In 96 km from Moscow to the South there is a lovely small town called Protvino.

Within a pine forest in an exceptionally pictures area, not very far from the place where the river Protva enters falls into the old Russian river Oka a new settlement was started in 1960 . Due to the beauty of the landscape and a resort-like climate, the pine forests of Protvino are called sometimes "The pearl of Moscow surroundings".

Protvino is known as the city of physicists. It homes the Higher Energy Institute. On October 14, 1967, a proton accelerator started to operate, that time the largest installation having the power of 70 MV.

All the institutes of USSR involved in nuclear studies participated in the research run at this accelerator. The latter lead the way to the wide international cooperation in the area of Physics which continues up to date.

There are many remarkable areas around Protvino. And first comes Serpukhov city. It has a lot of historical monuments. There are two acting orthodox monasteries in the city.

• Vladichny girl's monastery, founded in 1360.
• Vysotsky men's monastery, founded in 1374

Vysotsky men's monastery was founded with the blessing by Sergii Rodonezhskii. It was visited by many Russian Tsars including Ivan the Terrible and Boris Godunov

Not far from Protvino there is a place where the first President of Russian Academy of science – Polina Dashkova – came from. There are famous places like Polenovo (the countru house of a remarkable Russian painter), Melickhovo (where Anton Checkhov lived), Tarusa ( a lot of museums are there).

Tourists are especially attracted with the Zubrobull's nursery. To day they keep about 50 Russian Zubrobulls in almost wild conditions.

Recently an ostrich farm was opened for the visitors. There one may see these exotic birds and observe their unusual behavior. The company "Russian Ostrich" will be glad to meet you and to offer you some souvenirs.