On August 23, 2026, the village of Chkalovsky District of Nizhny Novgorod Region hosted the presentation of a tourism and design code developed specifically for this historic settlement. The concept was unveiled at the event "Purekh 2.0: A Picnic on Lugovaya" with the support of the Creative Practices Team.[1]

Developers and project content

The tourism and design code was prepared by the Agency for the Preservation and Development of Historic Environment Objects (ANO "ASIRIS") together with the architectural studio "Blago," with support from the regional Ministry of Tourism and Crafts of Nizhny Novgorod Region.[2] The project was grounded in urban planning and sociocultural analyses of Purekh. Based on their findings, specialists formulated proposals for tourism branding, the architectural and artistic character of the environment, and event programming.[1]

The key principle of the design code is a careful approach to the existing environment: rather than setting new elements in opposition to the Historic Buildings, they are to be gently integrated into it. In selecting solutions, the developers focused on simple structures suitable for low-cost repair and replacement, as well as on traditional materials — wood, stone, and metal. Yekaterina Kryunas, Director General of ANO "ASIRIS," described the approach as "tactful urban improvement, simplicity, and economy."[1]

A separate component of the project was Purekh's visual language: the developed pattern incorporates motifs of local wood carving, along with images of a rooster, a cat, and a little bell. From these motifs a line of souvenir products was created — a postcard and a scarf with local patterns, a T-shirt and a tote bag bearing the village logo, and a bell.[1][2]

Restoration works

Running parallel to the development of the code, more than 25 sites within the village's tourist route were brought into order starting in 2024. Specialists replaced and painted 695 sq. m of roofing, repaired and painted 2,275.9 sq. m of façades, and restored 973.7 linear meters of fences and enclosures.[3]

Masters from the ASIRIS "School of Restoration," together with graduates of the program "Repair, Restoration, Conservation and Recreation of Wooden Structures and Elements," worked on the decorative features of ten rural houses: in total, 101 window surrounds were preserved and recreated, of which 55 were crafted from authentic examples and 16 were restored. A further 30 window surrounds were prepared for the historic building of the former school — house no. 89 on Lenin Street, built in 1902 with funds provided by merchant Dmitry Sirotkin. The head of the "School of Restoration," Oksana Krupina, linked this choice to preserving the memory of Sirotkin — a native of the village of Ostapovo, now part of [3][4] Purekh.

Context: Purekh in Tourism Development

From 2026, Purekh has been included in the Golden Ring of Russia route, expanded from 10 cities to 59 localities of various sizes.[3][4] Development of tourism infrastructure in these areas is being carried out under the national project "Tourism and Hospitality." The selo has been known since the 17th century as the hereditary estate of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky; the local Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral held the banner of the Nizhny Novgorod militia until the 19th century. Historically, Purekh was also renowned for the casting of copper bells and jingle bells — in 1896 they were displayed at the All-Russian Industrial and Art Exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod — and for traditional decorative wooden house carving; both crafts are reflected in the new design code.[3][4]

Sources

  1. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — A tourism and design code was developed for Purekh in Nizhny Novgorod Region (archive)
  2. nobl.ru — A tourism and design code has been developed for the historic selo of Purekh
  3. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — More than 100 window surrounds restored for houses in Purekh (archive)
  4. nn.aif.ru — A new tourism and design code created for Purekh in Nizhny Novgorod Region (archive)