(Source: http://strana.ru/places/60059)

Once village Vitoslavlice was situated to the south of Novgorod, near the St. George's Monastery, on the shore of the Myachin Lake and the Volkhov River. It was here for a long time: from XII to XVIII century.

Since 1964, here is the Museum of Wooden Architecture, an open-air park-museum, the same as "Vitoslavlitsy", in memory of the old village. The dimensions of the park museum would was never dreamt by the village: an area of 35 hectares. A town with high churches, barns and huts is situated behind the wooden slanted fence. All of these are of wood darkened by time. Almost fifty years ancient wooden structures have been brought here, in the former mansion of the Countess Orlova-Chesmenskaya, from the entire Novgorod region, which are restored and studied.

The old rotted boards and beams are replaced by new ones, strictly according to the science. But here is a pure form of "Theseus paradox" - two hundred years these huts would still be considered authentic or it will be new huts? In the morning mist all sense of time is completely lost, if you find yourself in the enchanted landscape of Bartonovskaya "Sleepy Hollow". The lake attracts by ghostly sheen on the outskirts of the park. In a dark smoky hut of Tunitskii (from the defunct Old Believer village Pyrischi) the guests are greeted by elegant "noblewoman", who politely asked not to use a tripod, and talks about the purpose of the strange objects hanging on the wall, about the simple but almost unknown peasant way of life. From the darkness of the well with a "pie" an annoyed frog looks as if it requires closing the lid immediately.

There is a colorful tintamarre with frivolous picture behind the dark harsh church. Smoking is not allowed anywhere except the designated "sandbox", where all smokers are crowed. Sellers of souvenirs can talk with customers in five languages and distinguish the island Chinese from mainland Chinese.

History

In the XII century Vitoslavlitsy village that was situated in this place was transferred by Novgorod Prince Izyaslav Mstislavovich to his brother. In 1207 the village became a monastic quarter at St. Panteleimon Monastery. Now there is an administration of the museum in the mansion of Countess Orlova-Chesmenskaya who settled here in the XIX century. It was decided to establish a museum in 1964, but it was opened only on May 16, 1967. Restorers needed time to transport Novgorod wooden architecture monuments to the museum.

In Vitoslavlitsy you can eat in cafe "Dospeshnya" near the building of the administration. Kvass, sbiten and other dishes a la russe and smoking is prohibited. You can also exit from the territory of the museum and cross the road. In front of Vitoslavlitsy there is a hotel-restaurant complex "Yuryevo Podvorye" serving with porridge, soup, jelly and other culinary delights. Events & Festivals. Folk and crafts festivals are regularly arranged in Vitoslavlitsy. Here "Zvonarskoye Veche" was conducted, a festival of bell-ringing. Yule celebrations, save, horse festivals and "Cabbage in Vitoslavlitsy" party take place here. Velikonovgorodsky international festival of folk arts and crafts "Sadko" takes place here too. 

The lake attracts by ghostly sheen on the outskirts of the park. In a dark smoky hut of Tunitskii (from the defunct Old Believer village Pyrischi) the guests are greeted by elegant "noblewoman", who politely asked not to use a tripod, and talks about the purpose of the strange objects hanging on the wall, about the simple but almost unknown peasant way of life. From the darkness of the well with a "pie" an annoyed frog looks as if it requires closing the lid immediately. 

There is a colorful tintamarre with frivolous picture behind the dark harsh church. Smoking is not allowed anywhere except the designated "sandbox", where all smokers are crowed. Sellers of souvenirs can talk with customers in five languages and distinguish the island Chinese from mainland Chinese.