Nizhny Novgorod is one of my favorite cities, where I come every time with great joy and anticipation to see something new. In this article, I tried to compile a small list of attractions that I found interesting and that I recommend to my readers. In addition, you will find out where to stay in Nizhny Novgorod, where to eat and what excursions to go on.
Nizhny Novgorod in the evening
Nizhny Novgorod city: sights for 1 day
It can take more than one week to see all the interesting things that this wonderful city is ready to please tourists with. However, among this diversity there is something that you should definitely see in Nizhny Novgorod, even if you come here for just a couple of days.
Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
- Address: Zelensky Congress. Transport stop "Minin and Pozharsky Square".
The construction of a powerful fortress at the confluence of the Volga and Oka was completed in 1515. The slender oak Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin could not serve as a reliable defense for the townspeople during frequent Tatar raids, but the powerful walls, stretching for 2 km, and the 13 towers of the stone citadel successfully served this role. managed. It withstood many sieges and was never taken by the enemy.
The fortress, which has lost only one tower, is now in excellent condition. On its territory there are buildings of government structures, several interesting museums, St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, a number of remarkable monuments, and the luxurious Governor’s Garden. The tour of the Kremlin will be eventful and very interesting.
Chkalov staircase
- Address: Alexandrovsky Garden. Transport stop "Boat Hero".
A grandiose monumental composition bearing the name of the great pilot V.P. Chkalov, a native of the Nizhny Novgorod province, is striking in its scale. The huge figure eight, ending with a direct march to the embankment, consists of 560 stone steps and two viewing platforms.
It took almost six years to build it. Moreover, not only townspeople, but also captured Germans worked on construction. The result exceeded all expectations. The staircase, decorated with obelisks and high reliefs, looks not only majestic, but also very elegant.
Obelisk to Minin and Pozharsky
- Address: Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Transport stop "Minin and Pozharsky Square".
Nizhny Novgorod was destined to play a key role in one of the most tragic moments in Russian history. It was here that the militia was formed, which liberated Moscow and put an end to the dominance of the Swedish and Polish invaders in 1612.
In honor of its inspirers and leaders - Nizhny Novgorod tradesman Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, an obelisk was erected on the territory of the Kremlin, inaugurated in 1828.
A slender tetrahedral column with a conical end, made of pink Karelian granite, rises on a pedestal. It is decorated with gilded bronze bas-reliefs in the form of busts of each of the heroes, above whose heads the laurel wreaths of the goddess of glory are held.
State Bank building
- Address: st. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, 26. Transport stop “Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street”.
One of the symbols of the city is the very unusual and incredibly colorful building of the State Bank. Thanks to the bay window towers, it looks more like a Northern Russian castle. The magnificent building delights with the openwork decor of the facade. Near the building you can take a wonderful photo against the background of three heraldic symbols at once.
It is enough to stand with your back to the front facade so that behind you you will see the coat of arms of the Nizhny Novgorod region, mounted on the hipped roof of the arched entrance house, the stucco coat of arms of the Russian Empire decorating the facade, the coat of arms of the USSR crowning the high spire. This architectural gem is depicted on the obverse of a commemorative silver coin issued by the Bank of the Russian Federation in 2006.
Fountain on Minin and Pozharsky Square
- Address: Transport stop “Minin and Pozharsky Square”.
The amazing fountain, which appeared in the city back in 1847, is unique in its own way. It was originally created not so much for aesthetic reasons, but out of the need to provide citizens with clean drinking water, which was collected in a pool from 18 springs.
Over time, water supply was organized, after which the elegant two-level bowl simply became one of the main attractions of Nizhny Novgorod. At the beginning of this century, the fountain was illuminated and began to sing. The colorful show can be seen from early spring to late autumn. It lasts from 20:00 to 1:00. By the way, the image of the fountain appears on a Russian postal stamp issued in 2009.
Nizhny Novgorod cable car
- Coordinates on the map: 56.339043, 44.050327.
The cable car appeared in Nizhny Novgorod only in 2012, but has already become a favorite of both tourists and local residents. After all, city residents often use it instead of public transport to get to the suburbs. Tourists choose it as a way to admire the picturesque landscapes.
The Nizhny Novgorod cable car is a record holder for many indicators in Europe today, in particular for the height of its supports, speed of movement, etc. Of particular note is the fact that there is a huge amount of equipment that helps ensure the safety of movement, as well as its own backup power plants.
Architecture and monuments of Nizhny Novgorod
In Nizhny Novgorod they treat the past with love, so historical and architectural monuments are kept in excellent condition. You can walk around the city endlessly, enjoying the creations of wonderful architects.
Monument to V.P. Chkalov
- Address: Verkhnevolzhskaya embankment. Transport stop "Minin and Pozharsky Square".
The memory of the famous fellow countryman was always honored in the city. Therefore, a monument to the best of Stalin’s falcons appeared in the city on the second anniversary of the death of the great ace. It was installed in the place where Chkalov loved to come during his life to admire the beautiful Volga.
The figure of the pilot, carved from black stone, rises on a cylindrical pedestal lined with black polished granite. Valery Pavlovich, dressed in a flight uniform, pulls the leggings onto his hand and thoughtfully looks up, anticipating a new flight.
Nizhny Novgorod Fair
- Address: st. Sovnarkomovskaya, 13. Transport stop "Strelka".
An extremely advantageous geographical position predetermined the fate of Nizhny Novgorod, which by the middle of the 16th century had become one of the largest centers of trade in Rus'. Local merchants not only received incredible profits, but also regularly replenished the state treasury.
Therefore, when in 1816 a fire destroyed the city's shopping arcades, Emperor Alexander I even postponed the renovation of the Winter Palace, allocating funds for the construction of a new complex of buildings. In 1824, the construction of a brilliant structure in a magnificent Baroque style was completed. In addition to the main palace, the architectural ensemble of the fair includes several more buildings and two cathedrals.
Rukavishnikov Estate
- Address: Verkhnevolzhskaya embankment, 7. Transport stop "Academy of Water Transport".
When in the middle of the 19th century. The estate fell into the hands of the steel magnate M. Rukavishnikov, which became compensation for an unpaid debt; no one could have imagined that in a few years it would turn into a real palace.
A luxurious mansion in the style of an Italian palazzo with attics, flowerpots, and cornice balustrades really looks amazing. Its graceful balcony is supported by atlases, and the walls between the windows of the facade are decorated with caryatids. The interiors are no less magnificent, striking with an abundance of stucco. This miracle of architecture is simply impossible not to see.
Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street
- Address: st. Bolshaya Pokrovskaya.
We are talking about the street connecting Lyadov and Minin and Pozharsky squares. It is one of the oldest in the city, and until 1917 it was even considered exclusively noble. It began to be considered the main street from the end of the 18th century. Today the street has already turned into an open-air museum. Its cobblestone pavement is opened by the figure of a private, who seems to invite you to explore the corners of ancient Nizhny Novgorod.
House of Peter the Great
- Address: Pochainskaya st., 27.
This building was built approximately in the 17th-18th centuries. Peter the Great stayed here in 1695, preparing for the famous Azov campaign to open access to the Black Sea. He visited the city again on May 28, 1722. On May 30, he celebrated his fiftieth birthday, combining it with a visit to Minin’s grave. It was after this that the Russian tsars began to have a tradition of visiting it.
Monument to the nickel
- Address: Comintern street.
A unique monument made of cast iron and painted bronze is located in the center of Sormovo. It was cast in the form of an ordinary coin with a diameter of 120 cm. But the usual mint markings are completely absent on it. Nizhny Novgorod residents often refer to this landmark as “Sormovo Piglet”.
Where to eat in Nizhny Novgorod
There are no problems with food in Nizhny Novgorod. In the center, at literally every step you will find a variety of cafes and restaurants. There are many of them in popular tourist places: on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya and Rozhdestvenskaya streets. My favorite places are the English Embassy on Zvezdinka and the Library on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. I will list the best in the Tripadvisor rating:
- Le grill . Cuisine: European, Steakhouse, Grill. Address: Belinsky st., 11.
- Dumpling house “Make the dough” . Cuisine: Russian, Cafe, Street food. Address: st. Minina, 12.
- Nimble Shmel . Cuisine: Pub. Address: st. Alekseevskaya, 13.
- Restaurant "Expedition. Northern cuisine . Cuisine: Seafood, Grill, Russian, Deli. Address: st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 1.
- Franky . Cuisine: Bar, European. Address: st. Zvezdina, 10.
- Mitrich . Cuisine: Steakhouse, Seafood, European, Central European. Address: Kovalikhinskaya, 8.
- Gastropub "Gorky Brewery" . Cuisine: European, Brew Pub, Barbecue, Pub, Gastropub. Address: st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 29.
- Herring & Coffee . Cuisine: Bar, Cafe, European, Pub, Central European. Address: st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 19.
- Dodici Wine & Kitchen . Cuisine: Italian, Seafood, European, Mediterranean, Wine bar. Address: st. Rozhdestvenskaya, 26.
- Library . Cuisine: Italian, European. Address: Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, 46, (3rd floor).
- English Embassy . Cuisine: Irish, Bar, European, British, Pub, Central European. Address: Zvezdinka st., 12.
