You’ve probably never heard of Agafia Lykov.
Most people haven’t, and that’s intentional: Agafia is a hermit who lives miles from the nearest town, in the Siberian wilderness.
Living in remote Siberia means having a gorgeous backyard. It also means no running water or electricity or civilization.Vice
Agafia’s homestead was built across much of the 20th century by her family — its only residents since about 1937. That was the year that Agafia’s father, Karp, set off with his wife and two children into the Siberian wilderness.
Agafia is now in her seventies, still living in the Siberian wilderness by herself, and she’s tough as nails. This is Agafia in 2013:
Agafia Lykov.Vice
What’s it like living in remote Siberia, with no access to running water, electricity, or any of the other benefits of modern civilization? Vice put out a documentary about Agafia in 2013 that shows it’s even harder than you’d imagine.
The Lykovs left Russian society and headed into the wilderness back in 1937.
Karp and Akulina Lykov left their village of Lykovo for the wilderness due to fear of religious persecution.Unknown
Karp and Akulina Lykov were part of a sect of Christianity known as “The Old Believers.” It rose to prominence with some Christians in the 1660s.
This painting from 1887 by Vasily Surikov depicts Feodosia Morozova, a martyr of The Old Believers movement.Vasily Surikov
Over 300 years later, Agafia still practices the beliefs her parents brought to the Siberian wilderness.
The bible she uses is “over 400 years old,” Agafia says.Vice
Her homestead is decorated with Christian artwork: