To visit a real, battle cruiser - is this not a dream of any boy? Now imagine that you had the opportunity to get on a ship built in the middle of the last century, such as the cruiser Kutuzov. Novorossiysk will make your dream come true. It was here, in 2002, on the basis of the formidable warship that the museum was equipped.
The ship is very large, and tourists should not hope that they will be able to visit its most hidden corners. Groups carry out only on the main deck, tell the story of the legendary ship, show several superstructures. However, this is quite enough to get a lot of impressions.
Decommissioned ashore
The great cruiser Kutuzov served a lot. Novorossiysk became its last port, and he, in turn, was his calling card. The proud posture of a magnificent machine is the real pride of the townspeople. Today, the ship is on a well-deserved rest, however, he has a solid track record. We will very briefly review its history before moving on to the present.
Back in 1951, the cruiser Kutuzov was laid down. Over the years of military service, he visited Novorossiysk many times, and now decorates it with his own look. From photographs it is difficult to estimate the true dimensions of this magnificent ship. Everyone who sees him for the first time is amazed at his greatness, stature and grace. The battle cruiser was launched in 1952. Already in 1955 he was accepted into the ranks of the Black Sea Fleet.
First impression
Even people far from history and military service are involuntarily interested in the internal structure of this vessel, if they manage to see it close. Therefore, we will very briefly tell you what the Kutuzov cruiser is. Novorossiysk today offers you a unique opportunity to visit a warship, to see with your own eyes how our sailors had to serve.
Design features
During its design, some innovations were introduced. Like a warship, the cruiser has protective, armor plates that were used as supporting structures. Its length is 210 meters, width - 23 meters, height - 52 meters. By the way, even against the backdrop of the mountains, he looks like a real giant. Surprisingly, a team of ordinary people could manage it.
Museum-cruiser "Mikhail Kutuzov" (Novorossiysk) offers you a unique opportunity to experience the power of this combat vehicle. When creating the described cruiser, new technologies were implemented. They consisted in improving the lower part of the ship. Double bottom and bulkheads, side compartments - all this allowed to free up additional space and create protection against flooding.
Six steam boilers provided the opportunity to develop good speed and provided a capacity of 120 thousand horsepower. The main artillery was twelve 152 mm cannons. They were placed in 4 towers and shot even with a storm of 6 points.
A thirst for knowledge
Today you can go around the decks of the legendary ship and see the Kutuzov cruiser with your own eyes. Novorossiysk offers excursions to everyone without exception, but most often come here, of course, boys and young men who consider the ship a living embodiment of the exploits of the heroes of the Black Sea Fleet.
Here you can listen to the tales of experienced sea wolves and imagine yourself a sailor of a cruiser, leaving the sea. Now the ship is quietly standing in one place, and, probably, will never again anchor. However, he is still menacing and very handsome. Today it is already a museum-cruiser "Kutuzov". Novorossiysk is proud of its heritage, which has turned into a kind of symbol of the city.
Museum Creation
The day when the ship-museum "Mikhail Kutuzov" was opened, Novorossiysk perfectly remembers. In July 28, 2002, the cruiser forever dropped its anchor on the embankment. Now it has become not just a city attraction and the best museum in Russia, but also a place where the training of new generations of sailors is carried out. Cadets are ready to spend days exploring the legendary ship. Here, as nowhere else, one can be imbued with pride in one’s country and the spirit of patriotism. Indeed, their grandfathers walked on the same decks, carrying out their difficult service.
Availability of excursions
As already mentioned, anyone can go aboard. The guide will guide the ship and tell you a lot of interesting things. However, only the main deck will open to the attention of tourists. The rest of it is closed for viewing, but not empty. So, on the base of the ship today is the base station of the mobile operator MTS.
Take a walk on the deck
Let's have a virtual tour and see the cruiser Kutuzov Novorossiysk. The photos posted in the article, of course, do not convey the admiration that you experience on the deck, but will help to make up the general impression.
Initially, tourists fall on the bow of the ship. In the Navy, sailors call it a "tank." It is here that there are anchors, there are only two of them. Since the ship is on the pier, they are immersed in water and not visible. But the anchor chains, weighing 30 tons each, make a strong impression. Anchors weigh 7 tons each.
Just standing here, you begin to understand how huge the cruiser is. The guide will show you the claw and keel, the so-called highest and lowest parts of the ship. The distance between them is 59 meters. For comparison, a nine-story house in height does not exceed 30 meters.
If you hit the ship in the morning or in the evening, you will witness the ritual of raising or lowering the flag. Every day at 8 a.m. on weekdays and at 9 a weekend, the Andreevsky flag flies over the cruiser . The descent is timed to the sunset, the navigator is counting this time.
Guns for battle
Of course, it is impossible to visit a battle cruiser and not appreciate the power of its artillery. The main caliber is represented by 152 mm guns. Four formidable towers clearly indicate that the ship was created primarily as a combat vehicle. Its guns could conduct targeted shooting at a distance of 32 km, and each of them served 68 people.
The most serious measures were taken to defend against an air adversary. So, around the main guns were 16 anti-aircraft guns.
Move on
Surely you are already impressed by what you saw, but that's not all. Walking along the stern, you will see post-war sea mines. Many have an idea of how they should look, but we assure you that what you see will be very different from what is expected. The huge cylinder on special rails leaves the strongest impression. Such mines the ship could lift aboard up to 132 pieces. Each of them weighed up to 750 kg. They are equipped with a special anchor to hang at a certain depth.
Ship bell
The most important naval ritual is a blow to the market. Museum staff give their visitors the opportunity to experience for themselves what it is. In the open sea, this is heard in a radius of 14 km. Despite the fact that today they call in "gentle mode", the ears are laying very thoroughly. This notorious market was made of an alloy of bronze and silver, and it weighed 86 kg.
Internal arrangement
Most of the time the sailors spent on the deck, but 2500 ships and 72 cabins, 38 cubicles and 4 libraries, which also needed to be maintained, were hidden inside the ship. You will be shown only a small part.
First of all, welcome to the wheelhouse - ship control post. Here is the commander and officers who pass orders to the engine room. A conning tower is located in the neighborhood, which leads the ship in an emergency.
Further there are wardrooms and sailors' huts. And now it's time to leave the museum ship. The cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov (Novorossiysk) says goodbye to his guests, and they leave him impressed.
If you are passing through the city
Do not deny yourself the pleasure of visiting the magnificent cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov (Novorossiysk). The schedule of excursions is very convenient, guests are welcomed here daily. However, it should be borne in mind that for one tourist they will not conduct an excursion, it is necessary to assemble a group of up to 10 people. The cost is low, only 150 rubles per visitor. You can agree on a smaller group, but the price of tickets will increase.
If this is your first time in the city, then it can be difficult for you to navigate. Although getting lost here is very difficult. For example, you need to go from the bus station along Vidova Street, turn off from it onto Constitution Street. Continue driving until you turn onto the street of the New Russian Republic to the square of the Marine Station. The journey takes about 1 km, that is, in 15-20 minutes you will be there.
Every Russian person who knows and loves the history of his native country should definitely visit the cruiser Kutuzov (Novorossiysk). The working hours of this unique museum are from 10:00 to 18:00, without breaks and weekends.
Tourists reviews
Without exception, everyone says that this is a very interesting and useful museum. Here the past comes to life before our eyes, with its battles and victories. Walking along the polished decks, it is difficult not to feel pride in the heroic ancestors, not to be filled with the spirit of patriotism and the desire to serve your country. Tourists note that such museums must be visited with children, because it is better to see with your own eyes once than to hear 100 times.