43 best attractions of Belgorod - the most complete overview

Sights of Belgorod

Modern Belgorod, whose population does not exceed 350 thousand people, amazes visitors with a variety of attractions. The compact city, located just 40 km from the border with Ukraine, is loved by residents and tourists for its cleanliness, lack of fuss and good infrastructure. Here you will also feel the proximity of picturesque natural places, and the city itself is quite green, so you can easily find several cozy places for walking and relaxing.

Belgorod is a dynamically developing border center where you will find a large number of architectural masterpieces and iconic monuments. Ancient temples and new high-rise buildings are just one part of the city, which impresses with its contrasts. Museums, buildings of the 19th and 20th centuries and, of course, the very atmosphere of the Belogorod region can tell you about history. So, here are the attractions that will be discussed in the article.

Cathedral Square, Belgorod State Academic Drama Theater
Chapel of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, Ferris Wheel
Museum-diorama “Battle of Kursk. Belgorod direction”, Museum of Folk Culture
Street of the 50th anniversary of the Belgorod region, Monument to Prince Vladimir
Holy Trinity Boulevard, Transfiguration Cathedral, Smolensk Church, Sundial
Power line support in the form of the coat of arms of Belgorod, Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery
Central Park, Victory Park, Botanical Garden of the National Research University "BelSU"
Contact Museum of Medieval Military Affairs, Belgorod Art Museum
Museum of History and Local Lore, Gallery of Photographic Art named after V. A. Sobrovin
Belgorod State Philharmonic, Belgorod Puppet Theater, Belgorod Dinopark
Monument to the most honest traffic cop, Monument to Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich
Temple of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, Belgorod Literary Museum
Monument “My First Teacher”, Rotunda Chapel in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ
, Prokhorovskoye Field Museum-Reserve, Belogorye Nature Reserve
Palace complex of the Yusupovs in Rakitnoye, Kholkovsky Monastery, Barkov's Mill
Krapivenskoye ancient settlement, Klyuchi Park, Lebedinsky Quarry, Belogorye skyline

At the bottom of the article we have placed a map with the sights of Belgorod marked on it. Using it, it will be easier for you to navigate the area, and also, if you wish, you can develop your own travel route.

With kids

Arriving in Belgorod with children, you won’t get bored. If you only have one day to explore the city, you will have to choose what is more interesting to visit now and what to leave for later. An excellent option would be a trip to DinoPark and the Belgorod Zoo. They won't disappoint and you can easily spend half a day exploring them.

“DinoPark” occupies a rather large territory and will certainly give a head start to those you have visited before. It was created jointly with a Czech company, whose dino parks are located in the Czech Republic, Spain and Slovakia. Eighty figures of dinosaurs of all kinds, static and moving, are organically integrated into the forest landscape. On the territory there is a museum, a cinema and two interactive areas where you can dig up lizard bones or independently control the movement of a tyrannosaurus. Please note that the park is open from April to the end of October, as exhibits cannot be open in winter.

What to see in Belgorod - day 1

On the first day of your trip around Belgorod, we invite you to go to the most interesting places in the city. Be sure to visit the central Cathedral Square and the adjacent Belgorod State Academic Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkin and the Chapel of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir.

The city is also famous for the Diorama Museum “Battle of Kursk. Belgorod direction" and its temples, for example, the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Smolensk Church. We suggest taking a walk along the 50th Anniversary of the Belgorod Region Street, along the Holy Trinity Boulevard, in the Central Park, where you can also ride the Ferris Wheel; Victory Park and the Botanical Garden of the National Research University "BelSU" are also popular places. We recommend visiting the Monument to Prince Vladimir, the Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery, and in the evening taking a photo with the Sundial and the Power Line Pole in the form of the coat of arms of Belgorod.

Cathedral Square

The main square of Belgorod, where the main festive city events are held, is called Sobornaya. In the 18th century, under Catherine II, the square was called Bolshoi; some local residents still retain this name.

It is a pedestrian square paved with a unique pattern with a map of the area. Along the perimeter of the picture you will also see 21 coats of arms of districts and districts of the Belgorod region. Other decorations of the square are some ancient and historically significant buildings, such as the Theatre. Shchepkina, Eternal Flame, Chapel of Prince Vladimir.

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Belgorod State Academic Drama Theater

Belgorod State Academic Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina

Belgorod State Academic Drama Theater named after M.S. Shchepkina is located in the very heart of the city, the wide palm of the square seems to bring it towards people, and the wreath of maple alleys protects it from the bustle of the street. The drama theater appeared in the 30s of the 20th century, but its roots go much deeper. Back in the twenties of the 19th century, a serf theater was created here, which made a significant contribution to the prosperity of art in the city.

Today the theater is not only loved by the townspeople, it is surrounded by an incredible aura of adoration! Tickets here sell out within a matter of hours after the start of sales, are sold out several months in advance, and performances are always sold out. Every season, the Belgorod drama produces 6-8 premieres in different directions: Russian and foreign classics, modern drama, works for children and youth.

Chapel of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir

The chapel of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir on Cathedral Square is located on the territory of a former convent. The white stone building, lined with white marble, combines Russian and Byzantine architectural styles. The image of the chapel is unique, because there were no such buildings in the Belgorod region before.

At the main entrance there is an interesting stained glass window with the image of Prince Vladimir, above which divine rays are visible, which seem to connect heaven with earth. The interior decoration is also unique. You can see here the icon of the Savior on the throne and some ancient icons brought from Moscow, for example, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

Local residents will tell you about the city in as much detail as possible on these excursions:

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Museum-diorama “Battle of Kursk. Belgorod direction"

Museum-diorama “Battle of Kursk. Belgorod Direction" is one of the most visited museums in the city. It is a center of attraction for connoisseurs and lovers of military history; about 160 thousand people visit this place every year. The heart and main exhibit of the museum is the Arc of Fire diorama, the largest in Europe. This giant artistic canvas illustrates the decisive battle on the Kursk Bulge in July 1943.

It took the artists 2 years to paint the huge canvas. Many of the characters in the film are historically accurate; they bear a portrait resemblance to the real participants. Looking at the diorama from the observation deck, you seem to be in the center of the battle and become its involuntary participants. The two main halls of the museum contain weapons, awards, personal belongings, documents, and photographs of participants in the Battle of Kursk. In total, the museum's collections display more than 14 thousand unique exhibits of the military history of the region.

50th Anniversary Street, Belgorod Region

50th Anniversary Street of the Belgorod Region is a pedestrian area located in the central part of the city. One of the most beloved locations by tourists contains a lot of entertainment. There are many interesting sculptures and original monuments here, as well as reproductions of famous paintings.

The pedestrian part of the street is called “Belgorod Arbat” by locals, because in the evenings street musicians perform their shows here, artists organize vernissages, and vacationers enjoy the atmosphere. The most popular place for outdoor photographs is the “Heart” composition.

Monument to Prince Vladimir

The monument to Prince Vladimir was erected in Belgorod in 1998. Its opening was timed to coincide with the 55th anniversary of the liberation of the city from Nazi occupation. Despite the lack of any documentary evidence, Prince Vladimir is considered by many to be the founder of Belgorod.

The monument was erected on Kharkov Mountain, which is considered one of the highest points in the city. The author of the monument was Vyacheslav Klykov; he created a monumental sculpture 22.5 meters high. The sculpture is decorated with high reliefs arranged in two tiers. One is dedicated to the valor and courage of Russian soldiers, the other to the last two saints canonized before the revolution.

Holy Trinity Boulevard

Until 2004, Holy Trinity Boulevard was part of Lenin Avenue. The improvement of this place began in the 2000s. The boulevard has radically changed its appearance, now it is a pleasant urban area for walking with restored ancient buildings.

On the site of the demolished Rodina cinema, a large flower bed was planted, from which an excellent view of the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent opens. At the site of the Mass Grave, the Eternal Flame memorial was erected, and next to it you will see a mournful sculpture of a mother with a child in her arms. Today they plan to connect the boulevard with the adjacent block, creating a common pedestrian zone there. The new territory may include an artificial chalk mountain and a shopping center with underground parking.

Transfiguration Cathedral

The Transfiguration Cathedral in Belgorod already has 2 centuries of history behind it. During this time, he visited the parish church, a warehouse, and a local history museum. Since the founding of Belgorod, within these walls there was a wooden Church of the Transfiguration, which quickly fell into disrepair and was rebuilt. A prominent location was chosen for the Church of the Transfiguration - on Market Square, between public places and red rows. The foundation stone of the temple took place in 1807.

Today, the main entrance to the Transfiguration Cathedral, as in most similar churches, is located from the west. In accordance with the traditional building plan, there is a refectory, which is covered by a cylindrical vault. The most striking element of the interior decoration is the two-tiered gilded iconostasis.

Smolensk Temple

The church with blue walls and gilded domes, which stands in the city center, next to the administration building, is the Smolensk Church. In Belgorod it was built at the beginning of the 18th century. First, a small chapel was erected, and a little later - a wooden church. The temple received its name in honor of the icon of the Smolensk Blessed Virgin Mary.

However, you will not be able to see that building, because 30 years after its construction, the church burned down, and in its place a new two-story stone temple was created. It was he who soon became the cathedral. After the revolution, the temple was closed and the building was used as a warehouse. Now the temple is one of the main attractions of Belgorod.

Sundial

The sundial is considered one of the most striking decorations in Belgorod. They are installed on Narodny Boulevard, in the city center. The composition of the sundial was made by sculptor Taras Kostenko. It only took him about 2 months to work on it.

The size of the watch, made of bronze and granite, is 11 meters. Tourists are also impressed by the accuracy of the giant clock, because it shows the time with an error of no more than 10 minutes, and at night you can see luminous constellations on it.

Power line support in the form of the coat of arms of Belgorod

The original support, created in the shape of an eagle and a lion, is located on the embankment near the Kasharsky Proezd bridge. The unusual art object was a gift to the city from the manager of Rosseti. This building became such an important city landmark that the governor and mayor of the city attended its opening ceremony.

The unusually made support is 26 meters high, 15 meters wide, and 2 meters thick. The support has become a real symbol of Belgorod; numerous photo sessions are held against its backdrop. It looks especially bright at night when the lights turn on.

Marfo-Mariinsky Monastery

Central Park

Central Park is a favorite vacation spot for several generations of Belgorod residents. The park covers an area of 240 thousand square meters. m, located in the very center of the city, so it is easy to get here from any district of Belgorod. It has landscaped alleys where you can take a pleasant walk, children's playgrounds and attractions, and sports grounds for young people. There are benches in the shade, and at night the paths are illuminated by lanterns.

The park hosts entertainment and festive events, as well as seasonal festivals. Here, 63 slot machines are installed for visitors, among the most popular are racing cars, boats, motorcycles, sports board games, all kinds of children's rocking chairs and beaters. To ensure the safety of vacationers, the park is under 24-hour security, and in some places there are even CCTV cameras installed.

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Ferris wheel

The only Ferris wheel in the city operates in the Central Park of Belgorod. It allows you to admire the city from a height of 35 meters. The attraction has 80 seats, and all cabins were replaced in 2022. At the same time, modern illumination for 2022 was added, which made skating in the evening especially popular. The wheel was installed in the park in 1988, and since then its design has been updated several times to ensure its perfect condition.

Victory Park

The second most popular park in Belgorod is Victory Park. It was decided to create it in the 1950s. But the modern green area is somewhat different from the original plan: it is not as large as the creators wanted. Initially, only a small square was allocated for the park, which continues to grow to this day.

After the city was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree, in 1980, a stele appeared at the entrance to the park. A little later, the monument “Victory in the Great Patriotic War” was erected here, which symbolizes the Victory achieved through the joint efforts of women, old people and children. In 2011, an alley of Heroes of the Soviet Union and Heroes of Russia was also created in the park, consisting of 17 busts of Soviet soldiers. Now in the park you can relax on the renovated embankment or by the fountain, attend open film screenings, festivals or concerts, work out on the grounds, take photos and order delicious food in street food restaurants.

Botanical Garden of National Research University "BelSU"

The Botanical Garden of the National Research University "BelSU" offers its visitors to see an excellent collection of plants collected from all over the world. The botanical garden is located in a picturesque location near the Gostenka and Vezelka rivers.

In total, on its territory, which occupies 71 hectares, about 25,000 different species of plants are planted, ranging from medicinal, cultural, ornamental, to endemic ones listed in the Red Book. You will find especially picturesque locations in the syringaria, where new types of lilacs are bred, and in greenhouses with exotic plants.

Curious facts

The history of Belgorod includes many historical facts. But among them there are also quite interesting ones:

The lowest point of the city is located in the area of the railway station, in the area where the Vezelka river flows into the Northern Donets. And at the highest point there is a symbolic airport, but many mistakenly believe that Kharkov Mountain is the highest point.
In the very center of Belgorod there is a street named after D. Bedny. It is the shortest, its length is only 160 meters. There are not even shops here, but only a few private households.
There is a monument in the city that is one of the ten most unusual monuments. It is an image of a traffic police officer with a motorcycle. When creating the bronze sculpture, a real prototype of P. Grechikhin was used, who was so incorruptible that he even imposed fines on his wife.
An unusual clock is located near the central market. If anyone knows how to understand the sun's rays, he will be able to accurately determine the time.
The city also has its own common first and last names. So, Popov takes first place, then Ivanov and Kuznetsov.
There is a famous family in the city where ten children live. Moreover, among them there are no adopted children; all the babies were born by one woman - Anna Bulatova.

What to see and where to go in Belgorod - day 2

On your second day in Belgorod, we recommend that you visit the most famous museums of the city: the Contact Museum of Medieval Military Affairs, the Belgorod Art Museum, the Museum of History and Local Lore, the V. A. Sobrovin Gallery of Photography, the Belgorod Literary Museum and the Museum of Folk Culture. All of them will introduce you to the history, culture of the city and show the modern appearance of Belgorod.

It is widely known that there are many sculptures in the city, so we advise you to look at the Monument to the Most Honest Traffic Cop, the Monument to Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich and the Monument “My First Teacher”. After that, visit the Belgorod State Philharmonic, the Temple of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia and the Rotunda Chapel in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ. And if you come to the city with children, go to the Belgorod Puppet Theater, Belgorod Dinopark and.

Contact Museum of Medieval Military Affairs

The Contact Museum of Medieval Military Affairs is not an ordinary museum in the usual sense. A special feature is interactivity. You can touch all objects, pick them up from display cases, you are even allowed to shoot with a bow and crossbow in a designated area, and you can try on costumes.

Such a museum was created on the initiative of the research team “Keepers Laboratory”. A group of activists recreated unique exhibits from the Middle Ages so that museum guests could see reconstructed dishes, armor, weapons, examine models of castles, mills, stables and explore them on their own.

Belgorod Art Museum

The Belgorod Art Museum was opened in 1983. Here every detail is a work of art. Even the house itself, where the collections are displayed, is an excellent example of Belgorod Art Nouveau.

The museum's exhibitions are based on more than 200 works by local artist Mikhail Dobronravov. In total, the funds contain about 4 thousand works of art from different periods, from the 17th to the 20th centuries. The work of Soviet artists is widely represented; you can see works by Ivanov, Kuprin, Shegal.

Museum of History and Local Lore

The Belgorod Museum of History and Local Lore introduces visitors to the history of the region, from ancient times to the present. Founded in 1924, the museum is constantly adding new exhibits to its collection. The archeological monuments of the period of the Saltovo-Mayak and Scythian culture are considered outstanding specimens.

The museum will also tell you about the outstanding natives of the city, the culture and life of the indigenous population. You can look at quite large collections of weapons, furniture, folk costumes, household utensils, and banknotes.

Gallery of Photographic Art named after V. A. Sobrovin

The Museum of Photographic Art was founded in 2008 by Belgorod photographer Vitaly Sobrovin. This attraction immediately became one of the most popular places in the city. The gallery hosts photo exhibitions not only of famous masters of photography, but also of young talented photographers from different cities.

The gallery's focus is on studying and promoting the creative heritage of photographers, as well as supporting young talented photographers. In addition, the museum is ready to conduct training master classes for you, you can also take part in creative meetings to exchange experiences or participate in research work.

Belgorod State Philharmonic

The Belgorod State Philharmonic is the city's main concert venue. Every concert season there are bright and interesting concerts of symphony, brass, Russian, jazz and chamber orchestras, academic choirs, soloists, and pop groups.

The modern building of the Belgorod Philharmonic is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. There are 3 halls here: Large for 580 seats, Small for 200 seats and Organ for 280 seats. The most innovative interior has an organ room. It is made in the neo-Gothic style, the vaults reach a height of 17 meters, and stained glass windows and arches serve as additional decorations.

Belgorod Puppet Theater

The puppet theater immerses visitors into a world inhabited by various fairy-tale characters. This is a unique place where a special atmosphere of miracle is born. The Belgorod Puppet Theater was founded back in 1961.

Children can be introduced to art from the age of 3, because the theater’s repertoire includes such fairy tales as the Three Little Pigs, the Wolf and the Little Goats, the Hare, the Fox and the Rooster, Geese and Swans and others. There is no need to worry that a novice viewer will not see the entire performance due to their short stature, because especially for such children, the theater has transformable chairs that allow the child to sit higher and watch the performance at the eye level of an adult. In total, the theater building has two auditoriums, which are equipped with modern sound and lighting equipment of the highest quality, which allows performances to be held at a decent level.

Belgorod Dinopark

Belgorod Dinopark is one of the newest attractions in the city. The park opened in 2017. On an area of 8.4 hectares there are 88 dinosaur figures. 12 dinosaurs are robotic, meaning they can move their limbs, blink, growl and turn their heads. The largest of the presented dinosaurs is Seismosaurus, reaching a height of 4 meters and a length of 29.

All sculptures are made very realistically, so they give a complete picture of what the extinct creatures of the Mesozoic era looked like. The exhibits are arranged according to their habitat, for example, waterfowl are immersed in artificial lakes, flying lizards soar in the air, herbivores graze among deciduous trees, and predators hide in thickets.

Monument to the most honest traffic cop

The monument to Pavel Kirillovich Grechikhin is also known under another name, namely, the Monument to the Most Honest Traffic Cop. Inspector Grechikhin is known for his unwavering integrity and integrity.

The sculpture is located at the intersection of major streets, on the site where a stationary traffic police post was previously located. The author of the monument was A.A. Shishkov, who depicted a traffic police officer with a baton in his raised hand and standing next to a motorcycle.

Monument to Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich

Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich is considered the founder of the city, because it was on his orders that fortified cities, including Belgorod, began to be built on the southern borders of the country. The sculpture depicts the ruler sitting on a throne in his ceremonial robes. In his right hand he holds a scepter, in his left - an orb. The king's face is stern and concentrated.

This monument is one example of the so-called open-air museum, which for the residents of Belgorod is more than just a project. It reflects the philosophy of the urban environment, according to which Belgorod residents preserve historical and cultural monuments and complement the appearance of their beloved city with interesting details.

Temple of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia

The majestic structure, consisting of 17 domes built in the shape of a cross, is a great shrine and landmark of Belgorod. The temple of the holy martyrs Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and their mother Sophia was built in 2004, but in 2009 the wooden structure almost completely burned down.

The surviving crosses clearly indicated the need to rebuild the church on the same site, and a year later services resumed. Upon completion of construction, a Spiritual Educational Center was also opened, aimed at the spiritual education of youth. The authors of the project, L. Kolesnikova and A. Likhachev, combined the traditions of the royal chambers and Russian architecture in the temple. Inside you will see traditional white walls and a baroque iconostasis.

Belgorod Literary Museum

The Belgorod Literary Museum occupies the walls of a rather noticeable mansion. It is made in the classicism style and previously belonged to the merchant Selivanov. The museum was opened in 1999.

About 15 thousand exhibits are exhibited in large and informative halls. Most of them are manuscripts, letters, documentary materials and photographs telling about the development of literary art in the region. Some of these memorial funds were transferred from the USSR Writers' Union or by the writers themselves personally.

Museum of Folk Culture

The Museum of Folk Culture in Belgorod has collected more than 15,000 exhibits in its collections. Most of the original items relate to the life and folk culture of the region. The museum is located in the building of a regional architectural monument.

In the exhibition halls you will see the most famous archaeological finds of the Belgorod region, for example, various women's peasant costumes, artistic works of the past and objects of folk crafts. The museum also operates creative clubs, in whose activities anyone can take part.

Monument “My First Teacher”

The monument “My First Teacher” is located on Narodny Boulevard, not far from the Lyceum building. Since 1994, by decision of UNESCO, Teacher's Day has become an international holiday, and in Belgorod the opening of the sculpture was timed to coincide with this event. The bronze composition consists of the figure of a teacher standing near a blackboard and a pensive student.

The idea of creating such a monument belonged to Belgorod teachers and schoolchildren, and it was brought to life by local sculptor Taras Kostenko. He worked on the project for six months and consulted with teachers more than once about how exactly they wanted to see their image in bronze. In the end, they decided that the teacher should be depicted as young and serious, and her student as dreamy.

Chapel-rotunda in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ

The rotunda chapel in honor of the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ is located at one of the entrances to Belgorod, near the Moscow-Simferopol highway. The unique chapel was erected as a symbol of deep spiritual morality and high faith of the inhabitants. It is in this status that she meets the guests of Belgorod and blesses them. The round-domed rotunda-chapel is surrounded on all sides by thin and graceful columns, which give the building lightness and airiness. In its center there is a figure of an angel with a cross.

is the largest indoor amusement park in the city. Here guests are offered a ride on 14 large and 11 small attractions designed for different age categories. There are more than 100 play items for kids, including video simulators and air hockey. You can visit the 66 m2 gaming club with a dry pool, inflatable trampoline, carousel and maze.

There is also a “Prize Shop” located within the park. The luckiest visitors are rewarded with prize tickets, which can be exchanged for absolutely any prize in this kingdom of entertainment. Among the prizes are sweets from a variety of manufacturers, board games, educational sets, and popular characters from modern foreign and domestic cartoons and fairy tales.

Smolensky Cathedral

The story of the appearance of the temple begins in 1703. In the chronicles, records were found about an unusual sign that appeared before the watchman of the Belgorod regiment. Looking at the gates of the fortress, he saw that a ray flashed on the icon of the Smolensk Most Holy Theotokos, and from it a candle ignited. In 1705, a wooden church was built on that site. 1727 - the beginning of the laying of a stone two-story church in the Baroque style with the participation of the Archbishop of Belgorod.

The Smolensk Cathedral in Belgorod is one of the oldest surviving churches

The temple was on the verge of destruction twice. During the war years, it was severely damaged by artillery shelling and lost its bell tower. After the war, the damaged buildings were used as warehouses. Twice they tried to blow it up as a building that could not be reconstructed. But the temple survived and they finally decided to restore it for the organ hall. Since 1991, services have been resumed there.

The Smolensk Cathedral attracts visitors with the Hodegetria icon of the Mother of God kept there. Otherwise they call her “Guide”. She is over 300 years old. Every month, a car with an icon drives around the city to prevent all troubles.

Temple address: Civil Avenue, 50.

What to see in the vicinity of Belgorod

On the third day of your stay in Belgorod, we invite you to visit the outskirts of the city. You can go to the Prokhorovskoye Field Museum-Reserve, which is the most famous attraction located near Belgorod. Among the historical places, the Yusupov Palace Complex in Rakitnoye, the Krapivenskoe ancient settlement and the Barkov Mill stand out.

Natural attractions are the Belogorye Nature Reserve and Klyuchi Park. You can also go to the Kholkovsky Monastery, look at the Lebedinsky Quarry and take part in the Belogorie Sky Festival.

Museum-Reserve "Prokhorovskoye Field"

The Prokhorovskoe Field Museum-Reserve is located 60 km from Belgorod. In 1943, during the Great Patriotic War, one of the largest tank battles in the entire military history took place here.

The main monument of the memorial complex is a 59-meter belfry, consisting of 4 pylons. At its top there is a 7-meter sculpture of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition, there are several museums and other sculptural compositions located on the field.

Belogorye Nature Reserve

The Belogorye Nature Reserve is a wonderful place with amazing nature. The modern reserve was created in 1999 on the basis of “Forests on Vorskla”. These territories began to be protected back in the 18th century. Here it was forbidden to hunt, cut down trees, graze livestock and pick berries, thanks to which it was possible to preserve centuries-old trees.

Now the reserve consists of 6 sites located in several areas of the Belgorod region. Protected areas protect the ecosystem characteristic of the Central Russian Upland. Here they try to preserve upland oak forests on gray and dark gray forest soils, feather grass meadows and mixed-grass steppes.

Palace complex of the Yusupovs in Rakitny

The Yusupov palace complex in Rakitnoye is a former princely estate. The lands were donated by the Yusupovs in 1729, who built the palace in 1846. The building's design belonged to the Italian architect Giacomo Florenti. He used an unusual mixture of different styles: classicism, baroque, elements of Russian architecture. On the modern territory of the complex, excursion programs are held, creative evenings and folk culture festivals are organized.

Kholkovsky Monastery

Kholkovsky Monastery was first mentioned at the beginning of the 17th century. The peculiarity of the monastery is its location underground. The monks lived in caves dug into a chalk hill near the village of Kholki. The exact time of origin of the caves is still unknown, and it is not yet clear whether the monks dug them themselves or came to them ready-made.

The monastery existed for one and a half hundred years, and then was filled up. In the second half of the last century, it was decided to restore and restore the Kholkovsky caves. Now monks live there again and conduct their services in the main underground temple.

Barkov's Mill

The Barkov Mill is the largest wooden structure in the entire Belgorod region. The six-story wooden building looks quite authentic and, at the same time, unusual. There were many mills on the banks of the Oskol River, but this one is famous for its history.

According to legend, it was won by the merchant Barkov in a card game, then transported from its old location and reassembled on the river bank in 1914. Despite its venerable age, the mill operated until 2004. Production has now stopped, but you can still go there as part of tour groups.

Krapivenskoe settlement

The Krapiven settlement contains the remains of several ancient cultures. The complex of archaeological monuments is located on the banks of the Koren River, near the village of Krapivnoye. In the 5th century BC, the Scythians settled here, then they were replaced by northerners. They became one of the tribes that participated in the further formation of Kievan Rus.

Among the thousands of artifacts recovered from the site are weapons, intricate jewelry, ancient sewing needles, and scraps of scrolls. You can see all these exhibits in the local history museum.

Park Keys

Klyuchi Park is located on the site of a former manor estate, not far from the village of Kostroma. Its main attraction is the springs gushing out of the ground. For visitors, there is a font with a changing area and a small chapel. The park also has a zoo and a relaxing beach.

A large area of the park is occupied by the Kostroma ethnographic complex, which consists of original wooden huts. Each of the 7 farmsteads talks about its craft: handicrafts, blacksmithing, and so on.

Lebedinsky Quarry

The Lebedinsky quarry is the largest iron ore basin on the planet. Due to its impressive dimensions, namely 6 km long, 3.5 km wide and 600 meters deep, the quarry has already been included in the Guinness Book of Records twice.

Today there are 4 railway stations in the quarry and 36 special trains operate that transport the rock mass. In those areas where the roadbed is not laid, ore is removed by large dump trucks. On average, 38 million tons of ore are mined here annually.

Firmament of Belogorye

The Belogorye skyline is not an ordinary landmark. This is the name of the famous international air festival, which has been held every summer since 2013 in the Belgorod region. Events are usually held in the village of Dubovoe or on Prokhorov Field.

You should definitely visit this magnificent and grandiose spectacle. During the festival, you will see a parade of balloons in the sky, masterly aerobatics of airplanes, gliders, hang-gliders, parachute jumps, concerts, festive fireworks - and this is not the whole traditional program.

Transfiguration Cathedral

The cathedral is easily accessible from the train station. You can walk. It is located on Preobrazhenskaya Street, 63-B, near Cathedral Square.

Transfiguration Cathedral is more than 200 years old

The cathedral was consecrated in 1813 to commemorate the victory of the Russian people in the Patriotic War. A sign at the entrance tells about this. High ranks of the clergy paid attention to the temple:

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II celebrated the liturgy there;
The temple was awarded a rare church award from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

Inside the cathedral, the rich paintings on the walls and multiple icons, and a large beautiful iconostasis are striking. It is worth mentioning the “Chernobyl Savior” icon, dedicated to the people affected by the disaster.

The cathedral contains the relics of St. Joasaph of Belgorod, which have been preserved almost completely. Every day, after the service of the water blessing prayer, they are opened for worship with the opportunity to touch the hand of the saint. They turn to him with a request for healing from an illness. For the period from August 19 to September 16, the relics are transported to the St. Joasaph Cathedral in Belgorod.

Several other shrines :

Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” . For a long time it was lost. It was discovered during the demolition of old houses in a terrible condition - the surface was covered with a layer of rust. It was placed under glass as an exhibit in the local history museum. Soon the staff noticed that the icon was gradually renewing itself - first the face of the Mother of God appeared, then the figure of the Child and the signature under the icon.
The miraculous icon of St. Nicholas the Ratnoy , known for its miraculous stories. During one of the attacks, the Tatars abruptly stopped at the dam, seeing the abbot with an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Then they turned around and began to run away. Many fell into the water with their horses and died. This happened in the village of Ustinka, Belgorod region. The relics are over 500 years old.
Icon of Elijah the Prophet with a stone from the cave in which he prayed. The temple area is distinguished by its cleanliness, richness of colors, and paths made of paving slabs.

Museum of Communications

In 2003, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the organization of the zemstvo telephone exchange, a communications museum was opened in Belgorod, containing more than 3,000 exhibits. Among them are:

rare radios;
teletypes;
the first TV models;
telephone sets from the world's leading companies;
loudspeakers.

Museum of Communications in Belgorod

A curious feature of the exhibits is that they all work. You can get acquainted with the operation of the switchboard, modern means of communication, and even a list of subscribers of the telephone exchange in 1931.

Museum address: Glory Avenue, 126.

Reservoirs and waterfalls of the Belgorod region

The Belgorod region is one of the low-water regions of Russia. Reservoirs occupy only 1% of its territory and this is due to the features of the relief. But still there are reservoirs, rivers, lakes, ponds and waterfalls that are worth visiting.

Belgorod Reservoir

Coordinates: 50.458126, 36.703339.

The Belgorod Sea, as locals call it, is the largest body of water in the region. It is also one of the most favorite recreational places. The reservoir is located 20 km from the regional capital. Originally intended for industrial needs, it has lost its significance, but has gained popularity.

It is loved for its good climate and picturesque surroundings. In addition, there is excellent fishing here, so you can always meet lovers of this type of recreation on the coast. And recently they began to develop infrastructure and develop beaches.

Waterfall in the village of Zayache

Coordinates: 50.713794, 36.962053.

A small but beautiful waterfall of artificial origin can be seen in the village of Zayache, Korochansky district. It formed in the place where the dam blocked the reservoir, but the stubborn water still continued on its way.

The height of the water fall is only a few meters and at one glance it becomes clear that it was not nature that created this miracle. But the emotions evoked by the sound of falling water, crystal drops with small rainbows enclosed in them, are so bright and pure that you want to stay here forever.

Pond Baikal

Coordinates: 50.452420, 36.483377.

They named it so because of its shape, almost repeating the famous lake of Siberia. In addition, nowhere else in the area are there reservoirs with such clean and transparent water. It is located 30 km from the regional capital, in the village of Staraya Nelidovka.

Entire families come here to relax, swim, and escape from the bustle and worries of the city. Moreover, the picturesque surroundings are very conducive to this. Fishermen also like the pond. No one has ever left its shores without a catch, which is why you can see people with fishing rods here both in summer and winter.

Seversky Donets River

Coordinates: 50.971216, 36.900562 (sources).

Its hospitable shores, shrouded in warm gray mists, were mentioned in “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” First they were inhabited by the Scythians, then the Sarmatians and Alans, then the northern Slavs came. They named the river Northern or Seversky Donets. It has always been full of water; merchant ships sailed along it and various cargo was transported.

The modern Donets flows through the territory of four districts of the Belgorod region. In Prokhorovsky, where the source of the river is located, a natural park was founded, which is called “Sources”.

pros

There are many forests that have a beneficial effect on the ecology of Belgorod.
Housing is inexpensive.
The city is very clean.
There are no transport problems. The city has a very favorable physical and geographical position.
Good medicine. There are 11 clinics, four of them for children.
There is an opportunity to get a higher education (read about studying for foreigners in the Russian Federation).
Relatively low crime rate.
Very good, ecologically clean water (Jurassic horizon).

Salaries

The average salary in the city is about 30 thousand rubles per month. The highest earnings are for those employed in the mining industry (46 thousand rubles), the financial sector (42 thousand rubles) and the energy sector (37 thousand rubles).

average salary

Average salary indicators in Belgorod

Period	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
June 2021	25,8
July 2021	26,8
August 2021	27,2
September 2021	27,3
October 2021	29,2
November 2021	29,4
December 2021	26,9
January 2022	24
February 2022	24,6
March 2022	29,6

Main employers:

Belenergomash - BZEM LLC.
Mining Engineering Plant.
Construction materials plant "Arbet" and "ZhBK-1".
Asbestos cement plant.
Poultry and pig farming holdings.

Among the most in-demand professions are drivers and secretaries. Welders and bulldozer operators earn the most.

The most in-demand professions in 2022

Profession	Number of vacancies
Driver	469
Secretary in the office	380
Process engineer	298
Internet manager	266
Salesman-cashier	209
HR specialist	169
Taxi driver	168
Store manager	148

The highest paying professions

Profession	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
Welder	94,8
Bulldozer driver	85
Driver category E	75
Argon welder	72,5
Carousel turner	65
Chief physician	64
Operator-adjuster	62,5

How much do doctors earn

The average salary of a medical worker is about 30 thousand rubles per month. Reproductologists and phlebologists earn the most.

Average salary of a doctor

How much does a Belgorod doctor earn per month?

Period	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
June 2021	28
July 2021	35
August 2021	35
September 2021	35
October 2021	40
November 2021	40
December 2021	35
January 2022	36
February 2022	45
March 2022	45

Average earnings of doctors of various specializations

Specialization	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
Reproductologist	100
Phlebologist	80
Anesthetist	65
Reanimatologist	65
MRI Doctor	64
Gynecologist	62
Pediatrician	40

How much does a teacher earn?

The average salary of a teacher is about 20 thousand rubles per month.

Average teacher salary

Period	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
June 2021	25
July 2021	21
August 2021	24
September 2021	18
October 2021	27,5
November 2021	20
December 2021	14,4
February 2022	17,5
March 2022	30

Average earnings of teachers of various specializations

Specialization	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
Russian language and literature	30
Educator	30
Music school teacher	20
Head teacher	30

How much does the seller get?

The average salary of a salesperson is about 20 thousand rubles per month. Salespeople who work on a rotational basis earn the most.

Average salesperson salary

Comparative chart of salesperson salary by month

Period	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
June 2021	19,8
July 2021	19,8
August 2021	20
September 2021	20
October 2021	20
November 2021	20
December 2021	18
January 2022	18
February 2022	18
March 2022	20

Average earnings of sellers of various specializations

Salesman	Average salary (thousand rubles per month)
On a rotational basis	72,5
Children's clothing	41
trading floor	37
Shoes	35
Household chemicals	26,5
Food	25
Doors	25
Tobacco products	24
Clothes	23,5
Women's clothing	23,5

Salaries for individual vacancies

Job vacancy	Salary (thousand rubles per month)
Optometrist	from 25
Shop assistant	25–40
Ophthalmologist	35
Consultant	30
Brand manager	25–50
HR Director	45–50
Sales Manager	28–32
Cook	from 15
caretaker	3540
Assistant Manager	23–25
Account Manager	25–30

Victory Park

In good weather, you will enjoy a walk in the park located near the river. There are many interesting sculptures in it:

Victory Monument on the central alley;
monument to Marshal Zhukov;
an alley with busts of heroes;
The monument to Peter and Fevronia is a favorite place for lovers.

There is a children's playground and boat and bicycle rentals are provided. There are often festive events and music playing.

Alley of Heroes in Victory Park

Each city has its own attractions and features. Belgorod is distinguished by the presence of monuments with original subjects and the cleanliness of the city. Everyone who visited it mentions this in their reviews.

Belgorod region: the most beautiful caves

Chalk hills are found everywhere in the Belgorod region. Previously, hermit monks dug caves in them to hide from the world. Later, underground churches and monasteries began to appear in these places, but few have survived to this day.

Kholkovsky caves

Address: Monastyrskaya st., 1, Kholki village.

The chalk caves near the village of Kholki, Chernyansky district, are a famous place. They house the only cave monastery that has not only survived, but is still active today. It is believed that they were dug by the monks themselves, but this has not been proven for sure. It is quite possible that they appeared naturally.

The first mention of the monastery, which was called Tsarev, dates back to the beginning of the 17th century. Its history is unenviable - over the 100 years of its existence, it was repeatedly destroyed by the Tatars. The last time it was not restored and was abolished. In the middle of the 19th century, they began to talk about the need to open an underground church, but things did not go further than talk.

And only in 1990 they began to dig out the rubble. Within 5 years, services began to be held in the cave temple, and in 1999 the official opening ceremony took place. 15 years ago, a sculpture depicting the Grand Duke of Kyiv Svyatoslav Igorevich on horseback was installed in front of the main entrance.

Šmarna Cave

GPS coordinates: 51.116543, 37.818060.

One of the most mysterious places in the Belgorod region is located near Stary Oskol. The chalk cave, which locals call the Old Monastery, according to one version, was dug by fugitives from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra after Batu’s invasion. At least, it is very similar to the underground galleries of the Kyiv monastery.

Rumor has it that this is where monks came to die. Thanks to the low temperatures in the dungeon, their bodily shell remained incorruptible for a long time after the soul began its heavenly journey. The last time monks were seen here was in the mid-19th century, and during the war the cave served as a refuge for partisans.

State Art Museum

The museum displays exhibits of paintings and graphics, sculptures, and icons. The collection is constantly replenished with items coming from exhibitions, purchased from authors, and donated. Work is underway to complete icon painting and artistic photography. The collection consists mainly of works from the 20th century.

Belgorod State Art Museum

The museum is located at 77 Pobeda Street (not far from the diorama). In addition to the services of a guide, you can use an audio guide by downloading the application to your smartphone. The exhibition hall hosts more than 15 exhibitions a year, lectures on fine arts, field trips, and the concert hall hosts creative meetings with artists and chamber evenings. The art salon offers a huge selection of souvenirs, handicrafts, and printed products.

Open-air museum "BELGORODSKAYA CHART - MURAVSKY SHLYAKH"

The museum was created as part of the project of the BROO “Historical Society “Warrior” with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund.

The museum and recreational complex is located on the site near an archeological monument of the 17th century - a preserved section of the earthen rampart and town of the Belgorod area. The main exhibits of the museum are recreated examples of defensive structures of the 17th century; this will allow you not only to study history as the science of the past, but also to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of that time, to feel like a defender of one of the fortresses of the Belgorod region. All exhibits in the complex are interactive to one degree or another. To visit the museum, you do not need advance booking or a guide - the entire territory is provided with high-speed Internet, and the exhibition is equipped with a QR code system that will allow you to view a video tour, use augmented reality capabilities and complete interactive quests.

This is a place where everyone can immerse themselves in the history of the 17th century - during the construction of the fortified cities of the Belgorod region. If you are interested in the history of Russia and the Belgorod region and enjoy leisurely recreation in nature, then we are sure that our museum will become your favorite vacation spot.

Address: village Dragunskoe st. Kozhemyakina (15 km from Belgorod)

Museum website: https://history-park.ru/.