A little history
Back in 1933, construction of the Aerohydrodynamic Institute began in the city. Upon completion of the work, the institute rapidly expanded; specialists came here, for whom they began to build housing. Thus, by 1940 the village of Stakhanovo appeared. But after a few years, the village turned into a small town, and it was renamed Zhukovsky in honor of the Soviet founder of aerodynamics, N.E. Zhukovsky. The monument to the scientist was opened in 1969 and is located on Mayakovsky Street, 26.
Today the city is a real scientific center of Russian aviation.
Zhukovsky: main memorials to pilots
In the city of aviation, most of the memorials are dedicated to the pilots who died during the First and Second World Wars, aircraft designers and the aircraft themselves, who also left their mark on the history of Russia.
Monument to the Tu-144 aircraft
- Address: Tupolevskoye Ring.
Tu-144 is a Soviet passenger aircraft. At one time, it was the pride of the USSR and a symbol of the success of domestic aviation. A monument to this aircraft was opened in Zhukovsky in 2022. An authentic car produced in the early 1980s is placed on the pedestal.
Monument to the MiG-21 aircraft
- Address: Mendeleev street.
At the intersection of Gagarin and Mendeleev streets there is a MiG-21 fighter placed on a stele. This model was developed in the 1950s and protected the Russian sky for a long time.
After decommissioning, the steel bird was donated to the aviation science city as a monument. Today it is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It’s a rare tourist who doesn’t take a photo with the MiG-21 in the background.
Memorial Bykovskoye Cemetery
- Address: Magistralnaya st., 31.
The cemetery was probably founded in the 18th century. Burials from the 19th and 20th centuries have been preserved here. In 1992, the cemetery was given memorial status, as there are many historical monuments and military graves on its territory.
Since the founding of Zhukovsky, there has been a tradition of burying test pilots, cosmonauts, aircraft designers and TsAGI employees at the Bykovsky cemetery.
In addition, separate memorials have been created at the cemetery in honor of the fallen crews. Currently, the Bykovskoye cemetery is under state protection. It is open exclusively to relatives of the deceased and special burials.
Monument to Aviators who died during the Great Patriotic War
- Address: st. Pushkina/st. Mayakovsky.
On June 22, 2016, a monument dedicated to the hero pilots of the Second World War was unveiled in Zhukovsky. The artist I. Maksyutin and the sculptor S. Shcherbakov created a sculptural group depicting a father in the uniform of a pilot and a boy who launches a small plane into the sky.
The monument not only perpetuated the memory of all the pilots who did not return to their families, but also became a symbol of the connection between generations.
Memorial Alley of the Founders of Aviation
- Address: Mayakovsky street.
In 2022, the opening ceremony of the Walk of Fame, which consists of 16 bronze busts of Soviet aircraft designers, took place in Zhukovsky. Among them are Alexander Yakovlev, Mikhail Mil, Nikolai Kamov and others.
All of Zhukovsky gathered for the opening of the monument. The highlight of the event was the air parade, in which helicopters, airplanes and supersonic fighters performed.
Monument to V.P. Chkalov
- Address: st. Garnaeva/st. Ahmet Khan Sultan.
Valery Pavlovich Chkalov was remembered by posterity as a test pilot who made the first non-stop flight from Moscow to Vancouver via the North Pole. The young pilot died in 1937 while testing a new aircraft.
In Zhukovsky, a monument to him was erected in the 1980s. Chkalov is depicted in full height, in flight uniform. The sculptor managed to convey his stern, determined expression. This look is familiar to everyone who has seen photographs of Valery Chkalov.
Entertainment and attractions
Zhukovsky is a green city where you can breathe easily and really want to do science. In the center of the village there is a park of culture and recreation, behind which is the Tsagovsky forest - a green area with deciduous and coniferous trees.
Not far from Zhukovsky there is Lake Kratovskoe and the Moscow River. There are several sanatoriums in the city itself.
The city has Vorontsovsky Park, which contains the remains of the majestic estate of the same name. And in the neighboring village of Bykovo, the old Vladimir Church has been preserved, which is famous for its Gothic style, which is not typical of Russian architecture.
The city has a standard set of entertainment options - clubs, cinemas, bowling alleys and others. And if you have time, you can go to a performance at the Strela Theater (Kirova Street, 3). The repertoire includes performances for both children and adults. And the theater itself is located in an old mansion, where Tchaikovsky himself and von Mecca (philanthropist) visited.
Where to take your child in Zhukovsky
There are several interesting places in Zhukovsky and beyond that will give your child a lot of positive emotions.
Children's playground in Kratovo
- Address: Kratovo holiday village, Molodtsova street.
On the shore of the Kratovo pond there is an environmentally friendly recreation area. In the middle of the pine forest there are slides, carousels, a mill and a large ship for children to play with. There is a sandy beach close to the site. Residents of Zhukov and nearby villages come here to relax and have fun with their families.
Winter skating rink near the Strela Theater
- Address: st. Kirova, 4.
As soon as sub-zero weather sets in, the skating rink is filled on the square in front of Strela. Zhukovsky has sports centers with indoor arenas, but this skating rink is especially popular among city residents.
A cozy holiday atmosphere reigns here: lights are on, music is playing, snowflakes are flying, inspiring you to spin with them. At the Strela skating rink you can play hockey, go for a ride, and then relax in nearby cafes.
You may be interested in sights of other cities in the Moscow region:
- Klin, Balashikha, Zelenograd, Podolsk,
- Krasnogorsk, Bronnitsy, Lobnya,
- Khimki, Dmitrov, Shchelkovo, Serpukhov,
- Korolev, Elektrostal, Taldom, Dolgoprudny,
- Yegoryevsk, Pushkino, Stupino, Reutov,
- Domodedovo, Naro-Fominsk, Chekhov,
- Lyubertsy, Voskresensk, Odintsovo, Noginsk,
- Kolomna, Volokolamsk, Vereya,
- Zaraysk, Ramenskoye, Sergiev Posad.
Zhukovsky is a truly special city, living by the sky and flights. Tourists will remember its beauty, heroic history and attractions that embodied the brilliant thoughts of the legendary aviators.
Museums
It is impossible to imagine the city of aviation without a thematic exhibition, and first of all, this is the Zhukovsky Museum of Aviation and Conquest of the Sky. The collection of exhibits and facts began back in 1969, but the doors opened to visitors only 10 years later. Here you can find out how the national aviation industry and the city itself have developed since the 17th century. The most valuable photographs and documents are presented in the form of an interactive show.
The second room is no less interesting; examples of pilot uniforms are collected here. You can also learn Morse code and learn how a parachute works. The third hall features changing exhibitions. The museum is located on Chkalova Street, 41.
On Zhukovsky Street, 1 there is another museum - TsAGI. It has been operating since 1964, and the most interesting thing about it is a large collection of aircraft models from different periods. Here you can also see a working model of some installations, for example, the T-101 wind tunnel.
What museums are worth seeing in Zhukovsky
Most of the science city's museums are dedicated to aviation and technology in general, however, you can find completely unexpected exhibitions here.
Museum of the History of the Conquest of the Sky
- Address: st. Chkalova, 41.
The museum was opened in 1979. Since then, it has preserved not only the past of the city, but also the history of the development of domestic aviation. The exhibition occupies two halls. At the beginning you will find a story about a man’s first attempts to fly into the air and the success that his perseverance and work brought.
The highlight of the exhibition is the collection of pilot uniforms, which were used from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. Tourists will also see protective masks, oxygen cylinders and pressure helmets worn by heroic pilots of the Great Patriotic War. These exhibits were donated to the museum by the pilots themselves or their families.
The second exhibition is called “Feel like a pilot.” There is a flight simulator here. It provides an opportunity to test yourself in piloting an aircraft and take part in air combat.
Also in the hall of the attraction there is a suspension system for a rescue parachute, a wind tunnel and a pilot's room of a civil aircraft. All this exists for the sake of complete immersion of tourists in the atmosphere of flights. In addition to the exhibition halls, the museum has a lecture hall and a cinema.
Museum of the History of the Research Institute of Instrument Engineering named after. V.V. Tikhomirov
- Address: st. Gagarina, 3.
The museum is located in the central part of Zhukovsky in the building of the research institute. Its exhibition tells the story of the creation and development of instrument making. At the beginning, tourists are introduced to the developments of V.V. Tikhomirov, followed by more modern exhibits.
While visiting the museum, tourists will get acquainted with the history of the development of anti-aircraft guns and radar systems. At the entrance to the museum there is a Buk anti-aircraft missile system, with which tourists take pictures.
Elephant Museum
- Address: st. Gagarina, 77a.
The only Elephant Museum in Russia is located in Zhukovsky. Its collection includes more than 5,000 exhibits. Tourists will see elephant figurines of all shapes and sizes. They are made of wood, earthenware, bone, metal, plastic, leather, wool, wax, crystal and shells.
Paintings, wood-burning designs and embroidery depicting elephants are exhibited here. The museum's collection is constantly updated. In addition to conducting excursions, he collects interesting facts about elephants and participates in charitable activities.
Best on the site: Sights of Moscow
Monuments
At the corner of Mendeleev and Gagarin streets there is a MiG-21 stele. This is the most famous aircraft fighter. During the period of its design and construction, it was in Zhukovsky that its tests were carried out.
The city has an interesting tradition among students. At the end of the session, a spinning propeller is installed on the plane in honor of such a significant date for students. The propeller remains on the stele for several days. Also, anyone has the opportunity to climb onto the plane, climb inside and examine the structure.
Toy railway
In the suburbs of Zhukovsky there is an interesting place - the Small Moscow Railway. The line consists of only two stations: “Yunost”, “Detskaya”, but there are two more on request. Interestingly, the road itself runs along the border between the village of Krotovo and the city.
On the basis of the railway there is a training club for schoolchildren from 11 to 17 years old. People from 25 schools in the capital come here to study. Students of the University of Transport and Communications (Moscow) also do their internship here.
Children's railway operating hours: from 10:00 am, from Thursday to Sunday, from the end of May to August (last Sunday).
Interesting fact: in 1938, scenes from the film “Girl with Character” were filmed on the road.
City infrastructure
Zhukovsky has everything you need and in sufficient quantity for a comfortable life: transport, shops, hospitals, schools, etc. The main thoroughfares of the city - Gagarin Street, which flows into Tupolev Street, as well as Chkalova Street - are maintained in excellent condition. And the rest of the roads are of quite tolerable quality; they become worse closer to the outskirts and industrial zones. Traffic jams in the city often occur due to the fact that residents of neighboring Ramenskoye who travel to Moscow join Zhukovans.
Also, during the MAX air show, travel is made difficult by the fact that some streets are blocked and, in addition, cars from all over the region, as well as from other cities, gather in the city. But to solve this problem, a highway is being built through the Tsagovsky forest. Also, drivers who come to the air show complain that there are not enough signs in the city and it is difficult for those who come here for the first time to find the desired entrance/exit and get their bearings.
Adding to the problem is the fact that one of the city’s borders is completely crossed by a railway, and in order to enter Zhukovsky from this side, you have to stand in a traffic jam before crossing.
Different areas of the city differ in terms of amenities and housing and communal services problems. It's worst for those who live close to the businesses. For example, on Zavodskaya Street there are old two-story houses that belong to dilapidated housing. And across a narrow road, literally a few meters from the houses, a manufacturing enterprise has opened, the noise and pollution from which torment the residents. However, new buildings are built with a pre-thought-out infrastructure.
One of the new courtyards. Photo by impo-ssc (https://fotki.yandex.ru/users/impo-ssc)
The situation with public transport is also quite tolerable. Buses and minibuses run regularly around the city; you can also get to Moscow (Vykhino station) by them. It is also possible to travel by train from the Otdykh platform to the Kazansky railway station; the entire journey will take about an hour. It’s just important not to confuse the Otdykh platform with the Ilyinskaya platform, because they look the same, and you can get off earlier by mistake.
Bus stop in Zhukovsky. Photo by impo-ssc (https://fotki.yandex.ru/users/impo-ssc)
What Zhukovsky can really be proud of is the provision of hospitals and good educational institutions. Health care facilities are mainly concentrated in the Hospital Town, where there is a flight personnel examination hospital, a city hospital, a maternity hospital and a clinic. Such security is, of course, related to the aviation focus, because the health of pilots must be constantly monitored. Therefore, good sanatoriums have also been built right within the city.
The quality of secondary schools has already been mentioned, and higher education institutions in the city are represented by the faculties of the Moscow Aviation Institute and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, as well as branches of other Moscow universities. There have always been enough kindergartens in Zhukovsky, but due to the fashionable baby boom, there was an acute shortage of places. However, this situation is typical for the entire Moscow region.
Ramenskoye airfield
This is another attraction of Zhukovsky. This is a universal airfield capable of receiving almost all types of aircraft. 7 Russian airlines are based here.
Newly designed aircraft are being tested at the airfield. Ramenskoye also accepts international cargo.
During World War II there was a base for bombers and assault vehicles. And during the construction of the Buran spacecraft, it was from here that parts of the space shuttle were sent to Baikonur.
Today an air show is being held at the Ramenskoye airfield. Once every two years, spectators come to the city to see how new models of flying ships are demonstrated and flying aces demonstrate their skills.
Crime
In the 90s, Zhukovsky, as was common in almost all Russian cities, had its own groups. But they did not gain much popularity, as they were suppressed by the larger and more active Lyubertsy organized crime group. Its leaders basically controlled all the commercial structures of the city, although there were few of them. And the Zhukovsky groups were more interested in hooliganism and robbery.
Now the city also does not have a horrific level of crime. Here he is the same as everywhere else, statistically average. Significant crimes are committed mainly in the real estate sector, but the average person cannot influence this situation in any way. And most of the crime news consists of robberies and fights, initiated by drug addicts and alcohol lovers. Among the recent incidents that are significant at the federal level are conflicts between environmentalists and representatives of the riot police, and in general, this whole situation with the felling of the Tsagovsky forest raises doubts among many about its legality.
In general, the city is relatively calm, although those who have recently moved should avoid walking through the dark streets of industrial areas and the forest.
Holy places
There is an interesting attraction in Zhukovsky - the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This is a new building, erected in 2003. It is designed for 1 thousand parishioners.
The church is a six-pillar structure with five domes. The main shrine of the temple is an icon depicting local new martyrs. The church is located on Gagarin Street, 77a.
Connoisseurs of church architecture should go to the village of Udelnaya (Internatsionalnaya Street, 12) to look at the wooden Church of the Life-Giving Trinity. The temple was built back in 1897, but the most important thing is that the church is wooden, and it was built in just 4 months.
The shape of the church is built in the shape of a cross, has beautiful domes and gilded crosses. Another feature of the church is its iconostasis, made in the best Byzantine traditions and made of oak. On the walls of the temple there are beautiful icons painted on a golden background. And the most unique one is the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, painted on stone.
Estate in Bykovo
Another attraction of Zhukovsky, which is why people come here. The estate was erected back in the 17th century, and the initiator of the construction was the favorite of Catherine the Second, Izmailov, to whom the queen granted Bykovo for his participation in the conspiracy. Later, the estate became the property of the Vorontsov-Dashkov family, and the most recent owners were the Ilyins.
This is a two-story building with external decoration in light stone. There are also several ponds and a bell tower, which was built in the 19th century. Previously, there was a Hermitage on the territory of the estate, but today it is completely lost. The park itself is represented by many winding paths and secluded places to relax.
Here, in the village of Bykovo, you can look into the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. It was built in the 18th century. This is a striking example of the pseudo-Gothic style. Under Soviet rule, the church was completely looted and closed, even church books were burned. Then a garment factory and warehouses were located in the temple. Only in the 80s of the last century the temple was returned to believers.
The city of Zhukovsky is a beautiful and neat city, where you can come with a tour or on your own, walk through the parks and see the sights, and learn a lot of interesting things about aviation.
Temples, churches and cathedrals of Zhukovsky
An integral element of the appearance of the city of Zhukovsky are churches built in different architectural styles.
Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Iverskaya"
- Address: 4th microdistrict.
The Iverskaya Church was built in 1999 in the style of wooden architecture of the 17th century, thanks to which it resembles the ancient churches of central Russia.
The building is a log house with vestibules and a shed under a high tent. The porches cover traditional barrels. The building was built as a baptismal temple at the Church of Panteleimon the Healer.
Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Derzhavnaya"
- Address: Nizhegorodskaya st., 17, holiday village Kratovo.
The church is located in the village of Kratovo. Its story began in 1995 with an unusual discovery. From the words of an old resident of the village, it became known that on the outskirts of Zhukovsky there is a brick building built before the revolution.
The unfinished one-story building was supposed to become a temple, but the work was interrupted by the First World War. After the revolution, no one thought about building a church, so the brick building was turned into a store, then a warehouse.
In 1999, it was decided to revive the construction of the temple. A year later, a new church appeared in Kratovo. One of its chapels was consecrated in honor of the Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II.
The building is made in the Pskov-Novgorod medieval style and has a cruciform shape. On four sides the facades are completed with gables. In the center of the eight-slope roof there is a light drum under a helmet-shaped dome. The rooms are illuminated using narrow windows.
The ceiling and walls are decorated with paintings in a medieval style. A century-old brick structure still stands next to the church. During the construction of the new building, it served as a temporary temple. Now it serves as a monument of history and architecture.
Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Address: st. Chkalova, 26A.
The Intercession Church was erected in 2007 on the territory of the central hospital. The building is designed in an eclectic style and is decorated with pilasters, false windows and archivolts. Above the main entrance there is a belfry with small bells.
The composition is completed by a massive six-piece with molded garlands and a light drum under a golden dome. The internal vaults are decorated with bright frescoes with biblical scenes.
There is a park around the church with well-groomed groves and cozy places to relax. Its main attraction is the Il-103 monument, a four-seater single-engine aircraft also known as an “air taxi”.
