Nizhny Novgorod - uVisitRussia
Home Explore 1/7th of the World Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhniy Novgorod is an exciting city to visit. It is the fourth-largest city of the country. Founded in 1221 by Vladimir Dukes as a fort at the junction of Volga and Oka rivers, Nizhny Novgorod has retained many of its unique historic, architectural and cultural monuments. The city is on the UNESCO list of the top 100 cities worldwide that are most valuable in terms of culture.  Unlike Moscow and St. Petersburg, with their large numbers of Westerners, Nizhniy Novgorod offers insights into life in Russia's heartland. Nizhny Novgorod came to prosperity in the 19th century, when it got a reputation of the third Russia's capital.

Located at the confluence of two great Russian rivers – Volga & Oka, the city of Nizhny Novgorod is an economic & cultural center of the Volgo-Vyatsky region. Nizhny Novgorod is the third largest city of Russia populated by approximately two million people.

Traditionally and geographically Nizhny Novgorod is divided into two major parts – the Upper and the Lower part and has 8 administrative districts. Nizhegorodsky District that starts from Kremlin is a historical and cultural center focusing theatres, museums and High institutions. In Pryoksky District there is the biggest park in the city - “Switzerland” and a picturesque place called Malynovaya Gryada. Sovetsky District is mainly old streets and new dwelling microrayons sometimes with historical names - a forest-park Tshelkovsky Khutor gained the name of Nizhegorodian merchant Tshelkov in the 70s of the XIX century. Kanavinsky District situated on the low bank of the Oka River obtains its own legends and traditions – most of them are referred to Nizhegorodskaya Yarmarka (Fair) which is famous all over the world.

Nizhny Novgorod has rich historical past. It is believed that Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was constructed by one of Leonardo da Vinchi pupils. Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by Russian prince Yury Vsevolodovich as a fortress. At the dawn of its history Nizhny Novgorod was governed by the popular assembly ("veche"), just like the Great Novgorod. In 1612 Nizhegorodian people’s volunteer corps led by Kozma Minin went towards Moscow occupied by the Polls and smashed the invaders. During the Great Patriotic War the city became the strongest rear of the military hostilities. But Nizhny Novgorod is famous not only for its military glory – from a small town on Volga it has grown up to the so-called “Pocket of Russia” due to its industrial and business development. Nowadays it is the capital of the Volga Federal District.

The Nizhny Novgorod region has a huge tourist potential. The city of Nizhny Novgorod is known to many Russians as one of the cruise cities on the Volga River.

Where there are mountains, albeit low, one can find also caves. In the region, there are two locations that cavers enjoy most - the Bornukovskaya Cave and the Ichalovsky forest dotted with deep karst ravines.

In the Nizhny Novgorod region one can find exclusive options for extreme lovers. During the Soviet times, there were experiments conducted in the region to design unique flying vehicles - ekranoplans, or wing-in-ground effect systems. In the Chkalovsky district, one can rapidly fly over the surface of the Gorkovsky Water Reservoir on a real ekranoplan. In the city, one can fly a real combat fighter at Sokol aircraft factory. There are places, where people can take a break from the industrial world, and become one with nature. These are not only numerous bases for active and extreme sports.

There are perfect hiking routes in the Kerzhensky Reserve that preserve the pristine natural beauty of the Nizhny Novgorod region. A walk in Vetluzhskoye Povolzhye Natural Park and picturesque lakes near the village of Staraya Pustyn will leave an unforgettable impression. There are many streams and rivers in the Nizhny Novgorod land. Some of them, such as Lukh, Vetluga and Kerzhenets, are known for the beauty of their landscapes. Unhurried rafting trips on these waterways have become a hobby for many Nizhny Novgorod residents.

Having a considerable and quite diverse potential in the tourism sector, the Nizhny Novgorod region is one of the most attractive regions for foreign and Russian tourists.