Beautiful places and attractions of Yoshkar-Ola
Yoshkar-Ola (sights, photos in particular, can be found freely available on the Internet) is known in tourist circles as little Venice. A beautiful embankment, a large number of majestic monuments, stylized theater buildings, restored museums, temples, and galleries are the pride of Yoshkarolin residents, which are of particular interest to guests of the capital.
Among the most famous beautiful places and attractions of the Red City are such objects as:
- Bruges embankment (a complex of buildings built in the same Flemish style along the Malaya Kokshaga River, which flows through the entire city);
- a building on the bank of the Malaya Kokshaga River, in the upper part of which there is a clock of the 12 apostles;
- the famous sculptural composition Yoshkin the Cat (a cat sitting on a bench, by stroking which, according to legend, you can count on the fulfillment of your most cherished desire);
- memorial statues to Peter and Fevronia;
- a clock with a donkey coming out of it, installed in the tower of the National Art Gallery (every hour the doors of the structure open and a donkey comes out, makes a circle on its axis and returns);
- a cultural and recreation park located in the very center of the city (a complex of entertainment facilities, for example, a carousel, a children's playground, a stage where concerts are held to celebrate city events, and so on);
- Botanical Garden;
- Blagoveshchenskaya Tower (55-meter building built in 2007, externally a copy of the country’s main Kremlin);
- an architectural structure dedicated to the letter Y;
- a six-meter monument to Obolensky-Nogotkov (erected in May 2007 in front of the government building of the city of Yoshkar-Ola);
- monument to Elizabeth (installed in 2011 on the Bruges embankment);
- bronze sculpture of Archangel Gabriel (erected in 2011 and reaches 6 m in height);
- Chapel of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (a low stylized building located on the territory of the Tsarevokokshay Kremlin);
- the architectural structure of the Tsarevokokshay Kremlin, the official opening of which took place in 2009 (considered the center of the city);
- Ice Palace (the largest ice arena in the Mari Republic, with 2,500 seats);
- Palace of Water Sports (a large swimming pool with 2 bowls for children and adults, where anyone can learn swimming every day for a nominal fee (50-200 rubles);
- the sundial, located on the embankment along the Malaya Kokshaga River, was installed in 2022;
- sculpture Monument to a Happy Family (installed in 2007 opposite the Republican Perinatal Center, considered one of the best in the Volga region).
Tsarevokokshay Kremlin
Well, I reached the Tsarevokokshay Kremlin. This attraction, also one of the modern buildings, was built in 2009. During the construction of the Kremlin, during excavations, fragments of ancient fortifications came across.
Once upon a time, in the distant past, in this place there was a fortress wall, with the help of which enemy raids were held back. The fortress itself was built of wood, so nothing has survived from it to this day.
Along the perimeter of the Kremlin there are four towers connected by a red brick wall. Inside there is a cozy park with benches where you can relax. Information stands are installed in the arches on all the walls of the Kremlin. Anyone can learn the history of the development of the city, as well as look at rare old photographs.
In addition, you can see and even touch tools from the 16th to 18th centuries, cast according to ancient drawings.
You can also buy souvenirs and honey on the Kremlin territory.
Every year the Kremlin hosts various events on City Day and Victory Day. During Maslenitsa, a folk art fair is organized, where goods made by local craftsmen are sold, and during the honey holiday they will easily treat you to honey.
Behind the walls of the Kremlin, in the open air, there is an unusual museum of fairy tales. Here you will meet characters from different fairy tales. Remember the poem by A.S. Pushkin’s “Ruslan and Lyudmila” and an excerpt from it “At Lukomorye there is a green oak tree”, here the mermaid and the learned cat are located, though not on the oak tree, but still very beautiful.
All figures are carved from wood by sculptor Gennady Efremov. The authors of the fairy tale museum had a goal - to unite Russian folk tales and Mari folklore. And they succeeded, you will meet Apraks, the Mari prince, and the giant Anar, and the hero Chetkar, who liberated the village from nomads.
And of course you will see the heroes of Russian fairy tales - the Frog Princess, Baba Yaga and the heroes of Krylov’s fable “Quartet”.
All these and many other characters from fairy tales and epics can be seen completely free of charge, and of course, don’t forget to take a photo with them.
Bruges waterfront
Yoshkar-Ola (sights and photos of architecture annually stimulate a large number of tourists to visit the Mari capital) began to transform under the former president of the republic, L.I. Markelov. One of its prides was the embankment, named after a small Belgian city, the area not exceeding the size of one district of the main city of Mari El.
The Bruges embankment is a complex of buildings, as well as a variety of architectural structures, built along the banks of the Malaya Kokshagi River, which flows through the entire city center. It is important to note that all buildings are made in the same Flemish style. The boundaries of the embankment are considered to be the Teatralny Bridge and Voinov Internationalistov Street.
The buildings located on one side of the embankment house government institutions, for example, a boarding school for gifted children, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, and the Civil Registry Office. On the other side there are walls enclosing the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
View of the legendary Bruges embankment in Yoshkar-Ola
In addition to the above buildings, on the Bruges embankment you can see the Spasskaya Tower, which is a kind of border between the districts of the city. Arkhangelskaya Sloboda and Patriarchal Square, which are architectural complexes of buildings with monuments made in the same style, are also considered attractions of the central embankment of the Mari capital.
Right in front of the entrance to the registry office there is a sculpture of the newlyweds - Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Between the buildings there is also a monument to Empress Elizabeth sitting on a horse.
Another attraction of the Bruges waterfront is the building with the built-in clock of the 12 apostles. Every hour, tourists can see small statues of the apostles emerging from the doors on the wall of the architectural structure of Yoshkar-Ola.
In summer, on the lawns of the embankment, residents relax, lying on blankets or riding on boats and catamarans, which can be rented right next to the descent to the river. There are also bicycle paths that allow those who enjoy an active lifestyle to take time for themselves by riding a bicycle, scooter, or roller skates in a specially designated place.
In winter, on the descent to Kokshaga, slides are filled and rental of sleds, ice cubes, and cheesecakes is organized. Despite the fact that construction of the embankment began in 2007, it acquired its formal appearance relatively recently, only in 2022.
Zoo Miracle Island
At the exit from the city (in the village of Medvedevo), on an island in the middle of the lake there is a small zoo. You can get to it via a bridge with seven arches in the shape of horseshoes, for good luck. Cost of visit:
- children 4 - 14 years old - 30 rubles
- schoolchildren (14+), students, pensioners - 50 rubles
- adults - 70 rubles
You can ride a boat, a catamaran and a pony: 50-70 rubles. Tours are available by appointment for a small fee. Performances are held, around which the zoo was born.
Full name “ Medvedev mini-zoo named after G.G. Gibadullina ." Opening hours: 9:00 - 20:00 Phone: 8 (8362) 580143
The zoo was opened in 2000. About 30 species, 130 individuals.
Address: st. Mosolova, 18, Medvedevo Coordinates: ⊕ 56.63166, 47.80777
⚑ It didn’t work out in time. We didn't stop by, unfortunately.
Architectural masterpieces and monuments
Yoshkar-Ola, namely its architectural masterpieces and monuments, amaze with their quantity and style of execution. Photos of the city's attractions, which are freely available on the Internet, illustrate examples of objects created by the best professional architects and designers not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
The most famous objects of this kind rightly include:
- Mari National Drama Theater named after M. Shketan. A massive yellow building, the facade of which is decorated with a sculptural composition located in a niche in the roof, as well as huge white columns that add majesty to the architectural structure.
- Sculpture to Obolensky-Nogotkov. The monument to the founder of Tsarevokokshaisk is located on the square of the same name in the city center. This object is made not only of natural stone, but also has an admixture of bronze. The sculpture depicts a serious middle-aged man on a horse, with a royal decree in his hand.
- Monument to Yoshkin the cat. The bronze cat sat imposingly on a bench near the central square of the city. It is a kind of symbol of Yoshkar-Ola. According to the legend of local residents, any wish accompanied by stroking the nose of the legendary Mari animal will come true in the shortest possible time.
- The architectural structure is the Cosmos fountain. This building was designed and installed in the 70s. Geographically, the fountain is located in Cosmonauts Square, not far from the city’s central bus station. Outwardly, it is a plexus of metal orbits, above which the astronaut is located, as if floating above the earth. From below, the fountain gushes with backlit geyser jets, which look especially impressive in the evening.
- Sculpture by Lorenzo de' Medici. The monument to a significant figure of the Florentine Republic is located in the local Italian Garden, also known as the Medici Park. Outwardly, he looks like a majestic ruler seated on a throne. At his feet a lion with a shield lies obediently, and a muse rises above him.
Park Bridge
The first suspension bridge was built on the territory of Yoshkar-Ola in 1980. At the very beginning it was planned that it would be used to supply the city's thermal power lines. However, the project was later reworked, after which the bridge began to serve as a pedestrian and auxiliary structure.
Park Bridge
The Park Bridge consists of one span and two supports installed on different banks. It unites two parts of the city into one whole. From the bridge there is a wonderful view of the park area.
- Address: Karl Marx street.
- How to get there: you can take bus No. 14 or trolleybuses No. 6 or No. 11.
- Stop: “Vashskaya”.
Theaters
Yoshkar-Ola (sights, photos of monuments and beautiful buildings are a reflection of the culture of the Mari people) is also known in the Volga region for its huge number of theaters. Among the cultural institutions of the capital Mari El, one can note not only those in which you can watch performances of adult works, but also those whose main viewers are children.
The most frequently visited organizations of this kind include:
- Russian Drama Theater named after G. Konstantinov.
This theater is one of the oldest cultural monuments of the Mari people. Almost 100 years have passed since its foundation. Despite its age, the Yoshkar-Ola Drama Theater does not lose its popularity among residents and guests of the republic. On its stage, productions change monthly, and not only by local directors. The auditorium of the cultural institution in question is recognized as the largest in the city and allows the presence of more than 500 people at the same time. - National Drama Theater named after M. Shketan. The Mari Theater was founded in 1919 and since then has undergone several external and internal restorations. It is worth noting that in the drama theater, residents and guests of the capital Mari El can not only watch multilingual performances (including with automated simultaneous translation), but also listen to lectures and seminars on various cultural topics that are relevant both in Yoshkar-Ola itself and worldwide.
- Republican puppet theater. The Mari El Puppet Theater recently, in 2014, moved to the heart of Yoshkar-Ola, to one of the colorful buildings on the Bruges embankment. Investments from Lukoil helped the theater move out of the old building. Within the walls of the cultural institution there is an excursion for children, during which the theater staff will tell the younger generation about how puppet production is carried out, what types of puppets there are and what exactly a theater artist should be able to do. Ticket prices for the event range from 150 to 300 rubles.
- Yoshkar-Ola Opera and Ballet Theater named after E. Sapaev. It is the newest among all the existing cultural institutions in the city and was built in 1968. It was for the organization of this institution that a separate building was recently built from scratch. Thanks to republican investments, the administration of the theater in question managed to purchase new instruments, among which there is even the only organ in the Volga region.
Where to live
Let's figure out where you can stay in Yoshkar-Ola. The cost of apartments is from 1300 rubles per night. Next to the Teplaya Rechka tavern there is a one-room apartment with good reviews called “ElenHouse” for 1700 per night.
Hotel "Virginia" (junior suite) for 2700 per night. Many people praise it. The Kremlin is only 1 kilometer away. Breakfast in the cafe of the same name.
Guest house "Izba" for 2500, but you will have to drive to the center. It's 4 kilometers on foot, about 40 minutes on foot in one direction only. But a two-story house is available, as far as I understand.
Or just apartments from 1200 rubles per night in the center area.
In total, we budget 3000-4000 for two nights somewhere near the center . If the budget allowed, I would stay in the very, very center, for example, in “The Inspector General”.
Guest house Izba: review
⚑ It so happened that we stayed for two nights at the Izba guest house, about which I will write a review later. Well, about the Izba cafe at the same time, because they are inextricably linked
