Our look at noteworthy Russian cities rushes onward with six more veritable gems to round out our top 10. To recap our thesis statement here, there’s much more under Russia’s veil than Moscow and St. Petersburg. Sure, tourism for the most part is concentrated in these incredible, illustrious cities but it’s time to divert some attention towards the rest of the country. Russia’s a behemoth after all and with no less than 20 cities, other than the obvious big two, over the half million mark, there’s just too much out there to ignore.
Behold, the rest of Russia’s Overlooked Cities.
The fourth-largest city in Russia, Nizhny Novgorod tops out at 1.3 million people. Like many other towns outside of Moscow, the population has seen a slight decline in the past two decades. However, the city once known as Gorky, after the famous writer by the same name, is the cultural and economic pulse of the Volga-Vyatka region.
Nizhny Novgorod is among rare company indeed. It belongs to UNESCO’s list of 100 places that contain remarkable historical value. No surprise then that there’s much to digest here. From multiple theatres, concert halls, museums and parks, not to mention scores of architectural monuments, Nizhny Novgorod is a phenomenal city in which to escape for a few days.
The Republic of Tatarstan is one of the most attractive districts of Russia. Kazan is the capital and with a population of just over 1 million, is the heart of Tatar culture. At the confluence of two mythical rivers, the Volga and Kazanka, the city plays a hugely important role in the realms of industry, commerce and of course, culture.
If you want World Heritage Sites, Kazan has several. Start with the most arresting monument in the city, the citadel known as the Kremlin. The site contains some impressive structural features, some of which date back to the 10th century. Ivan the Terrible conquered the Kremlin in 1552 and overall, it remains the only Tatar fortress in Russia.
To the east of the Ural mountain range, Chelyabinsk is the municipal heart of the Chelyabinsk Oblast district. The city has a population of 1 million and one of major commercial centres of Russia. Metallurgy and machine-production are big business here and while not of particular importance for tourism, Chelyabinsk was known as “Tankograd” in World War II.
Today the city is a hub of higher education. Some of the most impressive buildings are in fact, on university campuses. Among them are South Ural State, Chelyabinsk State and the Institute of Culture and Arts. In addition, the city is chock full of music halls, museums, art galleries and theatres, all of which are incredibly well-supported by the citizenry.
Part of the Volga Federal District, Samara sits in the southeastern part of Russia. With a population of over 1.1 million, it’s one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Russia. Politically, economically and culturally, Samara occupies a unique position within the country. For tourism purposes, the city is a wonderful destination. Part resort town, part urban enclave, Samara is popular as the one of the most idyllic spots along the Volga River.
With long, hot summers, the riverbanks are a vibrant place to be for visitors and residents alike. Samara’s history goes back to the 16th century and while the city may not boast the grandiose landmarks that typify so many Russian towns, there’s still remarkable architecture to observe, beautiful parks and unique open-air markets. The nightlife in Samara also has quite the reputation among Russians.
On the shores of the Don River, Rostov-on-Don is a quaint little city in the Southern Federal District of Russia. With around 1 million people, the city was once the site of Greek, Genoese and Turkish occupants and in turn, has a long and complex history. Rostov’s former reputation as a chief industrial cog in the Soviet machine is going through a resurgence, as the city recovers from post-Communist-era neglect.
Now under a veritable renaissance because of young and intrepid entrepreneurs, as well as government intervention, Rostov-on-Don is once again a player. Known as “The Gates to the Caucasus”, the city offers an eclectic mish-mash of ancient and modern attractions for visitors to enjoy.
The most important city in central Russia, Yekaterinburg is also the fifth largest in terms of population. With over 1.3 million residents, it was known as Sverdlovsk in the Soviet era. The city was named in 1723 after Saint Catherine and over the years, has been the site of many dramatic events in Russia’s history. It was in Yekaterinburg where Czar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra and their five children were notoriously executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
In addition to the city’s historical significance, Yekaterinburg yields an abundance of cultural attractions as well. The city is recognized throughout Russia for excellent theatre. Some of the best companies are located here, with the Academic Ballet and Opera, Kolyada and Dramatic Theatre primary among them. The city is also a thriving hub for playwrights, actors and artists.
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