SOUVENIRS AND GIFTS 

Russian souvenirs will not only make a nice addition to the collection of your memories of Pskov, but will be also a perfect gift for any occasion.

Especially Russian things to buy:
Matryoshkas (nesting dolls)
Do you know that the prototype of this favorite Russian souvenir
that has become the symbol of Russian folk art, was a figurine of Buddhist monk Fukuruma containing several smaller figurines one in each other, and brought to Russia from Japan in the 19th century?

Khokhloma
Wooden kitchen utensils (plates, salad-bowls, cups, spoons and other household articles of everyday use) decorated with rich golden, red and black floral pattern.

Lacquer miniature and enamel jewelry
In ancient Russia enamels were considered to be the most expensive and valuable jewelry pieces.

Christmas and Easter eggs
Eggs are made out of different materials and painted in different styles. In Russia it has always been a symbol of joy, sun and revival of  nature.

Gzhel porcelain
Vases, tea and coffee services, tableware sets and sculptured items with ornamentation in vivid blue colors against snow-white background.

Zhostovo metalwork
Lacquer metal trays with a subject or floral painting. Landscapes and still-lifes are the most popular subjects of Zhostovo painting, Russian fairy-tale characters are also often represented.

Amber
Amber is a petrified resin of trees which grew over millions years ago and now are buried on the bottom of seas. Many Russians use amber items as a mascot, they say it attracts friends and helps in love. Anyway, amber figurines, beads and necklaces, rings and earrings, bracelets and
pendants will gladden your eyes with warmth of their sunny colors.

If you look for something beautiful and unusual, Pskov's souvenir and gift shops will offer you a wide variety of articles handcrafted by talented local artists:


ART GALLERY IN MENSHIKOV'S CHAMBERS
Sovetskaya St., 50
The Menshikov house (17 c.) is one of the most interesting buildings in Pskov. The house - called chambers - belonged to the Menshikov merchant family and retained many distinctive traits of Pskov's architecture: uneven limestone plain white-washed walls, porches with arches on squat, round pillars, elegant carved stone plat-bands, reminiscent of icon-cases. The chambers were restored and adapted to house a gallery of naive art. This is an exhibition of Pskovian amateur artists. Their ingenuous works fascinate with unsophisticated simplicity. The Menshikov house also contains an exhibition of traditional Pskovian ceramics and articles made out of local clays. Pottery of various sizes and forms is displayed and sold: vessels, jars, cups, bowls, saucers, mugs, jugs, vases, toys, piggy banks, funny figurines of cats and dogs, fanciful houses - candle holders... You can also buy here beautiful flowers and books about Pskov.

ADMINISTRATIVE CHAMBERS
Kremlin, 4
Good choice of gifts, antiques, copies of items exhibited in the history and fine
arts museum, works by artists from Pskov, Moscow, St. Petersburg, souvenirs, books on art, guidebooks.

EXHIBITION HALL OF ARTISTS' UNION
Lenina St.,1
Exhibitions of works by Pskov's artists. In the small shop of the exhibition hall you can find a wide variety of paintings and traditional Russian souvenirs.

"GONCHAR" SHOP
Oktyabrsky Pr., 16
Bright, original,folk-style pottery produced at the GONCHAR (translated as "potter") factory is "a business card" of Pskov: ceramic vases, tea and coffee services, mugs, bells, clay statuettes of Russian young ladies... Reasonable prices.

MIROZHSKY MONASTERY
Krasnoarmeiskaya naberezhnaya, 2
Books about the history of the frescos of the Mirozhsky
monastery, about Pskov and archaeology, postcards, guidebooks, souvenirs.

GIFT SHOP OF THE HISTORY AND FINE ARTS MUSEUM
Nekrasova ST., 7
Souvenirs: copies of Pskovian pottery, dolls in folk costumes, copies from the museum's archaeological collection (rings, brooches, bangles), paintings, arts and crafts, books on history and archeology, rare books. Mini-exhibitions of the works by local artists.

CENTER OF CRAFTS
Nekrasova St., 8
A good choice of items made out of birch bark and willow, typical Pskovian ceramics, paintings, batik, articles made by local blacksmiths, beautiful hand-made embroidery.


"NAKHODKA" SHOP
Oktyabrsky Pr., 18
Souvenirs, arts and crafts, paintings, books, postcards,
antiques.

"NASLEDIE" SHOPS
Oktyabrsky Pr., 4
Oktyabrsky Pr., 25
Souvenirs, arts and crafts, paintings, books on art.

SOUVENIRS
Oktyabrsky Pr., 32
Arts and crafts, beautiful hand-made embroidered linen
tablecloths.

Contact info:
Joint Stock Company "Intourist"
22, Oktyabrsky Pr.
180000 Pskov
Russia
phone / fax: +7 8112 164565, +7 8112 165783
e-mail: turizm-1@ellink.ru (incoming department)