What to see in Nizhny Novgorod this winter? 5 particularly atmospheric places

Pro-Visioni president, Vinogradov.story kogukonna autor

“Nizhny Novgorod is a great destination for those who want to find themselves in a winter fairy tale. The snow-covered Kremlin towers and fanciful centuries-old buildings resemble either the paintings of Russian painters or a castle from a movie about young wizards. In this selection, I’ve gathered five atmospheric places worth seeing in Nizhny Novgorod in winter.”

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

The Kremlin was founded in the XVI century on a picturesque bank at the confluence of two rivers – the Volga and the Oka. Over the centuries, the fortress was repeatedly besieged by enemies, but was never taken. It is the only Kremlin of the country, on the territory of which never once set foot of the enemy.

Today the gates are open for everyone who wants to touch history and culture. Now in the Kremlin there are exhibitions devoted to the city, ceramics and Nizhny Novgorod militia of 1612. You can join a tour or walk along the walls and towers on your own.

By the way, next to St. George’s Tower, the monumental Chkalovskaya Staircase, built in the form of a figure eight, begins. It offers a magnificent panorama of the confluence of rivers, and if you go down, you will see the recently renovated embankment. I advise you to visit the staircase in the evening – the illumination makes it incredible.

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Bolshaya Pokrovka Street

This pedestrian street is called “Nizhny Novgorod Arbat”, the heart and soul of the city. For two and a half centuries it has been considered the main street in Nizhny. Stretching for two kilometers, it “strung” a lot of sights and historical monuments. I recommend to walk along it taking your time, looking at statues and facades, looking into the courtyards.

Start your route from the Kremlin and the quaint gingerbread building of the City Duma. Pay attention to the Drama Theater, surrounded by two cozy squares, admire the old profitable houses, take a tour in one of the museums, buy souvenirs, relax in a coffee shop. The route will end at the Gorky Square, where the main New Year’s tree of the city now stands.

Drama Theater

State Bank

Walking along Bolshaya Pokrovka, you will certainly notice a majestic white stone clad castle with round towers, green roof and double doors with golden eagles. It is the building of the State Bank in the Neo-Russian style. It was built at the beginning of the last century for the 300th anniversary of the Romanov House.

Today you can visit it free of charge with a guided tour (but you need a preliminary appointment and a passport). Inside you will find a grand marble staircase, walls and ceilings painted according to the sketches of Ivan Bilibin, as well as expositions devoted to the history of money from the period of the Old Russian principalities to the present day.

State Bank

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This church rightfully bears the title of the most beautiful church in Nizhny Novgorod and resembles a fancifully painted casket that conceals a lot of treasures, legends and amazing stories. It was built on the money of Count Grigory Stroganov in 1719 and closed by Peter the Great three years later. According to one version, the emperor was angry that the faces of the saints on the iconostasis were copied from Stroganov, according to another – that he saw in the church icons that he personally ordered for the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Either way, after the emperor’s death, the church was reopened to parishioners. However, mystical, scandalous and even detective stories did not end there. For example, in 2004 the icon “Resurrection of Christ” was stolen from the church and sold to an Estonian collector for $ 150 thousand. After a while he found it in the catalog of stolen works and returned it to his homeland. In general, this church is definitely worth a guided tour.

Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum

If for you traveling is inseparable from the contemplation of the beautiful, then visit this museum (by the way, one of the oldest in Russia). It exhibits paintings by Repin, Shishkin, Roerich, Bryullov and Levitan, which are recognized as masterpieces of painting and rarely leave the walls of the Nizhny Novgorod museum.

Now it occupies three buildings, the central of which is considered to be the House of the Military Governor. However, this was not always the case. During its two-century history, the art museum moved several times and for some time was located in the Rukavishnikov Estate, another must-see attraction of the city.

Rukavishnikov Manor

The mansion was built in 1875-1877 for the family of a local merchant. It is worth visiting to enjoy the luxurious and intricate interiors (reminiscent of St. Petersburg palaces), to learn the history of the city, to plunge into the culture and life of the XIX century. In addition, the museum often hosts classical music concerts.