Novoselytsia

An authentic 20th century Rusyn village – built in Minecraft.

Table of Contents

Do you ever wonder how our people lived a hundred years ago? What the place your grandparents grew up in looked like? It is becoming more and more difficult to find such pristine historical environments…

From that sad realization this project, Novoselytsia, was born – an attempt to create a virtual museum of a hypothetical Subcarpathian village in the year 1928, on its first steps towards industrialization. It all began with a simple video guide on how to build a replica of an authentic Rusyn house in Minecraft, and ended up growing into a whole village that you can now take a walk in.

So let us take the narrow-gauge railway to the place your ancestors would call their home… to Novoselytsia!

Trailer

Novoselytsia trailer in Rusyn

How to connect

For non-tech-savvy people
First off, to visit Novoselytsia you will need _Minecraft: Java Edition_, which is only available on Windows, macOS and Linux. If you have previously bought Minecraft in Windows/Xbox Store, you probably already own Java Edition.

Currently it is not possible to visit Novoselycia from Minecraft: Bedrock Edition that you can get for Xbox, PlayStation, Android and iOS – but we might work on it in the future if we see enough demand coming from players on those platforms.

Specifically, you will need Minecraft: Java Edition version 1.20.6 or higher – you can set your Minecraft version in the game’s launcher.

Here’s how to do that in the official Minecraft launcher:
  1. In the sidebar to the left select Minecraft: Java Edition.
  2. Go to Installations in the top tab bar.
  3. Either Add installation or change version of an existing installation via … → Edit.
  4. Set version to 1.20.6 or higher.

Once you’re in the game, select Multiplayer, then Add server; you can write whatever you want in the Server name field, but make sure you type (or copy and paste) play.novoselytsia.kocky.cc as Server address.

With that done, you should be all set up and ready to connect!

For seasoned Minecrafters

To connect, you need Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.6 or higher. We might try hosting for Bedrock Edition as well if there’s demand for it.

The server address is play.novoselytsia.kocky.cc.

Why Novoselytsia?

Novoselytsia (Rusyn: Новоселиця) literally means “new settlement”. It’s also a fairly common name for real life Rusyn villages; there are at least four Novoselytsias in Zakarpatska oblast: near Perechyn, near Mukachovo, near Khust, near Tiachovo.

Why bother if there are physical museums?

Exactly – because they are physical! Novoselytsia offers a different approach with its own upsides and downsides; if, say, the skansen in Uzhhorod is too far away from you, you might be seeking easier ways to admire some Rusyn architecture of yore – and that’s where a virtual space like Novoselytsia steps in. You can visit from almost any location, and the digital buildings won’t degrade over time or fall victim to a natural disaster.

But you’re not going to be able to physically touch the buildings, of course. That’s what physical museums are for!

What can I find in Novoselytsia?

Map of Novoselytsia

A top-down map of Novoselytsia, with building numbered 1, 3, 5, 7 in the north; numbers 4, 8, 9, 10, 12 in the west; number 6 in the south; and numbers 2, 11 in the center or east of the village
  1. House
  2. Chapel
  3. Church
  4. School
  5. Harbor
  6. Salash (Shepherds’ place)
  7. Factory
  8. Hamora (Forge)
  9. Post office
  10. Market
  11. Inn
  12. Theater

Panoramas

A wide, almost aerial view of the market and local church, many houses, and mountains in the background
A panoramic shot of all the different houses in Novoselytsia
Wheat fields and gardens behind people’s houses as evening falls on the village
Novoselytsia and its market square at night

Places of interest

House

An elegant house with a vineyard beside it

Chapel

The compact wooden chapel stands among the trees
Inside the chapel is a lectern and shelves filled with religious literature

Church

A traditional Rusyn church: banners called korogvas are placed beside the benches; a gold ikonostas installation decorated with depictions of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, saints, and biblical events, separates parishioners from the sacred altars operated by priests
The wooden village church as seen from the outside. A bell tower sticks out the front part, and two wooden crosses decorate the roof

School

The local school, a modest building consisting of the teacher’s living space and classrooms
View from inside the classroom: there are several desks, a few bookshelves, a blackboard, and a map on the opposite wall. The teacher cleans the place up before the classes start

Harbor

The harbor houses a boat and a crane to move heavy loads
The harbor houses a boat and a crane to move heavy loads

Salash (Shepherds’ place)

Sheep roam inside the enclosement, and nearby one can see hay bales and a big wooden cross serving as a place of worship and a guard against evil
The shepherd’s place also has kolyby – compact and modest housing with a campfire in front of it. This is where the shepherds rest
Inside a kolyba is a loom, a bunk bed and some storage

Factory

The factory is a sign of the village’s industrialization. It’s a concrete building serving as the main point of production of bricks
Inside the factory is a study with all the necessary paperwork to run such an enterprise

Hamora (Forge)

The hamora (forge) is the workplace of the smithy; it is powered by a water mill
A close up of the water mill. The stream runs elevated through the wooden gutter, then drops onto a wheel, setting it in motion
Inside the forge are anvils, dangerously hot furnaces and stockpiles of materials needed to make all sorts of metal stuff

Post office

The local post office is a light-colored building in between the houses
Inside the post office is the postman, currently sorting out letters and packages. There is an abundance of potted flowers and plants – he likes to look after them and they brighten up the place

Market

The marketplace is a vital part of the village. It’s where both locals and wandering traders gather to exchange goods. In the far end of the market stands a copper monument dedicated to the founder of Novoselytsia
A close up of a butcher’s tent. He sells all kinds of meats: beef, pork, mutton
There is also a trader selling watermelons – it’s a popular sweet snack around here

Inn

The inn is a neatly decorated two-story building with a stone foundation and wooden elements
The inn has a lot to offer: tap beer and food are served here, and travelers can rent rooms on the second floor
A close up of the bar. There are multiple beer taps and a selection of what’s on today’s menu. The bartender rubs some mugs clean with a towel

Theater

There is a theater in Novoselytsia – a somewhat large building of concrete and bricks, a place of cultural and social entertainment in an otherwise pretty busy village
Inside the theater are rows of benches, a balcony, and of course the main stage. The theater is empty right now
A sneak peek of the dressing rooms; costumes are up on hangers, and there are illuminated mirrors for actors to get ready for their roles
The stage has a staircase on either side

Main street

The main street is a long, well-trodden, cobblestone-covered path with sunflowers on the side

Poor man’s hut

A poor man’s hut with its hay roof reminds us that not everyone is financially equal in the village

The Founder Monument

The copper monument sings its praise to the village’s founder
In collaboration with