Many interesting things can be found without crossing the borders of our native country. Why not go on a private car or a suitable bus to another city on weekends and discover something new? Such a journey is affordable for everyone, and it will bring a lot of positive emotions and new impressions. What sights of Kursk deserve attention and how to get to this city?
Kursk: quick reference
From the capital of Russia to this charming town about 500 km. The village has a rich history and many diverse monuments. Kursk is located in a picturesque place on the Seym River. Today, its population exceeds 400 thousand people. There are no problems with the
tourist infrastructure . All kinds of entertainment centers, as well as shops and boutiques for every taste, work here. The vast majority of tourists who come to the city of Kursk are interested in sights to a greater extent, because you can eat or go to the cinema in your native village. There should be no problems with the cultural program. The city has many museums for every taste, there are unique architectural monuments, as well as modern sculptural compositions. Do not forget to take a camera and a spare battery for it on your trip, there are many places for shooting. You can go to Kursk at any time of the year, the climate is mild, and urban landscapes look equally good under snow cover and in a riot of vegetation.
A bit of history
The first references in historical documents about this city date back to 1032. Already at that time it was quite large and famous, as it was on a significant trade route. According to one version, the settlement was founded by the peoples of Scandinavia. Famous historians argue about the origin of the name of the city today. There are two versions. If you believe the first, then the settlement was named after the river ("Chickens") on which it stands. Opponents of this theory say that the city was designated in honor of the partridges living in its vicinity. These birds are also depicted on the modern coat of arms of the city. In 1095 the Principality of Kursk was founded. In the sixteenth century, a reliable fortress was erected here, and for two centuries the city was an important military-strategic object for the entire Kievan Rus. But already in the eighteenth century, the Tatar-Mongol forces heavily sacked and destroyed this settlement. However, it was restored and played a significant role in the Great Patriotic War. Many monuments of Kursk are dedicated specifically to the battle of Kursk, which significantly influenced the course of the war. Today, the village proudly bears the title of a hero city. This settlement is also included in the list of the cleanest and most well-groomed cities in Russia.
Remember the war ...
One of the symbols of Kursk is the
Kursk Bulge Memorial
. The open-air museum stretched almost a kilometer along Victory Boulevard. It is impossible not to notice the complex. It includes the Arc de Triomphe, the
monument to Zhukov, the Church
of St. George the Victorious. Here you can see a sculpture dedicated to the victims of executions, the figure of an unknown soldier and a sign of the city of military glory. There is also its own alley of military equipment. The sights of Kursk associated with the Second World War do not end there. The local House of Officers houses the Museum of the Battle of Kursk. Here you can learn more about how the battle went, see the rewards and personal belongings of the fighters.
Learn the story
Museums in Kursk will delight tourists with exhibits for every taste. There is also a planetarium in the city, and you can also see trams. But still, it makes sense to start your acquaintance with the city from the Museum of Local Lore and the Military History. In the first one you can see original pieces of furniture and everyday life, genuine documents and objects of art. For ease of viewing the collections, they are divided into three categories. These are our days and the USSR, the ancient history of the region, as well as an overview of natural resources. The scale is impressive - the total area of exhibits is 1200 hectares, the number of valuable items in the collection is more than 170 thousand. This is incredibly much for a local history museum.
Unique Archaeological Museum
The Kursk Archaeological Museum is an unusual formation in Russia. The thing is that there is not only an exposition for viewing by visitors. The collection is regularly updated. The thing is that the museum specializes exclusively in conducting excavations in a specific region and studying valuable objects found. At the same time, the museum’s activities are primarily aimed at finding and preserving architectural monuments. The most diverse objects are investigated - ancient settlements and sites, mounds and burials of various periods. The museum is located in the house of the merchant Khloponin, which is also called the chamber of the Romodanovsky. This building is an architectural monument and looks great even today thanks to regular restoration work.
Cultural life
The city of Kursk is famous not only as a place of great battles, but also as a modern cultural center. A must-see object is an art gallery named after A. Deineki. Today you can see about 8.5 thousand exhibits. The collection presents outstanding examples of European sculpture, painting and graphics. You can see here objects of folk art. You can get acquainted in Kursk with theater art. For adults, there is the Pushkin Drama Theater . For children and adolescents - the theater of a young spectator or puppet. The city has four large parks. On holidays, folk festivals and various entertainment programs are held here.
Other museums in Kursk
There is an exhibition in this city dedicated to the exploits of minor residents of these places during the Second World War. The museum is called - "Young Defenders of the Homeland." Here you can learn about the exploits of very young children in difficult times, as well as many interesting stories related to their way of life and life. It is difficult to list all the attractions of Kursk, only 13 museums in this city. In addition to those described above, there are: a literary, zoological, automobile and even its own space museum. Works in Kursk and its own planetarium. In addition to the Deineka art gallery, the city has a gallery of modern art and an exhibition hall of the Art Fund. As in any other large city, temporary exhibitions and various fairs are held here periodically, where interesting items can not only be seen, but also purchased.
Kursk is religious
Many places of interest in Kursk, photos of which you can see, are visible from an impressive distance. We are, of course, talking about the majestic temples, of which there are 33 in this city today. One of the most original buildings in this category is the Catholic Church. It is located on Marat Street, has been operating since 1892. Not everyone knows that once, not yet being world famous, Kazimir Malevich lived in this city. The artist liked to visit this church, and also restored the icons in it. The oldest Orthodox church is located in the Trinity Monastery. The temple was built in 1695, consecrated in honor of the Trinity Life-Giving. From an architectural point of view, of interest are: the Church of the Holy Royal Martyrs, the Temple of the Great Martyr Panteleimon and the Temple of the Archangel Michael.
Interesting examples of church architecture
Against the backdrop of modern business centers, ancient temples look solemnly and majestically. Such development is typical for many settlements of our country, but local architecture nevertheless deserves attention. Kursk is rich in churches, and in its vicinity are several ancient monasteries. It is definitely worth visiting the Sergiev Kazan Cathedral, located on Maxim Gorky Street. In its decoration, it is not inferior to the churches of Moscow, it operates today, it is easy to get into the service here. The
Znamensky Monastery has been preserved in good condition to this day
. Some of the buildings are not used for their intended purpose, in different years there was a plant and a warehouse in them. But today, part of the monastery has been restored and is operational. Speaking about the sights of Kursk, one cannot ignore the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. This is a relatively small red brick building with rich interior decoration.
Monuments of Kursk
During a walk around the unfamiliar city, you can see a lot of everything unusual and interesting. Be sure to visit Kursk! Sights, photos of which will decorate your personal album, can be found here at every step. The most famous monument of the city is Antonovka.
This is a giant apple with which for some reason all newlyweds are photographed. One of the newest monuments of the city enjoys great popularity among residents and visitors of the city. The sculpture "date" depicts a guy making his way through the wall with a bouquet of flowers. Not everyone likes this composition, many call it tasteless and even ugly. However, you should still look at this miracle with your own eyes. Monuments of the city of Kursk are ideal for photo shoots. A vivid example of this is the sculpture of Lieutenant Rzhevsky and the governor's carriage. Sit on bronze benches or even climb a horse and I want for a successful shot. You can see how in some places the metal is polished by tourists and local passers-by, who love original photographs. A monument to Sviridov is also worth a visit.
What else to see in Kursk?
In the vicinity of the city there are several manor complexes. The most famous among them: Mokva, Feta and Maryino. The region is also famous for its nightingales, whose voice is not difficult to distinguish from other related birds. For this reason, there is a monument to the Nightingale the Robber in the city, and a theme festival is also held here annually. It is worth visiting the original monument - an old hydrant near the fire station on Olshansky Street. Another place to visit is the submariners alley, where there is a memorial made from fragments of a sunken submarine. Tourists who come here with children will be interested in visiting the new circus. If you want to explore the most diverse monuments of Kursk, take a photo for memory and relax at the same time, you should go on a walk around the city. Original architectural buildings, well-groomed squares and parks, as well as cozy courtyards are sure to meet you on the way. In almost any area, you can easily find a cafe for every taste or entertainment center. The streets of the city are especially attractive in the warm season, when all the fountains are open.
Things to do in Kursk
One of the best places to relax in the city is a local water park, there are entertainment for every taste. These are pools with slides and a jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna and a Russian bath. There is an entertainment area for the youngest guests and attractions for adults. Nature lovers should go to the city park or one of the many squares. For walks, the city promenade is open, where cafes and shops are located. In the summer, in the suburbs there are several well-maintained recreation areas with ponds suitable for swimming and well-maintained beaches. The city of Kursk has many shopping and entertainment centers. One of the most famous is Pushkinsky, located next to the main theater. Here you can play bowling or billiards, take your children to the entertainment area or visit the modern cinema.
Where to stay in Kursk?
In one day it is difficult to manage to visit all the interesting places in this city. If you came to visit all the monuments of Kursk and visit several museums, you should stay here at least a couple of days. The main thing is to decide where you want to live, in a hotel or in a separate apartment? There are enough offers in both segments of temporary housing. But still it’s worth to book an interesting option in advance - this will save your time. Hotels can be found for every taste from inexpensive to super modern with appropriate prices. The first category includes: “Visit”, “Mill” and “Kursk”, the best hotels of the city: “Aurora”, “Nightingale Grove” and “Oktyabrskaya”.