Each city is unique in its own way, and each has its own zest. Some can boast of their antiquity, others beautiful architecture, still others the number of green spaces, fourth original building.
Once, in the early Middle Ages, European and Eastern authors called Russia “Gardarika” - a country of cities. And today, Russia can be proud of the beauty and splendor of its cities.
It is difficult to choose the most beautiful among Russian cities, but we did not ask ourselves such a goal. Just consider how one Russian city differs from another.
So, before us is the most beautiful city in Russia.
18
Vladimir
In the photo: Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir.
One of the oldest settlements in Russia. For a long time, historians argued over who founded the second capital of Russia, Vladimir the Great or Vladimir Monomakh. Recent studies prove that in 1108 the city was founded by Vladimir Monomakh.
But in Vladimir there is a monument to the Baptist of Russia. Vladimir is unique in its old Russian architecture. Golden Gate, one of the three surviving in the world. But in Kiev, the gate is a remake of the twentieth century, in Jerusalem they are sealed, and in Vladimir they have survived to our days almost in its original form.
In the photo: Monument to Vladimir.
Among the architectural monuments, it is also worth noting the Assumption Cathedral with frescoes by Andrei Rublev and the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, built during the time of Vsevolod the Big Nest. One of the most ancient churches, the Church of St. George the Victorious, was also preserved in Vladimir, it was built during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
17
Suzdal
In the photo: Museum of Architecture.
For the first time, Suzdal is mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years" under 1024 in the meaning of "Suzdal". Most likely, from Old Slavonic it literally sounds "to be the city here." So it happened, Suzdal grew up in a beautiful and majestic city.
The pride of Suzdal is preserved to this day monuments of the history and architecture of Russia. The core of the ancient city is the Suzdal Kremlin with three beautiful churches: the Assumption (XVII century), Nikolskaya (1720-1739), the Nativity of Christ (1775).
In the photo: Suzdal Kremlin.
If we turn to pure statistics, then in Suzdal there are 5 monastery complexes and more than 50 churches. Here is one of the oldest monasteries in North-Eastern Russia - the male Spaso-Euthymius Monastery, built in 1352.
16
Nizhny Novgorod
How not to mention the city that went down in history as the savior of Russia in the Time of Troubles.
Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 on the Volga. At that time these were marginal lands, and Nizhny became an outpost of further Russian colonization of Finno-Ugric lands.
In its history, Nizhny Novgorod has changed many statuses. It was the center of the principality, later it was a county town. In the period of the Russian Empire, Nizhny Novgorod was a provincial city, and in the Soviet period - the regional capital and the center of the automotive industry.
The visiting card of the Lower, of course, is the Nizhny Novgorod Stone Kremlin. In its entire history, it was never taken as a result of an assault.
15
Murom
Murom is the same age as Russian statehood. In the year when it was founded (862), Rurik began to reign in Novgorod land - the founder of the dynasty of princes, and later the tsars of Russia.
Among the architectural monuments, it should be noted the oldest monastery in Russia - Spaso-Preobrazhensky, built by architects in 1015.
With the mention of the name of the city, everyone immediately remembers the Russian hero Ilya, a native of Murom. Many natives glorified not only the city, but also Russia - the pilot Gastello, playwright Gladkov, patrons of love Peter and Fevronia.
In the photo: Murom Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Posted by: Alexxx1979
14
Kazan
Translated from Turkic languages, the name of this city is “boiler”. The khan ordered to dig a cauldron into the ground, and where water boils in it, there and put a city. So in brief describes the legend of the foundation of Kazan in about 1004.
In the photo: Kul-Sharif. Kazan mosque. Most-beauty mentioned it in an article about the most beautiful mosques in the world.
The uniqueness of Kazan in the harmonious combination of Russian and Tatar cultures. In one city, there are beautiful mosques and magnificent Orthodox churches. In Kazan, as in Moscow, there is a Kremlin built after the accession of the Kazan Khanate to the Moscow state.
But the Syuyumbike tower of the Kazan Kremlin belongs to the “falling” towers. The deviation of the spire from the vertical of the tower is almost 2 meters.
13
Yekaterinburg
Founded in 1723 as the center of the mining region of Russia, it remains to this day the capital of the Urals.
Of the attractions that are combined into a tourist route, the Red Line will highlight the 1905 Revolution Square, the water tower of 1880. Among modern buildings, the city circus and the recently opened Yeltsin Center are distinguished by the originality of the building.
In the photo: Yeltsin Center.
The coat of arms of Yekaterinburg is made in two colors, as a symbol of its geographical location on the border of Europe and Asia.
12
Kaliningrad
The westernmost regional center of the Russian Federation in its history has been both a German and a Polish city. Called Königsberg until 1946, Kaliningrad was transferred to the USSR by decision of the Potsdam Conference.
Kaliningrad, founded in the 13th century, has gone through a complex, and sometimes tragic, history. But the residents managed to maintain the originality of these places.
In the photo: Kaliningrad Cathedral.
Nowadays, modern buildings coexist perfectly with restored medieval buildings. Pride of Kaliningrad - Cathedral. The Dome Cathedral of Our Lady and St. Adalbert, as it is also called, began its history in 1297. In 2007, the cathedral was named the main symbol of the Kaliningrad region.
In the photo: Dome Cathedral of Our Lady.
11
Smolensk
In the photo: Smolensk Kremlin.
When traveling through the most beautiful cities of Russia, you cannot ignore a place with a beautiful and glorious history - Smolensk. Since ancient times, he was an outpost of Russia to protect against invaders. Poles, French, Germans for a long time stuck under the old city.
The center of the Krivichi tribal union, Smolensk is mentioned in the annals in 862, and is considered the oldest city in Russia.
In the photo: Holy Assumption Cathedral.
The main attraction is the Smolensk fortress, sometimes it is called the Smolensk Kremlin. This architectural structure was built at the end of the XVI - beginning of the XVII century. It was of great importance in the defensive line of the Russian state.
The main temple of Smolensk, the Holy Assumption Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is beautiful and amazing. Among modern buildings, the originality of architecture stands out. The building of the regional administration of the Smolensk region.
On our site most-beauty.ru there is a very interesting article about beautiful Orthodox icons. So here is one of them - the Smolensk Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located in this glorious city.
10
Sochi
Located in the subtropical zone, on the Black Sea coast, Sochi is beautiful in its nature. On the one hand is the sea, on the other - snow-capped peaks of the mountains. Sochi is also the longest city in Russia.
Settlements in the territory of the modern city are mentioned as far back as antiquity.
The architecture of the resort capital of Russia has changed in connection with the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. For the Olympics, beautiful buildings for sports and cultural purposes were built, the resort and ski areas were modernized using modern technologies. Architectural solutions for the constructed sports facilities are also unique.
9
Rostov-on-Don
The beautiful city of southern Russia was built by decree of Empress Elizabeth in 1749. But in the period of antiquity, the Greek colony polis Tanais was located here. The investigated ruins of an ancient settlement can still be seen on the outskirts of Rostov.
Located at the mouth of the Don, Rostov became the unofficial gate of the Caucasus. It is also famous for the fact that it is one of the cleanest cities in Russia.
In the photo: Rostov City Duma.
Rostov is unique for its development of the XVIII - XIX century. The main streets intersect at right angles. This feature has survived to the present day.
There are about 1000 objects of cultural heritage in Rostov, including 70 monuments of archeology from different eras. Among the architectural masterpieces, one should single out the City Duma Building and the Chirikov Apartment Building.
In the photo: Apartment building.
8
Sevastopol
In the photo: Sevastopol Embankment.
Sevastopol is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Russia. He takes his story back to ancient times. Byzantine Chersonesus became a sacred place for Russia. And Russian Sevastopol became a hero city with a glorious history.
In 1793, Crimea became part of Russia, and immediately the decree of the empress began the construction of a new city on the site of ancient and medieval settlements. Having survived several wars, the city literally revived from ruins, and continues to delight the beauty of its residents and guests of the resort city.
In the photo: Tauric Chersonesos.
In convenient bays of Sevastopol is the base of the Russian Black Sea Navy.
Sevastopol has become a crossroads of various cultures. On city streets next to Orthodox churches are mosques and Catholic churches.
One of the most beautiful embankments in the world, Primorsky Boulevard overlooking the Sevastopol Bay, where the Monument to the Scuttled Ships is installed.
In the photo: Monument to the scuttled ships.
7
Kostroma
Kostroma is among the oldest settlements in Russia. Founded in 1152, the city has preserved its originality and monuments of Russian architecture to this day.
In the name both Slavic roots and Finno-Ugrian are guessed. The Slavs “Kostroma” - this is straw for firing the furnace, among the Finno-Ugrians - “Land of retribution”.
In the photo: The bridge across the Volga.
Tourism Kostroma authorities consider as one of the important areas of economic development. Indeed, in Kostroma there is something to see.
The unique building of the oldest Drama Theater in Russia. Of interest to tourists and historians are ensembles of the Ipatievsky and Epiphany-Anastasia monasteries. Of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia, Kostroma suffered the most from the policy of combating religion in Soviet times. Many churches here were blown up or demolished to the ground.
6
Yaroslavl
In the photo: Church of Elijah the Prophet.
The city of Prince Yaroslav, one of the oldest cities in Russia, based on the Volga River.
Yaroslavl boasts many historical and architectural monuments. The center of development of Yaroslavl in the XIX century was the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Yaroslavl is decorated with more than 20 churches built in different periods of history, from ancient Russia to the twentieth century.
In the photo: Fountains on the "arrow".
Churches and old architectural structures organically fit into the image of the city. Yaroslavl managed to preserve the cultural heritage of their ancient city.
Yaroslavl is included in the Golden Ring and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Views of Yaroslavl adorn the Russian banknote with a face value of 1,000 rubles.
5
Novosibirsk
In the photo: The bridge across the Ob River.
Nikolskaya Sloboda grew into the village of Krivoshchekovo, and the city of Novosibirsk grew in its place. Now about 2 million people live in the center of the Siberian Federal District.
In the photo: Temple of Alexander Nevsky.
Of the sights, the first stone building in the city stands out - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in 1899. This Siberian city is also famous for its beautiful Botanical Garden.
pictured: Novosibirsk Opera House.
As a separate tourist route in Novosibirsk, you can make a walk to the peculiar and original monuments of our time - “Serpent Gorynych”, “Monument to the seller and buyer”, “First traffic light”, “Monument to the first date”. And from here begins one of the most beautiful roads in the world - the Chuysky tract.
4
Sergiev Posad
In the Soviet period, Zagorsk, Sergiev Posad is also included in the Golden Ring of Russia route.
For the first time, Sergiev Posad was mentioned in 1340 in a description of the life and work of Sergius of Radonezh. The beautiful city of Russia has become a truly spiritual center.
In the photo: Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius.
On the territory of Posad is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - one of the oldest monasteries in Russia. The uniqueness of the monument lies in the fact that for five centuries it absorbed the different-style buildings of different eras.
A unique attraction is the Zagorsk Matryoshka. It is believed that the birthplace of the Russian nesting dolls is precisely Sergiev Posad. And today, Sergiev Posad is the center for the production of this Russian toy, known throughout the world.
3
Arkhangelsk
Located on the shores of the harsh White Sea and the shores of the Northern Dvina, Arkhangelsk has the same harsh architecture and history.
Yes, and Arkhangelsk was founded in 1547 by one of the most tyrannical tsars in the history of Russia, Ivan the Terrible. At that time, the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsk monastery stood on the bank of the Dvina. From it the city got its name.
In the photo: the monument “Bronze crank”.
The Russian fleet began its history from Arkhangelsk. Peter I used the experience of Pomors and tested the first warships of the Russian fleet in the White Sea.
For a long time the attraction of the city was the House of Sutyagin. A wooden house, 38 meters high, independently built by a resident Nikolai Sutyagin. It was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest wooden house in the world. Unfortunately, the house was demolished by decision of local authorities.
Among the unique monuments is the Compound of the Solovetsky Monastery. But about the monastery itself can be found in our article "The most beautiful places in the sea."
2
Moscow
In the photo: Moscow City.
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, the capital of the Russian Federation, was first mentioned in the annals in 1147. But the exact age of the modern capital of the Russian state has not been established.
From the city of the specific principality, Moscow at the end of the 15th century, under Tsar Ivan III, became the capital of the Russian state.
In the photo: St. Basil's Cathedral.
Today, Moscow is an important tourist center. The preserved monuments of history, archeology and architecture are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
One of the most significant and beautiful sights is the Kremlin and Red Square. The historical center of Moscow includes St. Basil's Cathedral, the Assumption Cathedral, towers and buildings of the Kremlin, Alexander Garden, the Mausoleum.
In the photo: Alexander Garden.
The hero city can be proud of other buildings. The Bolshoi Theater, the Art Museum are made in the best traditions of the Baroque style.
The spiritual centers of Moscow, the Novodevichy Convent, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior became a place of pilgrimage not only for Orthodox believers, but also for tourists.
In the photo: Novodevichy Convent.
1
St. Petersburg
The most beautiful city in Russia St. Petersburg is also the most beautiful city in the world. Conveniently located between the channels of the mouth of the Neva, the city impresses with its originality and original architecture.
In the photo: Kazan Cathedral.
The creation of Peter for a long time was the capital of Russia and the residence of emperors. Each sovereign tried to bring his significant feature to the image of the capital. For this, the best masters from around the world were invited. This is the originality of Northern Palmyra - a harmonious synthesis of various architectural styles and techniques.
In the photo: St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Palace Square, Peterhof, Admiralty Building, these are the few architectural monuments that have become the hallmark of the city. Many museums of St. Petersburg invite tourists and visitors to get acquainted with the greatest masterpieces of Russian and world culture.
In the photo: Palace Bridge.
The most beautiful city in Russia is considered to be the cultural capital.Do not count the works in which the beauty and grandeur of the city of Peter on the Neva are glorified.
Conclusion
Our list is arranged in a chaotic manner and does not imply the location of Russian cities from first to last, in beauty. The only exception is St. Petersburg, rightfully recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
In conclusion, we will say only one thing, each Russian corner is unique not only by its beauty, but also by its inhabitants, who managed to create and maintain their originality and beauty.
Article author: Valery Skiba