the nature park. Brown bears are relatively numerous there, and the wolverine, an extremely rare animal in the region, has also been observed. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Another cultural attraction in Leningrad Oblast is Koporye Fortress, a museum and monument to ancient Russian stone architecture. It has survived in its present form since the 16th century, while parts of the masonry date from the 13th century. You can visit without a guide using the “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0” multimedia guide; check its availability when planning your visit. Climbing the walls and towers is prohibited because they are in a state of disrepair.

When looking for a holiday apartment, consider the focus of your trip: if the exhibition, church history and Tosno’s monuments are your priorities, focus your search on Tosno. If the nature park or fortress matters more, you can consider these regional destinations as separate options within Leningrad Oblast.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Murino, Kerro massif, Staraya Ladoga, Siversky, Sosnovo, Losevo, Toksovo, Pobeda

Back to the main travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.