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Long-way is an off-road adventure along the legendary road built by Peter I — is a project for active, restless people interested in Russian history.
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Gzhatsk Tract begins in the town of Yukhnov in Kaluga Region (previously it was a part of Smolensk Region) and ends in Gagarin (previously - Gzhatsk) in Smolensk Region.
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Like many things in Russia, the Tract owes its existence to Peter the Great.
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In 1719, Peter I ordered the construction of a trading wharf on the banks of the Gzhat River (a tributary of the Volga) to shorten the route to the northern provinces. That was the reason for building the new road, which was of exceptionally good quality for these times.
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Around 30 vessels a day set off from the wharf. After the first "Gzhatsk convoy" had effectively saved the new capital from starvation, Peter officially ordained the Gzhatsk wharf as a "resident of Petersburg."
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Under Empress Catherine II, Gzhatsk became a modern stronghold.
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The road was once described as "one of the finest trade routes of Kaluga Province."
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All along the way there stood villages, inns, and post offices. But that was the middle of the 19th century.
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During the Patriotic War of 1812, partisan forces fought in these forests.
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And it was here that the "Mozhaysk Line" was established in 1941 in the defense of Moscow. Even today, search teams still uncover remains and add new names to the memorials to the heroes who fell at Smolensk.
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The purpose of the event was to cover this legendary route.
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The road has been out of use for a long time, and in places has practically ceased to exist.
Long-Way.ru
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Most of the villages that once lined it have crumbled into the dust. Only nettles and wild raspberries pay tribute to these once inhabited places.
Long-Way.ru
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The Tract can only be navigated in specially prepared off-road vehicles.
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The route passes through many former villages. The existence of some is hinted at by hillocks were houses once stood, the remains of fruit trees, and paths in the place of streets; but others can only be found using a map.
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The land around the Tract is saturated with iron. The echo of war literally rings out at every step.
Long-Way.ru
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On the ground lie evenly scattered shards, shells, and pieces of equipment.
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Sometimes human bones can be seen protruding from a ditch. Mass graves are all around: by the side of the road and deep in the forest.
Long-Way.ru
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Here and there the original embankment of the Tract is preserved; elsewhere the odd bridge or ford pops into view.
Long-Way.ru
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In some areas the Tract passes through picturesque fields and meadows, while in others it dives into a dark thicket of dense woodland.
Long-Way.ru
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The region is home to, perhaps, a few dozen monuments, but the exact number of nameless graves lies hidden in the forest.
Long-Way.ru
