Last month, the creative association Esthetic Joys organized a nine-day cruise "Big Water", which included stops in 5 cities on the Volga. We will tell you why this team deserves your attention and why you should go to Kalyazin, Uglich, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Nizhny Novgorod.
The team is headed by Ilya Kusnirovich, since 2016 they began to make their projects. Over the years, the guys have organized many events - New Year's Eve parties "Winds!" in the House of Unions and the Metropol, an expedition to Pushchino in the autumn of 2019 and much more.
Cruise "Big Water" involves a visit to the new city daily for 5 days, and then - a stop in Nizhny Novgorod for 3 days. The program also included cultural events: lectures by Dmitry Bykov, Mikhail Zygar, Monetochka concert, stand-up by Vanya Usovich and not only. Those who wished could continue the fun at the party with DJ sets and free whiskey and tonic.
Sounds tempting, right? Do not rush to get upset: the organization regularly holds events, information about which is published in social networks Esthetic Joys. At the same time, you will admire the picturesque content. Moreover, you can repeat this route yourself, especially in the summer! Next, read about how to have a good time in the cities on the Volga.
Destroyed Kalyazin
Tourists often complain that there is nothing to see in this city. But if you look at the city in a different way, everything will turn out not so: Kalyazin is like a diary, from which many pages were torn out. The Volga had a devastating impact on the city: it was partially flooded in the late 1930s during the construction of the Uglich hydroelectric power station. Consequently, there are no remarkable temples, monasteries, historical center, cafes for tourists. More than 500 houses suffered from flooding, monasteries and churches were destroyed, as well as the most beautiful coastal part of the merchant settlement. The city is almost gone.
The most famous symbol of Kalyazin is the bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral, which before the flooding was part of the cathedral itself. During the flooding, it was dismantled into bricks, but thanks to the local historian and local historian I.F. Nikolsky, the bell tower was preserved. The scientist proposed to use this building as a navigation sign. The bell tower is best viewed from the water.
Above the forest Expanses of Kalyazin rises the "ear" of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory, which was created in the 90s of the last century. Despite the decline, it continued to work. By the way, today this observatory is a member of the international project for the study of Mars ExoMars.
Bloody Uglich
The city has a rich, ancient and bloody history. Uglich, for example, is known for the fact that it was in it, according to some reports, that Tsarevich Dmitry was killed, after which a long period of the Troubles began. This is not the only tragic incident that occurred in the city.
But despite such sad events, Uglich does not evoke darkness. This is a typical county town, where you can admire the beautiful temples, mansions of local merchants, walk along the picturesque embankment.
Here you can get acquainted with the Uglich HPP - the one because of which Kalyazin was significantly destroyed. The building is made in the Art Deco style, looks majestic, its locks are noticeable from any Volga embankment. Next to the station there is a Museum of Hydropower, whose employees will tell a lot of interesting things.
The Uglich Kremlin has no walls, but there is a park with historical buildings made in different styles. You can freely go to the Kremlin, look at the temple of Dmitry on the Blood, which was built where the prince was killed. Inside you can admire the frescoes with naked Adam and Eve (which is atypical for the Russian Church), plot images of the death of the prince. Special attention should be paid to the chambers of the Uglich princes made of brick, the bell tower, from which you can look at the Volga.
Rich Yaroslavl
Thanks to the Volga, this city prospered: Yaroslavl is located at the crossroads of trade routes, which caused the Yaroslavl economic miracle. Having become rich, local merchants built unique churches at their own expense. In the XVIII century, the inhabitants of Yaroslavl were deprived of economic advantages, but the Volga again gave them wonderful opportunities. Here were built the first manufactories that produced textiles.
Be sure to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist: it is located in Tolchkov, its image is placed on a thousand-ruble bill. The church is really beautiful due to its architecture and façade design. A chemical plant is located nearby. It turns out an unusual look: the church gates against the background of industrial buildings.
In Cowsheds should go for the church of John Chrysostom, which is similar to the above-mentioned church. The first was a model for the second, which the local masters tried to make even better. Korovinskaya church is not so harmonious, but more expressive. From the Volga coast, it looks very good thanks to the slender bell tower, gates, large colored platbands at the winter and summer temples. The church is run by an Old Believer community. There is an opportunity to get to the bell tower and look into the temple to see the carved iconostasis, the exhibition of the life of the Old Believers.
Vivid impressions of themselves will leave the factory "Red Perekop". There is a cultural space Textil, created by Yulia Krivtsova and Sergey Kremnev. The factory was founded by order of Peter I. Today, various events are held in the walls of red brick: exhibitions, fairs, performances and much more.
Ples – the city from the picture
This city inspired Levitan to paint the painting "Over Eternal Peace". Ples is truly picturesque. In the near future, it is difficult to get into it because of anti-Covid restrictions, but even from the outside it will leave a pleasant impression on itself. From a distance you can see a high golden bell tower, the city looks small, cozy. It is ideal for quiet walks. Visit the Levitan Museum, try local tinctures, enjoy this city properly!
Colourful Kostroma
If you are interested in history, go to the Ipatiev Monastery - the cradle of the Romanov dynasty. In the Museum of Wooden Architecture you can study interesting, skillfully made wood products that were rescued from different parts of the country. Kostroma has many houses in the spirit of modernity. Go to the Shopping Arcades to try local cheeses, buy linen clothes, natural cosmetics.
Diverse Nizhny Novgorod
This year is special for the city: it celebrates its 800th anniversary. If you find yourself here for the first time, be sure to visit the Bolshaya Pokrovskaya, Nizhnevolzhskaya embankment, Rozhdestvenskaya Street. In addition, the Fedorovsky embankment deserves a visit: here are the best views of the city and the confluence of the Anka with the Volga, especially at sunset.
One of the best regional centers of contemporary art is the "Arsenal", and in the square of Sverdlov there are flea markets, festivals, parties.
If you want silence and nature, the Shchelokovsky farm with a system of three lakes and landscaped shores is perfect for this.
Hungry in Nizhny Novgorod just will not stay - there are cafes and restaurants with friendly staff and cozy interiors. Among the recommended places - "Ceylon" (Indian adapted food, where you will be offered a glass of blue water - there is added a drop of infusion of clitoria flowers), pizzeria "Yula", red wall restaurant.
