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Village Life Near the Moscow Metropolis

Of the more than 70 towns in the Moscow region, venerable Vereya is certainly the smallest.

With just a few thousand permanent residents, Vereya has the appearance of a rustic Russian village, despite its prime location little more than 100 kilometers from the center of Moscow.

An archetypal Orthodox church towers over the town, which is known for the historic buildings that it, unlike many others, has managed to preserve.

In the summer Vereya comes alive as a popular retreat for Muscovites in search of a breath of fresh air. In winter, it is nearly empty, as photographer Yekaterina Solovyova discovered.