The northernmost of the regional centers of the Russian Far East was founded in 1929. At that time, it was extremely important for the huge country, which was industrializing, to organize gold mining in the rich deposits of Kolyma. The small village quickly turned into a city, the name of which is associated with the dark pages of Soviet history. It was here that the central forwarding point of Sevvostlag was located. But all this is already in the distant past. Today's Magadan is a large logistics, industrial, cultural center, very attractive for tourists. Here you can not only see the colorful sights, but also enjoy the amazing nature of the wondrous region.
The main attractions of Magadan
The sights of Magadan, photos and descriptions of which are presented below, are its calling cards. It is customary to start exploring the city by visiting these places.
Monument "Mask of Sorrow"
- Address: Observation platform at Krutaya Sopka. Transport stop “Mask of Sorrow”.
On the Krutaya hill there was the NKVD Sevvostlag transit point, notorious throughout the country, which crushed tens of thousands of human lives. In 1966, a grandiose monument was erected at the transfer site, dedicated to the memory of the political prisoners who died in Kolyma. The 15-meter concrete sculpture, made in the style of cubism, depicts a human head. One eye socket on the giant face is covered with prison bars, the second exudes tears in the form of masks symbolizing human souls. Inside the monument there is a room where the surroundings of a prison cell are recreated.
Sculpture "Time"
- Address: Port Highway. Transport stop "Morskoy Square".
This amazing sculptural composition appeared in the city quite recently, but has already become its iconic landmark. Newlyweds and guests of Magadan enjoy taking photographs of the mammoth figure made from scrap metal. The sculpture is impressive in size. Its height is almost 4 m, length 6 m, and weight just under 6 tons. In just a year, the metal was covered with a corrosive film, thanks to which the sculpture acquired the color of natural mammoth wool.
Nagaevsky lighthouse
- Address: st. Nagaevskaya. Transport stop "Morgodok".
The picturesque Nagaev Bay is in itself a natural attraction of Magadan, and its decoration is rightly considered the lighthouse of the same name. For many years, a searchlight mounted on top of an unequal octagonal tower showed ship captains the way to the city harbor. The lighthouse is supported by a massive tetrahedral base, next to which a small keeper’s house was erected. Today, the structure has lost its navigation functions, since another lighthouse is installed on the cape at the entrance to the bay, but continues to remain one of the symbols of the city.
Pioneer Monument
- Address: st. Nagaevskaya. Transport stop "Morgodok".
Residents of the city are careful about its history, so the monument to the founders of Magadan, erected in the place of Nagaevskaya Bay, where in 1929 a landing of surveyors and builders who founded the village landed, enjoys their special love. In the center of the complex-shaped monument there is a three-sided high relief depicting people of different specialties - workers, miners, geologists, installers. On the granite slab lying in front of the sculptural composition, you can see part of the geographical map of the Far East with the Magadan region and Chukotka.
Chapel of St. George the Victorious
- Address: Lenin Avenue. Transport stop "Televyshka".
This iconic and architectural landmark is considered one of the hallmarks of modern Magadan. The history of its appearance is very interesting. Townspeople have more than once turned to the administration with a request to erect a monument to those who died in the Great Patriotic War in Magadan, which would have not only an architectural, but also a spiritual component. The chapel, opened in 1996 on the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the Great Victory, perfectly corresponds to these wishes. People come here to honor the memory of fallen heroes and admire the elegant structure.
Historical reference
The Magadan region belongs to a region of Russia where a harsh climate prevails, so the territory has been developed much longer than others. The emergence of a workers' settlement in 1929 was associated with the need to increase industrial production in the country.
Gold mining enterprises were built in the Kolyma expanses. It was here that the North-Eastern labor correctional camp Sevvostlag was located, where victims of repression worked.
Determining the coordinates of Magadan, we can say that this is the extreme northern point of Russia . The distance between the city and the capital of the country is 5910 km in a straight line only. Magadan is the administrative center and the largest seaport located on the shores of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Interesting places and monuments of Magadan
The period of mass construction of the city occurred at the end of the 50s of the last century, so it is difficult to expect any special architectural elegance from the exteriors of its buildings. But sculpture connoisseurs will undoubtedly find something to see in Magadan.
Monument "Memory Knot"
- Address: Walk of Fame. Transport stop "Center".
During the Great Patriotic War, the residents of Magadan, like hundreds of other cities, towns, and villages of the great country, did their best to bring Victory closer. A monument erected on the Alley of Memory in 1991 is dedicated to their labor and military feats. The dominant architectural and sculptural composition is a monument depicting the Motherland with a child in her arms. She is surrounded by figures of a soldier, a geologist and a Gulag prisoner. In front of the monument there is a memorial wall with high reliefs made in bronze, telling about the exploits of the Soviet people in the rear and on the fronts of the Second World War.
Sculptural composition “Deer”
- Address: Kolyma highway. Transport stop "6th kilometer".
The heraldic symbol of the city is the deer, so it is not at all surprising that in 2006, near the stele installed at the entrance to Magadan, a sculptural composition dedicated to this animal appeared. It is interesting that initially it consisted of only two bronze figures - a mother deer and a cub. However, taking into account the wishes of the townspeople, the composition was supplemented in 2014. Now tourists can admire the complete deer family. You should definitely take a memorable photo here.
Monument to V. Vysotsky
- Address: st. Nagaevskaya, 1. Transport stop “Televyshka”.
The famous Russian poet and singer-songwriter visited Magadan in 1968 and, inspired by the trip, wrote two songs dedicated to the city. People here love his work, listen to his heartfelt ballads with pleasure, and honor the memory of this amazing man. In 2014, when the city’s 75th anniversary was celebrated, a monument to Vladimir Semenovich appeared on the observation deck of Nagaevskaya Bay. The great bard stands leaning on his guitar and throwing his jacket behind his back. The poet turned his gaze into the distance, as if looking for inspiration to create unique poetic lines.
City TV tower
- Address: Komsomolskaya Square. Transport stop "Televyshka".
The Magadan TV tower somewhat resembles the Eiffel Tower in its silhouette. The openwork metal structure appeared in the city in 1957 and was immediately loved by its residents. The structure is not much taller than the surrounding five-story buildings, but is installed in the highest place in Magadan. Thanks to this, the television signal is consistently received in all areas. When darkness falls, the graceful TV tower is illuminated and looks like a toy.
Beach
Yes, this is not a joke. And in harsh Magadan there is summer. True, it’s very short, but you can have time to enjoy at least a little of the long-awaited warmth. Sandy and pebble Nagaevsky beach is located within the city limits. The place is pleasant and picturesque, but with a complete absence of any infrastructure. In July-August it is crowded with sunbathing enthusiasts; many daredevils decide to swim in the Sea of Okhotsk at +16 °C. By the way, the maximum air temperature does not exceed +20 °C even in the “hottest” weather, but this does not bother people at all.
During the non-swimming season, people come to Nagaevsky Beach to watch stunning sunsets.
Magadan churches and cathedrals
Despite the fact that Magadan cannot be called a big city, there are quite a lot of temples here. Most of the churches were built in modern times, but in different styles. Therefore, admirers of iconic architecture will be able to enjoy visiting them.
Trinity Cathedral
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:30 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.magadan-1.cerkov.ru
- Address: Cathedral Square, 1. Bus station bus stop.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is at the same time a religious building and an architectural monument to the victims of repression, is magnificent. It dominates all the buildings of the city and is considered one of the main attractions of Magadan. The five-domed temple with gilded domes, kokoshniks, and an elegant arcature belt was erected in 2008 and consecrated three years later. With a height of 70 m, the church has an area of about 9 thousand m². The interiors of the cathedral shine with polished Ural granite, gilding, and stunning paintings.
Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 17:00.
- Address: st. Potapova, 5. Transport stop "Regional Hospital".
The small temple, built in 1992, until 2011 had the status of Magadan Cathedral. It is interesting that before his appearance there were no churches in the city, and the townspeople attended services held in a building allocated for these purposes by the administration. The exterior of the temple corresponds rather to the Northern Russian style. This is evidenced by the characteristic quadrangle and squat drum of the central dome. The three-tiered bell tower, covered with a high blue tent, gives the church a more elegant appearance.
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:30 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.mag-nikolas.cerkov.ru
- Address: Embankment of the Magadanka River, 77. Transport stop "Dairy Plant".
The exterior of the temple, built in 2004, is impeccable. It was built according to the strict canons of ancient Russian religious architecture, so it looks somewhat ascetic, but very solemn. A hexagonal drum topped with a dome rises above the massive quadrangle. The proportions of the white stone temple are ideal. Traditional elegant kokoshniks give the façade a certain festiveness. The similarity with the churches of Veliky Novgorod and Pskov is undeniable.
Mammoth sculpture
The Mammoth sculpture in the city of Magadan has its own special symbolic meaning, which is expressed in its name - “Time”. This is the name of the sculpture by its author, who chose scrap metal from what used to be a bunch of watches as the building material. The entire body of the mammoth is covered with small and large gears and wheels, which used to make up the clock mechanism.
Location: Port Highway.
Cultural and educational holiday
Inquisitive travelers will not have any problems with where to go in Magadan to ensure an eventful leisure time. The city has several interesting museums and theaters.
Museum of Local Lore
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
- Ticket price: adult 100 rubles, children 50 rubles.
- Phone: +7 413 260‑55-57.
- Website: https://www.magadanmuseum.ru
- Address: Karl Marx Avenue, 55. Transport stop “Boldyreva Street”.
The institution, founded in 1934, has a rich collection of exhibits that allow you to learn a lot about this amazing region. The archaeological collection includes about 120 thousand artifacts dating back to the Stone and Iron Ages. A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to the culture and life of the indigenous inhabitants of Kolyma - Eskimos, Chukchi, Evenks, Yakuts, Koryaks. During the excursion, visitors will be able to admire paintings, sculptures, products of masters of decorative and applied arts, and examine the wonderful numismatic collection.
Natural History Museum
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Ticket price: adult 100 rubles, students, schoolchildren, preschoolers are admitted free of charge.
- Phone: +7 413 263‑09-34.
- Address: st. Portovaya, 16. Transport stop "Pedagogical Institute".
The exhibitions of this museum will tell you a lot of interesting things about the history, flora, fauna and natural resources of the north of the Russian Far East. Its collection includes more than 4 thousand artifacts, including a unique collection of 15 meteorites. Of great interest to visitors are exhibitions of shamanic ritual paraphernalia, ancient Chukchi sledges, hunting and fishing tools used in ancient times by the peoples of the North. The pearl of the collection is considered to be a collection of semi-precious stones - agates, amethysts, tourmalines, jasper.
Musical and Drama Theater
- Opening hours: performances are given from Thursday to Sunday inclusive. Performances start on weekdays at 19:00, on weekends at 18:00.
- Ticket price: from 200 rub. up to 600 rub.
- Phone: +7 413 262‑29-01.
- Website: https://www.mmdt.ru
- Address: Karl Marx Avenue, 30. Transport stop "Center".
Guests of the city are invited to pay tribute to Melpomene at the city theater, created in 1933 by merging a drama troupe with local Operetta artists. Here you will be invited to watch a brilliant performance with the participation of magnificent performers, some of whom bear the title of People's and Honored Artists of the Russian Federation. The theater's repertoire includes productions of plays by classical and modern authors. Directors and actors do not hesitate to experiment in their creativity, which is why performances often attract full houses.
Natural objects
The Magadan region impresses with natural objects that captivate the spirit. There are mineral springs, nature reserves, and lakes here, but this is not a complete list of the local beauties for which the region is famous:
- Reserve. The area of the protected area is over 880 thousand hectares. The territory occupies four plots located at a remote distance. The main part is located in the south of the region. The extensive coverage of the area allows for the preservation of a large number of rare species of vegetation and animals. The territory of the reserve is protected, there is also a scientific laboratory, and research and educational work is carried out.
- A lake named after the writer Jack London. The area of the reservoir is almost 1.5 thousand hectares, the deepest point is 50 m. It is part of the natural park of the same name. The lake is divided into two parts by a small island. There are two versions of the origin of the name of the lake. The first is explained by the fact that the American was the favorite writer of many geologists, and the second tells about the book “Martin Eden” by Jack London that was found near the lake.
- In Shelekhov Bay you can see a picturesque panorama: the sheer cliffs of the Yamsky Islands are located near the pebble beach. Large colonies of birds nest on the archipelago. There is relatively little vegetation here, but the waters are enriched with phytoplankton. The Yamsky Islands (there are only six of them) are part of the Magadan Nature Reserve.
- Motyklei mineral springs. Healing waters are located in the bay of the same name. The springs do not freeze even in the most severe frosts, since the water temperature rarely drops below +25 degrees. In winter you can get here by snowstorms, and in summer by boats. There is information that in the middle of the 20th century there was a sanatorium here where liver and gastrointestinal diseases were treated. The springs are represented by three groups; waters of varying degrees of mineralization and temperature flow here.
The edge of permafrost can surprise even the most experienced travelers.
Don't put off your trip to Magadan. Here you can see monuments, visit museums and theaters, visit the seafood market, and then bring home a souvenir that will always remind you of this picturesque region.
Where to take your child in Magadan
There is no doubt about taking children on a trip to the city, because there is plenty of entertainment for young tourists. They will be able to enjoy amazing nature and visit various interesting places in Magadan.
Geological Museum
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 18:00, Friday from 8:30 to 11:00.
- Ticket prices: the cost of the excursion should be confirmed by phone.
- Phone: +7 413 262‑47-69.
- Address: st. Proletarskaya, 11. Bus station bus stop.
An excursion to this wonderful institution will be remembered for a long time by both the child and his parents. Only here you can see a unique collection of Jurassic period fossils and wonderful gems that the Far Eastern land is rich in. Of no less interest is the collection of native gold and silver from the Kolyma deposits. Visitors will also be treated to a fascinating story about the history of gold mining in Kolyma. In total, the museum's collections include about 5.5 thousand storage units.
Park named after Gorky
- Opening hours: daily, from 11:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.parkmagadan.ru
- Address: Lenin Avenue, 21A. Transport stop "Center".
The city park is considered the best place for a family vacation in the summer. And this is not at all surprising. There is entertainment for children of all ages. Children are offered a ride on colorfully decorated and absolutely safe carousels. Teenagers enjoy visiting modern attractions, arcades, rollerblading and cycling. There is a viewing wheel, a light version of a roller coaster and a lot of other interesting things.
Magadan Puppet Theater
- Opening hours: performances are given on weekends. Performances start at 12:00 and 15:00.
- Ticket price: from 200 rub. up to 350 rub.
- Phone: +7 413 262‑50-23.
- Website: https://www.theatrekukol.ru
- Address: st. Parkovaya, 20. Transport stop "Center".
Watching a colorful performance, which the city puppet theater invites you to, will bring a lot of vivid impressions to your child. The dolls, some of which were made by the wonderful artists of the troupe, are incredibly colorful. The institution's repertoire includes productions based on Russian folk tales, as well as unique performances based on Chukchi, Yakut and Evenki tales.
Read about the sights of Anadyr, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Blagoveshchensk, Birobidzhan, Yakutsk, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok.
Although traveling to Magadan on vacation may seem a little exotic, visiting this wonderful city is definitely worth it. The local nature has a unique charm, and the abundance of attractions guarantees exciting leisure time.
Memorial Museum-Apartment of V.A. Kozin
Among the people who inhabited Magadan in the past and present there are not many outstanding personalities. Therefore, the popular performer, composer and poet, who lived and died in Magadan, received special attention from residents and city authorities.
Here is his memorial museum-apartment, and next to the house there is a memorial. The memorial features a sculpture of Kozin. According to the architect's idea, the singer sits on a bench next to a residential building and holds a kitten in his arms.
Location: Shkolny Lane - 1, apt. 10.
Memorial to fallen aviators
A memorial to the fallen aviators was erected on the city embankment. This is practically an open-air museum, which featured several planes, tanks and other military equipment displayed simply in the middle of the sky. Children especially enjoyed walking near the memorial. However, due to the flood, which was caused by the overflow of the banks of the Magadanka River in 2014, the memorial was partially destroyed.
