Novokuznetsk is a large ancient city in the Kemerovo region of the Russian Federation. It has an interesting history, which is largely related to the development of the metallurgical industry. The architectural sights of the city of Novokuznetsk, which are usually shown to tourists, were mostly built during the Soviet period. There are several interesting museums in the village that are also worth visiting.
Main attractions of Novokuznetsk: Kuznetsk Fortress
In the 20s of the 19th century, not far from the bank of the Tom River, on the orders of Paul the First, a fort was built. It was intended to provide protection in the event of an invasion by China. The fortification, which has a rectangular plan and is enclosed by stone walls, was called the Kuznetsk Fortress. It occupied an area of 20 hectares, which housed barracks, warehouses, workshops and various outbuildings. 20 years after construction, it turned out that there was no longer a need for military fortification in this region. The fortress was taken off the balance sheet and transferred first to a dormitory for the military, and later it was converted into a prison. The fortification was badly damaged in 1919, when it was burned by the Red partisans. The fortress (or rather, what was left of it) became an object of state protection in the mid-20th century. Large-scale restoration work was carried out and the guardhouse building was restored.
Today, there is a museum on the territory of the fortress (Krepostnoy proezd, 1), which will be interesting to visit for anyone interested in the history of their country. In addition, reviews from tourists indicate that the observation deck located there offers the best view of the city of Novokuznetsk.
Entertainment
Planetarium
Address: Metallurgov Avenue, 16a Telephone: Website: https://nk-planetarium.ru Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat 14:00-16:00 Cost: 200 rubles for adults, 150 for children
The Novokuznetsk Planetarium is the first educational and entertainment complex of this type in the Kemerovo region. Its opening took place in the 70s of the last century, and over its 55-year history, the institution was officially visited by 8 million people.
Within the walls of the planetarium there are projection devices, one of the largest telescopes in Russia, a monument to Yuri Gagarin and other exhibits.
Retropark Museum
Address: st. Tolyatti, 33a Telephone: Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11:00-20:00 Cost: 200 rubles
The Museum of Antique Motorcycle and Automotive Equipment was founded by businessman Alexander Govorov and entirely at his expense. The largest exhibition in Siberia consists of 40 items - cars, motorcycles and an airplane.
The exhibits include rare and unique car brands: Franklin Airman Type 12A, Benz Patent-Motorwagen, Ford T.C., as well as a Czech L-29 training aircraft.
Mount Green
Address: Sheregesh resort
The 120 m high mountain is part of the complex of the famous ski resort Sheregesh.
It is famous for the fact that in 2013 it hosted an unusual event - a descent of girls in bikinis.
It has several convenient trails (length about 3 km, elevation difference 600 m), modern ski lifts, equipment rental, and a cafe.
At the beginning of the season, entertainment events dedicated to skiing are held here: for example, in 2022, a ski fashion show was held.
Dostoevsky House
If you come to Novokuznetsk for the first time, it is best to look for attractions in the historical center. For example, on the street. Dostoevsky (building 29) there is a house where the great Russian writer lived in 1857. Moreover, it was there that he brought his wife, Maria Dmitrievna Isaeva, after the wedding in the Odigitrievskaya Church. Since 1980, a memorial museum of the writer has been operating in the house, which contains exhibits telling about Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky and his work “The Diary of a Writer,” written in Kuznetsk. As evidenced by reviews from tourists, a visit to the museum will be especially interesting for those interested in Russian literature.
Distillery
Unfortunately, Novokuznetsk, whose sights were mostly destroyed during the Soviet period, cannot boast of examples of ancient architecture that have survived to this day. Among the few civil buildings that are more than a century old is the distillery building. This is the first food industry enterprise, which was put into operation in 1898. Despite its venerable age, it continues to operate today. Moreover, the products of the Novokuznetsk distillery have more than once won various prestigious awards at various competitions, which only confirms its high quality.
House of merchant Fonarev
Do you want to know what Novokuznetsk looked like 150 years ago? Unfortunately, almost no sights have been preserved that would allow one to form an opinion about this period in the history of the settlement. Only on the street You can see several ancient buildings in Vopadnaya. For example, Fonarev's House. It turns out that in the mid-19th century, Nicholas the First approved the layout of the city and allocated space for the construction of two-story merchant mansions. One of the famous merchants in Kuznetsk in those days was A. Fonarev. He purchased one of the plots of land and erected a solid mansion on it, which still stands today.
Parks and monuments, streets
Singing Fountain
Address: square named after. Ermakova
The Singing Fountain of Novokuznetsk has no analogues in Russia. The control system consists of 150 nozzles located at depth that regulate the jet height, music volume and lighting. Illumination is turned on in the evening, when the “dancing” and “singing” jets of water look especially beautiful.
Waterfall Stream
Coordinates: 53.4610 87.1022 Address: Zavodskoy district
A unique natural attraction of Novokuznetsk, located on the right bank of the Tom River at the foot of the mountain. This is a cascade type waterfall, the height is almost 3 meters, and the width depends on the time of year.
Memorial Museum of Military and Labor Glory of Metallurgists
In 1985, the fortieth anniversary of the Great Victory was celebrated on a grand scale in Novokuznetsk. One of the main events was the grand opening of the museum on Victory Square, dedicated to the military and labor exploits of the city's metallurgists. In front of its building burns an eternal flame, lit from the first open-hearth furnace, which began producing metal for the front in 1941. The museum contains 2,500 exhibits that tell about the soldiers who died in battles for their homeland, and those who literally forged victory while deep in the rear. According to visitors' reviews, excursions to this cultural institution are not only interesting, but also educational.
Historical sites and museums
Kuznetsk Fortress
Address: Krepostnoy proezd, 1 Telephone: Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 10.00-17.00 Cost: 20 rubles, excursions are paid separately
The defensive structure, built at the beginning of the 19th century, was intended to protect the lands of Southern Siberia from Chinese aggression.
In 1846, it ceased to be used for its intended purpose, and a prison was organized on the territory, which functioned until 1919 and was burned down during the Civil War.
Restoration work on the fortress began only in 1998, and exact copies of the guns were made at the metallurgical plant. Now the historical and architectural complex includes several dozen restored fortifications and museums that introduce visitors to the history of the city and the region.
Novokuznetsk City Museum of Local Lore
Address: Pionersky Prospekt, 24 Telephone: Opening hours: Tue.-Sun. 11.00-19.00 Cost: 200 rubles
One of the largest and oldest museums in Kuzbass was founded in 1927 on the basis of the private collection of local historian Dmitry Timofeevich Yaroslavtsev.
It has several departments:
- educational,
- historical,
- cultural,
- natural.
Exhibits include:
- a collection of archaeological finds from local burial grounds,
- collection of metal objects and coins,
- collection of flora and fauna specimens,
- things that belonged to Leo Tolstoy's secretary Bulgakov (the famous writer's namesake).
Literary and Memorial Museum of F. M. Dostoevsky
Address: st. Dostoevsky, 29 Telephone: Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 09:30-17:30 Cost: 50 rubles
Important events in the life of the writer are connected with Novokuznetsk. In 1857, he lived and worked in the city and in one of the churches he married Maria Isaeva. Literary scholars often call their relationship “Kuznetsk drama,” which can be learned from the museum’s exhibition.
It is divided into four halls telling about the life, love and work of the writer:
- "Road",
- "Salon of Mrs. Moskaleva"
- "Triangle",
- "Wedding".
Novokuznetsk Art Museum
Address: st. Kirova, 62 Telephone: Opening hours: Wed.-Sun. 10:00-18:00 Cost: 60 rubles for adults, 40 for children
The Novokuznetsk Art Museum has more than fifty years of history and operates in several directions: it tells visitors about the history of painting, graphics, icon painting, etc.
The complex houses a permanent exhibition that introduces visitors to the history of Russian art, as well as temporary exhibitions dedicated to specific artists or time periods (for example, Russian art of the 19th, 20th, 21st centuries).
A special place is occupied by the collection of works by Siberian masters Pozdneev, Gritsyuk, and Rybakov.
Geological Museum
Address: Pionersky Avenue, 18 Telephone: Opening hours: Tue 15:00-17:00, Thu 12:00-17:00 Cost: 50 rubles for adults, 30 for children
The foundation of the Novokuznetsk Geological Museum began with a small exhibition in 1919.
Now it has more than 2 thousand exhibits, including samples of crystals, ores, minerals and rocks.
The complex operates a “Young Geologist” club for teenagers interested in geology and the history of their native land.
Museum of History
Address: st. Kirova, 42 Telephone: Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00
The Museum of the History of SibGIU, one of the largest universities in the region, was founded in the 70s of the last century, when students and teachers created a club dedicated to the history and development of the educational institution.
Now there are several exhibitions dedicated to different stages of the history of SibGIU: the formation of faculties, activities during the Great Patriotic War, famous graduates and teachers.
Museum staff conduct tours of the university and campus, and thematic conversations on various topics.
Children's art gallery
Address: st. Kirova, 7 Telephone: Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00
The gallery is a structural subdivision of one of the city’s art schools and is focused on working with young artists and talented youth. Several types of exhibitions are held here: thematic, methodological and planned. The purpose of the exhibitions is to popularize and develop art among students and youth.
Memorial Museum of Military and Labor Glory of Kuznetsk Metallurgists
Address: Pobedy Square 1/1 Telephone: Opening hours : Mon-Fri 08:30-17:00 Cost: 50 rubles for adults, 30 for children
The idea of founding a museum dedicated to the history of Novokuznetsk metallurgy during the war arose in the 70s of the last century. In those days, the region became the “forge” of victory and produced almost half of the military products of the entire country.
The complex was opened in 1985 and consists of more than 2,500 exhibits: photographs, letters, documents, product samples, trophies and personal belongings of deceased metallurgists.
Monuments and sculptural compositions
Are you going to Novokuznetsk? The city's attractions will delight you with their diversity. For example, along with serious monuments erected in honor of famous heroes of various wars and artists, there are also humorous sculptural compositions. For example, while walking along Bardin Avenue you will see the composition “Friendship Sausage” with the characters of the famous cartoon about a kitten named Woof. Interestingly, it was a gift to the city from employees of one of the local industrial enterprises, and it was created by local artist Konstantin Zinich.
The monument immediately won the love of townspeople and tourists, and photographs with its background appeared in the photo albums of most young residents of Novokuznetsk. According to reviews from travelers, the “Friendship Sausage” is the cutest attraction in the city, and you simply can’t miss it.
Attractions in the surrounding area
Ice mountain Mustag
Address: Tashtagol district Coordinates: 53.0035 87.5747
The height of the mountain is 1570 m. Among the local population of Gornaya Shoria it was considered sacred and is mentioned in numerous legends of the Shors.
According to legends, if a shaman climbs Mustag, the spirits of the mountain will determine his life expectancy and tell him the day he will die.
There are no equipped trails on the mountain, so freeride lovers have chosen it. The foothills are popular among fans of passive recreation: hiking, snowmobiling, and recreational activities take place there.
Katun cliffs
Coordinates: 50.520329, 86.565068
A natural monument on the right bank of the Kondoma River, which is a weathered structure of bizarre shapes, rising 200 meters above the water level. It covers an area of 53 hectares and is of interest not only to geologists, but also to botanists.
Rare representatives of the Siberian flora grow here - adonis, onion, juniper, Siberian linden, there is a unique mountain spring with clean water called “Tears of Katun”.
Linden Island
Coordinates: 53.1821 87.1722 How to get there: located 15 km east of the village of Kuzedeevo
Linden Island is located in the basin of a tributary of the Kondoma River near the village of Kuzedeyeva and has no analogues in Russia. These are the remains of heat-loving forests that covered the territory of Siberia 60 million years ago.
Area 110 sq. km. planted with relict linden trees growing in a small basin with a fairly high temperature. Linden Island is proof that in the pre-glacial period the climate in Siberia was much warmer, and the linden was a common representative of the local flora.
Falcon Mountains
Coordinates: 53.4355 87.840 How to get there: 0.5 km from Novokuznetsk-Vostochny station
Sokolinye Gory is a popular holiday destination near Novokuznetsk with an area of 92 hectares. According to historians, they got their name in honor of the peregrine falcons that nested in this area, although now these birds do not nest there.
There are several natural attractions on the Sokoliny Mountains:
- Dancing Forest - a section of birch and aspen forest with intricately curved pillars;
- Ant City, which is a settlement of red ants;
- Lake Podgornoe with rare coastal vegetation.
Ilyinsky travertines
Coordinates: 53.892 87.217 How to get there: the formations are located on the northern outskirts of the village of Ilyinka, 4 km from the Novoilinsky district of Novokuznetsk
Travertines are formations of light porous rocks that are located below the mouth of the Petrik River opposite the Red and Antonovsky Islands. They are formed in places where highly mineralized waters come to the surface and have a diameter of about 1 m. Several species of mosses and rare plants grow on the territory - shrubby five-leaf clover and spring adonis.
