Central Forest Nature Reserve

The Central Forest Nature Reserve in the Tver region serves as an invaluable ecological archive, protecting one of the last remaining large expanses of genuine, untouched European taiga virgin forest. Established in 1931, this reserve was created with the specific mandate of preserving a pristine reference ecosystem where extensive commercial logging has never occurred. The landscape is dominated by massive, moss-draped spruce forests interspersed with dense blueberry undergrowth and treacherous raised peat bogs. Ancient, decaying fallen timber provides critical habitat for an immense diversity of fungi, insects, and lichens, forming the foundational baseline of this self-sustaining forest. The territory acts as an incredibly secure refuge for classic taiga inhabitants, including brown bears, grey wolves, moose, Eurasian lynx, and the elusive capercaillie. Because the reserve has been kept entirely free of human intervention and forestry management, it serves as a great, natural open-air laboratory for global climate scientists and biologists studying undisturbed boreal forest dynamics.

Nearby cities

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and a major global center for politics, economics, and culture.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and served as the capital of the Russian Empire for a long time.

Voronezh

Voronezh is a major city in southwestern Russia, located on the Voronezh River near its confluence with the Don.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is part of Russia's Golden Ring and is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers.

Ryazan

Ryazan is a historic city southeast of Moscow and is known for its magnificent Kremlin.

Lipetsk

Lipetsk is located in central Russia on the Voronezh River.

Kursk

Kursk is located in southwestern Russia and is known for the magnetic anomaly in its region.

Bryansk

Bryansk is located in western Russia on the Desna River and is a major industrial center.

Tver

Tver is located at the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa rivers and was a powerful principality in the Middle Ages, rivaling Moscow.

Ivanovo

Ivanovo is known worldwide as the center of the Russian textile industry and is often referred to as the City of Brides.

Vladimir

Vladimir was the capital of Russia in the Middle Ages and is now part of the Golden Ring.

Belgorod

Belgorod is located in southwestern Russia near the Ukrainian border.

Kaluga

Kaluga is located southwest of Moscow on the Oka River.

Smolensk

Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia, located on the upper Dnieper River near the Belarusian border.

Cherepovets

Cherepovets is located in Vologda Oblast on the shores of the Rybinsk Reservoir.

History & landmarks

Kolomna

An ancient city famous for its preserved Kremlin and traditional apple pastila treats.

Murom

An ancient Russian city on the Oka River, known as the home of the epic hero Ilya Muromets.

Vyshny Volochyok

Known as the 'Venice of the North', this city is famous for its complex 18th-century canal system.

Torzhok

A historical town famous for its gold embroidery and classicist architecture.

Tutayev

A unique Volga town divided into two banks without a bridge, preserving two distinct historical atmospheres.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

A historic city on Lake Pleshcheyevo, the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky and the cradle of the Russian Navy.

Uglich

A picturesque town on the Volga River, known for the tragic history of Tsarevich Dmitry.

Kasimov

A fascinating town where Russian Orthodox and Tatar Islamic cultures have coexisted for centuries.