A seaside town with an ancient history, it is a great place for a cultural break. Arkhangelsk has prepared a lot of interesting things for its guests, you can visit museums and other attractions. Of course, the question arises - what to bring from Arkhangelsk in order to preserve pleasant memories of the trip? There are many souvenirs that tourists might like. In the city you can find good gifts for family and friends, as well as something pleasant for yourself.
Handicrafts
A significant part of the souvenirs from this city is somehow connected with folk crafts. Since the history of Arkhangelsk is quite ancient, there are many traditions here, which, among other things, are passed on among the masters.
The bone carving school is one of the famous areas for which the city is famous. This craft has been preserved here from the Pomor people, and has been held in high esteem at all times. Bone souvenirs can be different, complex and unusual openwork products are striking in their beauty, but manual work is also worth it. However, you can find more affordable products that are also not devoid of charm and lightness.
Mezen painting is another interesting craft. The characteristic colors are red and black, by which such products can be recognized. The heroes are people, animals, birds, which are present on dishes and other household utensils, painted by craftsmen. These things can be bought at the museum or in the souvenir shops that are in the city.
One of the symbols of Arkhangelsk is Leshukonskie mittens. These accessories are not only bright and elegant, but also very warm, they will perfectly warm your hands and save you from severe frosts. There are different ornaments on the mittens, each of which has its own specific meaning. Such patterns are made using wool of different colors.
Chip birds - these small souvenirs are made of wood using a special technology. It is believed that they bring happiness and good luck to the house, so you can hang such a bird over the entrance, or elsewhere. This is a small souvenir, so you can get it even if there is not much space in your bag.
Kargopol toys have long been made in this area. They are created from clay and hand-painted with vibrant colors. The heroes can be people and animals, and often several toys make up a whole composition, for example, a troika carries a sleigh or a grandfather and a cat lie on the stove. These funny miniatures will not leave anyone indifferent. And the main character of the Kargopol stories is Polkan, a mythical centaur who acts as a defender of ordinary peasants.
Many people find birch bark products pretty and may well act as a souvenir from Arkhangelsk. Various boxes, tuesques and other interesting objects are made of this material. At the same time, the painting is done on the basis of a natural pattern and goes well with it, complementing it and revealing it, allowing the viewer to see the plot suggested by nature itself.
Deer skin high fur boots are a warm and useful souvenir, which also belongs to the primordial folk products. You can choose more practical options that will perfectly protect from the cold even on the coldest days, or opt for beautiful shoes, richly decorated with beads and painting. However, in terms of their qualities, the decorated high fur boots are in no way inferior to the usual ones.
What delicious to bring from Arkhangelsk?
There are also suitable souvenirs for gourmets in Arkhangelsk. How can this city surprise you in terms of gastronomy? First of all, it is worth remembering its location by the sea, which means that there are a lot of fish delicacies here. You can buy them in all possible forms - smoked fish, salted, dried, fresh - products for every taste are sold. There are several of the most popular fish species that you should definitely try: salmon, halibut, ruff, cod, sterlet.
Berries are another tasty, and most importantly, useful souvenir from this city. Many different species grow here - cranberries, blueberries, cloudberries, blueberries, lingonberries. This is a real storehouse of vitamins, and nature generously shares these gifts with people. During the season, you can buy berries at the market very inexpensively, which were picked a few hours ago.
Kozuli are delicious surprises for those with a sweet tooth. It's not immediately clear by the name, but these are gingerbread cookies, painted and beautiful, made in the form of toys. That is why these souvenirs are perfect for children. Scented treats can be bought at the market or local stores. Another popular sweet is Kargopol grouse, but it will be possible to purchase them only in March or April, since such a dish is prepared in honor of the holiday of the beginning of spring - this is an old Pomor tradition that residents still observe.
Lovers of spirits can be advised by Lomonosov Balsam. It is produced by the city distillery. The balm is interesting because it contains many useful ingredients: herbs, honey, leaves and roots of different plants, berries. Such an abundant composition, at first glance, seems incongruous, but in fact, all this gives an original and unusual taste.
Other interesting souvenirs
In addition to various products from folk crafts and delicious souvenirs, you can bring other gifts from Arkhangelsk. There is a seaweed plant in the city that makes various cosmetics based on these ingredients. It is known that algae contains a lot of useful substances, so products made from them are useful for those who want to look good.
Among the creative people of Arkhangelsk, Stepan Pisakhov is famous - a storyteller who writes stories and collects local legends. In his collection, he describes the beauty of his native land, the way of life of its inhabitants, local peculiarities and folklore. Such a souvenir will be of interest to those who are fond of literature or culture of small nations.
Having visited Arkhangelsk, one can not only touch the ancient history, but also look at the living incarnations of this history - the products of masters who carry old traditions. And at the same time and buy yourself something to remember about this land.
