Sights of Belgorod: Cathedral Square, Museum-diorama, Art Museum, Zoo, sundial, Irish pub, century-old oak

The city of Belgorod is located in the Central Black Earth region of Russia, not far from the border with Ukraine. From Moscow it is separated by almost 700 kilometers.

History testifies

By the decree of Tsar Fedor Ioannovich, the city was founded as a border fortress in September 1596. Although the mention of the settlement, located on this place, dates back to a much earlier period - the 10th century.

From 1658 through Belgorod passed the 800-kilometer defensive line, which was called the Belgorod line, - it protected the Moscow kingdom from enemies - Crimean Tatars. After the annexation of Ukraine (early 18th century) and the construction of the Ukrainian defensive line, the importance of Belgorod for the defense of the country decreased. Finally, it disappeared after the conquest of the Crimea, it was even excluded from the number of active fortresses. This happened in 1785.

During the Great Patriotic War, the city had to withstand twice the occupation. It was considered one of the key settlements on the Kursk Bulge. Belgorod was liberated at the same time as Orel. This happened on August 5, 1943. Moscow welcomed the liberation of cities with the first victory salute. So now Belgorod is called the city of the first salute, and also the first military glory.

Belgorod was the first to be awarded this honorary title. He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War 1st degree.

City today. Belgorod Attractions

As is common now, Belgorod, which has a well-developed infrastructure, is an economic, scientific, cultural and spiritual center. In fact, this is a relatively small city with a population of about half a million people. It is compactly located on the river Seversky Donets, which is the right tributary of the Don. Its territory is divided into Eastern and Western districts. The city is adjoined by suburbs - areas with individual buildings.

Belgorod can not be called original or original, because during the war it was turned into ruins. And yet there are a lot of monuments of architecture, interesting historical buildings and buildings, which make up the sights of Belgorod. Uspensko-Nikolaevsky and Preobrazhensky cathedrals, "Selivanov's house", "Tree of friendship", the museum-diorama "Fiery arc", singing fountains ... These and many other architectural sights of Belgorod deserve to be told about them in detail.

Temples and cathedrals, he is rich

Seventeen churches and churches were built here at different times. The oldest - not only in Belgorod, but in the entire region - is the Uspensko-Nicholas Cathedral. Its construction was completed in the beginning of the XVIII century. Tsar Peter I granted 100 rubles for his erection. A letter written by the emperor with his own hand was kept in the altar for more than 200 years. Other Russian princes also complained for the cathedral "gospels in expensive salaries," moreover, the old, "in the seventeenth century written." This ancient monument of architecture was remarkable for its splendor, beautiful wall paintings, gilded iconostasis with gold leaf.

It dates back to the same century, another ancient temple of Belgorod - the Smolensk Cathedral. It was built on the site where the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God appeared to people. First there was built a wooden church, then - a stone church.

A hundred years later, the Transfiguration Cathedral was erected in the city to commemorate the victory over Napoleon. There, the five hundred-year-old miraculous icon of Nikolai Ratny, the relics of St. Joasaph and the icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" are kept there. These artifacts attract many pilgrims to the city.

Attractions of the city of Belgorod are also the churches of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow, Nikolo-Ioasafovsky and Krestovozdvizhensky churches and many others, including new churches, that are very popular in Russia.

In the center - for a walk

The sights of Belgorod are diverse and numerous, but the largest number is located in the central part of the city. Begin acquaintance with them from the prospect of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, then you can walk the streets of Popov and Vatutin. In this area there are about 80% of the most significant tourism objects.

The main square of the city is called Sobornaya. True, instead of cathedrals there is a traditional monument to Lenin, a memorial with a perpetual eternal fire and a sculpture of the actor MS Shchepkin at the drama of the same name.

The role of the temple can be attributed to the building of the regional administration as the main one here. The architecture of the square is made in Stalinist modernism. Movement over the area is blocked - this is a pedestrian zone. Next to the regional administration is a fashionable hotel "Belgorod".

Cathedral Square is the place where two of the city's most beautiful thoroughfares meet: Holy Trinity Boulevard and Civic Avenue. Boulevard can be called not only the central, but also the oldest street in Belgorod. Once it was built up with two-story houses, some of them have survived to this day.

On the street you can go to the building of the State University. Nearby is the Trinity Cathedral, and in front of it - a monument to the heavenly patron of the city, the prelate Joasaph. By the way, at the university, although it is located near the temple, there is a church built on the bank of the river Vezelki.

If you go from the Cathedral Square in the other direction along the Civic Avenue, you can see interesting buildings of original architecture. There is also the Smolensk Cathedral.

A walk through the city center will lead us to museums. It so happened that almost all the Belgorod museums are near the Cathedral Square, and not far from each other, within one block. So...

Museum acquaintances

The Art Museum of Belgorod is distinguished by a chic interior and interesting design. There are no world masterpieces in his collection, but he who loves art will not regret visiting.

The museum collection began with a gift of 243 paintings, obtained from the widow of the city's native artist, artist M. N. Dobronravov. A number of exhibition works by this time gathered already in the Belgorod organization of the Union of Artists of Russia. Therefore, it was decided to open the museum. At that time, the collection of paintings numbered about 400 exhibits. There were works by A. Laktionov, Yu. Pimenov, S. Gerasimov, P. Ossovsky and other artists. In 2004-2008, the museum continued to be replenished with paintings by masters of fine arts of Russia of the 20th century.

On the first floor of the building, an art salon is open, where you can buy paintings, graphics, handicrafts and printed products.

On the bank of the small river Vezelka there is a unique museum-diorama "Fire arc". It is devoted to the great tank battle near Prokhorovka, which occurred in July 1943. In the building made in the form of an arc, the main place is occupied by a large art canvas, the length of which is 67 meters, and the height - 15 meters. It tells of a grand tank battle. The museum has a large collection of items brought from the battlefields. Near the diorama is an exhibition of military equipment, which was used during the Great Patriotic War.

One of the oldest cultural institutions of the city and the region is the historical museum of local lore, in which you can get acquainted with the history of the Belgorod region. Previously, he was in the Transfiguration Cathedral.

"House Selivanov" - a building that belongs to the monuments of architecture of the XVIII century. Now it houses the Belgorod Literary Museum. Print publications, including books, as well as individual publications presented here, cover not only the period of the XVIII century, but also the present.

Make an appointment with a sundial

In the center, where 50-year-old street of the Belgorod region and Narodny Boulevard intersect, a huge sundial is installed. They have become a favorite meeting place for the city's residents. Show genuine interest to them and tourists.

The composition, whose height is 11 meters, is made of granite and bronze. It was created by the sculptor Taras Kostenko, well known among the inhabitants of the city. The opening of the sculpture was timed to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belgorod. Then in the city there were new fountains and streets were arranged.

The time for the solar clock can be determined with an error of only 10 minutes. And not only in clear weather. In a dark or gloomy time of the day a special program operates in the clock, which controls the light bulbs. By the way, at night the stars light up on the dial, and the brightest constellations of the hemisphere, as well as the Milky Way, are clearly visible.

Sundial is maintained in perfect condition. Their work capacity is not in anyone's doubts, because the authorities are watching to ensure that citizens and visitors are attracted to such sights of Belgorod. Photo of a sundial in memory of a visit to the city - what could be better?

Parks of the city - its beauty

There are many squares and parks in Belgorod. There are among them large and small, well-groomed and not very well-known to all and visited only by connoisseurs.

Those who like to walk among the green trees, you can advise to start with the Theater Square. True, this place is more suitable for young people: the Theater Passage constantly rolls here and there girls and boys on roller skates, students sit on benches, often with guitars. However, parents with children here too much.

Opposite the square is Victory Park. There's plenty of room for everyone. The park stretches along the banks of the river Vezelka. By the way, you can go here from Vatutin Avenue and Sumskaya Street. The latter is more like a park alley - there is practically no movement. It is this street that will lead us to the square.

In the main part of the park there are sculptures, a hero's alley, a singing fountain, a children's and a sports town. The monument "Victory in the Patriotic War", which was established in 1983 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Kursk and the liberation of Belgorod, deserves attention. In a somewhat secluded corner of the park, exercise lovers on the horizontal bars are provided with a separate playground. Those interested can take a ride on the river by boat, renting it.

Enumerating the parks of Belgorod, it is impossible not to call the Central Park of Culture and Rest named after VI Lenin, in which the citizens and guests can not only have a good rest, but also have fun. There are amusement rides, folk festivals are often held, new artists come out. From the observation platform, built on the Kharkov mountain, you can contemplate the city in all its glory.

Noteworthy and less famous parks of Belgorod, among which you can name the campus of the University of Technology. Here you can get to the alley, leading from the monument to Prince Vladimir on the Kharkov mountain. You find yourself in a very cozy square, well-kept, clean. Here, too, there is an observation deck, with a wonderful view of the river Seversky Donets and a part of the city. You can walk by the fountain, and still admire the interesting sculptures, the names of which speak for themselves: "Students", "Runners", "Pushkin and Natalie", "The Girl with the Dog".

Belgorod Zoo invites to visit

Zoo of Belgorod began with a regular zoo corner in Victory Park. Now it covers an area of more than three hectares. There are about 400 animals of 84 species. Some of them are quite rare and listed in the Red Book. The exhibited collection of the zoo is represented by mammals, birds, reptiles, insects.

Still, Belgorod residents believe that their zoo does not have enough space for development, so in 2010 the city authorities decided to move it to the Sosnovka tract. Allotted a plot of 50 hectares. In 2011, construction work began. Meanwhile, he will be in the old place in the center of the city (address: Bogdan Khmelnitsky Avenue, 16 "a").

The Belgorod zoo operates in the warm season every day, except Monday, from 10 to 20 hours. From November to the end of March, there is one more day off - Tuesday, and the work time is reduced to 18 hours.

Belgorod - from the White Mountains

The name of the city was given by Cretaceous mountains, which have a light, almost white color. In the vicinity of Belgorod, quarries are being developed, and a building materials plant is operating.

On the highest of the mountains, Belaya, there is an iron cross and an observation deck was made to look at the city and its surroundings.

Quite near the White Mountain is the so-called Monastery Forest. There is a chapel, a spring and a font. Water in the source is considered curative.

The history of this holy place is very ancient. At the end of the XVII century in the forest, at the source, the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God was revealed. At this place - with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion - a chapel was built, which was then handed over to the Nativity-Bogoroditsky Convent. Over time, two churches were built here. One - in honor of the icon of Korsun, the second - in honor of the Savior Not Made by Hands. However, the revolution, the Patriotic War and Soviet power played their part in the destruction of churches and the closure of the monastery.

The modern chapel of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God was erected and consecrated in 1995.

In the vicinity of Belgorod is the village of Dubovoe. Its landmark is an age-old oak tree, three times its width, planted more than 300 years ago by Bogdan Khmelnitsky. Townspeople often come here with a view to stroll through the beautiful park and take a break from the hustle and bustle.

Irish Pub in Russia

In Belgorod, there are many establishments where you can eat deliciously or simply snack, have a good rest and relax. For example, the Irish Pub on Michurin Street. This two-story establishment is really made in the Irish style. Beer lovers here can try el, the famous Guinness and other equally famous drinks.

In the pub often perform well-known bands from Ireland. Their concerts are popular. It is interesting to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Halloween, periodically pass tastings of beer varieties, watching sports matches.