A lot of interesting things can be found without crossing the borders of our native country. Why not drive your own car or a suitable bus to another city on the weekend and discover something new? Such a trip is affordable for everyone, and it will bring a lot of positive emotions and new experiences. What sights of Kursk deserve attention and how to get to this city?
Kursk: brief reference
From the capital of Russia to this charming town about 500 km. The settlement has a rich history and a variety of monuments. Kursk is located in a picturesque place on the Seim River. Today, its population exceeds 400 thousand people. There are no problems with tourism 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 have a tasty meal or go to the movies in your nativelocality. There should be no problems with the cultural program. There are many museums in the city 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 with you on a trip, there are a lot of places for shooting here. You can go to Kursk at any time of the year, the climate is mild, and the city landscapes look equally good under the snow cover and in the riot of vegetation.
A bit of history
The first mentions in historical documents about this city date back to 1032. Already at that time it was quite large and famous, as it was located on a significant trade route. According to one version, the settlement was founded by the peoples of Scandinavia. Eminent historians argue about the origin of the name of the city even today. There are two versions. If you believe the first, then the settlement was named after the river (“Kur”) on which it stands. Opponents of this theory say that the city was named after partridges that live in its vicinity. These birds are depicted on the modern coat of arms of the city. In 1095, the Kursk Specific Principality was founded. In the sixteenth century, a reliable fortress was erected here, and for two centuries the city was a significant military-strategic object for the entire Kievan Rus. But already in the eighteenth century, the Tatar-Mongolian troops heavily plundered 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 coursewar. Today, the settlement proudly bears the title of 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 stretches for almost a kilometer along Pobedy Boulevard. It is impossible not to notice the complex. It includes the Arc de Triomphe, the monument to Zhukov, the temple of St. George the Victorious. Here you can also see a sculpture dedicated to the victims of executions, the figure of an unknown soldier and the sign of the city of military glory. There is also a private alley of military equipment. The sights of Kursk associated with the Second World War do not end there. The Museum of the Battle of Kursk is located in the local House of Officers. Here you can learn more about how the battle went, see the awards and personal belongings of the fighters.
Learn the story
Museums of Kursk will delight tourists with expositions for every taste. There is also a planetarium in the city, and you can also look at the trams. But still, it makes sense to start your acquaintance with the city from the Museum of Local Lore and the Military History Museum. In the first one you can see original pieces of furniture and everyday life, original documents and art objects. 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 an incredible amount for a local history museum.
Uniquearchaeological museum
The Kursk Archaeological Museum is an unusual formation for 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 excavations in a particular region and the study of valuable items found. At the same time, the activities of the museum are aimed primarily at finding and preserving architectural monuments. A variety of objects are being explored - ancient settlements and sites, mounds and burials of various periods. The museum is located in the house of the merchant Khloponin, which is otherwise called the Romodanovsky Chambers. This building is an architectural monument and looks great even today thanks to regular restoration work.
Cultural Life
The city of Kursk is known not only as a place of great battles, but also as a modern cultural center. The object to be visited is the art gallery named after. A. Deineki. Today you can see about 8.5 thousand exhibits here. The collection contains outstanding examples of European sculpture, painting and graphics. You can see objects of folk art here. It is possible to get acquainted closer with theatrical art in Kursk. The Drama Theater named after Pushkin works for adults. For children and teenagers - the theater of the young spectator or puppets. The city has four major parks. On holidays, folk festivals and various entertainment programs are held here.
Other museums in Kursk
There is also an exposition in this city dedicated to the exploits of underage residents of these places during the Second World War. The museum is called “Young Defenders of the Motherland”. Here you can learn about the exploits of very young guys in difficult times, as well as many interesting stories related to their way of life and life. It is difficult to list all the sights of Kursk, only there are 13 museums in this city. In addition to those described above, there are: literary, zoological, automotive and even its own museum of astronautics. Works in Kursk and own planetarium. In addition to the Deineka Art Gallery, the city has a modern art gallery 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.
Religious Kursk
Many sights of Kursk, photos with descriptions of which you can see, are visible from an impressive distance. Of course, we are talking about majestic churches, 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 Marata Street, and 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 Life-Giving Trinity. From architecturalpoints of interest are: the Church of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers, the Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon and the Church of the Archangel Michael.
Interesting examples of church architecture
Ancient temples look solemn and majestic against the backdrop of modern business centers. Such buildings are typical for many settlements in our country, but local architecture still deserves attention. Kursk is rich in churches, and in its vicinity there are several ancient monasteries. You should definitely visit the Sergiev-Kazan Cathedral, located on Maxim Gorky Street. In terms of its decoration, it is not inferior to the churches of Moscow, it operates today, it is easy to get to the service here. The Znamensky Monastery has also been preserved in good condition to this day. Some of the buildings are not used for their intended purpose; in different years they housed both a factory and a warehouse. But today part of the monastery has been restored and is functioning. 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
While walking through an unfamiliar city, you can see a lot of unusual and interesting things. Be sure to visit Kursk! Attractions, photos of which will decorate your personal album, can be found here at every turn. The most famous monument of the city is Antonovka.
This is a giant apple with which for some reason all the newlyweds take pictures. Bigone of the newest monuments of the city enjoys popularity among residents and guests 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. You want to sit on bronze benches or even climb on a horse for a good shot. You can see how in some places the metal is polished by tourists and local passers-by who love original photographs. The monument to Sviridov is also worth a visit.
What else to see in Kursk?
There are several manor complexes in the vicinity of the city. The most famous among them are Mokva, Feta and Maryino. The region is also famous for its nightingales, whose voice is easy to distinguish from other related birds. For this reason, the city has a monument to the Nightingale the Robber, and a thematic festival is held here annually. The original monument is also worth a look - an old hydrant near the fire station on Olshansky Street. Another must-see place is the alley of submariners, 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 see a variety of monuments of Kursk, take a photo as a keepsake and relax at the same time, you should go on footwalk 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 an entertainment center. The streets of the city look especially attractive in the warm season, when all the fountains are working.
Entertainment in Kursk
One of the best places to relax in the city is the local water park, where you can find 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. The city promenade is open for walking, where cafes and shops are located. In the summer, several well-maintained recreation areas operate in the suburbs with ponds suitable for swimming and well-maintained beaches. The city of Kursk also 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 the kids to the entertainment area or visit the modern cinema.
Where to stay in Kursk?
In one day it is difficult to have time to visit all the interesting places of this city. If you have come to see all the monuments of Kursk and visit several museums, you should stay here for at least a couple of days. The main thing is to decide where you want to live, in a hotel or a separate apartment? There are enough offers in both segmentstemporary housing. But still it is worth booking the option of interest in advance - this will help save your time. There are hotels for every taste from inexpensive to ultra-modern with the corresponding prices. The first category includes: "Visit", "Mill" and "Kursk", the best hotels in the city: "Aurora", "Nightingale Grove" and "October".
