Most Russians associate the Far East primarily with volcanoes, geysers, the Ussuri taiga, and rivers full of salmon. However, urbanization has long come to these regions. The capital of the Jewish Autonomous Region is considered one of the most distinctive cities in the region. Seeing the sights of Birobidzhan, photos with descriptions of which are presented in the article, will be interesting for any tourist.
Historical reference
Today, few people remember that the formation of national autonomy in the Far Eastern lands of the USSR was the first realized attempt to create a Jewish state in modern times. The resettlement of Jews to the lands of the Amur region began in the first third of the 20th century. In 1937, the Jewish Autonomous Region received the capital. For this purpose, a small station village with a name derived from the names of the Bidzhan and Bira rivers was given the status of a city.
The policy began to grow rapidly due to migrants arriving from the regions of Russia, Palestine, Argentina, and the USA. The increase in population contributed to the emergence of light and food industry enterprises. Birobidzhan developed progressively until the end of the 90s of the last century, which was marked by a massive outflow of ethnic Jews to their historical homeland. However, even after this, the city continues to remain a major cultural and educational center of the Russian Far East.
Jewish community "Freud"
The community was founded in 1997. It is located in the very center of the city in a small two-story building. Since 2004, the community has united the Jewish synagogue, as well as charitable foundations and services. In particular, a charity canteen, Sunday school, library, etc. The community also founded the Jewish People's University, located in Birobidzhan. Another feature is that only here in the entire Far East is it possible to study the basics of Hebrew and Jewish history.
The opening of the memorial took place in 1975, and was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Great Victory over fascism. To this day, townspeople bring fresh flowers here in memory of the dead. In honor of the fallen heroes, an eternal flame was lit at the monument, on the sides of which there are memorial plaques with the names of the townspeople who died at the front.
The main attractions of the city of Birobidzhan
The example of a Far Eastern policy shows that the lack of a long history is not a reason to reduce tourist attractiveness. There is a lot to see and places to go. Photos of the sights of the city of Birobidzhan will become valuable trophies for the most demanding traveler.
One of the visiting cards of the city is considered to be the architectural and hydraulic composition on the station square, inaugurated in 2003. Here, in the center of the oval pool, a granite column is installed. The pillar is crowned with a gilded statue of a menorah - a sacred lamp for the performance of Jewish rituals. On the sides there are two openwork stone bowls spewing water. Additional geysers shoot out from vents around the perimeter of the pool. In the evening, when the backlight turns on, the composition looks enchanting.
The main architectural pearl of Birobidzhan is the Annunciation Cathedral, consecrated in 2005. The exterior of the single-domed temple is eclectic. The building embodies the features of Novgorod and Moscow religious architecture. The façade of the church is decorated with mosaics and tall stained glass windows.
The symbols of the policy also include the television tower crowning the hill, depicted on the city coat of arms. The height of the openwork metal structure is 234 meters. According to this indicator, it is among the top 10 similar structures erected in Russia.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
A relatively young cathedral, construction of which began in 2003. Construction was completed in 2005. Today, the temple is notable for its unusual architecture, which attracts a large number of tourists.
For believers, the cathedral occupies a special place due to the fact that the only porcelain iconostasis in the Far Eastern District is located in the lower church. Prayers are held here regularly in honor of Orthodox holidays.
The museum opened in 1989, the first exhibition was called “The Old Testament through the Eyes of Contemporary Artists.” Soon the exhibition became widely known outside Birobidzhan and received a lot of reviews around the world.
Monuments and Monuments
The monumental sights of Birobidzhan are colorful and diverse. A reminder to descendants of the feat of the heroes who did not return from the fronts of the Second World War is a 14-meter stele erected in Victory Square. The pillar, lined with marble, is crowned with an order and a laurel wreath cast in metal. The Eternal Flame burns in front of the monument.
Not far from the railway station there is a monument dedicated to Jewish settlers who, through selfless labor, laid the basis for the development of autonomy. The sculptural composition depicting a migrant family on a horse-drawn carriage looks very expressive.
The classic of national literature, Sholom Aleichem, has not been forgotten in Birobidzhan. A bronze monument to the iconic Jewish writer was inaugurated here in the summer of 2004.
Sholom Aleichem Library
It is the largest in Birobidzhan. She was named after the most famous Jewish literary figure, who wrote in three languages, including Russian. This library has a very significant book collection; it is believed that it is possible to find almost any literature here. The library is located in a small building designed by the architect Kobzar.
City temples
The list of iconic sights of Birobidzhan is not limited to the Annunciation Cathedral. There are temples belonging to various faiths.
In the middle of the last century, a fire destroyed the main Birobidzhan synagogue. After this, the place of worship for the Jewish community was a small prayer house. The situation has changed only recently. Thanks to the active work of Rabbi M. Scheiner, by mid-2004 it was possible to complete the construction of a new synagogue. The building is not impressive in size, but it looks very elegant.
The log church, consecrated in 1999 in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, is considered a local architectural highlight. Modern builders managed to erect the building, guided by the traditions of ancient Russian architects. The church, covered with a hipped dome, evokes thoughts of ancient rural churches in central Russia.
Birobidzhan museums
Tourists will be able to combine sightseeing in Birobidzhan with a rich educational program. The doors of local cultural and educational institutions are always open to curious travelers.
Exhibits of the Museum of Local History, which has funds of 29 thousand storage units, tell about the unique nature of the Amur region, the history of the development of these lands by the Cossacks, and the participation of Birobidzhan residents in the Second World War. During the excursion, visitors will learn many interesting facts regarding the formation and development of the Jewish Autonomous Region.
Birobidzhan boasts a museum that has no analogues in Russia. The institution's exhibitions are dedicated to everything related to pensions. The narrative begins with Peter's decrees on the appointment of regular maintenance to retired officers. Next, visitors will get acquainted in retrospect with the evolution of the pension business in Tsarist, Soviet and modern Russia.
Where to go with children in Birobidzhan
Young travelers will like the policy. There aren't too many classic city attractions here, but there are plenty of interesting places to go hiking.
Dendrological park
An excursion through the protected natural recreation will bring pleasure to young and adult travelers. Here you can have a great time enjoying the splendor of Far Eastern nature. Hiking trails are laid out so that visitors can see all the interesting things. The route runs along the top of the plateau, from where views of the picturesque ridges of Shukhi-Paktoy, Ulduri, and Bastak open. It's surprisingly easy to breathe in the park. The air is saturated with the aromas of forbs, cedar needles, and flowering shrubs. The recreation area is 19 hectares. From Birobidzhan you can get here on foot in two hours, moving at a walking pace.
Natural attractions of Birobidzhan
In the vicinity of the policy there are several places that are especially attractive to connoisseurs of natural beauty. A walk along the tourist trail of the Bastak dendrological park will be remembered by travelers as vivid impressions. Cedars, fir, spruce, deciduous trees and shrubs grow here, the air is filled with aromas, springs exude crystal clear water.
Not far from the village of Golovino, Birobidzhan region, there is the amazing Swan Lake. In summer, the buds of the Komarov lotus bloom on its surface. Nature lovers from all over the region come to see the carpet woven by nature from delicate pink inflorescences and white petals of water lilies. The lake is rich in fish. The bottom silty sediments of the reservoir were chosen by a species of the same age as dinosaurs - the relict water chestnut.
Monument in honor of the first settlers
The history of Birobidzhan is not typical, because not only Jews were resettled here from all over the USSR, but also from virtually all over the world. As a result, the appearance of such a monument is not at all surprising. It was installed quite recently, at the beginning of the two thousandth, and was placed symbolically - not far from the railway station building.
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Interesting Facts
Tourists planning to see the sights and interesting places of Birobidzhan with their own eyes will find the following information useful:
- Contrary to popular belief, there are very few ethnic Jews left in the city. It is almost impossible to meet a colorful orthodox here.
- The traveler sometimes gets the impression that he has arrived in Israel, because most of the signs are duplicated with inscriptions in Hebrew.
- The policy is very well maintained. The absence of large enterprises has a beneficial effect on the environment. The only thing that pollutes the air is the smell of burning from forest fires, which are considered commonplace in the summer.
- Local mosquitoes will surprise tourists with their size and activity, debunking the myth about the exclusivity of their Siberian counterparts.
Reviews from tourists about Birobidzhan
The city leaves a good impression on most travelers. Many consider it an excellent starting point for exploring the Far East. The following facts support this statement:
- Favorable geographical location. From here it is convenient to reach such regional attractions as the Lotus Lake, the natural complex "Bidzhan Outcrop", the Londakovskaya and Pasechnaya caves.
- Availability of hotel infrastructure. City hotels offer accommodation options in economy, standard, business, and luxury categories.
- Reasonable prices. The cost of renting hotel rooms, services, food, and groceries is affordable even for tourists with modest incomes.
The city has everything you need to have a wonderful few days of vacation. Colorful photos of the sights of Birobidzhan will long remind you of an exciting journey through the Far East.
