Balakhna
Once a notable center of the salt industry, Balakhna is not as popular among tourists as Gorodets and Arzamas, but it still has plenty of cultural entertainment to offer: numerous museums and churches, interesting architecture, and the famous Balakhna lace. It is also the birthplace of Kuzma Minin!
A FEW FACTS
Minin's Birthplace
Balakhna is the presumed birthplace of Kuzma Minin, a national hero who, together with Dmitry Pozharsky, assembled a people's militia in the early XVII century and liberated Moscow from the Polish invaders. In memory of this feat by their fellow countryman, a monument has been erected here, which once stood in the main square in Gorky (the Soviet-era name for Nizhny Novgorod), and a museum has been opened.
The Salt Industry since 1474
The name «Balakhna» first appears in documents in 1536, which is officially considered the year of the city's foundation. Nevertheless, contemporary historians believe that the town was founded earlier, in 1474, because even then there was a salt industry on the coast between Gorodets and Nizhny Novgorod.
The First Brine Smelters
For many years, Balakhna was the only brine-smelting center in the country. In the museum of local history, one can see the remains of the brine pipes found during excavations. For salt extraction, they were buried in the ground to a depth of up to 25 meters!
Shipbuilding
In the middle of the XVII century, Balakhna became a major shipbuilding center. In 1636, for example, In 1636, for example, the first large Russian sailing ship, «Friedrich», one of the largest of its time, was built here. Starting from 1699, during the reign of Peter the Great, Balakhna was one of the centers for building sailing warships for the Emperor's Azov campaign. This is also reflected in the town's coat of arms.
Balakhna Lace
For a long period, lace-making was extensively developed in Balakhna: local products were in demand not only within Russia, but also abroad. Starting from the end of the XIX century, the craft began to disappear, but it has been preserved on a small scale to this day. The writer Maxim Gorky mentioned Balakhna lace in his works, and as a matter of fact his grandmother Akulina Kashirina was a talented lace-maker.
Rare Tiles
In the XVII and XVIII centuries, Balakhna was one of the centers of tile production: to take just one example, Balakhna tiles adorn parts of Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. Balakhna was also famous for brick production. Most of the XVII century brick buildings in Nizhny Novgorod were built from Balakhna brick. Craftsmen from Balakhna also participated in the construction of the Moscow Kremlin.
WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY
01
On the way from Nizhny Novgorod, be sure stop by to soak in the former glory of the Alfa Future People electronic music festival in Bolshoye Kozino
Some works of art have found a new home in the Aviator country club, where you can stop for a hard-earned rest. Only a few pieces remain, but they still look very impressive, and guarantee good photos.
02
Once in Balakhna, visit «The House of Plotnikov» museum first
This is the main building of the Balakhna Museum’s Historical and Art Complex, which at one time belonged to the merchant Alexander Plotnikov. For 80 years, it housed a bank in a typical XIX-century urban estate, and now it is a new museum where you can learn more about the life of peasants and craftsmen and admire some rare icons.
03
«Come on, Akulya, shake the bobbins!»
Here in The House of Plotnikov you can visit the permanent exhibition dedicated to Balakhna lace. The Akulya in question is Akulina Ivanovna Kashirina, grandmother of the writer Maxim Gorky and a Balakhna lace-maker. Here you can admire the meticulous work of local craftswomen, and also try and master lacemaking for yourself, as there is a workshop.
04
Stop by the Clay Museum
Just next door, a brand spanking new Clay Museum has opened. Its displays are dedicated to the history of the crafts of pottery, tile-, and brickmaking. You can have a look at genuine tiles dating to the XVII–XIX centuries and clay pottery items, go snap-happy in the thematic photo zones, and if there is time, take part in workshops run by real professionals on making whistles, painting, and pottery.
05
Admire the Khudyakov estate
It houses a branch of the Balakhna Museum of Local History, and it's worth appreciating the building at least from the outside. The museum is currently undergoing restoration, and is not accessible inside, but it's still amazing there: intricate moldings, tile stoves with porcelain figurines, a fireplace with its original grate — any of these are reason enough to come back when the museum reopens.
06
Be sure to take a walk along the renovated embankment
Your gaze will surely alight on a seashell-shaped stage like the one in the Alexandrovskiy Garden in Nizhny Novgorod. There is also a new children's playground, comfortable benches so you can take a break, and in the future, it will become the part of «The Mininskaya Sloboda» public space, which is just beginning to take shape in the town.
07
Visit «The Volga» Hall of Culture, which once belonged to the Balakhna Paper Mill of the same name
Here you will uncover amazing interiors: moldings stretching literally from floor to ceiling, monumental art on the walls, and a beautiful stained-glass window. But locals come here, of course, for educational pursuits, including dancing and music classes, aircraft modelling, and of course for Balakhna lace, which you can also learn to make here.
08
Take a look at the amazing churches
The Church of the Nativity of Christ, completed in 1674, is Balakhna's main cathedral, with beautiful frescoes; the Church ща Our Savior features tiles embellishing the entire building. Outside of town, you can head to Yurino, where you will find the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the oldest surviving monument of wooden architecture in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
09
Some of the monuments to be found in Balakhna are also very curious
For just one example, in the public garden near the Pravdinsk radio plant there is a monument to Lenin, which locals have unofficially dubbed «Lenin with a pager». On the square of the same name, there is also a monument to Felix Dzerzhinsky, constructed in the form of a rostrum that once actually stood here during revolutionary rallies. Of course, the main monument in the town is to Kuzma Minin. It stands next to the only museum in Russia dedicated to Minin and the history of the People's Militia of 1612 in the Moscow Hall.
10
If the weather is good, we urge you to visit Burtsevskoye Lake
Here you can go for a swim, or just bask in the view of the amazingly green water, and the pristine beaches on the edge of the pine forest.
11
You can also find modern art in the Balakhna district
The artist Vladimir Chernyshev has installed a bus stop in an almost completely abandoned garden plot. This is a deliberately useless public space, where you can feel a sense of endless waiting and a permanent state of pause, an ideal opportunity to slow down and turn your thoughts to eternity. To find out exactly where the place is, you have to send a private message to the artist.
12
Make a trip to the village of Konevo, the final point of your journey
The renowned Konevo Glass Factory was located here once. It gave a start to «The Black Swan» glass museum that was recently opened in the Deriugins' manor house. The exhibits for the museum were collected by the whole village. Here you can learn about the history of the glass factory and see outstanding samples of its products. There is no doubt that something from here once graced your parents' or grandparents' home. Another interesting tidbit is that many paths in the village are covered with remnants of the glass products instead of gravel and rubble, so you can collect some beautiful glass pieces for yourself as a souvenir from Konevo.
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE
Pokrovsky Monastery
Balakhna, 17 Revolyutsiyi Ave.
In the grounds of the monastery you will find the St. Nicholas Church, the oldest building in the region after the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin.
Monument to Felix Dzerzhinsky
Balakhna, Dzerzhinsky sq.
A monument to «Iron Felix», which was originally a rostrum for speeches at revolutionary rallies.
Monument to Lenin
Balakhna, 34 Gorkogo str.
In the public garden of the Pravdinsk radio plant, there is a monument to Lenin, which local residents call «Lenin with a pager».
The Balakhna Embankment
Balakhna, Naberezhnaya str.
The renovated embankment with a children's playground and a shell-shaped stage similar to the one in the Alexandrovskiy Garden in Nizhny Novgorod.
«The Black Swan» Glass Museum
Konevo Village, 54A Sverdlova str.
A museum located at the Deriugins' manor house in one of the oldest villages in the Balakhna district, where the famous Konevo Glass Factory was once operated.
The Clay Museum
Balakhna, 6 Karla Marxa str.
The newest museum in town with displays dedicated to the history of tile, brick, and pottery crafts.
Working hours
Daily — 9:00-17:00
The Bus Stop art installation
A bus stop installed in an almost completely abandoned garden plot by the artist Vladimir Chernyshev.
The Volga Hall of Culture
Balakhna, 38 Dzerzhinsky ave.
Hall of Culture with interesting interiors offers numerous workshops, master classes and community activities with free attendance.
The District Hall of Culture
Balakhna, 45 Dzerzhinskogo str.
Hall of culture constructed in the 1930s, on the facade of which you can see sgraffito depicting Soviet workers.
Working hours
Daily — 08:00-21:00
The Dubki Country Hotel
Lukino Village, 57 Lesnaya str.
A tourist complex near the forest featuring a spa center and fitness club.
Burtsevskoye Lake
Babye Village, Burtsevsky Quarry
A lake with emerald-colored water at the Burtsevsky sand quarry, popular among local fishermen.
Decorations from The Alfa Future People Festival
Bolshoye Kozino Village, 1 Aviatsionnaya str.
Some of these once spectacular artworks are in the grounds of The Aviator Country Club, where you can also stop for a rest.
The Khudyakov Estate
Balakhna, 32 Karla Marxa str.
A branch of the Balakhna Museum of Local History, unfortunately, is closed for restoration.
The House of Plotnikov
Balakhna, 4 Karla Marxa str.
A fairly new museum where you can learn about the life of peasants and craftsmen, see rare icons and visit a permanent exhibition dedicated to Balakhna lace.
Working hours
Daily, 9:00-17:00
The Church of Our Savior
Balakhna, 33A Tupoleva str.
The church dated back to 1668 is decorated with colorful tiles from local craftsmen.
The Church of the Life-Giving Trinity
Balakhna, Ryazanova str.
Brick church built in 1784 in the spirit of traditional architecture.
The Church of the Nativity of Christ
Balakhna, 21 Engelsa str.
The main cathedral of Balakhna with beautiful frescoes.
