Sonkovskiy District: Churches, Parkland and Railway History

Sonkovskiy District tells the story of several different historical themes: brick churches, a battle, estate and parkland history, and the railway. Churches can be found in Koy, Gorka and Zadorie; estate and parkland history is associated with Pishchalkino, and railway connections with Sonkovo. Travellers can discover architectural history, landscape design and railway heritage side by side.

Churches and historic sites

The two-storey brick Church of the Holy Trinity in Koy was built by invited craftsmen from Moscow over ten years and consecrated in 1731. In Gorka stands the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God of Kazan, built in 1980. The Church of the Ascension of the Lord is in the village of Zadorie, one kilometre from the church in Gorka.

The battle on the Sit near Bozhonka marks another historical chapter. It took place on 4 March 1238 between the army of Yuri Vsevolodovich, Grand Prince of Vladimir, and a detachment led by Burundai, one of Batu Khan’s commanders.

Sonkovo also recalls the district’s railway history: in 1995, a steam locomotive was permanently installed there as a monument. It stands as a tribute to the railway workers’ significant contribution to wartime transport.

Sonkovo is also an important railway junction. Railway lines run from there to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Rybinsk and Uglich. If you plan to use these connections for your trip, check the timetables before setting off.

Estate history and landscape design

The historic Zaimishche estate in Pishchalkino belonged to the Shubinsky family for several centuries; remnants of the manor park have been preserved. Urchishche-Zaimishche Park was laid out in the French style in the early 19th century. Along its southern edge is an avenue of larches with a hundred Siberian trees. The 19th-century Shchegolyov merchant’s house is also one of the district’s attractions.

These local connections can help you narrow down your search for a holiday apartment: Sonkovo offers a railway connection, while the churches in Koy, Gorka and Zadorie, along with the estate and park in Pishchalkino, offer different cultural highlights. Consider which of these places you would like to include in your trip, and choose your accommodation location accordingly.

More nature experiences in Tver Oblast

Beyond Sonkovskiy District, you can also include nature destinations in Tver Oblast in your travel plans. In the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve, the “Boloto Staroselskiy Mokh” ecological trail passes through a picturesque raised bog. There, you will see broad, open expanses completely covered in moss, along with unusual plants.

The reserve also offers an excursion to the “Staroselskiy Mokh” raised bog, for which visitors use their own vehicles. Guided tours are available on the “Tayny Okovskogo Lesa” and “Lesnaya Azbuka” ecological trails. Another option is a hike to the “Barsuchikha” cordon, which can be planned as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a forest cabin. The hike takes in southern taiga forest and a raised bog. The options therefore vary by type of trip—from guided trails to a hike planned as a day trip or overnight stay.

Discover more places

Get to know Sela too.

Discover more destinations: Kimrskiy District, Sandovskiy District, Kalininskiy District, Spirovskiy District, Udomelskiy District, Toropetskiy District, Torzhok.

For the broader travel overview: Tver Oblast.