A Permanent Pilgrimage Route Was Launched in Kalmykia

Kalmykia’s permanent pilgrimage route links Elista’s Orthodox shrines, the republic’s cultural heritage, and the natural landmarks of the steppe region.

On June 23, Kalmykia launched a new pilgrimage tourism route dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Appearance of Christ the Savior in Elista. The route will operate on an ongoing basis.

The program is designed for several days and combines three thematic blocks: spiritual-historical, cultural-ethnographic and natural-recreational. Regional tour operators participated in the development of the project.

The spiritual and historical part acquaints pilgrims with the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where in 1946 the Appearance took place of the Savior, the Kazan Cathedral, the Cathedral of Sts Cyril and Methodius under construction, as well as the chapel of Alexander Nevsky.

The cultural part includes acquaintance with the epic “Dzhangar”, the old Mongolian writing “Todo bichig” and the traditions of the Kalmyk people. The natural block provides for a trip to Lake Manych-Gudilo within the boundaries of the Black Lands reserve.

Sources: RIA Kalmykia, TASS.