Dzerzhinsk
An industrial city that is worth going for its magnificent architecture, walks through the pine forests in the suburbs, and for the Shukhov Tower!
A FEW FACTS
WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY
01
Begin your visit to Dzerzhinsk with a study of Stalinist architecture
This imposing architectural style appeared here largely thanks to the city’s first chief architect, Alexei Fedorovich Kusakin. Classic Stalinist features include a house with a spire, an ensemble of residential buildings with a court d’honneur (parade ground) on Klyukvina Street, a puppet theatre in the public park, the Chemists' Hall of Culture, and a «collective farm» house on Lenina Avenue with 17 entrances. Just leave yourself some time to take pictures and admire.
02
Visit the local history museum
It may have recently turned 90 years old, but despite its age, the museum is highly interactive, with sound installations and, of course, traditional sections covering nature, archeology, and history.Highlights include a fragment of the skull of an ancient bison, a watch built by the self-taught inventor Kuzma Bochkarev, a huge stuffed moose, rooms with restored interiors from both the XIX century and the 1960s, and a large-scale model of pre-war Dzerzhinsk. This is the best way to learn about the city’s history!
03
Take in the Soviet mosaics and murals
The city is literally strewn with them, whether it is large-scale works such as «The Underwater World» at the Central Pool, «The Athletes» sgraffito at The Khimik stadium, or small works, for example near the children's art school No.5, or at The Mercury mall.
04
Visit «Dom Knigi» (the House of Books), easily recognized by the giant cosmic mosaic
This is the central city library, with a free entry, which is stunningly beautiful: to take just one example, in the third floor lobby you can see a unique fresco depicting outstanding scientists and writers. Make sure you also visit the interactive Romanov Dynasty exhibition or The Art Panorama exhibition hall with items by artists, photographers and masters of the applied arts. If time permits, take a tour around the book depository, which houses the library's book collections, complete the quest and get to know the library «ghost».
05
The best place for a walk is the new park «Utinoye Ozero» (Duck Lake)
Here you will find pine trees, nature, duck-themed weathervanes, a fun fair, children’s playgrounds, and workout areas. Breathe in the fresh air and relax!
06
Take a ride on the Ferris wheel in the city's Park of Culture
You can just take a walk in the park, or you can enjoy bird's-eye views of the city from the Ferris wheel, where a ticket will set you back 150 rubles.
07
Dzerzhinsk’s most renowned street artist is Ilya Spichenkov
Spichenkov combines his work as a rescue firefighter in the Ministry of Emergency Situations with creativity. He decorates the city with works on the theme of major global masterpieces, including works by Warhol and Magritte, as well as Van Gogh's «Starry Night», and da Vinci's «Mona Lisa». Look for his works in the area of Lenina Avenue and Klyukvina Street.
08
If you have already been to Dzerzhinsk, go for a walk to Zhelnino!
Here you will find pine forests, the River Oka, and beauty all around. The best place to stay is The Chaika country hotel, where comfortable rooms, spa treatments, barbecue, bicycle rental, a Russian sauna, and animators for the children are at your service.
09
Relax by the Shukhov Tower
No trip to Dzerzhinsk from Nizhny Novgorod would be complete without a stop-off to admire the world's only surviving hyperboloid power line support tower, made in the form of a mesh shell by the famous engineer Shukhov. With a height of 128 metres, and looking over the picturesque coast of the Oka, it is a superb photo spot. Today the tower is fenced off, and it will not be possible to get close to the tower itself, but it is still worth the trip to admire such a colossus.