Svetlaya Polyana, Eco-ethnographic park in Maximikha, Russia.
Svetlaya Polyana is an open-air museum in the mountains near Lake Baikal, spread across several hectares with traditional wooden buildings that contain exhibitions about local cultures and ecological systems. The structures are built following historical methods and house information about the environment and the people who lived in this region.
The museum was created to preserve the architectural and cultural traditions of the region, based on building styles from the 1600s. It was established to show how early settlers and indigenous peoples lived in this area and used their environment.
The exhibitions show how the Buryats and Evenks have lived in this region for generations, with displays of their traditional building methods, crafts, and relationship with the land. Walking through the structures gives a sense of daily rhythms and practical knowledge these communities developed over time.
From November to May, warm clothing is necessary as temperatures drop below freezing and outdoor activities become difficult. The best time to visit is during the warmer months when you can walk around comfortably and explore the buildings.
Some buildings were constructed without nails, using traditional joining techniques that are hundreds of years old. These craftsmanship methods made it possible to create stable structures without metal fasteners, showing how practical knowledge solved building challenges.
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