The city of Sosnovy Bor is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, about 80 km from the Northern capital. In 2018, they are going to complete the construction of a new nuclear power plant, which will be equipped with a multi-stage safety system, similar to which today is not found anywhere in the world.
For many years Sosnovy Bor was one of the 33 cities of our country, for visiting which a special pass was required. Today you can visit there simply by presenting a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. Thus, everyone can see local attractions.
Sosnovy Bor: history
When a settlement was founded on the territory of a modern city is unknown. However, in 1676, a village called Ustia was already indicated on the map of Ingermanland, compiled by A.I. Bergenheim according to Swedish travelers. Much later, the village of Kalische appeared nearby. Both settlements were unremarkable, except for the proximity to the magnificent pine forest.
By 1956, the USSR Council of Ministers decided to build the LenGRES-16 thermal power station in the region of the Kalishche railway station. A program was also developed for launching up to 4 nuclear plants until 1960, including in the Leningrad Region.
In 1956, the first survey party arrived in Ustya, and in 1958 a workers' village began to be built. At the same time, when developing his plan, they tried to inflict minimal damage to green spaces, therefore, in many microdistricts, huge trees grow for hundreds of years right in the courtyards. Over time, it grew and was called Sosnovy Bor. The status of the city was assigned to him in 1973, and at the moment this settlement covers an area of 72 square meters. km, and 67.6 thousand people live there permanently.
When asked what to see in Sosnovy Bor, locals usually call it the most interesting sights.
Naval museum
If this is your first visit to Sosnovy Bor, it is better to start sightseeing when you go to the old part of the city. For example, at ul. Afanasyev, 50 is a village hut, which once belonged to the veteran of the Great Patriotic and Finnish Wars P. Ya. Yakkonen. It houses an exposition of a small museum dedicated to the history of these places in the 19th and in the 20th century. In this case, the main emphasis is placed on the disclosure of the theme of the participation of local residents in the wars of past centuries. In the museum there is a monument to the defenders of the Fatherland, which annually hosts events dedicated to the Great Victory Day.
Temples
At the address Soborny proezd, 1 is the first stone church built in Sosnovy Bor throughout its short history. It has an unusual architectural appearance, not typical of Orthodox churches. The author of the project is E. B. Fedorov. The territory of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Cupid” is landscaped, and almost everyone who comes to Sosnovy Bor (Leningrad Region) loves to walk and take pictures there.
Religious sights are also found in other areas of the city. At the address st. Sokolova, 2 is a wooden church of St. Panteleimon. It is located in the building of the former sewing workshop, to which an onion head with a cross was attached. In addition, on the territory of the Naval Museum there is a memorial chapel, consecrated in the name of St. Nicholas, who is the patron saint of sailors.
Modern Art Museum
At the address st. Leningradskaya 56a is a cultural institution that the whole Sosnovy Bor is proud of. Attractions of this kind are not even in every major city.
The museum was opened in 1991 with the goal of collecting, storing and studying works of contemporary Russian artists. There you can see paintings by T. Yablonskaya, M. Ermakova and V. Vetrogonsky. In addition, the museum regularly organizes exhibitions of local artists and educational programs for children.
Andersengrad
Those who come with children to Sosnovy Bor will enjoy the sights of the city the most. After all, in 1980, Andersengrad, an entertainment center that was unique in those days, was built there. On its territory, children can see the monument to the storyteller, visit the house of Ole Lukoye, watch the performance at the summer theater, and also explore bridges, bastions and the underground passage. In "Andersengrad" there is a cafe "Snow White", where animators work and children's parties are organized. The main decoration of the town is the Town Hall Tower, the silhouette of which is even depicted on the coat of arms of the city.
The entertainment center is a favorite venue for local children. For example, in the summer you can rent a car there and ride on a specially marked children's road with a mini-gas station. There is also a pool. The territory of the complex covers an area of 2 hectares, and it is recognized as a monument of architecture.
Malaya Koporskaya Fortress
Sosnovy Bor (adult attractions see above) pleases children with other unusual entertainments. For example, in the courtyard formed by houses N 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 on Leningradskaya Street a children's town was built, stylized as an old kid’s. It consists of several stone turrets and an iron slide, along which the kids get into the pool.
Koporskaya fortress
Everyone who visits these lands is recommended to visit a unique monument of Russian defensive art, located just 24 km from Sosnovy Bor. Koporye fortress was founded in the 13th century and was repeatedly rebuilt and strengthened. It is well preserved, and today you can see powerful walls and towers 20 meters high. By the way, against the background of the Koporskaya fortress some scenes of Three Musketeers were filmed.
Elevation Ranch
Near the city in the tract Luzhki Srednye there is a farm that specializes in breeding and sale of thoroughbred horses and Irish wolfhounds. At its base a tourist ranch "Elevation" was organized. There everyone is taught horse riding, and also conduct hippotherapy courses. On the farm there is a rather comfortable guest house where you can relax in the winter, when tourists are offered sleigh rides and other snow activities.
Fort Krasnaya Gorka
Although the city of Sosnovy Bor, the sights of which can be seen in the photo above, is quite young, several objects built at the beginning of the last century have been preserved on its territory and in the vicinity. For example, you can visit Fort Krasnaya Gorka there. It was built in 1915. In World War I, it was mined, but it was not blown up. Therefore, during the Finnish campaign, the guns of the fort took part in the artillery attacks of the Mannerheim line. The fortifications were also useful during the Second World War, when during the defense of the Oranienbaum bridgehead the headquarters of the Soviet command was organized there. By the way, little people know that after the revolution, fort officers rebelled, which was crushed by a detachment of Red Army soldiers led by Joseph Stalin.
Now you know why Sosnovy Bor is interesting. The history and sights of the city are also known to you. And if, despite the border zone regime, you find yourself in those parts, you can see them and also relax on the shores of the Gulf of Finland.