TUMBLEWEED

A sleepy merchant town on the hills along the Nara River, Serpukhov was once a seat of the powerful princedom, and important stronghold on the southern approaches to Moscow. Its position on the steep hills saved it from looting and devastation a good many times. In November 1941, the Nazi army apprhoached Serpukhov, but never succeded in occupying it. After a month of severe fights, the German troops had to retreat, and thus saving Moscow from devastation. Today, only a rusty German machine gun and a bombshell in the backyard of local museum remind of the city's arduous past. Serpukhov is nice place to stop by for a day or two on your way to Tula. The city landscape is dominated by two ancient monasteries, founded in the 14th century. Local art gallery is undoubtedly the best in Moscow region, boasting an impressive collection of Russian art. There's a vast Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Biosphere Reserve on the outskirts of the city, a house of hundreds of rare plants and animals. But the main attraction of the park is a European bison (otherwise known as auroch or wild ox) who only recently was on the verge of extinction.