Grozny - a guide to how to get there, where to stay and what to see

Self-guided walking route around Grozny

Have you come to Grozny for 1 day or even a few hours? It doesn’t matter, if you plan your walking route wisely, you can see all the most interesting things in the Chechen capital. The city is compact and attractions are located nearby.

It is very convenient to start your walking route in the center of Grozny, near a flowering park - the railway and bus stations are nearby. There is also ample free parking nearby for travelers by car.

Flower Park

So, Flower Park . This popular urban space is very young, like almost everything in Grozny. The park opened in 2022, and since then it has only become more beautiful.

The park's area is large, about 5 hectares, and it takes time to walk around. The well-groomed alleys are “covered” with metal installations with a variety of colors - there are hundreds of thousands of them here.

Along the alleys of the park you will find “living” green figures, kiosks with drinks, open cafes, children’s attractions, and souvenir shops. Both adults and children will enjoy it here.

Take a photo of the impressive skyscrapers of the Grozny City complex in a flower “frame”, and move on. Walking through the park, you will notice a beautiful Orthodox church.

This is the Church of the Archangel Michael, one of the oldest buildings in modern Grozny. The church was founded at the end of the 19th century; later it was reconstructed, and today it is open to the public as a functioning temple.

From old to super-modern. Where else to go in fashionable Grozny but to stroll through the skyscraper district. Beautiful “glasses” welcome guests - there is a hotel, restaurants, cafes, shops, an observation deck, just a great location for photo shoots. The complex consists of 7 towers, their maximum height is 40 floors.

Be sure to go up to the observation deck on the roof of one of the skyscrapers to appreciate Grozny from above. You can drink coffee in a trendy bar, or go further - crossing the road, you will come to the embankment of the Sunzha River . The embankment of the Sunzha River is a new pleasant urban space. There are comfortable paths along the river, flower beds, and recreation and picnic areas. You can go down to the river, or relax on a hot day in the shade of the trees.

Mosque "Heart of Chechnya"

The embankment also offers first-class views of the city, the skyscrapers of Grozny City and, of course, the elegant “Heart of Chechnya” mosque.

“The Heart of Chechnya” is a sacred symbol, a tourist “business card”, a center of attraction for both Grozny residents and city guests. And also one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in Russia and Europe.

On holidays, she can meet up to 10,000 parishioners. However, entry for representatives of any religion is allowed - come in, look, take pictures. There is only one rule: to visit an Islamic temple, a strict dress code is required, for men and women.

What should you pay attention to besides elegant architectural lines? Of course, to the rich interior decoration of the temple. Beautiful painted ceilings, suras from the Koran written in gold, soft carpets, incredible chandeliers - there are 36 of them in total, they are made of gold mosaics and Swarovski crystals. All this luxury makes an unforgettable impression.

To recover a little from the beauty that has befallen you, take a walk along the modern streets. For example, along Putin Avenue - taking photos with signs with the address has become a favorite pastime of Russian tourists. On the central avenue of the Chechen capital you will find interesting houses (some with history), buildings of the republic's administration, cafes, hotels, even hostels. If you have always dreamed of living on a street named after the Russian president, this is an excellent choice.

National Museum of the Chechen Republic

On the avenue it is impossible to miss the spectacular structure, stylized with four defensive medieval towers. This is the National Museum of the Chechen Republic.

The collection of the main museum of the republic began to be collected about a hundred years ago. Formed from a very small collection, the museum gradually grew to become first regional, then republican.

Nowadays, museum repositories contain real masterpieces, such as paintings by Aivazovsky, medieval military uniforms, jewelry and numismatic collections.

A walk through the museum will be an excellent end to your route around the Chechen capital. However, you can stop by one of the cafes nearby - have a snack, relax, and share your emotions with friends.

Read more: What to see in Grozny in 1 day

The will and mind of the Russian general

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By 1813, Georgia and Northern Azerbaijan joined Russia, but ensuring the security of these territories was difficult because they were cut off from Russian territory by the Caucasus Mountains - a zone controlled by warlike mountaineers who were in conflict with Russian and supported by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1816, General Alexei Ermolov , appointed commander of the Separate Georgian Corps and manager of the civilian unit in Georgia, Astrakhan and Caucasus provinces.

Ermolov, a talented military commander and tough leader, put forward the following plan: massive cutting of clearings in mountain forests, massive construction of roads for the rapid transfer of troops to the most problematic areas, creation of a defensive line of outposts and fortresses.

The problem for the Russians was the Chechens and residents of Mountainous Dagestan, who constantly threatened transportation along the Georgian Military Road. At the same time, the Ossetians and Ingush were loyal to the Russian emperor.

Ermolov was not liberal - the resistance of the mountaineers was harshly suppressed, the rebellious villages were burned, and their population was expelled to the plain under Russian control.

In accordance with the plans of General Ermolov, on June 22, 1818, a Russian fortress was founded in the lower reaches of the Sunzha River, called Grozny. The fortress was built six versts from the Khankala gorge and was intended to block the mountaineers’ access through the gorge to the plain.

Fortress Grozny. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Road route from Grozny to the Chechen Republic

When you have seen all the most interesting things in the Chechen capital, it’s time to hit the road. Distances in the republic are very short, and in 1–2 days you can see a lot of sights. It is more convenient for these purposes to rent a car, or arrange a trip with a local guide. Start with the city of Argun, Grozny's closest neighbor.

Argun city

You will get here along an excellent highway in just 15 minutes; such a short distance allows us to consider Argun a satellite city of Grozny. The town itself is nice, well-kept, cozy. It was rebuilt after the notorious events of the Chechen wars, according to the modern Chechen “scenario”. There is a business part of the City, comfortable residential areas, shops, tourist infrastructure, a park and a beautiful mosque.

It's worth paying closer attention to. Indeed, the mosque in Argun, called “Mother’s Heart,” is very unusual and even futuristic. It can be considered one of the tourist “business cards” of the Chechen Republic, and should definitely be included in your route.

The fashionable high-tech style, so unusual for Islamic sacred buildings, was proposed and brought to life by Turkish architects. With 50,000 light bulbs built into the carved metal dome, the mosque is a fantastic sight at night. The minarets are made in the form of obelisks, but the area around the mosque deserves special attention. Be sure to take a walk.

Next to the mosque is the Argun City . Together they make up an amazing spectacle - a combination of glass, metal, minarets and high-tech style. The high-rise buildings of Argun City are not as large as those in neighboring Grozny, but they also look very impressive. They house shops, offices, business centers, and apartments. You can come here for lunch or just take a photo with the beautiful shiny towers in the background.

Mosque "Pride of Muslims" in Shali

In addition to Argun, your route should include the town of Shali. It is also located nearby, you will be there in 30–40 minutes. This small city is home to an architectural masterpiece of modern architecture, the Pride of Muslims Mosque. By the way, this is the largest mosque in Europe. The shrine, together with the adjacent territory, can accommodate up to 100 thousand believers at a time.

However, not only Muslim believers can visit the mosque; “Pride of Muslims” is open to representatives of all faiths. Travelers are attracted to the mosque as an architectural object. White marble facades, gold paintings, elegant frescoes, expensive carpets. And also incredible huge chandeliers in the shape of tulip flowers attract with millions of lights. The “Pride of Muslims” mosque is incredibly beautiful both in its external and internal decoration. It will be a beautiful end to your Chechen vacation, which will be remembered for a long time.

Read more: What to see in Grozny in 2 days

A fortress that does not disgrace its name

Construction was completed in four months. The efficiency was dictated by the difficult situation - the fortress was initially considered a “hot spot”.

When many people hear the word “fortress,” a picture of a medieval castle comes to mind. There was nothing similar in Grozny. It was a regular hexagon, each corner of which protruded forward with a bastion with embrasures for two guns. The ramparts of the fortress were earthen, fortified with palisades. Inside the citadel there were rooms for storing weapons and ammunition, barracks and guard rooms for units performing garrison duty. The fortress itself and the surrounding area were surrounded by ditches. The buildings in Grozny were wooden or turluch (consisting of poles dug into the ground, intertwined with vines or brushwood and coated with clay), rarely adobe (built from clay brick, consisting of a mixture of clay, sand and straw), all buildings had roofs made of reeds.

Plan of the Grozny fortress. 1918 Photo: Frame youtube.com

The not very formidable appearance of Grozny aroused the desire of the mountaineers to test its strength, but the defenders of the fortress made it clear that it was not for nothing that it received its name.

It must be said that the coexistence of Russians and highlanders began from the moment the fortress was founded - Grozny was surrounded by several populous villages, which most of the time did not annoy the Russians.

Holidays with children in Grozny

Grozny is a great destination for a family holiday. This republic has a real cult of family and children, and on vacation with young travelers it will be not only interesting, but also comfortable. In Grozny there are children's entertainment centers, family hotels and restaurants, where everything is thought out for young tourists, as well as many places for walks in the fresh air. In the city center it is primarily the Flower Park .

Beautiful alleys, bright installations with flowers, open cafe terraces where it’s so nice to sit down with a glass of ice cream on a hot day. Kids will love playing with the “living” green sculptures, and concerts and entertainment shows are often held here.

There are many beautiful parks in the center of Grozny

The park has sports and children's playgrounds, a small zoo, trampolines, labyrinths, carousels, and a mini-cinema. By the way, you can ride around the park, for example, on a funny musical train.

You can walk here until late; in the evening the beautiful illumination turns on. Another park is Mother's Glory Square. Children will like it no less, because in addition to walks, they will find rides, carousels, and rides in mini-cars. A Ferris wheel, swimming pools, and slides welcome guests in the warm season. You can also have a snack here, there are food stalls.

In the city park named after A. Kadyrov there is a zoo with many animals. Here you can admire the fountains, waterfalls, and relax in the cafeteria. Cool entertainment awaits you at the Like Lend , it is located on the top floor of the Grand Park shopping center in the center of Grozny.

Guests are greeted by animators in bright costumes; you can run in a maze, “plunge” into a dry pool, jump on trampolines and go down slides. Every evening, guests will enjoy an interactive musical show with the participation of magicians, dancers, and acrobats.

But the Grozny City shopping center attracts with the presence of several swimming pools in which you can splash around all year round, and a fun ice skating rink. In Grozny there is a Dolphinarium where you can watch shows by gifted artists. By the way, there is also a dino park, an amusement park, an autodrome, a zoo and a theater for young spectators. The complex has an equestrian club where you can learn to ride horses.

a circus tent comes to Grozny . In the evenings on weekends, Putin Avenue becomes completely pedestrian - children can run, jump, ride bicycles and scooters. And their parents take a leisurely stroll along the shady alleys and listen to a street concert of musicians, for example.

The fortress becomes a city

Not only did the situation change, the fortress itself also changed - crafts actively developed there, the first brick factories appeared, and the development of oil fields began.

It is curious, but not only Russian, but also mountain settlements expanded near Grozny. The mountaineers, who had managed to taste life under the rule of the Imamate and were tired of the war, went under the protection of the Russian fortress, preferring peaceful labor to endless battles.

By 1859, hostilities in Chechnya had ceased, and a year later, the Tsar’s governor in the Caucasus, Prince Baryatinsky, ordered two fairs to be held annually in Grozny, following the example of the one that was so successfully held in 1850.

Thanks to the fairs, the development of the settlement began at an accelerated pace. On December 30, 1869, the Grozny fortress, which had lost its strategic importance, became the district city of the Terek region.

1877 Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org

Holidays, festivals and cultural events in Grozny

Grozny, which is actively developing in recent years, has been striving to become not only a tourist, but also a cultural capital of the North Caucasus. Indeed, in this vibrant metropolis life is in full swing - theatrical performances, film premieres, national and secular festivals, religious holidays. Everything is celebrated cheerfully, noisily, on a grand scale and with Caucasian flavor!

New Year holidays in Grozny

The New Year holidays begin . If you come to Grozny in winter, you won’t go wrong. The weather here is usually mild, and the picture pleases the eye with illumination and New Year's elements.

Christmas trees are not removed until mid-January, and during this period guests also enjoy entertainment and sales in shopping centers.

Spring comes to Grozny along with International Women's Day . Also at the beginning of spring, an unusual “Honk-Fest” , a wild garlic festival, takes place in Grozny. If you have never tried this plant, come for a visit - they will teach you how to cook 1000 and one wild garlic dishes. The supply of vitamins and vitality is ensured.

The end of March marks Novruz , the Muslim spring holiday. Representatives of all religions are invited to attend - the more guests, the merrier.

The same principle is followed on the holidays of Eid al-Adha . It marks the end of fasting for Muslims, when beautiful tables are set, food is served, and guests are warmly welcomed. No less hospitable and fun at the gastronomic festival “Shashlyk-Mashlyk” . As a rule, it takes place in Grozny in May, on a huge square in the city center. It is impossible to make a mistake: the sounds of fiery musical motifs can be heard from afar.

Dancing at the Shashlyk-Mashlyk festival

There are dances, performances by national groups, songs, and of course food. Lots and lots of food - chefs from all over the Caucasus and Russia will compete for the title of best kebab master.

In addition to the most varied barbecue, you can try other delicacies, as well as appreciate the national flavor. Each district of the Chechen Republic is represented by national farmsteads, with beautifully laid tables and a souvenir fair.

By the way, the organizers present “Shashlyk-Mashlyk” not only as a gastronomic festival, but also as a cultural and tourism festival.

If you come to Grozny in June, be sure to go to the mountain lake Kezenoy-Am for a unique event - the Children's Sailing Regatta . Snow-white sailboats gliding across the surface of the lake look very picturesque.

But in July, the international sailing regatta “Kozenoy-Am Cup” . This is an event of an all-Russian scale, and it is organized accordingly - transfer of guests, entertainment, accommodation, educational excursions are thought out perfectly.

In the fall, Grozny hosts the Festival of Culture and Sports of the Peoples of the North Caucasus. It features both traditional and very unusual competitions, such as stilt walking or belt wrestling. By the way, this is not only a sports, but a cultural platform. There you can get acquainted with different traditions and customs of the Caucasian peoples - it will be interesting.

Chechen Women's Day is celebrated annually in September . Another autumn holiday is City Day in Grozny. And this is an excellent reason to get to know Grozny!

Trade is better than war

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Initially, everything in Grozny was designed only for military needs, but over time, trading shops and shops began to appear there. This happened after the headquarters of the Kurinsky regiment stationed in the fortress was transferred to the Vozdvizhenskaya fortress in 1844, and merchants occupied the vacated territory.

Even earlier, in 1839, to strengthen Russian influence, a military settlement was created next to the fortress, which was founded by 154 specially selected family soldiers. Subsequently, the settlers were classified as Cossacks, and the settlement itself began to be called the village of Grozny.

One should not think that during the period of the Caucasian War, relations between Russians and highlanders were exclusively hostile. Often, Cossacks and highlanders met informally, competing in the art of wielding weapons and horses. Trade was also brisk. In 1850, influential representatives of the mountaineers, having received permission from Shamil himself, turned to the commander of the left flank of the Caucasian line. They asked to establish three-day bazaars in the vicinity of the Grozny fortress once a month and to allow the “non-peaceful” residents of Chechnya, who were under the control of the imam, to bring household goods and products to them for sale and exchange for various industrial goods from Central Russia.

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Permission for this was given, and in May 1850 the first fair was held in Grozny, which was attended by at least 500 carts of mountaineers.

In general, the local bazaar, created by Russian settlers, existed on this site since the 1830s and was very popular among residents of the surrounding villages. However, the scope of the 1850 fair, which lasted three days, was incomparable with what had happened before.

Both the Russians and the mountaineers were extremely pleased with the results of the experiment, but the next fair took place only ten years later.

Climate

The climate in the city differs from the weather in Krasnodar, located at the same latitude. The winter here is colder due to strong northern winds. The air temperature in the cold season can drop to -20 degrees. The capital of Chechnya has quite long and hot summers. The thermometer often rises to 35 degrees, and this is in the shade! This difference in summer and winter temperatures can be explained by the fact that the city is located in a zone of temperate continental climate. Hence the interesting climatic conditions.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Grozny is presented in the form of a green circle with an ornament. At its base there are three stripes: two red and a white one in the middle. The composition is edged with a silver belt. On a green background there is a mosque, four minarets standing on a silver base in the form of three steps. The buildings have azure roofs. On the main dome of the religious building there is a golden spire with a crescent, the tops pointing upward.

The coat of arms was approved by Resolution of the Grozny City Council No. 66 of September 22, 2010. It is included in the State Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation under No. 6266. The authors are D. Ivanov, A. Grefenstein.