Dzerzhinsk
A FEW FACTS
WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE
«The Collective Farm House»
The longest residential building in Dzerzhinsk, boasting as many as 17 entrances and 240 apartments! The building also features the Pushkin Library, and the museum of the poet Nikolai Rubtsov.
The former building of «The Oka» restaurant
In days gone by, this imposing building, with its main facade facing Dzerzhinsky Avenue and a four-column frontage, housed the city's first restaurant, «The Oka», with its grand staircase and luxurious dining hall.
The House with a Spire
The city’s main architectural symbol, also known locally as the local «Eiffel Tower».
The building of the former «Udarnik» cinema
In Soviet times, this building with its two hexagonal towers housed Dzerzhinsk’s first cinema, which subsequently became a nightclub, while today cafes and other establishments have taken their place.
The Nikolai Rubtsov Literary Museum
A museum dedicated to the memory of the poet Nikolai Rubtsov, whose poems formed the basis of many hit songs, including «I will ride a bike for a long time» or «It's light in my room».
«The Underwater World» Mosaic
A large and unique work on the facade of the Dzerzhinsky public swimming pool. Not a single element of this mosaic is repeated!
Dom Knigi (the House of Books)
Dzerzhinsk’s Central Library, which holds regular exhibitions, and where you can sign up for a tour of the book depository, has one of the city’s iconic mosaics entitled «Space Age» on its facade.
The Houses with a Court d’Honneur
An ensemble of low-rise residential buildings with an unusual architectural element - a «court d’honneur», or parade ground, in which there is a small white fountain.
The Central Park of Culture and Recreation
First opened in the 1940s, this park is one of the favourite places for citizens to take a walk, where, in addition to the beauty of nature, you can enjoy the fun-fair and go for a ride on the Ferris wheel.
Monument to Vladimir Mayakovsky
This monument to the main rebel of Russian poetry, created by the sculptor Alexei Anisimov, has stood in the square of the same name since the 1960s.
The Dzerzhinsk Museum of Local History and Folklore
In addition to the extensive permanent exhibitions on archaeology, the history of Chernorechye and Dzerzhinsk, and exhibitions by contemporary artists, concerts and creative workshops are also held here.
The Houses on Lenina Avenue
Majestic houses in the style of Stalinist Empire architecture, which Dzerzhinsk has in abundance.
The House of Communications
An architectural ensemble in the classical style with a lavishly decorated facade, designed by the architect Alexei Kusakin in 1955.
The Chemists' Palace of Culture
One of the key cultural institutions of Dzerzhinsk, built in the style of Russian neoclassicism: large concert and lecture halls, marble decor and parquet floors, with a huge seven metre-long Russian flag fluttering from its top.
The Dzerzhinsk Puppet Theatre
In this building, where the drama theatre was once located, ever since 1948 you can see delightful and fabulous puppet shows, while for the youngest spectators there is even a «theatre on pillows».
Street Art by Ilya Spichenkov
Dzerzhinsk’s most renowned street artist rethinks masterpieces from around the world, and includes the city’s major attractions in the works of Van Gogh and Da Vinci.
«Isolde's Porch»
A mini-exhibition dedicated to the Soviet actress Isolde Izvitskaya, who spent her early years in this house.
The former «Sputnik» cinema
This cinema, built at the end of the Soviet period, is no longer in operation, but its architecture in the spirit of the Soviet avant-garde remains intriguing and futuristic.
The Shukhov Tower
On the left bank of the Oka stands is the world's only surviving hyperboloid power line support, made in the form of a mesh shell, and standing 128 metres high.
The Dzerzhinsk Red Army Chemical College
A modern educational institution, which has been located in this brick building, a monument to constructivism, since 1932.
The Communal House
Known popularly as the «ship house», this constructivist building was once used as a communal dormitory for students, and the glazed-in passages connecting the residential areas give its architecture a special expressiveness.
The Dzerzhinsk Drama Theatre
For nearly 80 years, this theatre has remained one of the city’s main cultural institutions, whose repertoire includes, for example, «Viy» and «Without a Dowry».
The Church named after St. Nikolai Chudotvorets
Right next to this new and vivid church stands is a monument to Nikolai Chudotvorets (Nicholas the Wonderworker), one of the most revered of all the Orthodox saints.
Mosaics on the buildings of «The Mercury» trading house and the Russian Post Office
On the buildings of «The Mercury» trading house and the post office you can see two beautiful Soviet mosaics by Vyacheslav Osipov, which depict cosmonauts and doves.
The «Eski» Houses
According to the original idea, the plan of these famous residential houses was to spell out the letters of the USSR, but by the time of the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, the fourth house had not been completed.
«Utinoye Ozero» (Duck Lake) Park
A modern landscaped park where you can walk along quaint bridges, spend some quality time with your child at the playground and, of course, watch the ducks.
The Oka Embankment
This coastal area is close to the city centre, and offers a beautiful view of the Dzerzhinsk backwater and the high bank of the Oka.
«The Athletes» sgraffito
This unique work on the wall of «The Khimik» stadium reflects one of the most popular subjects for Soviet monumental art - sport.
The Fire Protection Museum
In this museum you can learn about the history of fire protection, starting from the 19th century, as well as seeing unique exhibits including antique fire extinguishers and scale-models of Dzerzhinsk.
The Dzerzhinsk Arboretum
A quiet place outside the city, where you can see more than 500 plant varieties, beautiful glades with oaks and maples, as well as take a walk along the Svyatoye lake or the Volozhki river.
«The Chaika» Country Hotel
The hotel is situated in the village of Zhelnino, where the country houses of Maxim Gorky and other representatives of the Nizhny Novgorod intelligentsia used to be located. Take a walk along the embankment overlooking the Oka and through the fragrant pine park.
«The Rancho 636» Country Club
The grounds of this hotel complex set in the pine forest feature everything from steam baths, spa areas, and a swimming pool to restaurants and a fitness club: ideal for relaxing with your family or throwing a noisy party with your friends.
Dzerzhinsky Square and the Dzerzhinsky Monument
The central square of the city, which has been decorated since 1948 with the imposing monument to «Iron Felix», created by the sculptor Sergei Merkulov.
