Niznhy Novgorod
Nizhny Novgorod is the fourth largest city in Russia with more then 600 unique historic, architectural and cultural monuments in city, which then gave to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to include Nizhny Novgorod in the list of 100 cities of the world which are of great historical and cultural value.
Quick Facts
Year established: 1221
Population: ~1.34 mln (2002)
Location: ~400 km (280 miles) South East of Moscow
Latitude: 56'20''N
Longtitude: 44'10''E
Time Zone: Canadian Pacific + 11 hours
Area code: 8321
Nizhny Novgorod belongs to the Central Region of Russia. You can find Nizhny Novgorod on this map of administrative regions of Russia.
Weather
Summer temperature ranges from 20 to 30C
Winter temperature ranges from -10 to -25C
Snow is around between from mid-November to February
Cultural Heritage
Nizhny Novgorod preserved a great deal of historic treasures and was included by UNESCO into the list of the 100 cities in the world reflecting the heritage of the world culture.
Soviet History
In 1932, the city was was renamed to Gorky after Aleksey Maximovich Pyeshkov -- the founder of the Soviet literature and a friend of Lenin who was born in Nizhny Novgorod. Pyeshkov used a pseudonym Maxim Gorky in literature. Gorky is a Russian word for bitter. Anybody who went to school during soviet times had read his works. After the collapse of the Soviet party, the city was renamed back to Nizhny Novgorod in 1991, and the sculpture of Maxim Gorky at the central square was demolished.
The city was closed to foreigners throughout the Soviet times due to its military significance. The famous MIG fighter jets are made here as well as submarines. Arzamas-16 (aka as Sarov, Kremlev) is a small town close to Nizhny Novgorod, which serves as the Russia's Federal Nuclear Research Center. This is where the first Russian atomic bomb was designed.
Volga & Oka Rivers
In previous centuries, Nizhny Novgorod was a commercial hub of Russia, located at the strategic confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers.
The was an old saying: "Moscow is Russia's heart, St. Petersburg - head, and Nizhny Novgorod - pocket." Today, Nizhny Novgorod is one of the chief industrial cities of the Russian Federation.
Life in Nizhny
Nizhny Novgorod is a very urban city. The vast majority of people live in 5-9 story apartment buildings and get around by public transportation, which includes a huge network of buses, trolleys, trams and metro. Most people have a private phone line and those who have computers typically have dial-up access to the Internet.
I grew up in a fairy remote area of Gorky -- Avtozavodskii Rayon. This area hosts the second largest automobile plant in Russia - GAZ. But the great part was that while we enjoyed all the conveniences of a city and lived in a 9 story apartment building, the forest and a couple of lakes were just a short walk away.
With its 14 universities and approximately 100 research institutions, Nizhny Novgorod is one of the key scientific centres of Europe.
Russia's Heartland
Nizhny Novgorod region is the cradle of a lot of Russian traditions.
Even though during the Soviet times religion was largely suppressed a few churches have been preserved and are now being restored.
Architecture
- Nizhny Novgorod has a lot of great traditional Russian architecture.
- State bank
- Minim and Pozharskii Square
- Yarmarka (trade fair) at night
The Nizhni Novgorod Kremlin is the central part of the ancient town which occupies a relatively small territory on a hill dominating the confluence of the Oka and the Volga rivers.
The first wooden fortress was built here in 1221. At the time of the Nizhni Novgorod Principality erection of the stone walls began. The walls that you now see date as far back as 1500 - 1511. Construction of the Kremlin wall on the steep hillside was initiated by the Italian architect Peter Friazin. During the XVI century the Kremlin endured 4 sieges. Originally the Kremlin wall was about 1,5 miles long, just some 200 yards less than that of the Moscow Kremlin. Eleven of the original thirteen towers have survived.
There are several legends associated with the Koromyslova (yoke) Towerr <http://www.unn.runnet.ru/nn/guide/pic/korom.htm> . According to one of them the Tower was named after a yoke used by a young girl as a weapon to fight the Tartars. She was the first and the last citizen to meet the enemy as she went to the river early in the morning. Invaders decided to retire after the rebuff from the girl choosing not to try their fortune with men defending the Kremlin.
The Ivanovskaya Tower was the center of the lower Kremlin defence. It protected the trading quarter. The cannons of the Ivanovskaya swept with fire the riverside approaches to the town.
Chasovaya (Clock) Towerwas used as an observation post. The city tower clock appeared in 16th century.
The Dmitrovskaya Tower is the defence center of the upper Kremlin. It is the highest and the most fortified tower of the Nizhni Novgorod Kremlin. The Dmitrovskaya Tower is used as a bank office now.
There are several picturesque buildings within the Kremlin. The House of Soviets is situated to the right of Dmitrovskaya Tower's entrance. This building is a sample of constructivism in N.Novgorod (built in 1929-31, architect A.Grinberg). It looks like an airplane from a bird's-eye view and is the seat of the City Council.
Not far from it you can see what used to be the Governor's house (from 1840 to 1917), then it became the seat of the Regional and City Communist Party Committee, and from 1990 it houses the Art Museum with a rich collection of icons, paintings and sculptures.
On the left of Dmitrovskaya Tower you can see the exhibition of the Second World War military equipment produced in N.Novgorod. In the main square of the Kremlin there are some interesting places. You can see the oldest church of our city -Archangel Michaels Cathedral (built in 1631 by L.Vozoulin and D.Konstantinov) in the center of the square.
If you go further you'll discover a splendid view of the Volga and the Lower part of the city.Two historical monuments are situated here: a memorial in honor of N.Novgorod citizens who perished during the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 (two stelae, eternal flame and T-34 tank) and an obelisk in honor of K.Minin and D.Pozharsky, the leaders of the N.Novgorod people's volunteer corps in 1612, built in 1828 by sculptor I.P.Martos and architect A.I.Melnikov-Pechersky.
There is a fine Concert Hall in the right wing of the Regional Administration building. The A.D.Sakharov International musical festival is held here annually in early fall.
Minin and Pozharsky Square (formerly Blagoveshchenskaia Square)
This is the city's central square, and most of the city festivals, Victory Day, Day of the City, and folklore festivals, are held here. Several busy streets cross the square, so it is crowded during the day. Nevertheless, the square is quite picturesque, and many people enjoy sitting on benches in the parks surrounding it. The monumnent to Kuzma Minin adorns the park on the left of the Dmitrovskaia Tower.
The Nizhni Novgorod Teacher's Training Institute is situated in the former Seminary building where Nikolai Dobroliubov, a famous Russian literary critic, studied. The institute's main building was part of the former gymnasium (architect A. Leer built in the 1830s), when Lenin's father, I.N. Ulianov, worked and lived with his family from 1863 to 1869 (Ulianov Street, l).
The history and philology departments of the Nizhi Noggorod State University and the Boys' Choral School are in a building which previously served as a hotel where Aleksander Pushkin, Russia's greatest poet, stayed in 1833. Many kiosks selling various goods operate on the square. Opposite the Dmitrovskaia Tower you may buy flowers during the day and in the early evening.
Bolshaia Pokrovskaia Street; formerly Sverdlov, informally called Pokrovka or Sverdlovka, connects Minin and Pozharsky Square with Gorky Square and crosses the historical central part of the city. A favorite place for strolling and shopping, Bolshaia Polrovskaia is a pedestrian street closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and delivery vans. It takes approximately half an hour to cover the distance from the Kremlin to Gorky Square if you do not stop for shopping.
Verkhne-Volzhskaia Naberezhnaia (The Upper Embankment)
The Upper Embankment extends from the monument to Valerii Chkalov, the aviator famous for his nonstop flight from Moscow to Vancouver via the North Pole in l937. The embankment has been a favorite strolling place for over a century. Nevertheless, it is seldom crowded.
The corner of Minin Square and the Upper Embankment formerly housed the offices of the "Volga Steamship Company". This neo-classical building now belongs to the
Institute of Medicine, and the "Le Monti" shop, which sells American goods, is situated in the yard.
The "Rossiia" Hotel (Upper Embankment, 2) has a restaurant with excellent Russian cuisine.
The Museum of the Radio Laboratory (Upper Embankment, 5) has exhibits showing the history of radio science, electronics and applied physics. The world's most powerful radio transmitters were developed in the laboratory in the early 20s. The laboratory's traditions continue in the city's leading research centers.
The late nineteenth century mansion that once belonged to the rich merchant S. Rukavishnikov (Upper Embankment, 7) now serves as the Museum of History and Regional studies, built in 1877.
Opposite the Oktiabrskaia Hotel you will see the Gardina Restaurant. Typical American dishes are served here. It's the closest thing to an American fast food restaurant you will find in Nizhni Novgorod. Next to the restaurant is the Nesterov memorial, which is devoted to the life and exploits of the aviator Peter Nesterov. As the pioneer of aerobatics, he was the first pilot to make a loop. He died in battle in 1914 after ramming an enemy airplane; it was the first such exploit in aviation history.
The Sirotkin Mansion (Upper Embankment, 3), built in 1916, belongs to the Art Museum. However, the main expositions of the Art Museum are displayed in the Kremlin.
The neo-classical Kamenskaia Mansion (Upper Embankment, 11) was built in 1913. A small cafe operates in the basement of the house now.
Stores
Most stores are open from 10 am to 7 pm, with a lunch break from 2 to 3 pm. Food stores are usually open from 8 or 9 am until 7 pm. Some stores and kiosks work around the clock. Some food stores are open until noon on Sunday as well.
Currency Exchanges
Some banks accept American Express, Visa and MasterCard credit cards as well as traveler's checks. A nominal fee is charged for exchanges. It is best to check around. Some currency exchange addresses:
State Bank - Bolshaia Pokrovskaia Street, 26
NBD Bank - Gorky Square, 6
Oktiabrskaia Hotel - Verkhne-Volzhskaia Naberezhnaia (Upper Embankment)
Kremlin - Dmitrovskaia Tower, on Minin Square
Moscow Railway Station - Revolution Square
State Bank - Gagarin Avenue, 21/10 (near the university)
Transportation
Nizhni Novgorod is an important transportation centre. It has railway and air connections with all significant cities of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.). Overnight trains to Moscow and St. Petersburg are very convenient.
Nizhni Novgorod has a broad public transportation network. The main routes connect the center of the city (a triangle formed by Minin, Gorky and Svoboda Squares), with residential and industrial districts:
Avtozavod (Automobile Plant or GAZ) - buses 40, 60, 64, 68 and others;
Sormovo and Moskovsky district - buses 3, 9, 45, 90 and others;
Kanavino (the Moskovsky Railway Station is located there) - buses 3, 26, 38, 61, 80 and others, trams 1, 26, 27;
Prioksky district - buses 2, 43, 50, 68 and others;
Sovetsky district - buses 26, 38, 80 and others, trolley 6.
The two latter districts as well as the central Nizhnegorodsky district are situated on the right bank of the Oka river. They form the upper part of the city. The districts of the lower part have a system of internal transportation. The subway line connects the Moskovsky Railway Station with Avtozavod (GAZ).
In order to get to Gorky Square from the university you may take buses 18, 26, 30, 43, 68 and trolleys 6 and 13. Gorky Square will be the third stop. Minin Square will be the last stop if you take bus 18 or trolley 13.
Express buses connect the Strigino Airport, located to the west of Avtozavod, with the following city districts:
Nizhnegorodsky (Svoboda Square) - bus 55 (via Kanavino); bus 75 (via Prioksky district);
Sormovo (center of Sormovo) - buses 55, 12;
Avtozavod (subway station "Proletarskaia") - bus 59.
Weather
Visitors are astonished at the abundance of snow and low temperatures that are so common in Russia during the winter season. It usually doesn't thaw until March in Nizhni Novgorod, and only in April does spring really begin.
May, as well as August and September, are probably the best months to visit the city. Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers, although the temperature rarely exceeds 86 F. Early fall is rather warm, while October is usually rainy and November gradually turns into winter.
