Top 5 places for outdoor dates in Kaluga

Kaluga was the New Year's capital of Russia for the winter 2020–2021. In winter, the city attracts tourists not only with its picturesque merchant streets and “cosmic” attractions, but also with the atmosphere of a New Year’s fairy tale. What to see in Kaluga in winter? The main “snowy” tourist sites are the residence of Kaluga Father Frost , Stary Torg Square and the pedestrian part of Teatralnaya Street . Fans of active recreation can go to country resorts and recreation centers who want to be culturally enlightened - to the museums and theaters of Kaluga. Detailed material about holidays in Kaluga in winter with photographs and reviews from tourists is below.

Photo: © Alyonka Yolka

Residence of Kaluga Father Frost

What to see in one day in winter in Kaluga? Start your route with the city's most New Year's attraction. , the residence of Father Frost opened in Kaluga for the winter holidays . In Kaluga, Father Frost “lives” in a wooden tower located in the City Park of Culture and Leisure . The room, unlike the tower of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug , is small. Inside there is a Christmas tree, a large throne of Santa Claus and a post office for letters to the winter wizard. The porch is festively decorated with fir branches and New Year's toys - it becomes one of the most popular places for photos in Kaluga in winter.

You can visit the Kaluga residence of Father Frost for free. The tower begins its work towards the end of December. You can go inside on weekends on a first-come, first-served basis; during the New Year holidays (January 2-4), the residence is open daily.

Details: Residence of Father Frost in Kaluga

Panoramic view of the City Park of Culture and Leisure in winter

What to do in Kaluga with children

Unfortunately, Kaluga cannot boast of good infrastructure for children. I have already written about children's theaters above. Kaluga Central Park is small in size, but there are a number of attractions there. It’s nice to take a walk in the park, offering panoramic views of the Oka River.

Author's advice

Anna

On hot summer days, one of the most favorite activities for children is swimming in the Tornado fountain. Don't forget to take swimsuits, swimming trunks and a change of clothes! The fountain is located near the monument to the 600th anniversary of Kaluga, popularly called the “ball”.

It will be interesting for children to visit the raccoon cafe “Mr. Raccoon”. There the kids will be able to see raccoons, hedgehogs, and play X-box. Details and discount coupon HERE.

Winter activities in Kaluga

The weather in Kaluga in winter is close to Moscow. Winters in Kaluga can be either snowless and warm, or frosty with plenty of precipitation. The average winter temperature is below zero, usually hovering around -5-7 degrees. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of -9 degrees. Relatively warm winters allow you to spend a lot of time outside. During this period, the city offers many outdoor activities.

In winter, several interactive platforms and city fairs are open in Kaluga. In addition to the City Park of Culture and Recreation, the main winter attractions for tourists and residents of Kaluga are Teatralnaya Square , Teatralnaya Street and Stary Torg Square . Concert and theatrical performances dedicated to the holidays are held on Theater Square. Teatralnaya Street is a popular place to take a walk in Kaluga in winter, both among local residents and tourists. It is called "Kaluga Arbat". During the New Year holidays, part of the festivities and festive events take place on Teatralnaya Street.

Theater Square Photo: © Natalya Danilovtseva

On New Year's Eve, Old Market Square becomes the center of city festivities. Festive fireworks and concert and entertainment programs are organized here. In the second half of December and during the New Year holidays, the “Christmas at the Old Market” fair is held on the square. At the fair you can try traditional New Year's sweets and drink mulled wine, buy handmade gifts and take part in outdoor games.

For the holiday period, another residence is opening in Kaluga - the Snow Queen . It is located on the territory of the Ambassador Hotel. Thematic entertainment is available in the area adjacent to the hotel - for example, Gerda's slide. During the holidays, the area hosts theatrical performances, master classes, competitions and sports games for the whole family. Entrance to the residence is free, but pre-registration is required to visit. If you go to Kaluga for 1 day in winter by car, then it’s worth stopping by to visit the Snow Queen. If you are exploring the city on foot, it is better not to waste time visiting this attraction.

On the territory of the Ambassador Hotel

Ice skating rinks are installed in almost all parks in the city. One of the largest is the skating rink on the Yachensky reservoir next to the boat station. An ice town is also opening on the Yachenskoye Reservoir: in 2020/2021 the theme of the town is space. The Virage skating rink in the courtyard of the Gostiny Ryad ensemble looks atmospheric

The best place for active winter recreation in Kaluga is considered to be the Kvan sports complex , located within the city limits. The length of the slope in the tubing park is 150 meters. The resort also has several ski slopes ranging in length from 140 to 530 meters. There is a Quantikov school for children. The ski complex is often included in the list of objects that are definitely worth seeing in 2 days in Kaluga in winter - after all, one of the slopes is equipped on the roof of the building. This is also a place where you can actively relax in Kaluga in winter without leaving the city. Another popular ski resort is located in the area not far from Obninsk - this is Obninsk Snow Park.

Slide at the Kwan sports complex

Attractions

What attractions of Kaluga in winter are worth seeing in one day? Start exploring the city with architectural sites. In winter, the sights of Kaluga look especially authentic and even fabulous. Of the notable buildings, it is worth seeing the rows of Gostiny Dvor . The ancient quarter in the historical center of the city consists of 14 buildings - they were erected by several architects at the end of the 18th century. This makes the facades of Kaluga Gostiny Dvor different from each other: one combines Baroque and Gothic motifs, the other resembles buildings of the pre-Petrine era. In the courtyard there is a fair of Kaluga craftsmen, where you can buy handmade goods with local flavor.

Rows of Gostiny Dvor Photo: © Natalya Danilovtseva

On Old Torg Square, near Gostiny Dvor, is the main temple of the city - the Trinity Cathedral . The supportless dome of the temple, 17 meters high, is the largest in Russia. Trinity Cathedral was founded in 1610 - at that time in its place there was a wooden cathedral church in the name of the life-giving Trinity. The stone temple was erected in 1818. Both the exterior and interior design of the cathedral are remarkable. The exterior of the Trinity Church is made with a combination of Empire and Classicism styles, and the interior features features of Old Russian and Byzantine decoration. The iconostasis was created by local woodcarvers.

Trinity Cathedral Photo: © Natalya Danilovtseva

One of the most beautiful churches in the city is the Church of Cosmas and Damian , made in the Baroque style. The elegantly decorated church is interesting not only from the outside - the inside walls are decorated with mosaics. It is also worth climbing the church bell tower and looking at the surroundings from above.

Among other temples and holy monasteries, it is worth visiting the Kazan Monastery . This is the oldest women's holy monastery of the Kaluga diocese. The monastery was founded at the beginning of the 17th century under Mikhail Romanov, but the first church was attributed only in 1629. The nuns who lived at the monastery were engaged in sewing and gold embroidery - they were considered one of the best craftswomen in the region. The stone cathedral was erected only at the end of the 19th century. The Kazan Cathedral was built in the Byzantine style with five chapters. The monastery was almost completely destroyed during the Great Patriotic War. Currently, the Kazan Cathedral is in disrepair.

Church of Cosmas and Damian Photo: © miljkovic14

The House of the Noble Assembly is one of the most remarkable buildings in the city. The house was built in the middle of the 19th century. Magnificent balls and exhibitions of Itinerant artists were held here. Also within the walls of the building an important historical event took place - the oath of allegiance to the Russian Tsar by Imam Shamil and his sons after the Caucasian War. Another outstanding architectural monument in Kaluga is the Makarov Chambers . Now this striking example of civil development of the 18th century is the oldest residential building in Kaluga. The chambers were built in 1728 for the schismatic Nikifor Makarov. The Makarov family owned the house until the 20th century. But the building is currently residential. The architectural style of the building is early baroque. The facade is decorated with the Tuscan order - in those days it was customary to decorate buildings with various architectural orders.

Makarov Chambers Photo: © Alyonka Yolka

The Stone Bridge is a viaduct that looks very unusual in the city. The bridge was built across the Berezuevsky ravine in the second half of the 18th century in the style of Russian classicism. The height of the Kaluga viaduct bridge is 20 meters, the length is 160 meters. The bridge supports are decorated with 15 arches.

Stone Bridge Photo: © Natalya Danilovtseva

It is also worth setting aside time to visit Victory Square . This is a memorial complex dedicated to the memory of Soviet soldiers. On the square there is a monument to the victorious people in the form of an obelisk 30 meters high. At the top of the obelisk there is a 7-meter statue of the Motherland, in whose hands is a ribbon (symbolizing the Oka River) and the first Soviet satellite. The memorial complex also includes the Eternal Flame, a monument to prisoners of fascist camps and a monument to Marshal Zhukov.

In detail: Sights of Kaluga

Victory Square Photo: © miljkovic14

Sights of Kaluga

Sights of Kaluga. The most important and interesting sights of Kaluga - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

• Last minute tours
  to Russia

• fabulous
  Kaluga, st. Academician Koroleva, 2

  the very best

  State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics

  fabulous

  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Academician Koroleva, 2

  The State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics named after K. E. Tsiolkovsky is rightfully one of the few reasons to buy tickets for the Kaluga-Moscow train. After all, the first stone of this museum was laid personally by Yuri Gagarin, but that’s not all, because other cosmonauts participated in the creation of the museum.

• Kaluga, st. Bazhenova, 2

  the very best

  Stone bridge in Kaluga

  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Bazhenova, 2

  This city attraction is the main one for Kaluga residents. Why? Because, as they tell gullible tourists, this is the only aqueduct of this size in Russia. And everyone believes. But stop and think: the word “aqueduct” has the root “aqua”, which means water must flow through it.

• Kaluga, st. Suvorova, 177/16

  the very best

  Church of Cosmas and Damian

  Kaluga, st. Suvorova, 177/16

  This church in Kaluga is almost impossible to miss: the beautiful baroque towers of an unusual round shape are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent. The beautiful building arose in 1794 on the site of an old one that burned down in a fire. In the inventories of 1626 and 1685, the church was mentioned a little differently.

• Kaluga region, p. Avchurino

  Avchurino

  Kaluga region, p.
  Avchurino Oka has long served as a fortified area on the approaches to the Moscow Principality. One of the defensive sectors was commanded by a certain Vasily Ovtsa, and his slightly distorted nickname was fixed in the name of the village of Avchurino.

• Kaluga, buildings along the street. Lenin

  Gostiny Dvor Kaluga

  Kaluga, buildings along the street.
  Lenin Kaluga Gostiny Dvor is an ancient architectural complex consisting of 14 buildings and occupying an entire block in the city center. It was erected at the end of the 18th century by several architects: each of them brought their own style to the design of the building - all the facades of Gostiny Dvor are different from each other.

• Kaluga, st. Karl Marx, 1

  House of the Noble Assembly in Kaluga

  Kaluga, st.
  Karl Marx, 1 Two years after the end of the Caucasian War, which lasted 160 years, in 1866, in the two-story hall of the House of the Noble Assembly in Kaluga, Imam Shamil, together with his sons, took the oath of allegiance to the Russian Tsar. A beautiful building in a classical style was perfect for this event.

• Kaluga, st. Moskovskaya, 62

  House-Museum of A. L. Chizhevsky

  Kaluga, st.
  Moskovskaya, 62 Not everyone knows, but the famous scientist, artist and poet Alexander Leonidovich Chizhevsky made his first significant steps in the field of biophysics, aeroionification and some other fields of science in Kaluga.

• fabulous

  Kaluga, st. Tsiolkovsky, 79

  Tsiolkovsky House-Museum

  great
  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Tsiolkovsky, 79

  In the house where the scientist’s museum is now open, K. E. Tsiolkovsky lived with his family for almost 30 years and wrote the main works on aviation and astronautics. In 1904, when Konstantin Eduardovich bought it, the house stood on the very edge of the city and was much smaller - with only one living room.

• Kaluga, st. Darvina, 13/33

  Kazan Monastery in Kaluga

  Kaluga, st.
  Darvina, 13/33 The Kazan convent in Kaluga has experienced many turmoil over the many years of its existence. Its history is rich in events, most of which cannot be called positive: it was abolished, closed, set on fire.

• Kaluga, st. Pushkina, 4

  Kaluga Museum of Local Lore

  Kaluga, st.
  Pushkina, 4 The history of Kaluga and the Kaluga region in all its details can be learned and studied in the Kaluga Regional Museum of Local Lore. It is located in an old merchant mansion from the early 19th century and is one of the oldest museums in Russia.

• Kaluga, st. Lenina, 104

  Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts

  Kaluga, st.
  Lenina, 104 The regional art museum in Kaluga opened immediately after the revolution of 1917: it presented a collection of art objects collected by the local doctor N. I. Vasiliev and transferred by him to the city. Subsequently, the Soviet government nationalized many estates.

  Read also:  Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. City and port on the edge of the world (33 photos)
• fabulous

  Kaluga, st. Kirova, 31

  Kaluga Puppet Theater

  great
  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Kirova, 31

  In 1992, Kaluga was visited by “The Little Fairy,” written by Croatian puppeteer Vojmil Rabadan. A group of enthusiastic actors from a local drama troupe staged this good fairy tale on a small stage and a miracle happened - the Kaluga Puppet Theater was born.

• Kaluga, st. Shirokaya, 49

  Laurentian Monastery in Kaluga

  Kaluga, st.
  Shirokaya, 49 St. Lawrence of Kaluga is depicted on icons with a battle ax on his shoulder. Life reports that he was a holy fool, lived in a hut near the Yachenka River, and, as usual, walked barefoot and in only a shirt in winter. In 1512, the Krymchaks attacked the city and almost defeated the princely squad.

• fabulous

  Kaluga, per. Grigorov, 9

  Museum of Folk Art "House of Masters"

  great
  1 review

  Kaluga, per. Grigorov, 9

  At the end of the 19th century, a building was built in Kaluga, and already in 1890 the estate was the home of Prince V.D. Volkonsky. At the beginning of the 20th century, the house was purchased by two merchants - D. I. and G. I. Slesarev. They rebuilt it, created new parts, and also added beautiful wood carvings.

• fabulous

  Kaluga, st. Kirova, 45/16

  Museum of Craft, Architecture and Life in Kaluga

  great
  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Kirova, 45/16

  There is a unique Museum of Crafts, Architecture and Life in Kaluga. It is unique primarily because it is located in the only house in the city with a preserved 19th-century attic. And secondly, the fact that most of its exhibits are not covered with glass, but are accessible to guests.

• Fine

  Kaluga region, Dzerzhinsky district, pos. Linen plant, st. Trudovaya, 1-a.

  Museum-estate "Polotnyany Zavod"

  good
  2 reviews

  Kaluga region, Dzerzhinsky district, pos. Linen plant, st. Trudovaya, 1-a.

  Here we have that rare case when the name of an attraction can confuse even the most experienced tourist: an old manorial estate near the quiet Sukhodrev River, the Goncharov Museum with original paintings and furnishings, and Pushkin Readings.

• Kaluga, st. Nikolo-Kozinskaya, 33

  Nikolo-Kozinskaya Church of Kaluga

  Kaluga, st.
  Nikolo-Kozinskaya, 33 The last one-story houses of the Kaluga suburb of Kozya Slobodka surround the majestic temple behind the main building of Kaluga University. Soon they too will give way to new development, but the Nikolo-Kozinsky Church is not in danger of destruction; it will spread its bright aura around.

• Kaluga, st. Plekhanova, 88

  Korobov Chambers

  Kaluga, st.
  Plekhanov, 88 Kaluga has been famous since ancient times as a city of merchants. The merchants had the best houses here, and temples were built with their money. One of the Kaluga merchant families built the Korobov house; its construction dates back to the second half of the 17th century. The merchant who built the chambers was a very successful businessman.

• Kaluga, st. Pushkina, 16

  Makarov Chambers

  Kaluga, st.
  Pushkina, 16 The Makarov Chambers in Kaluga are one of the famous monuments of the city and a striking example of civil architecture of the 18th century. They were built in 1728 by order of the schismatic Nikifor Makarov not far from the Berezuisky ravine. The building belonged to the Makarov family until the beginning of the 20th century.

• fabulous

  Kaluga, st. Queen, 2

  Planetarium in Kaluga

  great
  1 review

  Kaluga, st. Queen, 2

  People from all over Russia come to Kaluga to admire the stars. Here they are brighter, closer and clearer, and all thanks to the Museum of the History of Cosmonautics. K.E. Tsiolkovsky and, in particular, the planetarium located on its southern side.

• 1
• Next pageNext

There is a small town very close to Moscow, whose name is immediately associated with astronautics.
It's called Kaluga. This city is famous not only for the fact that it is one of the best options for a “weekend trip”, and can be reached from the Kievsky railway station on the Moscow-Kaluga express train, but also for the fact that it is here that one of the real wonders of engineering is located - Kamenniy bridge. Do not miss it under any circumstances, as it is created in the likeness of Roman aqueducts. Believe me, the best time to visit Kaluga and sightseeing is summer. When it's autumn or spring, Kaluga suddenly becomes Venice. No bridges.

Novak Anastasia Anatolevna

The main attraction of Kaluga, of course, is the State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics. It often hosts various educational excursions for children and their parents, and on Museum Night the entire population of the city comes here. The main feature is the rockets displayed in the courtyard of the museum.

But few people know that in Kaluga you can also get acquainted with the work of masters of the Kaluga region. To do this, you should look for the famous “House of Masters”. Here you can not only see how they weave from bast or work on a potter's wheel, but also take a live part in the process at a master class and listen to the ensemble.

Another well-known to residents, but also not a very official architectural monument in Kaluga, is the Korobov Chambers. At the moment, they have become a branch of the local history museum. The Church of Cosmas and Damian offers a look at the Russian Baroque style far from St. Petersburg.

In Kaluga you can easily buy souvenirs for everyone, since the prices here are strikingly different from Moscow, downward. All kinds of themed magnets, toys and honey are popular.

Museums

Where to go in Kaluga in winter in bad weather? Visiting Kaluga museums is an important part of the excursion program. The main museum of the city is the State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics . The Tsiolkovsky Museum of Cosmonautics is considered the place where the history of aeronautics and space exploration is most widely and thoroughly narrated. This is first on the list of recommendations for what to see in Kaluga in 1 day in winter and at any other time of the year. The main fund of the museum contains about 40 thousand exhibits. The museum was created with the participation of Yuri Gagarin and Sergei Korolev. The exhibition presents equipment designed according to Tsiolkovsky’s ideas, elements of astronaut equipment, real rocket and space technology, and models of space stations. The museum includes the Kaluga Planetarium. The technical equipment of the planetarium allows you to see the Earth as it is seen by astronauts in orbit, and also to be seen close to the planets of the solar system. A new, more spacious museum building with a cinema hall will soon open.

Museum of Cosmonautics Photo: © Maksim Starostin

The space theme can be continued at the Tsiolkovsky House Museum . Tsiolkovsky lived in this wooden house for 30 years and it was here that he wrote his main works on cosmonautics and aviation. Inside, the furnishings of a pre-revolutionary house have been recreated; in the workshop you can see lathes and corrugating machines; a telescope is installed on the roof of the barn.

Tsiolkovsky House Museum Photo: © Maksim Starostin

In the Kaluga Fine Art Museum, not only the collection of paintings is interesting, but also the building itself. The fine art museum is located in the former Bilibin estate of the 19th century, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Kaluga. The museum exhibits paintings by Savrasov, Aivazovsky, Levitan, Vasnetsov and other Russian painters. Of particular pride is the collection of works by the artist Yaroshenko, which were painted in the Pavlishchev Bor estate in the Kaluga province.

Local flavor is reflected in the Museum of Crafts, Architecture and Life . The museum is located in a house with an attic from the 19th century - the only one preserved in the city from that century. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the creations of folk craftsmen, the other to small architectural forms (mainly made of wood and clay). There is also an exhibition telling about the life of Kaluga residents - from the time of the city’s founding to the present. You can learn about the merchant past of Kaluga at the Korobov Chamber Museum . The museum is located inside the only monument of ancient Russian architecture in Kaluga. Inside you can see the merchants' utility rooms, including the hiding place where valuable furs were kept.

More details: Museums of Kaluga

Korobov Chambers Photo: © Tatyana Lisker

Vacation with children

In winter, Kaluga and the Kaluga region have a large selection of entertainment for family holidays. The most popular places for families with children in Kaluga in winter are petting zoos and nurseries. The top most popular options for places to go in winter in Kaluga with children include the Biosphere Zoo . It is located on the right bank of the Oka. On an area of ​​5 hectares, animals walk in the open air as if in their usual habitat. Visitors will see not only deer, camels and llamas, but also kangaroos. Kids especially like the white kangaroo Plombir. In the Zhukovsky district there is a bird park "Sparrows" , which is considered one of the best in Russia. The park contains more than 200 species of birds from different countries - from exotic raptors to domestic and waterfowl. The park also has a small farm, a terrarium and a butterfly pavilion.

Bird Park “Sparrows” Photo: © Marina Levchenkova

Not far from the city there is a nature reserve "Kaluzhskie Zaseki" . In the reserve, visitors will get acquainted with bison. It is recommended to visit the reserve in winter—during this period, you are most likely to encounter a herd of bison in the forest and take photographs from a short distance. Also on the territory of the reserve there are moose, roe deer, and wild boars. Walks are carried out along equipped eco-paths. Kaluga Zaseki is one of the most interesting attractions in Kaluga for children in winter.

“Father Frost’s Dacha opens at the Goncharovs’ estate-museum “Potnyany Zavod . A quest called “Visiting Santa Claus at the dacha” is organized for guests. A fabulous journey on the map starts from the station “U Baba Yaga” and passes through many interesting places in the surrounding area.

Where to go for a walk in Kaluga with children in winter? The city's parks look fabulous during this period. Visit not only the City Park of Culture and Recreation, but also other walking areas. In Kaluga Bor you can see relict pine trees and meet moose. In Tsiolkovsky Park you can get acquainted with the history of Russian cosmonautics.

The winter weather in Kaluga is not always favorable for long tourist walks. During snowfall or on frosty days, you can take your children to a master class in handicrafts or folk crafts. The best place to practice handmade crafts is the House of Masters . It is located in an authentic wooden tower. Here children can learn wood carving or sew a doll-amulet. The House of Masters works as an interactive museum - if you don’t want to take part in master classes, you can get acquainted with the exhibition: ancient weaving looms and folk art products.

House of Masters Photo: © Alyonka Yolka

What else to see in Kaluga with children in winter? Go to one of the theaters. The puppet theater's repertoire is aimed at viewers aged 4 years and older. During the winter months, the theater offers performances of your favorite fairy tales. With school-age children you can visit the theater for young spectators .

Stories, routes and tips from tourists with photos

You will find unusual options for what to see in Kaluga in winter from the attractions in the reviews of tourists. Travelers share their options for routes around the city and the Kaluga region in winter. Tourists publish photographs of the most beautiful places in Kaluga in winter - you will see realistic pictures of the city in winter. In tourist reports you can find recommendations for restaurants and cafes in the city, as well as original ideas for spending your leisure time. Travelers describe entertainment in Kaluga in winter for different types of vacationers. In reviews of Kaluga in winter you can also find descriptions of the weather in different months.

• The story “Kaluga is the New Year’s capital of Russia 2020/21” from Alyonka Yolka.
• Photo album “Winter Kaluga, 10 years ago” from Maxim Starostin.
• Photo album “Museum of the History of Cosmonautics in Kaluga” from Konstantin.
• Review of “The Cradle of Russian Cosmonautics” from Maria Chakhnashvili.

All tourist reviews about trips to Kaluga

In the Museum of Cosmonautics Photo: © Alyonka Yolka

Where to stay in Kaluga

Getting to know Kaluga may take more than one day, and such a thorough traveler will find a good range of accommodation. Using search engine filters, you can select it by any parameters. For example, in Kaluga, there are options with a swimming pool or spa center, spacious family rooms, the ability to accommodate a pet, and more.

Most places of residence are located on the left bank of the city. Guests can choose from neat local hotels with or without stars, stylish chain hotels Four Points by Sheraton, Hilton and Best Western with 3–4 stars, or apartments of varying degrees of comfort where you can feel at home. The accessibility and modernity of Kaluga hostels will be appreciated, first of all, by the youngest tourists.

• Kaluga Hotels
• Hostels for Budget Travelers
• Flats and apartments

Let us remind you about cashback when booking accommodation with Booking.com: Cashback promotion for Tourist. RU

Railway station in Kaluga Photo: © Maksim Starostin

Top 5 places for outdoor dates in Kaluga

During the coronavirus pandemic and the introduction of QR codes, the safest thing to do is to take walks in the fresh air, armed with a warm blanket, picnic chairs or pillows, and brew tea or aromatic coffee in a thermos. KN prepared 5 excellent places for a first or second date, the places were chosen on the principle of non-triviality, and even if they are not so popular among Kaluga residents, they are no less interesting and picturesque.

Taking a walk in a city park with a lady is a rather banal idea, but you can show your imagination and go for a walk together in a less popular, but no less picturesque place and make the date special. A little imagination plus warm clothes or a cozy blanket - and you can spend the sunset together or take an early morning walk in the fresh air.

1. Lake “Heart”, or “Aleshkin Pond”

This location can be easily reached by car or public transport, and then walk a little using the navigator. It is located not far from the Koshelev microdistrict; moreover, standard houses are already visible on the other side of the hill.

The lake has the shape of a heart; in its middle there is a small island with two picturesque trees. Now, while it is freezing, there is a rather convenient descent here. Near the lake you can admire the autumn nature or the reflection of the sun on the surface of the water, or watch the sunset together. In the morning, from the bright sun, the water takes on a bright blue color.

The only negative of this place is that it is located directly in the private sector, next to houses. However, if you go deeper, you won’t be an eyesore for the locals.

2. Pontoon bridge area

Despite the fact that the pontoon bridge has already been removed for the winter, you can really have an interesting time near the Oka. Watch the water play in the sun and feed the local ducks or take a walk along the shore.

Take a blanket, comfortable chairs or seats with you, or drive up to the slope directly in your car and admire the wonderful ducks that have chosen this cozy place.

It is best to feed ducks with cereals, special feed or bran. You can watch ducks endlessly, and they eat with great appetite in preparation for winter. But, nevertheless, it is better not to overfeed animals.

3. Slope near the park

Perhaps the most romantic place to watch sunsets. Here you can clearly see the Gagarinsky Bridge, the Oka River and part of the right bank.

Almost the entire landscape is occupied by the sky burning at sunset and the sun reflected in the water. You can take a blanket and pillows with you, pour hot tea into a thermos and, sitting directly on the slope, admire the sunset.

In summer, you can even sunbathe here and take beautiful photos in the recognizable city landscape.

4. Pukhovsky Pond

Another of the most romantic places where couples can gather is Pukhovsky Pond. There are benches and a rather nice bridge. You can easily get here by public transport.

In warmer weather, you can see ducks here, which, as already mentioned, you can look at endlessly.

From here you can see a beautiful view of the ancient temple and fallen autumn trees. There is a place for walking and for the two of you to sit comfortably on a bench and read Blok’s poems to your beloved.

5. Komsomolskaya Grove

This place is created for walks in the morning, afternoon and evening. Various trees grow here, including pine trees, and it is generally easier to breathe here than in the city.

This location is simply created for long romantic walks. You can walk around the grove for quite a long time; there are also benches and even sports equipment here.

This place is loved by active residents of our city and dog owners.

Here you can, for example, take your dog with you, let it off the leash and play with it together with your beloved - this can be quite an interesting activity.

In winter, you can ski here or admire the white snow.

If you don’t have a dog, you can walk together, admiring the local scenery and enjoying the fresh air.

In addition to people, tits, bullfinches and woodpeckers gather here. You can feed the birds cereal or add food to them in carefully made feeders.

What places for outdoor dates in Kaluga do you know?

Photo: KN

Excursions from Kaluga

What to do in Kaluga in winter when you have seen all the main attractions? If you have free time, you should go on a trip to the Kaluga region. The region has interesting historical cities, holy monasteries with centuries-old history, and unusual parks. What to see near Kaluga in winter? Top most popular options for trips for 1–2 days:

• Cities of the Kaluga region . The city of Kozelsk is considered the most interesting for tourists. It was founded by the Vyatichi Slavs 10 centuries ago. The city was burned twice by the Tatar-Mongols, so its sights date back to later centuries. Basically, these are stone mansions of merchants and churches of the 18th–19th centuries. In Borovsk, the main attraction is the Intercession Monastery , founded in 1444, and modern wall paintings are also interesting. A Vyatichi settlement has been preserved in Maloyaroslavets . And Tarusa is notable for its provincial charm of the 19th century - the city has perfectly preserved the buildings of that time.
• Holy monasteries . On Kaluga land there are many monasteries that were built in different historical periods. You can arrange a thematic tour of the holy monasteries or visit at least a couple of famous monasteries in the region. Optina Pustyn is the most famous monastery in the Kaluga region. It was founded at the end of the 14th century. People come to the holy monastery not only to inspect the churches, but also to venerate the relics of the venerable Optina elders. The Shamordino Monastery is notable for its architectural appearance in a fairy-tale Russian style: the 15-domed cathedral resembles the helmets of Russian knights. Tikhonova Hermitage was founded in the 15th century. This holy monastery is visited together with the diorama museum “The Great Stand on the Ugra” .
• Parks of the Kaluga region . There are several unusual parks in the region, which have no analogues in Russia. The most famous is the art park in the village of Nikola-Lenivets . Open-air, on an area of ​​650 hectares, works of modern art and architecture are located. Festivals are often held here; in winter, Maslenitsa is especially celebrated with large-scale burning of wooden art objects. In the ethnographic park "Ethnomir" on an area of ​​140 hectares, the architectural and cultural features of different peoples are reproduced. The park has museums, themed hotels and restaurants with authentic cuisines from different regions. The Ugra National Park is rich not only in the natural beauty of forests and three rivers, but also in archaeological sites, medieval buildings and buildings of later centuries.

Art park in Nikola-Lenivets Photo: © Juliette17

To travel around the Kaluga region, you can choose one of the ready-made routes. For example, the route “The Last Meeting with the Horde” is dedicated to the battle on the Ugra. During the day, tourists will visit the Poklonny Cross, the diorama museum “The Great Stand on the Ugra”, St. Tikhon’s Hermitage, a memorial in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Great Stand on the Ugra River , a medieval settlement in the village of Vorotynsk, and the monastery of the Savior on the Ugra .

Kaluga historical

The formation of the modern architectural appearance of the historical part of the city took place at the end of the 18th century, when Empress Catherine II visited Kaluga and established a governorship here. She also approved the master plan for the development of the city. During this period, under the leadership of architects Nikitin, Bazhenov and Yasnygin, the main architectural structures were built:

• Seating rows,
• A stone bridge,
• Offices
• Trinity Cathedral and others.

For more detailed information, read my article Walking around old Kaluga or the “Historical Kaluga” tour.

Museum of Local Lore

The Kaluga Local History Museum consists of 4 buildings:

• Zolotarev's estate is the main composition;
• Bilibin's house (Shamil's house). In the 19th century, the captive Imam of Dagestan Shamil lived in the building. Now there is an exhibition there, mainly dedicated to the 1st World War.
• Chambers of Korobovs. A unique building of the 17th century, one of the symbols of Kaluga. Mostly temporary exhibitions are located there.
• Batenkov's house. Here the Decembrist Batenkov lived after returning from exile. The exhibition is dedicated to the Decembrists in Kaluga.

Unfortunately, the exhibition of the local history museum is not very interesting, however, you can admire the ancient interiors and gain information about the history of the Kaluga region. Museum website

Advice from the author

Anna

Ask a Question

To feel the spirit of ancient merchant Kaluga, walk along Voskresenskaya Street

Flights to Kaluga (round trip price):

Other museums in Kaluga

• The Art Museum is worth visiting. Although it is small, it contains quite interesting works, including a painting by Rembrandt and paintings by the Wanderers. Branch - Alexey Zelya Glass Museum - very beautiful glass works.
• Museum of Crafts. This is a free open-air exhibition. Address: st. Kirova, 45.

• House of Masters. The exhibition is dedicated to crafts, and master classes are held. Interesting, first of all. the building itself is a monument of wooden architecture.

See excursions around Kaluga HERE.