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Sights of the region

Kulebaki

Fairy-tale cottage, metallurgic industry, original monuments and healing springs — in our guide we are going to tell you about interesting things that can be seen in Kulebaki.

A FEW FACTS

Name Origin

There are several versions of the settlement name origin, but none of them is considered reliable: according to one version, the name Kulebaki came from the words «kuley» (beehive) and «baki», according to another, it is associated with the coal burning and tar smoking. It can only be unequivocally stated that the name came from the river, on which the Kulebaki was built.

The First Mention

The first mention of Kulebaki dates back to 1719, but the settlement itself arose amidst the Murom forests, presumably in the middle of the XIV century. At that time, honey was obtained from wild bees on the territory of the future settlement.

Metallurgy

The popular occupation of local residents was logging and rafting; in the XIX century, a metallurgical plant was built here and became the most important enterprise for Kulebaki. Thanks to the metallurgical production, the village of Kulebaki grew and received the status of a city in 1932. Still, the main holiday in Kulebaki is considered the Day of the Metallurgist, combined with the city festival.

Know-How

In the XIX century, especially high-quality steel was invented and produced at the Veletminsky ironworks near Kulebaki. Steel of such grade was previously could only be cast by the British, who kept their secret very strictly.

Pushkin in Kulebaki

The great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin passed through Kulebaki several times — his letters to his wife testify to this.

Revolution

Soviet regime in Kulebaki was established on October 31 (old style), 1917, that is, earlier than in Nizhny Novgorod, Arzamas, Vyksa and other cities and towns of the province.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Visit the healing springs

The village of Gremyachevo standing on the steep banks of the Tesha river is known for its holy springs – it is believed that its name occurred because of the sound of many springs. When you are at the entrance to the village, we recommend stopping near a small spring of John the Evangelist, and in the center of the village — at the Kazan spring flowing from under a steep mountain, not far from the church of the same name. Feel the soothing effect of this place!

Learn about shrines

A good option to get acquainted with the architecture of the place is to explore its churches. Be sure to visit the brick Kazan Church in the village of Gremyachevo rebuilt in the middle of the XIX century and the eclectic blue brick Znamenskaya Church in the village of Lomovka. The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Kulebaki is also impressive. In addition to the main building, the complex includes a prayer house with paintings, a bell tower and a wooden house with a Sunday school and a library, each window of which is richly decorated with house carvings (which, by the way, are abundant in Kulebaki).

Be amazed by the local «Teremok»

The main city landmark is the «Teremok», or Community House, built in 1899 on the initiative of the Kulebaki mining plant owners, brothers Amand and Gustav Struve, who turned the city into a powerful metallurgical center. The Teremok was created as a place for factory workers to relax, and now there is a museum of local history, where you can visit a hall with the interior of a peasant hut, as well as expositions about the history of the metallurgical industry and Kulebaki culture at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries.

Take a walk in the city park

The history of the park begins back in 1927: for almost a century it has remained a favorite place for walking residents and visitors of the city, because there really is something to see here! The open-air theater, where performances took place in Soviet times, was dismantled, but the fabulous towers and the island surrounded by the pond have been preserved. You can reach the island by walking along the metal bridge. The project of the renovated embankment in the park even won a major architectural award from Archiwood. Just take a look at these wooden structures, rent a catamaran or a bicycle.

Come and see unordinary monuments

You will definitely not miss the first one, dedicated to Vladimir Lenin: it is located in front of the entrance to the «Teremok». The bust of the leader of the revolution is fixed on a tyre — the first Russian tyre rolling mill was launched at the Kulebaki metallurgical plant in 1877; this part was made for steam locomotives and cars. The monument to Nicholas II is also considered unique: you cannot see the version on a horse anywhere else!

Study Soviet architecture

If you would like to know about wooden architecture, you need to go to the «Teremok». Fans of Soviet post-constructivism will like the building of the Dubrovsky Hall of Culture built in 1933 (this name was given to it in honor of local spouses-directors). You may also be surprised by the building of the city outpatient clinic built in 1928, the central entrance of which is decorated with a large arched window and pilasters — it looks more like a theater than a health clinic.

Relax at the Ustymsky pond

A city pond with a well-equipped beach, on the opposite shore of which there is a picturesque forest. It will be great to swim here, jog with the dog, sunbathe on the sun beds, go fishing or watch the ducks. There is no such thing as too much of rest!

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Spring of John the Evangelist

Gremyachevo village

A healing spring on the banks of the Tesha river was consecrated in honor of the apostle and evangelist John. A small chapel was built there.

Kazan spring

Gremyachevo village, Ulyanova str.

Probably, one of the Gremyachevo springs is the most spectacular because of its location under the hills. Baths, a chapel and a small bridge were built on the territory of the spring - it looks very picturesque!

Kazan Church, Gremyachevo village

Gremyachevo village, 11 Pobedy sq.

A brick church of the middle of the XIX century may amaze you with the interesting architectural details, such as wooden architraves on the windows or an elegant fence around the church.

Trinity Church, Teplovo village

Teplovo village, 42 Sovetskaya str.

A brick church of the middle of the XIX century was built in the spirit of late classicism architecture and decorated with a rotunda, porticos and a bell tower with heavy columns.

Znamenskaya Church

Lomovka settlement, 11A Klubnaya str.

The church built in 1889 has a rather eclectic appearance: the church itself is wooden and painted blue, and the bell tower nearby is built of brick.

Kulebaki Museum of Local History

Kulebaki, 4A Vosstaniya str.

The main architectural and historical landmark of the city, affectionately nicknamed by residents «Teremok». The Community House, built at the end of the XIX century, can be seen on the Kulebaki coat of arms. Museum's exposition will introduce its history, peasant life, culture of the XIX-XX centuries and the main industry — metalworking.

Monument to Vladimir Lenin

Kulebaki, 4A Vosstaniya str.

At the entrance to the «Teremok», there is an unordinary monument to Vladimir Lenin, created using his death mask. It is standing on a tyre made when Russia's first tyre rolling mill was launched at the Kulebaki Metallurgical Plant in the 1870s.

Dubrovsky Hall of Culture

Kulebaki, 2 Lenina sq.

One of the central cultural centers of the city, built in the spirit of Soviet post-constructivist architecture in 1933.

Water tower

Kulebaki, Butova str.

The red brick tower, built in the 1930s.

Kulebaki Health Clinic

Kulebaki, 95 Stepan Razin str.

The building of the city health clinic of the Soviet period, memorable for its pink color, arched window and rows of engaged pillars along its facade.

Church and House of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Kulebaki, 52 Buntarskaya str.

The architectural complex includes temple, bell tower, prayer house, and parsonage, where the refectory, library and Sunday school are located. Don’t miss the unordinary murals and delicate wooden carvings.

Church of Mikhail Kulebaksky

Kulebaki, 16Б Admiral Makarov str.

A small wooden Orthodox church built in honor of the local martyr Archpriest Mikhail Gusev.

Monument to Nicholas II

Kulebaki, 16Б Admiral Makarov str.

The first and only equestrian monument to Emperor Nicholas II in Russia, located near the church of Mikhail Kulebaksky.

The Stele of Memory

Kulebaki, Gastello str.

A memorial wall constructed in honor of Kulebaki residents who fell during the Great Patriotic War.

Ustymsky pond

Kulebaki, Lespromkhoz neighborhood unit

A local pond with a well-equipped beach where you can relax on sun beds, go fishing or watch ducks.

Public Park

Kulebaki

The main city park with a pond and an island was opened in 1927. Do not miss unordinary tower constructions as well as renovated spaces and be sure to walk along the metal bridge and to take a boat ride.

Где поесть

Barin Cafe

Kulebaki, 120A Butova str.

Dolce Vita Cafe

Kulebaki, 6A Svobody str.

Canteen

Kulebaki, 55A/1 Serova str.

How to get there

By car

Heading along the M-12 highway through Murom, take the exit to 17k-18 highway and, after passing through the town of Navashino, follow the 22k-0079 highway to Kulebaki. The distance is 350km.

Travel time

~ 3,5 hours

By train

You can get from Moscow to Kulebaki by a long-distance train departing daily from Kazansky railway station to Navashino station, with a transfer by Nizhny Novgorod — Kulebaki bus to Kulebaki bus station.

Travel time

~ 6 hours

Cost

₽2000

By car

Heading along Gagarina ave., take the exit to highway 22K — 0125 and, passing through Navashino, follow highway 22K — 0079 before arriving in Kulebaki. The distance from Nizhny Novgorod to Kulebaki is 180km.

Travel time

~3 hours

By bus

To get to Vyksa by bus, you need to take the run «Nizhny Novgorod – Kulebaki» from the Shcherbinki bus station to the Kulebaki bus station.

Travel time

~3 hours

Departure time

Every 2 hours

Cost

₽550