Top 25 Attractions in Kaluga

Kaluga occupies one of the first places among the attractive and promising tourist destinations in Central Russia. This is an interesting city with many temples of the 17th-18th centuries, urban noble mansions, former merchants' chambers converted into museums, and a charming homely atmosphere.

Kaluga is the birthplace of Russian cosmonautics, the famous Konstantin Tsiolkovsky lived and worked here. His name is immortalized in the names of many city objects. Tourists will undoubtedly be interested in the exciting expositions of the Museum of the History of Cosmonautics, as well as the collection of the scientist's memorial house-museum. Event and ecotourism is well developed in the Kaluga region. People flock here to participate in holidays, festivals and to relax in the bosom of nature.

What to see and where to go in Kaluga?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Museum of the History of Cosmonautics named after K. E. Tsiolkovsky

The largest museum on the territory of our country (according to some sources - all over the world), dedicated to the exploration of outer space. The museum was organized in 1967 with the direct participation of the first cosmonaut Y. Gagarin and the greatest scientist S. Korolev. Among the famous exhibits are a model of the main module of the Mir orbital station, authentic parts of the Vostok spacecraft, and a collection of rocket engines.

A stone bridge

Construction of the late XVIII century, the largest viaduct in Russia. It was built according to the project of P. Nikitin in the style of Russian classicism. Until the 19th century, trading shops were located on the surface. The bridge is 100 meters long and 23 meters high. The structure consists of 15 arches. The viaduct has always served as a busy transport artery; in 2010, a complete reconstruction of a somewhat dilapidated building was carried out.

Presences

Offices - a collective name for a group of buildings of the late XVIII - early XIX centuries, located in the administrative center of the city. The structures were erected by order of the governor M. Krechetnikov. The architect P. Nikitin worked on the project. Separate buildings of the complex are connected to each other with the help of arched ceilings. The architectural ensemble of the Presences looks quite opulent compared to the more relaxed style of the surrounding buildings.

Gostiny Dvor

Another creation of Pyotr Nikitin, who worked hard on the architectural appearance of Kaluga. The construction of Gostiny Ryads was carried out between 1784 and 1823. in classical style with decorative elements of ancient Russian architecture. Gostiny Dvor is one of the most picturesque sights of the city; N. Gogol liked to visit here. The complex has the status of a monument of federal significance.

Kirova street

The central street of Kaluga, where the main sights are concentrated and picturesque historical buildings of the past centuries are located. Former mansions are now occupied by offices, shops, administrative offices, restaurants, galleries. Earlier, during the heyday of the merchants, this street was called Sennaya, as carts loaded with hay drove along it towards the square.

Kaluga Regional Drama Theater

The founding date of the city theater of Kaluga is 1777. The stage was established thanks to the governor of the city M. Krechetnikov, who was a great admirer of art. At first, performances were given in a former hangar; an independent building appeared in the 1920s. XIX century. The first building burned down completely, the next, built in 1843, was also destroyed by fire, and the third building was bombed in 1941. The construction of 1958 has survived to this day.

Kaluga Regional Museum of Local Lore

The museum was opened at the end of the 19th century in the chambers of commerce of merchants Korobovs. This building belongs to the architectural monuments of the XVII century. In the early years, he worked only two days a week, and there were few pieces in the collection. In 1922, the estate of Zolotarev was transferred to the museum. This is a picturesque mansion with well-preserved architectural details of past centuries, wrought iron gates and classical bas-reliefs.

Kaluga Museum of Fine Arts

The museum is the same age as the October Revolution of 1917. In 2014, the Kaluga Regional Art Museum was merged with the Obraz Gallery, and this is how the modern collection appeared. The collection is housed in a 19th-century city estate built in the Empire style. Previously, the mansion belonged to the Bilibin-Chistokletov family. The exposition is based on the private collection of a local doctor, philanthropist I. Vasiliev.

House-Museum of K. E. Tsiolkovsky

The house where the outstanding Russian scientist and space explorer K. Tsiolkovsky lived for 29 years. Many of his works on aviation, the properties of jet propulsion and astronautics were written here. Konstantin Eduardovich purchased this house in 1904. A year after the death of the scientist, a memorial museum was opened on the territory of the building. The exposition is designed to acquaint visitors with the invaluable heritage of K. Tsiolkovsky.

House-Museum of A. L. Chizhevsky

The museum was opened in 2010. on the territory of the house where the Chizhevsky family used to live. One of its representatives, A. Chizhevsky, was a prominent biophysicist. During his life in Kaluga, he wrote many fundamental works. The building is located on Moskovskaya street. It looks like an ordinary, unremarkable mansion, consisting of two floors. Before the opening of the museum, various organizations were located on its territory.

House of Masters

A small club-museum located in a wooden house of the middle of the 19th century. For several years, the Volkonsky princely family owned the building. At the beginning of the 20th century, the mansion was rebuilt by the new owners, and carved decorative elements were also added. The museum was opened in 1990 after the restoration of the building. The exposition consists of handicrafts and arts and crafts.

Chambers of Merchants Korobovs

One of the main attractions of Kaluga, a picturesque example of architecture stylized as Old Russian architecture. The building dates back to the 17th century. The first owner of the building was the zemstvo elder, merchant K. Korobov. The building passed to the state at the end of the 19th century, at the same time the Historical Museum was opened on its territory. The chambers became part of the Museum of Local Lore in 1997.

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

At the beginning of the 17th century, stone churches were practically not built in the Russian state, so the first church in honor of the Life-Giving Trinity was built of wood. Near the entrance to the temple was the grave of False Dmitry II. At the end of the 17th century, the construction of a stone cathedral began on the site of a dilapidated building. The modern building, which has survived to this day, dates from 1819.

Church of Cosmas and Damian

An elegant five-domed temple built in 1794, built according to the project of one of the students of the master V. Rastrelli. The outer walls of the building are decorated with mosaics depicting the deeds of George the Victorious and Nicholas the Wonderworker. Until 1917, the Church of Cosmas and Damian was considered the richest church in Kaluga, but in Soviet times the building became very dilapidated. In 1992 it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God

An architectural monument of the late 17th century, built in the classical style of Russian architecture. The church has five domes topped with gilded crosses and a white and blue stone façade. The temple was open until the 1930s, later it was converted into a concert hall. After the return of the ROC building in 1994, it was re-consecrated and restoration work began to restore its historical appearance.

St. George's Cathedral

A two-story cathedral with a cone-shaped bell tower in the "Moscow baroque" style, built with the assistance of the city headman I. Korobov at the beginning of the 18th century. The building has been well preserved, now tourists can admire the original building and exterior decoration. St. George's Cathedral was the cathedral in the period 1926 - 1999. Since the middle of the 20th century, it has been included in the list of regional architectural monuments.

Temple of John the Baptist

The temple stands out among other Kaluga cathedrals with its bright and festive painting. It is one of the most picturesque examples of urban temple architecture. The stone building was built in 1735, but it almost completely burned down during a fire in 1754, after which a new temple was built. In the 60s. In the 20th century, the building was classified as an architectural monument. In 2007, the Church of John the Baptist was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Shamorda Monastery

The official name of the monastery is Kazanskaya Amvrosievskaya Hermitage. This is a functioning convent located near the village of Shamordino. Previously, a women's community functioned on the site of the monastery. The first abbess was Sophia Bolotova (schema-nun Sophia), a well-known and revered mother in the Orthodox environment. The heyday of the monastery came at the beginning of the 20th century. By 1918, several hundred sisters lived here, a hospital, an orphanage and sketes were operating.

Square of victory

The square is a memorial complex, which includes an obelisk, a fountain, an eternal flame and a granite wall. Architectural objects began to be erected after the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Victory in 1966. In the 70s. on top of the obelisk, a figure of a woman appeared, symbolizing the Motherland. In her hands she holds an artificial satellite of the Earth and a ribbon, which is the image of the Oka River. In 2014, the restoration of objects located on the square was carried out.

Peace Square

City square, opening the entrance to the "cosmic Kaluga" - that part of the city, which is inextricably linked with the name of K. Tsiolkovsky. In the middle of the Square of the World stands a monument to this great scientist, set against the backdrop of a rocket rushing into the sky. During the Russian Empire, the square was called Sennaya. On market days, it was full of loaded wagons; fodder and hay were traded here.

Monument to the 600th anniversary of Kaluga

The monument-symbol was erected in 1977, in honor of the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the city. It is located at the main entrance to Kaluga near the bridge across the Oka. The monument is a sculptural group consisting of a vertical column with a three-dimensional image of Gagarin, a metal ball lying at the foot, and a marble slab with the profile of Tsiolkovsky. The seven hundred kilogram sphere symbolizes the planet Earth.

Park named after K. E. Tsiolkovsky

The city park, on the territory of which the scientist himself once liked to walk (his grave is also located here). The park is a favorite place for recreation of citizens. Its history began in the 18th century with a linden alley, planted in accordance with the traditions of the then fashionable English landscape art. In 1899, the square was renamed in honor of A.S. Pushkin. On the territory of the park there is a sculpture by N. Gogol.

Park of Culture and Leisure

The green spaces of the park are located on the site of the ancient fortress walls of the 16th century. This space is of great natural value, as lindens, oaks and poplars grow here, whose age is more than one hundred years. Also in the park there are century-old maples, spruces, pines and firs. The oldest plant is a 600-year-old oak. This tree is classified as a specially protected natural monument.

Square "Golden Alley"

A linden alley stretching along K. Marx Street, crossing Bazhenov Street and smoothly turning into Pushkin Square. The alley was planted in the 19th century under the mayor P. Kaverin. Previously, the place was often called the Silver or Big Alley. A bust of A. Pushkin is installed at one end, and the building of the local Nobility Assembly is located at the other. Along the alley there are several historical buildings - architectural monuments.

Yachen reservoir

An artificial reservoir created in 1980. The locals called it the "Kaluga Sea". The place became famous thanks to an interesting phenomenon - there is one specific point on the reservoir, which is constantly struck by lightning, and accidents constantly occur there. But the riddle is explained quite simply - a high-voltage line passes over the water at a very low distance.