PENZA - ПЕНЗА

Penza was founded in 1663. The city is located on both sides of the Sura River.

The central square.

The drama theatre.

To the founders of Penza.

PENZA OBLAST - ПЕНЗЕНСКАЯ ОБЛАСТЬ

LERMONTOVO (TARKHANY) - ЛЕРМОНТОВО (ТАРХАНЫ)

One hundred kilometers west of Penza there is a more interesting place than rather plain Penza. It is the village of Lermontovo also known by its historic name as Tarkhany.

Mikhail Lermontov one of the greatest Russian poets grew up here in 1820s under the guardianship of his grandmother. Besides being a brilliant poet, Lermontov was also a gifted writer and artist. He died at a duel when he was only 26 years old but nevertheless left an enormous poetic heritage.

Even if you have never heard of Lermontov it will be nice to make a stop here to see the well preserved early 19th century mansion, the family church and many original 19th century items on display.

Mikhail Lermontov was buried in a chapel on the premises of the village church.

The burial chapel.

Mikhail Lermontov's tomb.

Mikhail’s paternal family descended from the Scottish family of Learmonth, and can be traced to George Learmonth, a Scottish officer who settled in Russia in the beginning of the 17th century. George Learmonth descended from the famed 13th century Scottish poet Thomas the Rhymer. In October 2015 a bust of Mikhail Lermontov was unveiled in the Scottish town of Earlstone where his ancestors once lived. (More about George Learmonth in Kostroma Oblast).