TOP 20 things to see in Ufa and its surroundings. Route from a citizen

This post should actually be the first because I have lived here for many years. Even at school, I dreamed of moving from a provincial village to the capital of Bashkiria. When I moved to Ufa in my first year of college, it struck me to the heart. Now its brightness in my eyes has dimmed a little and today I will show you all the significant places and attractions of my hometown.

So, what to see in Ufa and its surroundings if you come here for the first time will be in this article

Features of Ufa you need to know about

Ufa is located on the so-called Ufa Peninsula, which is washed by the river of the same name and the beautiful Belaya or Agidel, about which Shevchuk from DDT once sang, in winter it really is white

The official symbol of the city is three screws, since in the Bashkir language Ufa is written as “ӨФӨ”, a funny logo can be found at the local airport and numerous art sculptures.

The marten is considered another symbol of the city; it is also depicted in street art. She is not only the heroine of many Bashkir legends, but is also depicted on the Coat of Arms of Ufa as a running marten.

In general, there are many interesting sculptures in Ufa, for example, next to the building of the Iskra cinema there is a naked boy with a kuray. The composition has a beautiful name “Spring Song”, but the people called it “Sell everything - buy kurai”.

If you walk around the city on foot, you will notice that some attractions seem to be at a height; indeed, Ufa is considered a city on the hills, there are many observation platforms. Previously, this area had defensive functions; patrol posts were located on the hills to protect the city from enemy raids.

When coming to Ufa, be sure to try the national Bashkir cuisine - this is bishbarmak, kazy, shurpa, kystyby, bukkens and chak-chak. Don’t give up kumys or katyk, they are not only very tasty, but also good for the stomach. Once upon a time, even Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was healed in our area with kumis treatment.

These dishes have been familiar to me since childhood, and every time I leave home I miss my mother’s uchpochmak - these are juicy pies in the shape of a baked triangle with meat and potatoes.

Ufa history and architecture

Over its long, eventful history, the city has acquired many historical monuments and architectural wonders. You can admire them while walking along the streets of Ufa. Souvenir photos of local attractions will decorate any traveler’s album.

Rodina cinema building

• Address: st. Lenina, 42. Transport stop "Cinema Rodina".

The popular cinema is located in a building that looks more like a palace in appearance. A magnificent mansion with a luxurious colonnade in the best traditions of the Stalinist Empire style, was erected in 1953. It delights with proportionality and impeccable lines, pleasing the eye with the openwork decor of the facade. The carved pediments, elegant stucco molding of the friezes of the columns, and the painting of the vault of the portico arch look amazing. It is in several halls of the cinema, equipped with the most modern rental equipment, that premiere screenings of the best films take place.

Gostiny Dvor

• Address: Verkhnetorgovaya Square, 1. Transport stop "Gostiny Dvor".

The center of trade in Ufa, like most large provincial cities in the pre-revolutionary era, was the Gostiny Dvor, built in the second third of the 19th century. Like most similar buildings, it had the shape of a rectangle, limited along the perimeter by arched galleries. Gostiny Dvor regularly fulfilled its tasks until the war began. In 1941, the building housed the workshops of spinning and weaving factories evacuated from Serpukhov , and then a cotton mill. In the early 80s of the last century, the dilapidated Gostiny Dvor was almost demolished, but the public managed to defend the iconic landmark. After extensive reconstruction, it turned into a modern shopping center.

Marten house

• Address: Verkhnetorgovaya Square, 1. Transport stop "Gostiny Dvor".

A sculptural composition dedicated to the charming animal depicted on the coat of arms of Ufa appeared in the capital of Bashkortostan in 2010. Its opening was timed to celebrate the Day of Family, Love and Fidelity. Indeed, in nature, martens live in pairs and take touching care of their offspring. Therefore, the bronze tree, on whose branches there is a fairy-tale house and a couple of fluffy symbols of the city, has become a mandatory stopping place for wedding processions. Numerous guests of Ufa are no less willing to take photographs against the backdrop of the colorful monument.

Monument to A. Matrosov

• Address: Garden of Alexander Matrosov. Transport stop “Park im. Lenin".

In the short but very bright life of the hero, who without hesitation gave his life for his Motherland in 1943, covering with his body the embrasure of the fascist bunker, much is connected with Ufa, although he was born in Dnepropetrovsk. It was in the Volga city that the character of Alexander, who was orphaned early and brought up in a local labor colony, was formed. Today in Ufa there are two monuments to the hero. The oldest of them was installed in 1951. The bronze figure of Matrosov, in full uniform and with a machine gun in his hand, stands on a granite pedestal in the garden that bears his name.

TOP 20 things to see in Ufa and its surroundings

Significant places

And now I will tell you about those attractions, when we talk about which we immediately remember Ufa.

Monument to Salavat Yulaev

The monument to Salavat Yulaev is located on Cherkalikhina Mountain; it greets tourists if you come to Ufa by rail from Moscow. The monument to the Bashkir national hero is the main symbol of the city. The majestic 10-meter sculpture was opened in 1967 and since then it has been the most popular place for meetings and walks

Opposite the stone horseman there is a curved building with a glass facade - this is the “House of Friendship of Peoples” or Congress Hall, where meetings of heads of state and concerts of stars are held. A pedestrian alley with unusual fountains in the form of a river and a bowl leads from the Salavat monument to the building. In the evening, the water is illuminated and you can see the symbol of Bashkiria - the kurai flower, consisting of 7 petals - fountains. And the area with yurts, benches and walking paths around is called the Vatan ethnic park

Where is it, how to get there: stop. "BGU" and "Telecenter", buses 75E, 272, 290, 6, 202, 227, 228, 242, 249

And if you want to visit not only the monument to Salavat Yulaev in one day, it is best to do this on a sightseeing tour with a guide; he will make your walk around Ufa memorable and tell you about all the highlights of our beloved city

Fountain Seven Girls

The prototype for creating the fountain was a Bashkir legend according to which seven sisters were kidnapped by an enemy tribe, and when they managed to escape, they sank into the river and disappeared forever. The granite girls were modeled after real dancers of the Miras ensemble, and at night, along with the lighting in the park, the composition of the original dance “Seven Girls” is turned on.

Where is it: stop “Gostiny Dvor”, next to the Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theater

Fountain Dancing Cranes

Another unusual fountain, the opening of which took place the other day, although the sculpture was founded in the last century. It immediately became popular because of the light and music fountains dancing to the beat of the compositions. And in warm weather, happy children run around under the streams of water.

Where is it: stop "GDK", Dubki square

Friendship Monument

A huge stele made of pink granite can be seen immediately at the entrance to Ufa from the side of the bridge over the Belaya. Up close you can see two women sitting on both sides; they symbolize the voluntary entry of Bashkiria into the Russian kingdom. Today it is difficult to imagine, but the Republic once belonged to the Kazan Khanate, which after the conquest of Grozny passed to Russia.

Where is it: “Friendship Monument” stop

Also, in honor of the 450th anniversary of the voluntary entry of Bashkortostan into Russia, a bronze sign “Zero Kilometer” was installed near the Main Post Office on Lenin Street.

Ufa embankment

The main point of attraction of Ufa and the face of the capital is its embankment, which has recently been modernized and can now compete for the title of the longest in Russia. And although people have already dubbed it a concrete jungle due to its continuous covering of gray concrete, it is worth coming here if only to sit on the benches of the amphitheater overlooking Agidel and breathe in the fresh river air.

Where is it: “Friendship Monument” stop

About the city

Ufa is the capital of Bashkortostan, a city with a population of over a million, one of the five largest cities in Russia. It is located at the confluence of the Dema and Ufa rivers into the Belaya River. The area of ​​the settlement is just under 708 square meters. km, where more than 1.1 million people live. Local time differs from Moscow by +2 hours.

Ufa ranks fifth in area and eleventh in number of inhabitants among all Russian cities

History of Ufa

The first settlements on the site of modern Ufa appeared in the 5th century. In the 14th century, the settlement of the Golden Horde, Bashkort, was located here, and in the 16th century, the headquarters of the governor of the Nogai Horde, Tura Khan, was located here. After the local lands became part of the Moscow Principality, local residents sent Tsar Ivan the Terrible a request to organize the city. In 1574, a fortress was built here, inside which a settlement was organized. Ufa received city status in 1585, becoming the center of the Ufa district, and a century later it got its own coat of arms.

At the end of the 18th century, Ufa was affected by the Peasant War, but the rebels were never able to capture the fortress. There were fierce battles around the fort, which were soon suppressed. After the Peasant Revolt, the city was annexed to the Kazan province, and then to the Orenburg province. In December 1781, Ufa became the center of the Ufa governorate, but not for long - soon it again transferred to the authorities of the Orenburg province. At this time, the city developed rapidly, turning from a fortress into an economic center.

From a fortified city by the 19th century, Ufa turned into the economic and administrative center of the region

In 1865, Ufa acquired the status of the central city of the Ufa province. Then it entered the Civil War, and for some time the Provisional Government was located here. With the establishment of Soviet power in the country, the Ufa province disappeared, and in its place the Autonomous Bashkir Socialist Republic was formed with its capital in the city of Ufa.

During the Great Patriotic War, several research institutes and dozens of industrial plants were evacuated to the city. In the post-war period, oil began to be extracted here, as a result of which large factories were built here. The development of mechanical engineering and the chemical industry also began. Today, Ufa is a major industrial and scientific center of Russia.

Parks

You can escape the gasoline-smelling city in city parks - these are real oases of fresh air and unity with nature among high-rise buildings.

Matrosov Park

This park is one of the first public spaces in Ufa, founded in the 19th century. I like it because after passing through the entire park you can come to the building of the Republican Government, standing on the steep bank of the Agidel

In Matrosov Park there are two huge fountains, benches, large lawns for a picnic, and residents of Ufa come here in early May to take pictures against the backdrop of the blooming bright pink lush crown of Japanese cherry blossoms. Although in fact the plant is an ordinary apple tree.

Where is it: Zaki Validi street 3, stop “Bashgosdram theatre”

Garden named after Salavat Yulaev on Sluchevskaya Mountain

A small park that bears the name of the national Bashkir hero Salavat Yulaev is located in different places with the monument of the same name. The garden stands on two hills of Sluchevskaya Mountain, and over the crevice between them there is a suspension bridge on the railings of which it has become a tradition to leave the locks of the newlyweds, so it is popularly nicknamed the “Bridge of Love”. At the observation points there are snow-white hexagonal gazebos from which a breathtaking view of the overpass across the Belaya River opens.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Salavata 22, stop "School of Arts", buses 14, 31, 51, 57, 57a, 101, 101k, 110, 127k, 164k, 164t, 234

Yakutov Park

This is my favorite park in Ufa; I have warm childhood memories associated with it. Here my mother and brother and I came for the first time to go on the rides, and after a busy day we ate ice cream while riding a catamaran on the lake.

Interestingly, this place was previously called the Temperance Society Garden, and a brass band was formed from the fire station adjacent to the park, which played here in the evenings. By the way, the bright red fire tower can be seen when approaching the park from Lenin Street.

The highlight of the park is undoubtedly Soldatskoe Lake, in the center of which there is a 15-meter fountain. Most recently, reconstruction was carried out here and comfortable benches were installed. Now you can get very close to the water to feed the local ducks.

There is also a children's railway where little visitors can ride on a real miniature train, where the controllers and the driver are the same children.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Lenina 65/3, stop "Ufa Arena", "Aviation College", "Yakutov Park", buses 3, 74, 214, trolleybus No.: 22

Art square

An art square is a space that is a courtyard with nooks and establishments decorated in different styles. There are examples of ancient Ufa houses made of red brick and wood, a former merchant building that housed the Karavan tea-packing factory. The estates have been interestingly restored using mosaic panels and stained glass windows depicting scenes from the lives of wealthy residents. Despite the fact that Art Square is still being developed, it has already become a popular place among tourists and citizens.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Chernyshevsky 88, stop “Hotel Bashkiria”

To learn even more about Art Square, you can sign up for an author’s excursion, where you will be told about the masterpieces of pre-revolutionary architecture and interesting examples of modern architecture

Aksakov Park mid-19th century

A miniature park, which is loved because it is the quietest and most comfortable place in the city. The park with swans was erected on the site of the estate in which the writer Sergei Aksakov, author of The Scarlet Flower, was born. In honor of the popular children's fairy tale, a sculpture in the form of a bright scarlet flower was placed in the garden.

It’s also worth coming to this place to see real ancient monuments - the Kraevsky house (Pushkina 112/1), the house of the Blokhin merchants (Pushkina 112/2) and the Blokhin vodka factory (Pushkina 112/3)

Where is it, how to get there: st. Pushkina 112/1, stop "School of Arts", buses 14, 31, 51, 57, 57a, 101, 101k, 110, 127k, 164k, 164t, 234

Sofyushkina alley

The tender name of the pedestrian alley comes from Sophia, the wife of the first Ufa governor Grigory Aksakov, the heir of the famous Russian writer. Sofya Alexandrovna was a very active lady, so in the place of unfinished construction, overgrown with weeds, this historical landmark appeared, planted with flowering apple trees, pears and lindens.

On the alley, trees are planted in a checkerboard pattern parallel to each other on both sides of the pedestrian path. A picturesque path leads to the memorial house - the Aksakov Museum, S. Yulaev Park and the oldest cathedral mosque.

Lesovodov Park

There is no zoo in Ufa, but there is an open-air cage where you can see bears, wolves, foxes, lynxes and peacocks. You can only look at the animals from the walking path, but it’s free. Here you can rent bicycles, scooters or electric cars for children, have a picnic and barbecue on the grill area, visit the forest museum

Entry to the park is free, the forest museum is 100 rubles for adults, and 30 rubles for children over 7 years old.

Where is it located : stop “Reserve” or “Sagit Agisha”, buses 69, 110c, 51, 51a, 207, 213, 223, 232, 235, 260, 262k, 269, 55, 203, 242

Symbol of friendship

Another famous city building is the Friendship Monument. Ufa acquired this monument when the 400th anniversary of the annexation of Bashkiria to Russia, which occurred on a voluntary basis, was celebrated. Initially, the creators also wanted to locate the Museum of Interethnic Friendship under this building, but the project was not implemented.

The monument rises on the mountain, which in the old days was decorated with the Ufa log fortress. Nowadays, this is Pervomaiskaya Square, in the center of which the building is located. The height of the monument is 35 meters; the building has the shape of a sword, the hilt immersed in the ground. The form was chosen specifically to speak of peace concluded between representatives of two nationalities. The idea of ​​friendship is emphasized by two female figures, one of them, according to the creators’ idea, belongs to a Bashkir, the other to a Russian. Women offer wreaths to each other as a sign of reconciliation.

Museums

National Museum

You need to allocate enough time for visiting the National Museum, since it is voluminous, with many exhibition halls and expositions, where every visitor, regardless of age, will be interested. In the museum you can see the saber of Salavat Yulaev, learn about the Burzyan bee - the provider of the famous Bashkir honey. Our family took more than two hours to explore the National Museum, we stayed there until it closed, and I think this is the best finishing touch to sightseeing in Ufa.

Entrance ticket - 150 rubles, children, schoolchildren, students, pensioners - 50 rubles.

Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 11.00-18.00, Sat – Sun: 11.00-17.30. Mon. - day off

How to get there - stop "Sovetskaya Ploshchad", buses 31, 51, 57, 57A, 110, 121k, 126k, 234, 432a, 122, 171, 211, 214, 216, 247, 257k, 272, 350

Aksakov House Museum

As you understand, there are many significant places in Ufa dedicated to the popular Russian storyteller, but the most important one is the house in which the writer lived with his family. The wooden two-story mansion has survived to this day in its original form and is an example of Russian architecture. Inside the rooms you can see household items of the writer’s family - books, photographs, furniture from the 19th century. By the way, life in this house was written about in Aksakov’s work “The Childhood Years of Bagrov—Grandson,” and the museum preserves the rooms of Seryozha and his sister and even a homemade puppet theater in which performances were performed for children.

Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday from 10.00 - 18.00, Saturday - from 12.00 - 20.00. The ticket office closes an hour earlier. Sunday, Monday - closed.

Entrance - adult 150 rub. Schoolchildren, students and pensioners - 50 rubles.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Z. Rasuleva, 4, stop "School of Arts", buses 31, 51, 51a, 57, 57a, 101, 110, 122, 126k, 127k, 151, 171, 164t, 214, 234, 277, 291, 298, 350

Table: how to get to Ufa

Mosques and cathedrals

Ufa is a multinational city; in our city there are Muslim mosques, Orthodox and Catholic churches, a Lutheran church and a synagogue. Even if you are not a believer, then I advise you to come to at least one temple to feel the blessed healing energy of such places.

The first cathedral mosque "Tukaevskaya"

Despite the fact that the appearance of the building with one minaret is very modest and there are much more pretentious mosques in Ufa, it is worth your attention because it is the oldest in the city. On the territory of the mosque there are ancient tombstones at the burial places of muftis.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Tukaeva, 48. You can reach the mosque on foot from Sofiushkina Alley or Salavat Yulaev Park

Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary

I’ll probably be right if I call this sky-blue building with golden domes the most beautiful in Ufa. Eight bells work on its bell tower, and the interior decoration of the temple is no less impressive - rich paintings on the walls and ceilings, and materials imported from Italy, South Africa, Pakistan and Greece were used in the decoration. The temple building went through many difficulties and did not immediately become a place of worship. During revolutionary times, its walls housed a hospital, then a cinema, the dome part was destroyed and the supporting pillars were half demolished, and only in Soviet times was the temple returned to the Orthodox Church and restored.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Kirova, 102 stop “st. Kirov", "UKSIVT" or "Ayskaya", buses 218, 220, 224, 233, 270, 329a, 202, 252, 256, 266, 55, 270

Evangelical - Lutheran Church

I didn’t expect that in Ufa you could find a real church, now if I miss Kaliningrad and organ music, I know where to come. This is the only Catholic church in Ufa, and the most interesting thing is that this unusual place is located in the city center.

Where is it, how to get there: st. Belyakova 2, next to Yakutov Park

Neighborhoods of Ufa

Aigir

This is the highest mountainous region in our republic, which makes it attractive for technical mountaineering and hikers. In general, Aigir is not the name of a mountain, but rather a place or local station; it is located twenty kilometers from the Bashkir village of Inzer, between the Maly Inzer and Aigirka rivers. At the height, a rocky terrain begins, which is a bit reminiscent of the rocky ridges on the islands of Thailand and Mount Ai-Petri in Crimea.

You can read about our mini-trip to Aigir, how to get there and where it is located here>>>

Peak Ufa

Ufa Peak is the highest point in Bashkiria, where a stone with a sign is installed on the top - 919.9 meters. On the approach to the top, the landscape from a forest path turns into a pile of large stones or a kurumnik, popularly nicknamed a stone river. Without special hard shoes and poles, you can easily get injured here, so be thoroughly prepared for the trip.

You can read about our family trip to Ufa Peak, how to get there and where it is located here>>>

Pink rocks

This mountain range is included in the list of the most visited excursion routes. And it’s not just the unusual pink hue of the rocky ledges, but also the panoramic picture that opens from the top. You can clearly see the railway loop along the Inzer River, framed by a stone embankment.

You can read about how to get there and where the Pink Rocks are located here>>>

Original monument

The monuments located on the territory of the city reflect not only its history, but also its atmosphere and lifestyle. The population pays maximum attention to improving the territory and maintaining cleanliness. It is not surprising that among all the local monuments, the Janitor Monument plays an important role. Ufa acquired this original statue only in 2007; you can see it on Oktyabrya Avenue, it is located right in front of the entrance to the Mir shopping center.

The monument is made of bronze; the total weight of the “janitor” and his tool is 300 kg. The opening of the monument was timed to coincide with the 450th anniversary of the annexation of the Republic of Bashkortostan to Russia. The bronze wiper serves as a reminder that city streets should remain clean and elegant.