Debarkader on the Dnieper

On Google and Yandex maps.

A debarkader is a floating structure used as a pier, river terminal, recreation base, or even a houseboat.

There’s only one Soviet-era debarkader left in Belarus.

It was built in 1958 at a shipyard in the village of Shatilki. At first, it belonged to the Bobruisk port. In the 1980s, BMZ (the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant in Zhlobin) bought it and used it as a hotel. In 1984, the plant did a major renovation — the finishes and materials from that time have survived to this day. Later, the “Pridneprovskiy” sanatorium acquired the debarkader. In 2010, entrepreneur Sergey Kaigorodov bought it and, together with his family, turned it into a floating hotel.

We decided to ride our bikes there — first taking a train to Rogachev.

Then cycling about 14 kilometers.

The debarkader is moored on the Dnieper, in a small bay dug specifically for it.

It’s not a stationary structure — it floats. So movable gangways lead from the shore to the deck. You can see water marks on the posts showing how high the river rose in spring.

The deck:

It just so happened that we were the only guests that day.

There were only locals around.

Here’s what the hallway and a regular room look like (I wasn’t planning to post the video, so didn’t bother with quality):

More details:

The owner showed us the boiler room. The debarkader used to have heating, though Sergey said the insulation is thin and has settled over time. Back then, no one counted fuel costs — now heating it would be way too expensive. These days, you can stay there only when it’s naturally warm — roughly from May to September.

The owners are keeping the “old vibe.” If the interior were fully renovated, it would lose that feeling of another era. Sure, not everyone may like the dated furniture or the locker-room-style showers. But I think preserving these artifacts of the past gives you a unique experience. At first, your brain tries to compare it with something familiar — but after a while, you realize you’re living something completely new. And that’s awesome.

In general, the place has kept the spirit of the past. It smells of old times — like a Soviet book from a high shelf. Some will love it, others not so much. Everyone will decide for themselves.

Not far from the debarkader, there’s a spot with a stunning view of the Dnieper — probably the steepest riverbank I’ve seen.

But strong spring floods kept moving it, so a separate bay was dug for it.

Cliff swallows live in the riverbank. It was my first time watching them this close — in the video, you can see them flying into their nests at 4 and 14 seconds.

A perfect place for a picnic, coffee, and quiet contemplation.

The debarkader is moored on the grounds of the “Pridneprovskiy” sanatorium. The sanatorium management and the debarkader’s owners have a good relationship — guests are welcome to use the sanatorium’s facilities freely.

The sanatorium itself and its surroundings look quite Soviet, but there are a few cozy spots to relax.

Or even take a nap.

In the evening, we went to ask about the treatments — maybe we’d get lucky and sign up for a massage.

But we accidentally ended up at a disco.

Rumor has it I stood there watching with my mouth open :)

Everything happens right in the foyer of the medical building. Honestly, I’ve been to discos like this — back in kids’ summer camps. My brain short-circuited a bit: the atmosphere brought me back to childhood, but in front of me were adults — or rather, seniors — all dressed up for the occasion :) It was funny and oddly heartwarming.

At sunrise, the birds nesting in the trees outside sing especially loud. Guests love it — the owner, not so much :)

A morning visit from a local:

Morning coffee:

Before leaving, we filmed some extra shots.

One last view:

From our talk with the owner:

The debarkader hasn’t paid back the money invested in its purchase and renovation. Now, all income just goes into maintenance. Sergey says this project isn’t about money — it’s their family’s second home. What matters is that they want to come back to it.

UPD. At the end of summer 2024, I saw it listed online for around $300,000. But in spring 2025, the summer season opened again.

Another coffee with a view of the Dnieper

And then home.

Definitely worth visiting.

29‒30 May 2024