Main

Sights of the region

Navashino

The main Navashino brand is shipbuilding. Since 1907, one of the largest domestic enterprises has been operating here, where cargo ships and bridges were built for the whole country. The architecture of Soviet classicism, the XVII century church, the camp site from childhood and even a pyramid — in our guide, we are going to tell you what’s interesting can be found in Navashino.

A FEW FACTS

The Current Name

The town of Navashino received its current name in 1957 after the merger of Lipnya and Mordovshchikovo villages. The city got its name after the railway station located in a neighboring village with the consonant name of Novoshino. Initially, the railway was supposed to pass through this village, but industrialists from Vyksa and Kulebaki turned the road closer to their factories.

Connection with Murom

The village of Novoshino belonged to the Murom Bogoroditsky Cathedral for a long time and was part of the Vladimir province; after that, it was also part of the Murom district of the Gorky Territory (the city of Murom belonged to the Nizhny Novgorod region at the beginning of the century).

Mordovian tribes Navashino Churches

Historically, there were very few religious buildings in Navashino — in the village of Lipnya, from which Navashino was formed, there was only one church, and in Mordovshchikovo there were no churches at all.

Navashino Shipyard

At the beginning of the XX century, in 1907, a shipyard was established on the shore of the backwater formed by the old Oka riverbed. This was a foundation for the construction of sea and river vessels, as well as barges. The shipyard got its name from the nearby village of Mordovshchikovo, and shipbuilding still occupies a significant place in the life of the district.

Shipbuilding Traditions

In 1908, the first oil loading barge «Catherine the Great» was built at the Mordovshchikovo shipyard, and in 1935, the first in the world large-tonnage and entirely welded vessel was built here. Shipbuilding traditions are also reflected on the Navashino coat of arms — it depicts a modern barge running along the river.

WHAT TO DO IN THE CITY

Visit the Palace of Culture

The central point of Navashino, Lenina Square, is glorified with a large Palace of Culture that appeared on the initiative of the Navashino Shipyard in the 1960s. This characteristic example of Soviet classicism architecture has something to surprise: outside, there are rows of massive white columns and a pair of mosaic panels, and inside, there are ship-themed paintings, space-themed murals, caissons, all kinds of rosettes and a concert hall in the spirit of the Stalinist Empire. Very impressive!

Learn about shipbuilding

Like the bright mosaic on the facade of the Palace of Culture, the snow-white bas-reliefs on the building of the Children's Creativity Hall were created by the famous Nizhny Novgorod artist Kim Shikhov in the late 1970s. There is also a small museum of local history, where you can learn about the history of Navashino and the local shipyard that was established in 1907 and became the most important supplier of river barges. In addition to ships, bridges and pontoons were also manufactured here — this story continues at the Oka Shipyard to this day.

Take a walk in the park

The local public park is located near Lake Zelenoe; it was opened in Soviet times. It's good to take a walk near the shore or under the shade of trees, to admire the sculptures of cartoon characters like Cheburashka or Leopold the cat and, if you're lucky, get on the launch of ship models. Be sure to buy a loaf from a bakery near the park — the aroma here is fantastic!

Take a look at the Murom Bridge

One of the most beautiful Russian bridges connects the Nizhny Novgorod and Vladimir regions near the city of Murom. Due to the cable-stayed structure, it seems that the bridge hangs on thin threads, but all the load falls on the pylon supports through a system of cable stays. If you can't take a ride on it, at least look at the replica of the bridge in the Shipbuilders public garden, where children will definitely feel themselves like a ship captain or a pirate. All aboard!

Visit the Three Bayonets memorial

Such monuments dedicated to the memory of the veterans of the Great Patriotic War symbolize the connection of generations. They are often found in Russia, but images of flying cranes add special grace to this particular monument — it looks very beautiful at any time of the day.

Feel nostalgia at the Lake Svyato Recreation Center

A half-hour drive from Navashino, there is a campsite on Bolshoe Svyatoe lake, which can only be called a time capsule. The atmosphere of Soviet children's camps has been preserved here: cozy wooden houses, volleyball playgrounds, a sandy beach with wild vegetation — all of this bring bright flashbacks about first love, jumping into the lake water and songs by the campfire. And if you go deep into, you will see a small chapel.

Be amazed by the pyramid

Perhaps few people expect to see a pyramid in the south-west of the Nizhny Novgorod region, but it is there! In a picturesque place on the border with the Vladimir region, on the territory of the Peremilovy Gory Park-Hotel, like-minded associates of the expert in alternative history, scientist Andrei Sklyarov constructed a copy of the pyramid of Cheops. In order not to get lost in the woods, focus on its edges, which are located on the cardinal directions.

Examine the architecture of the Church of Our Savior

Among the Navashino religious buildings, the Church of Our Savior in the Dedovo village stands out in particular. According to legend, its main relic, the icon of the Miraculous Image of the Savior created in 1591, surfaced from the Holy Lake that emerged on the site of the destroyed church. In any case, this is a wonderful example of religious architecture created at the end of the XVII century, an antiquity, of which few have survived.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE

Palace of Culture

Navashino, 9 Lenina sq.

One of the most spectacular halls of culture in the region, built in the 1960s. Soviet mosaic panels have been preserved on the building’s facade. Inside there are shipbuilding-themed paintings, painted ceilings, massive columns and an impressive concert hall in the spirit of the Stalinist Empire.

Children's Art School

Navashino, 8 Lenina sq.

The place where the main Navashino talents, who are engaged in painting and music, graduate from. If you find a good angle of the sculpture (by the way, copied from a real artist) near the school, you will get the impression that you have found yourself in the picture.

The Children's Creativity Hall

Navashino, 6 May 1st, str.

In Soviet times, the Palace of Pioneers was located here, where study groups were organized. This tradition continues to this day. There is a three-part bas-relief on the facade of the building, and inside there is a small museum of local history, where you can learn about the history of Navashino and in particular the Oka Shipyard.

Music Public Garden

Navashino, Leninsky neighborhood unit

The creative attitude started at the art school continues on the territory of this small public garden, where an amphitheater, objets d'art in the form of music notes, book benches and large xylophones are constructed for everyone who want to play.

Shipbuilders Public Garden

Navashino

The central city garden has a shape resembling a ship, referring to the shipyard, thanks to which Navashino became famous. Sculptures, playgrounds in the form of a ship, a smaller copy of the Murom Bridge — all of them support the shipbuilding theme.

Murom Bridge

The cable-stayed bridge over the Oka river connects the Nizhny Novgorod and Vladimir regions near the city of Murom and is considered one of the most beautiful in Russia.

The Green Lake Park

Navashino, Priozernaya str.

The public park of the Soviet era is located near the lake. There is a children's playground and a sports ground. You can also see the statues of familiar cartoon characters.

Three Bayonets Memorial

Navashino, Kalininsky neighborhood unit

A memorial dedicated to the memory of the veterans of the Great Patriotic War. The images of flying cranes bring the special grace to the site.

Kirsanov House

Navashino, 51 Sovetskaya str.

The famous revolutionary Claudia Kirsanova lived in this house, built at the end of the XIX century, in her childhood. Now there is a library here.

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Bolshoe Okulovo settlement, 1A Revolyutsii str.

The church was built in the 1830s in the spirit of classical architecture. The main facade is decorated with a number of heavy columns.

Monument to Ivan Gubkin

Pozdnyakovo settlement, Bogatova str.

A memorial dedicated to the Soviet academician, the founder of petroleum geology Ivan Gubkin, who was born in the Pozdnyakovo village of the Murom uyezd (now it belongs to the Navashino district).

The Church of Our Savior

Dedovo settlement, 70A Lesnaya str.

The ancient stone church, built at the end of the XVII century, has largely preserved its original appearance. Among its relics is an icon of the Miraculous Image of the Savior, which, according to legend, surfaced from a nearby lake.

The Great Holy Lake

Dedovo settlement

The largest lake in the region, formed by a karst sinkhole. According to legend, there used to be a church or monastery in its place.

The tourist complex «Lake Svyato»

Dedovo settlement

A campsite near the Great Holy Lake is surrounded by a pine forest. There are bright cottage houses with wooden carvings, a beach, a playground and sports grounds — just like in a children's summer camp!

Kiselyov-Esipov Manor

Spas-Sedcheno settlement

A ruined manor complex on the high bank of the Oka river includes the main house, the Church of Our Savior and the park, which in Soviet times belonged to the Navashino Shipyard.

The Sklyarov’s Pyramid

Sudostroy village

On the territory of the Peremilovy Gory Park-Hotel, there is a copy of one of the Seven Wonders of the World — the Pyramid of Cheops on a scale of 1 to 28, named after the scientist and researcher of alternative history Andrei Sklyarov.

Где поесть

Rendezvous Restaurant

Navashino, 15 Korabelov аve.

9 Val Cafe

Navashino, 30 Kalinina st.

Alliance Cafe

Navashino, 16A Kommunisticheskaya st.

How to get there

By car

Heading along the M-12 highway through Murom, take the exit to the 17k-18 highway and, passing the Murom Bridge, follow the 22K-0079 highway to Navashino. The distance to Navashino is 320km.

Travel time

~ 3 hours

By train

You can get from Moscow to Navashino by long-distance train from Kazansky railway station to Navashino station.

Travel time

5,5 hours

Cost

₽1300

By car

It is best to leave Nizhny Novgorod along Gagarin Avenue; you need to go to highway 22K — 0125 and pass through Vorsma before arriving in Navashino. The distance from Nizhny Novgorod to Navashino is 159km.

Travel time

~ 2,5 hours

By bus

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

Travel time

~ 2,5 hours

Cost

₽550