Volga Embankment in Plyos

Opposite the Shalyapin monument, there's a cozy café, said to be founded by Isaac Levitan's student and friend, Sofya Petrovna. In the White or Red Hall, you can enjoy a cappuccino with a poppy-caramel éclair or champagne with a Shalyapin pie. All desserts, from cottage cheese kuleika to rum cake, are made in the pastry shop on the Trade Square in Plyos. Take a coffee and a signature dessert with you and let's continue our walk!

We've only walked 500 meters, and already so many sights! We are approaching the mouth of the Shokhonka River. This river, flowing through Plyos and into the Volga, is an important natural and historical landmark of the city. Despite its small size, it played a significant role in the development of Plyos, dividing the city into two parts and shaping its unique landscape. The river inspired many artists, including Isaac Levitan, who captured its beauty in his works. The Shokhonka Valley, recognized as a natural monument, is known for its picturesque landscapes, springs, and paleontological finds.

Let's enjoy the views of the opposite bank and move on!

Across the river, in the shade of trees, stands a monument to the great Russian landscape artist, the man who made Plyos famous, Isaac Ilyich Levitan. He is known for his picturesque works, masterfully conveying the emotional depth and poetry of Russian nature. As a student of Savrasov and Polenov, he elevated the landscape genre to a new level. His works are distinguished by free brushstrokes and virtuoso use of light and color, reflecting not only the external features of nature but also internal emotions.

Levitan's name is inextricably linked with Plyos. Here, the artist created 23 famous paintings, as well as drawings, sketches, and studies - about 200 works in total, which brought him wide recognition.

The monument is installed next to the memorial house-museum of the artist Isaac Levitan – the main museum of Plyos. The exhibition consists of three halls displaying paintings by Levitan and his friends, personal belongings of the artist, a brief biography, and household items of that time. A must-visit!

The Levitan Cultural Center is a modern multifunctional venue located in a historic 19th-century building. The center is equipped with a transformable hall and modern equipment, allowing for exhibitions, concerts, festivals, conferences, and other cultural events. Be sure to visit the cultural center, where there is likely one of the temporary exhibitions organized by the Plyos museum-reserve.

As we walk further, a sculpture comes into view, depicting a young woman in a long summer dress and hat, sitting on a bench by the Volga River embankment. According to the official version, it is a collective image of a summer resident from the late 19th century. However, there is a version that the sculpture depicts Sofya Kuvshinnikova, a student and lover of the artist Isaac Levitan, with whom she spent the summer months in Plyos.

The restaurant is renowned for its unique dishes of Plyos and Volga cuisine in a modern interpretation, created by a young chef with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants. The menu includes dishes made from local seasonal products. The restaurant has its own bakery, smokehouse, and extensive cellars with infusions and liqueurs. The interior is decorated in a pre-revolutionary style: antique carved sideboards, Viennese chairs, crystal chandeliers, and gramophone music create a cozy atmosphere.

It's the perfect time for lunch!

In the same building, there is a unique exhibition dedicated to the rich heritage of traditional crafts of the Ivanovo region, including jewelry art, linen jacquard weaving, Palekh and Kholuy lacquer miniatures, as well as Ivanovo embroidery. The museum showcases a variety of artistic techniques, from delicate filigree to intricate jacquard patterns, immersing you in the world of local craftsmanship of this region.

The iconic landmarks culminate in a unique sculpture located on the Plyos embankment. A touching monument to a cat named Mukha. This small concrete sculpture depicts a pensive cat gazing at the smooth surface of the Volga River. Its story is filled with love, tragedy, and deep attachment to pets.

The cat Mukha lived with the local artist Vitaly Panchenko and his family, near the pier where her monument now stands. Mukha was not just a pet, but a full-fledged family member, and her tragic death left a deep mark on the hearts of her owners. Mukha died protecting her kittens in a fight with a stray dog. This act demonstrates not only maternal love but also the courage inherent in even the smallest creatures.