Penza is a very small but very cozy town, with an amazing combination of tranquility, leisurely provincial life and an impressive number of interesting cultural sites. The ancient streets of Penza are fascinating, the museums and sights of the city are impressive, you want to take photos near every historical site. In addition, the city is considered one of the greenest in Russia. Any microdistrict of the city is located 30 minutes from the forest on foot. Today I will introduce you to the very interesting sights of Penza and tell you where you can go in Penza to have fun and relax.
Museum of one painting
In a beautiful decorative building, which is a branch of the Savitsky Gallery, there is an unusual exhibition of paintings by famous masters of Russian painting. At the same time, there is not a single exhibit in the halls of the museum...
Visitors get acquainted with the most famous masterpieces of artists of past centuries, looking at slides that appear on a huge screen, narrated by popular artists and journalists of yesteryear.
The museum opened in 1983, since then its fame has spread throughout the world; today it is a popular place for tourists, which is a must-visit in Penza.
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Sweet and simple Penza
Maroona
| 25.03.2014
We were in Penza for a short time in 2008, in the summer. We were passing through there, but had enough time to walk around the city center and see what kind of city it was. Well, hand on heart, Penza is quite an ordinary Russian town. But cute! Quite a pleasant spacious embankment, everything is clean and tidy. It can be seen that the city seems to be developing, being built, although it is still far from the metropolitan gloss - everything is very simple. But we noticed several beautiful churches and military monuments (for example, a monument to a steam locomotive and a plane taking off into the sky on the outskirts of the city). We were surprised to find the Meyerhold House, although we never went there. It’s very nice that Penza is a truly green city: parks, flowerbeds - how we sometimes miss it! I don’t know what’s going on with the nightlife, since by nightfall we had already left, but, apparently, there are still a couple of clubs there, but here’s what…. But in general, clubs, shopping centers, and shops - it’s all there. I think it would be a bit boring for me to live in Penza, but coming for a walk for a couple of days would be just the thing!
Belinsky Park
This is the oldest park in the city, which until 1911 bore the names “Summer” and “Public”. The discovery of this beautiful corner took place at the beginning of the 19th century. Cultural figures and famous writers of the 19th century asked the city authorities to rename the park in honor of the famous Russian critic Belinsky. In 1911, a memorial sign was installed in the garden and the garden received a new name.
Today this cozy and peaceful place is visited by tourists and locals. Here you can see 300-year-old trees, sit on a comfortable bench or drink coffee in numerous cafes.
A Ferris wheel, where you can go with children, is installed in the center of the garden. A colorful panorama of the city opens from a bird's eye view. In winter, ski slopes and a “Health Path” open in the garden.
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Museum of Local Lore
The Penza Local History Museum recently celebrated its 110th anniversary. The first exhibition opened in 1905, located in the wing of the diocesan school. Today the museum occupies two floors of a historical building and displays three thematic departments: history of the region and city, ethnography and archeology.
The museum remained active during the Great Patriotic War, a help center operated here, and educational classes for children were held. The permanent exhibition of the museum was dismantled in 1989 before major renovations; today the museum has an exhibition from its own funds, where you can go to see unique examples of folk crafts.
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Penza Zoo
The zoo is a popular attraction of the city, which attracts tourists and residents not only of Penza, but also of nearby regions. The zoo was opened in 1981 and is considered the largest in the Volga region. At the entrance there is a sculpture of a lion, which was one of the first inhabitants. The symbol of the zoo is the capercaillie; souvenirs with this bird can be purchased near the central gate.
In addition to representatives of the animal kingdom, the zoo is famous for its orchard, lakes, birch grove and unique trees, which are more than 200 years old. Fairs and art exhibitions are regularly organized in the park.
In the Penza Zoo, the only one in the world, more than 20 Amur tigers were born; this record was recorded in early 2000. Here you can look at the disappeared Przewalski's horse, rare cranes, and Red Book Moluccan cockatoos.
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Natural monuments of the Penza region
The Penza region was founded in February 1939 on the southeastern part of the European Plain. Most of the region is occupied by the Volga Upland; pine and broad-leaved forests are common in these places, which gradually turn into turf-grass steppes on chernozems. The Penza region has a very diverse fauna, there are more than 300 species of animals: hare, squirrel, fox, badger, etc. About 48 species of fish live in the beautiful reservoirs of the Penza region: catfish, ide, pike perch, bream and many others.
Although not possessing much outstanding architecture, the region is famous for its large number of historical and memorial monuments; there are also many different churches, cathedrals and monasteries in these beautiful places.
Monument to the First Settler
The Monument to the First Settler was erected in 1980 on the site where the first defensive line of the future city was built. The defensive rampart of the 1663 fortress and the wooden belfry, which can be reached from the observation deck, have been preserved to this day.
The memorial was erected in honor of the founders of the city, whose names have not been preserved. The sculpture of a man depicts both a warrior and a peasant, with the pioneer carrying a spear and a plow. The monument has become one of the symbols of Penza; photos of the attraction can be seen on souvenirs and greeting cards.
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What are the Penza surroundings famous for?
At first glance, Penza is similar to many other Russian cities; upon closer inspection, it reveals an unexpected side, in it:
- neighborhoods of historical buildings have been preserved;
- the pages of history and the spirit of a particular era are woven together;
- The streets are decorated with fancy sculptures.
One of the central streets of the regional center is named Kirov. It originates from the square named after M.Yu. Lermontov. The creation of this green zone is associated with the name of Alexander II.
The emperor, having visited the site of the founding of the city, instead of a fortress, saw ruins overgrown with weeds, was very dissatisfied, and proposed creating a public garden. The mayors hastily implemented the royal lady’s proposal by decorating the central alley with a bust of the poet.
If you walk along Kirov Street, you can see many houses of “merchant Penza” and:
- monument to Lermontov;
- defensive rampart with part of the fortress palisade;
a monument to the first settler, opened in the year of the celebration of the six hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo. It was erected in memory of the military exploits of those who guarded the borders in the southeast and worked on the land in peacetime; several Orthodox white-stone Shrines of the 17th century: Trinity Convent, Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit;
Glory Square.
The Square of Glory intersects with the main Lenin Square. It leads to a favorite place for relaxation, leisurely walks, dates - to the Embankment, where Rostock rises.
This 25-meter monument serves as a reminder of the continuous growth of all spheres of life in the city, and is considered one of the city’s calling cards, where newlyweds and tourists come.
According to a recently created tradition, lovers leave a castle behind the stele as a sign of eternal love. Nearby there is a granite building, in which a message to descendants was hidden back in 1967. According to the will, it will be opened in 2022.
Nearby is the best engineering structure of Soviet times: the suspension pedestrian bridge of Friendship, also a favorite place for newlyweds, tourists, and those who want to take spectacular photographs.
In Penza, they pay great attention to preserving the “lungs of the city”: it was decided to add more to the seven parks and five forested areas. In 2015, according to a resolution of the City Duma, a public garden with an area of at least 50 acres must be in every district
In the summer of 2016, three new green areas were laid out, it was planned to improve the Arbekovsky ponds, the embankment, and install new sculptural compositions
In 2015, according to a resolution of the City Duma, a public garden with an area of at least 50 acres must be in every district. In the summer of 2016, three new green areas were laid out, improvements to the Arbekovsky ponds and embankment, and installation of new sculptural compositions were planned.
Penza residents love to decorate the streets with fancy sculptures; while walking, be sure to look around so as not to miss a historical monument or an unusual stone figure.
There are more than two dozen of them in the city. Find:
- A traffic light tree in a park near the train station. The ideological author of this art object was the mayor of the city, inspired by a trip to London. Having seen a similar monument in England, he decided to create a miniature copy in the regional center, just as traffic lights were being changed on the streets. The old ones (36 pieces in total) were connected together, creating an installation that decorates and illuminates the alleys;
- a monument to a jeweler on Moskovskaya Street, a belief is associated with it that it unites young people (if a ring is placed on their finger) and fulfills wishes;
- The monument to policemen, which appeared in 2007, is the only one in Russia. The sculpture has a prototype: this is the Penza district police officer G. Shelkov, who became famous throughout the city;
- sculptural compositions of a family and a Lady with a dog on Volodarsky Street;
The most famous tourist places in the world: photos, descriptions and much more - here.
Angel of Peace on Zhukov Square. Penza became the twenty-third city under the protection of the bronze angel.
wartime monuments: on Victory Square, on Tukhachevsky, K. Marx, Leningradskaya streets, samples of military equipment are installed on the square. Zhukov, in front of the Museum of Local Lore.
Fountain Sputnik
The complex, which consists of three magnificent vertical fountains and two cascading streams, is called the “Singing Fountains of Penza”. This is a very beautiful architectural structure that attracts many tourists and local residents to the banks of the Sura.
The main fountain shoots 30 meters high, with lights illuminating the water around it. This is an attractive spectacle that begins at nightfall and can be easily observed from the Lovers' gazebo, which is located near the complex. It’s unclear where the music is coming from, the gentle sounds of a flute are heard throughout the square; this amazing place is a must-visit for every tourist.
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Weather in Penza by months:
| Month | Temperature | Cloudiness | Rainy days/Amount of precipitation | Number of sunshine hours per day | |
| During the day | At night | ||||
| January | -8.2°C | -10.9°C | 83.0% | 3 days (42.3 mm.) | 8h. 11m. |
| February | -6.5°C | -10.7°C | 82.7% | 2 days (30.9 mm.) | 9 o'clock 51m. |
| March | -1.8°C | -6.7°C | 80.1% | 3 days (41.2 mm.) | 11 o'clock 53m. |
| April | 9.6°C | 3.1°C | 54.0% | 3 days (46.9 mm.) | 14h. 0m. |
| May | 20.3°C | 11.1°C | 36.4% | 4 days (44.4 mm.) | 15h. 52m. |
| June | 23.0°C | 13.9°C | 33.5% | 5 days (62.6 mm.) | 16h. 53m. |
| July | 25.9°C | 15.9°C | 31.8% | 5 days (63.4 mm.) | 16h. 23m. |
| August | 24.5°C | 15.0°C | 29.2% | 4 days (46.2 mm.) | 14h. 43m. |
| September | 16.5°C | 9.6°C | 44.0% | 4 days (52.3 mm.) | 12h. 40m. |
| October | 8.0°C | 3.9°C | 57.3% | 3 days (42.9 mm.) | 10 o'clock 35m. |
| November | 0.4°C | -2.1°C | 61.8% | 2 days (34.0 mm.) | 8h. 41m. |
| December | -4.1°C | -6.0°C | 82.3% | 3 days (39.1 mm.) | 7h. 38m. |
*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years
TOURIST REVIEWS:
Moscow street
The historical center of Penza is decorated with the pedestrian Moskovskaya Street, which is the oldest in the city. Rising up, it seems that the avenue goes straight into the sky. On the street there are cozy cafes, fashionable clothing stores and souvenir shops, where you can buy all the kitchen little things with unique carvings and paintings by local craftsmen (stands, cookware sets, countertops, bread bins, etc.).
Since its construction in the 17th century, it has been the center of trade in Penza, public gatherings and festivities. The street received its real name in the mid-19th century, the first names of the shopping arcades were “Spasskaya Street”, “Bolshaya Posadskaya”. The main attractions of the city are located on the avenue: hotels, banks, a drama theater and sculptures famous throughout the country: a huge Thermometer and a cuckoo clock.
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"Mug of beer"
In the center of Penza on Fontannaya Square there is a unique landmark of the city - the “Mug of Beer” panel. It took 55 thousand beer caps to create a reproduction of the famous painting by Edouard Manet depicting a serious elderly gentleman with a mug of beer in one hand and a smoking pipe in the other. The panel was donated to the city by a local brewing company. It was opened in 2000.
Botanical Garden
One of the most beautiful places to visit in the city is the Botanical Garden, which recently celebrated its centenary of its founding. More than 1,500 species of plants are planted on the large territory of the complex, among which you can see tropical palms, cypresses, and Lebanese cedar from the Red Book. The garden was founded by Penza nature researchers, botanists, zoologists and natural science enthusiasts.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Scientific Society of Penza planned to create a zoological and botanical center in the city, but the First World War, revolutions, and famine did not allow this to be done. Only the botanical garden was opened, which in 1946 was transferred to the Pedagogical Institute, on whose balance sheet the unique place is still located.
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Folk Art Museum
The one-of-a-kind exhibition is located in a historic 19th-century building, which in itself is a masterpiece of wooden architecture. The Folk Art Museum preserves and popularizes folk crafts, including straw weaving, pottery, wickerwork, and weaving.
The museum's exhibits include beautiful painted dishes, carpet runners, furniture, everyday items, and kitchen utensils. Exhibitions and master classes are regularly held in the halls. The museum is surrounded by a luxurious park, a visit to which is part of the planned excursion.
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Monument of Glory
One of the popular places to visit is the Monument of Glory, which exalts the feat of the residents of Penza during the Great Patriotic War. The opening of the monument took place in 1975.
The sculptural composition represents the Motherland with a child in her arm. At its foot stands the Defender, and the Eternal Flame burns nearby. The names of the country's defenders, city residents who did not return from the battlefields, are engraved on the memorial stele. Five staircases laid out in the shape of a star lead to the monument.
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Drama Theater named after. Lunacharsky
The opening and foundation of the theater took place at the end of the 18th century thanks to Vice-Governor Dolgorukov. The first production took place in 1793. The small hall accommodated only one hundred spectators. A hundred years later, the first drama club in Penza began operating at the theater, and folk artists performed at local celebrations.
After the Revolution, the theater received its real name and since 1937 it was given regional significance. During its work, hundreds of performances by contemporary authors were staged on the theater stage. A major reconstruction after the fire of 2008 lasted almost two years. The building was completely rebuilt according to a design that recreated the historical facade with modern decorative panels.
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Savitsky Art Gallery
The opening of the first exhibition of the museum took place in 1892. The first exhibits were paintings by Russian and European masters from the personal collection of Governor Seliverstov. Having presented his collection as a gift to the city, a building in the center was built especially for it. An art school was opened at the museum, where the famous Russian artist K.A. Savitsky taught.
This is a popular attraction in Penza, which is recommended for all connoisseurs of the Russian school of painting. Today the exhibition is located in two sections, where you can see works of both Russian and European artists.
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Klyuchevsky Museum
This is one of the most famous branches of the city's local history museum, which bears the name of the famous historian. The wooden house where Klyuchevsky was born and spent his childhood was restored to its original shape after reconstruction.
In the museum you can look at household items and the first historical sketches of the famous scientist. Thematically, the museum is divided into two parts, the period of the historian’s life in Penza and a department dedicated to the works of Klyuchevsky.
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Excursions in Penza
What should those who don’t know where to go in Penza do? Of course, choose one of the many excursion programs that the city generously offers to its guests.
- "Memorable places of Penza." This program is ideal for people new to the city. Participants will be able to see the most interesting places of the settlement, learn more about its architecture and history.
- "Due to raids." The fortress city once served as a kind of border point, protecting the country from attacks by its closest neighbors. Those who are interested in events of the distant past and hot battles should definitely visit this excursion.
- "Literary Penza". This program will appeal to those who love to read. Many famous writers were born and raised in Penza.
- "Secrets of old Penza." Tourists who like to listen to ancient legends should definitely choose this program. They will learn how many secrets the picturesque city, located on the banks of the river, holds. Mysterious kidnappings, bandits in labyrinths, underground treasures, voices from underground - participants will learn many shocking facts.
- "The Road to the Temple" This program is popular among tourists who want to learn more about religious buildings located in Penza.
Of course, this is just part of the exciting programs.
Assumption Cathedral
This is one of the popular attractions of Penza, which is located in the place of eternal rest at the Mironositsky cemetery. The temple stands on the site of an ancient church that collapsed many centuries ago. In 1910, a majestic cathedral was erected in its place, which became a symbol of peace and inspiration for everyone who comes here.
The cathedral was built in 1905 in the pseudo-Russian style of architecture. In 1931, the Assumption Cathedral received the status of a Cathedral. The further history of the church is tragic; in 1934 the cathedral was closed, the clergy were sent to camps in the Perm region. The building housed a military warehouse for a long time.
The holy place received its second birth in 1994. The cathedral has been restored. A baptismal sanctuary was built. In 1999, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II performed a service here.
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Roller rink "Olympic"
Another place for speed lovers is the Olimpiysky roller rink, which is located on Gagarina Street, 6, building 1.
In this place you will be able not to part with your favorite skates in any weather, and experienced instructors will definitely teach those who want to master them. Often people come here to rollerblade with the whole family, because both pensioners and preschoolers can master it. It turns out it's simple and completely safe. In addition, this roller rink has a specially installed safety surface, so it is almost impossible to get seriously injured.
The area of the Olimpiysky roller rink is almost two thousand square meters, and the skating field itself is about 800 square meters. So 80 people can be here at the same time without interfering with each other.
“Olympic” in Penza is a unique platform where you can first go roller skating, then relax and refresh yourself in a cafe, and have an interesting and useful time with friends playing board games and game consoles. Until you get the strength to rollerblade again.
By the way, judging by the numerous reviews of regular visitors, this is a great place to have fun celebrating your birthday.
