Administrative center: settlement of Koslan.

Area: 35,800 km2

Bordering districts: Arhangelsk Region: Ust-Vym, Knyazhpogostsky, Ust-Tsilma Districts of the Komi Republic.

Population: 18,500.

Major industries: timber cutting, timber processing (lumber, fuel briquettes).

Official website of the municipal district: http://udora.info/

The Udorsky District is located in the northwest of the Komi Republic. It borders on the Ust-Tsilma, Knyazhpogostsky and Ust-Vym Districts of the Komi Republic and the Arkhangelsk Region. Udorsky District was established on July 15, 1929.

The Udorsky District has a peculiar history. In the second half of the 15th century, during the formation of the administrative districts within Perm Vychegodskaya, a separate Udorsky District was established. Udorskaya land-volost included all of the Vashka, the upper and middle Mezen (to the mouth of the Vashka). Until 1921, Udora was included in the northern part of the Yarensk Uyezd of the Vologda Governorate, until 1780 ― in the Archangelgorod Governorate. 

The Udora Komi (Udoras) ethnic group was formed in the 15th century. It was formed as a result of the merger of the Lower Vychegda Permians with representatives of the Baltic-Finnish peoples ― the Veps, Karelians, as well as with the Russians. In the 16th century, the upper Mezen was settled by Vym Komi. In the volost of Glotova Slobodka, in addition to the Russians, a group of Glotov Komi was formed. 

The local population was mainly engaged in hunting, fishing, animal husbandry, agriculture was poorly developed in Udora. Hunting and fishing lands were designated to the various villages by sovereign’s scribes to be used by inhabitants of these particular settlements. 

In 1856, the coat of arms of Udora was officially approved and published in the Tsar's Book of Titles. The emblem with a fox as a symbol has an interesting story behind: it is among the first 26 title emblems of the large seal of Ivan the Terrible. Later, an Italian officer of arms changed the appearance of the coat of arms according to heraldry. The coat of arms of Udora is a “French” style shield depicting a fox on a black field, with its front paw raised, looking forward, with eyes and tongue gules. In accordance with the symbolism, black color means the earth and cold which is associated with modesty, humility, sadness. Gules is a symbol of courage, fearlessness. The fox on the coat of arms means liveliness and sharp mind. 

Udora is a rich and picturesque northern region, the land of songs and authentic folklore, which keeps the deep secrets of crafts such as weaving, knitting, embroidery, birch bark art, art woodworking, basket weaving out of willow twigs and pine sliver. Temples are an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage. 

There is a customary holiday calendar. Komi Book Days are regularly held in this region with a lot of visitors involved. The festival takes place every year in different localities, with crafts exhibitions and folk performances. Famous poets and writers of the Komi Republic took part in the festival. A lot of ritual calendar holidays are celebrated in the area. 

Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel in Krivoye

It is the oldest monument of wooden architecture in the Komi Republic. Local legend has it that the Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel was first erected in Krivoye in the early 13th century to become the first chapel built on the Vashka. Traditionally, it was built where the Ker-yu (Komi for “log-water”) meets the Vashka.  

During the Soviet era, the chapel was almost destroyed. Old women remember that the man who threw the bell from the chapel died in torment: within a week his body was all covered with ulcers causing him to bleed to death. Saint Paraskeva (called Paraskevya in Krivoye) has long been revered as the patroness of women and female labor. Paraskeva is responsible for family well-being. If a woman is barren or her children die, it is believed that she was punished by Paraskeva for her sins. She can avert it by praying on the day of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, making a pilgrimage to Krivoye and participating in the Rite of Ablution. The local holiday is celebrated on the Ninth Friday of Easter. It is a popular belief that the icon of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa can heal people and protects women. The holiday begins in the morning with a prayer service in the chapel; women bring their icons with them and place them on shelves next to the church icons.  

A religious procession passes through the village and a river meadow descending to the riverbank, where a ritual ablution of icons is performed at the votive cross. Grouse wings are used for ablution. 

Lastly, they dip the icon of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in the water. From this moment, the water in the river is considered healing for three days. They used the blessed water to wash their faces, wash their children and take it to their homes. If the weather is fine, they also bathe. 

Anoy El Taiga Spring

Anoy El Taiga Spring, which is named after a woman who discovered the healing properties of the water, is just a few steps from the village of Patrakovo. Spring water heals eye diseases, relieves fatigue, slows down aging and stimulates mental abilities. The cross erected at the spring is a sign of the residents’ special reverence for the magic water.

Cross in Chernutyevo

According to Chernutyevo’s legends, Chudes (Veps) used to live there. Chudes are like ordinary people, but you can get rid of them only through prayer and the cross. In the place where the “Town of Chudes” was probably located, the cross “Ilya the Cross” stands. Annually, on August 2, villagers go to the highest hill, where Ilya the Cross was erected. Young and old people climb, bow and pray to Ilya the Prophet to protect the village of Chernutyevo from fires and thunderstorms.

Bench of Consent, Love and Reconciliation in Koslan.

The first objet d'art, the Bench of Consent, Love and Reconciliation appeared in Koslan not so long ago. It was installed in the square of the administration upon an initiative of the Youth Council and the airsoft club. The bench was made by Anatoly Petchin. 

National Museum of the Udorsky District

The National Museum of the Udorsky District is a municipal cultural institution. The opening of the district museum of local history, working on a voluntary basis, was timed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Koslan in August 1985. I. Kurydkashin, the chairman of the district council of veterans, was the first head of the public museum. 

In 2000, the museum was reopened as a branch of the culture center marking the anniversary of the district. In 2005, the museum obtained a legal status of the Museum of Local History, Municipal Cultural Institution of Koslan.
Since 2007, it is the National Museum of the Udorsky District, Municipal Inter-Settlement Cultural Institution. In 2007, a museum in Vazhgort, founded in 1965, became a branch of the National Museum of the Udorsky District. 

Address: 16 Stroiteley Street, Koslan, Udorsky District.
Tel: +7 (82135) 3-31-81
E-mail: koslan_musej@mail.ru

Branch of the National Museum of the Udorsky District
Vazhgort Museum of Local History

The Vazhgort Museum of Local History was opened in November 1965. Boris Petrov, a history teacher at the Vazhgort Secondary School, was the museum’s first collector and curator. In March 1980, the museum was awarded the title "Excellent School Museum", and the title "People's Museum" in March 1988. 

The museum exhibits the interior of a traditional Russian countryside dwelling, hunting and fishing items, a collection of women's clothing, household items made of birch bark and wood. Documentary and photo materials displayed tell about the Epiphany Fair, running in Vazhgort since the 18th century, the inhabitants of Vazhgort including the Civil War and Great Patriotic War veterans, noble collective farmers and loggers, writers of the Udorsky District. Materials on the subject of the Kalinin dynasty, the natives of Vazhgort, is of particular interest. 

The museum offers thematic exhibitions, guided tours, two club associations for adults, and events for children. 

The museum holds 1,375 items. 

Address: 210 Vazhgort, Udorsky District.
Tel: +7 (82135) 26-815.

The first mystical legend of the Udorsky District is about Zolotaya Baba (the Golden Woman). Once upon a time there lived a proud princess Zarni-An (Komi for "Golden Woman") in the land called Udora. The great Orthodox hierarch Stephen of Perm arrived at Udora in the hope of converting local natives to Christianity. In fact, he was quite good at it, but it didn’t work out with Princess Zarni-An. Every morning he came to the bank of the Vashka River, and every time the princess sailed a boat to the middle of the river. She was singing to avoid Stephen’s exhortations. Once, when the bishop was tired of listening to her, he just walked on the water like it was dry land. According to another version, he floated to the princess on the stone he was standing on. Discovering a miracle, the proud Zarni-An plunged into the water and drowned. Since then, locals renounced paganism and began to build churches. Christianity in Udor was embodied in amazing forms. Udora has become one of the most powerful centers of the Old Believers.

In the second half of the 18th century, the Church of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa was built in Krivoye, the Udorsky District. According to legend, the miracle-working icon of St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa was kept in the chapel. Built without a single nail about 300 years ago, the oldest chapel of the Komi Republic retains its crosses and icons through the centuries. According to Chernutyevo’s legends, Chudes (Veps) used to live there. Chudes are ancient pagans who have lived since the year dot. Legend has it that the baptized population became Komi, and the unbaptized population remained chudes. Like ordinary people, chudes eat, drink, take a steam bath, ride horses. Still they are invisible, they harm people in every way, and you can get rid of them through prayer and the cross only. The place where the “Town of Chudes” was probably located is marked with Ilya the Cross. 

Some legends say that chudes buried themselves on the slopes of kar-norys, others say that they sank their property in Lake Voysas-ty, dropped their heads into the lake and drowned. And today you can hear the legend that a treasure is hidden somewhere near Chernutyevo (a box with gold, glowing at night). Running away, chudes failed to take it with them and hid it.