Sights of the Belgorod region: interesting places, description, history, photos and reviews of tourists

September 13, 2018
Attractions
Liya Arturunyan

The Belgorod region itself is very beautiful, it is endowed with a huge number of natural attractions; Belgorod has at its disposal many springs, swamps, reservoirs, ponds and sources of mineral waters. They are all located in different places, but many of them are definitely worth a visit.

One of the most visited places in Belgorod is the Belogorye nature reserve; its area exceeds 2000 hectares. The reserve was founded in 1999 and consists of 5 different areas, each of which has its own unique feature. The list of the most visited places, namely the attractions of the Belgorod region and Belgorod, is presented below. After all, judging by the reviews of tourists, they are all worthy of visiting. And the main thing is that you can enjoy most of them for free, which people especially like.

Other interesting places

While in Belgorod, be sure to go to the windmill in order to see this interesting structure with your own eyes.

In Belgorod you can find many interesting fountains, for example, Patron or Nika.

Steam locomotive museum. This interesting place in the Belgorod region was founded in 1943. The museum has more than 1,000 different exhibits that were witnesses and direct participants in the Railway Revolution. Exhibits that took part in the Stakhanov movement, those that became participants in the Great Patriotic War. The museum exhibits can be viewed from absolutely all sides and even touched.

You should definitely linger a little at the central fountain in Belgorod. It has a rectangular shape with balls and rectangular bridges. It is recommended to visit this place in the evening, as there is amazing lighting there.

Friendship Alley. This is a very interesting place to go for a walk. The highlight of this park is a large forged tree, which with its intertwined roots symbolizes the close connection between the sister cities. At the central tree, the alley paths diverge on both sides.

Unusual floating fountain. This is the largest fountain in the city of Belgorod, the stream of this structure rises to a height of 25 m. When night falls, the fountain is illuminated by lamps, giving the water an unusual color. In addition to being colorful, the fountain is also musical. It is considered one of the largest floating fountains in Russia.

You should definitely visit the landmark of the Belgorod region - a natural monument, the long-lived oak. Not far from Belgorod, in the village of Dubovoe, there is an oak tree that is over 300 years old. The height of this tree is over 30 m. These are truly amazing places. You can walk through the forest and enjoy the pristine nature. As for this place, there is a belief that it was planted in honor of the reunification of Ukraine and Russia.

Belgorod Zoo is considered one of the largest zoos throughout Russia. The total area of this reserve is 3.3 hectares. The zoo is home to more than 40 species of birds, 41 species of mammals, 6 species of reptiles, as well as various animals and insects.

An unusual monument of nature and architecture is the vinegar tree. This attraction is the only one in the park on Pravoberezhnaya Street. Few people have seen a living vinegar tree, so when you are in Belgorod, you should definitely go and have a look at it.

Interesting museums and reserves of the Belgorod region

Almost every locality in the Belgorod region has its own museum. Some of them are of particular importance for the entire Russian people, others show the life of small villages and towns. But one thing is certain - in these places they treat the memory of their ancestors with great respect, preserve it and will certainly pass it on to their descendants.

Prokhorovskoye Field Museum-Reserve

Address: Prokhorovka village, Prokhorovsky district.

In this place, not far from the Prokhorovka station, one of the largest tank battles on the Kursk Bulge took place in 1943. The Soviet units were led by Lieutenant General Rotmistrov. And, although the battle ended in a draw, our troops managed to preserve an important strategic point and prevent the enemy from capturing it.

In 1995, an open-air memorial museum complex was opened here. Its main attraction is the belfry, topped with a statue of the Mother of God. Its total height is 66 m. During the excursion you can get acquainted with the life of the Prokhorovsky district in wartime, visit an exhibition of armored vehicles, the graves of soldiers and the Church of Peter and Paul, on the day of their veneration this bloody battle took place.

Belogorye Nature Reserve

Coordinates on the map: 50.617490, 35.966516.

The banks of Vorskla are one of the few territories that can boast of a rich history. For many centuries they served as a boundary separating some peoples from others. Ancient buildings, earthen ramparts and fortresses - this is exactly how our ancestors saw this area in the 17th century. It acquired protected status in 1925, and in 1999 it acquired modern borders.

Today's Belogorye consists of six sites, each of great importance for science and ecology. These oak forests, which are 200-300 years old, have been virtually undamaged by human economic activity and have remained unchanged. Staying on your own in the reserve is not allowed, but you can sign up for a tour.

Klyuchi Natural Park

Address: Kostromskaya st., 10/1, Kostroma village.

On the territory of the former estate of the landowner Pitra in the Prokhorovsky district, today there is one of the most picturesque corners of the region. It is highly recommended for all tourists to visit, and local residents come here with pleasure. It consists of two parts - a park area and an ethnographic village.

The name of the park is telling. The hills surrounding it abound with springs gushing straight from the ground. They are called springs of wisdom, which is why they are very popular among schoolchildren and students. There is a tradition to come here before exams and gain wisdom from the stream. Another source, called the Spring of Happiness, is located next to the Church of the Archangel Michael.

Both parts of the park are connected by the Bridge of Love, on which newlyweds hang miniature locks as a sign of love and fidelity. Walking along it, you find yourself in the past.

Whitewashed huts with thatched roofs, fences and milk jugs hanging on them, wells with cranes. At each farmstead you can learn more about a certain craft: blacksmithing, pottery, handicrafts... The ethno-village often becomes a platform for conducting thematic lessons or master classes.

Kupino Cultural Center

Address: Kupino village, Shebekinsky district.

The Shebekinsky district loves tourists, but they also value their past no less. They try to tell each guest as much as possible about the life and culture of this area, because in fact there is something to be proud of. The Folk Art Center in the village of Kupino shows the life of the first inhabitants, the objects they used every day.

You can pick up all the exhibits and even try them out, and try on the clothes for yourself. The center constantly hosts master classes, festivals and fairs. Each guest can try his hand at some craft or make a souvenir from straw. In addition, leisure clubs for schoolchildren are constantly running here.

Air Traffic Control Museum

In 2010, an unusual museum was opened. Then the Belgorod region detachment celebrated the 17th anniversary of its founding. The museum houses many interesting specimens that are related to the investigation of high-profile crimes. Visitors are given the opportunity to explore the features that are associated with the work of the ATC squad, because the museum has many interesting exhibits. Upon entering this establishment, one can enjoy the vehicles that were previously used by the employees of this department.

What holy places to see in the Belgorod region

Springs, springs, springs... - in these places there are, perhaps, more of them than reservoirs. Many are considered religious shrines and have healing properties.

Holy spring Krinitsa

Address: Shopino village, Krinichnaya street.

Several centuries ago, the village of Shopino, Yakovlevsky district, was owned by the Sheremetev counts. And the spring located in it, too. First, the peasants, and then the count's family, began to notice that after bathing in it their well-being improved, the body became vigorous, and blood circulation was restored. And so the glory of the miraculous was attached to the source.

It is a small reservoir into which springs flow, flowing directly from the slope of a small chalk hill. The water in it is always cold, no more than +8 degrees, but transparent. A small chapel and font were built next to it. You can swim here at any time, but there are especially many people on the feast of Epiphany.

Holy well in Neklyudovo

Coordinates: Neklyudovo village.

Tradition says that in this place believers saw the image of the Mother of God. After this, a spring appeared. The water in it is still considered healing, curing many ailments. It is for her, and also to pray in the Peter and Paul Church, which is located next door, that people come from all over the region and even from neighboring regions.

Babaninsky spring

Coordinates: 51.182233, 37.940497.

The source, named after the village in which it is located, belongs to the shrines of Belogorye. The icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” was found at this place. Since then, the flow of pilgrims to him has not ceased.

Monastery Forest

Coordinates: 50.642478, 36.611855.

In the 17th century, this place had a different name - Distillery Log. It began to be called the Monastery Forest after the miraculous icon of the Mother of God was found here and a spring gushed out. After that, a chapel was built in the ravine, then a church, and a fruit grove was planted. Fame spread about the holy spring, and pilgrims began to flock here.

Under Soviet rule, all buildings were destroyed, but this did not stop believers; people continued to visit the spring. And only in 1995, on the site of the old chapel, a new one was built and consecrated in honor of the Korsun Icon of the Mother of God. Nowadays, the Monastic Forest has the status of a specially protected area of regional importance.

Village Sukharevo

Coordinates: 50.139721, 37.974904.

Local residents still believe that this is where New Jerusalem was once located. And they even provide evidence. According to legend, the settlement was founded by Andrew the First-Called and his disciples. They were the first to begin to develop this area, giving it the name Syhar.

Today the village is considered one of the places of power. On its territory there is a real pilgrimage center with a temple complex, votive crosses and even the Holy Sepulcher and Golgotha. There is also a shrine here. Several years ago, on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Stone of Anointing, which had been installed quite recently, was cast in myrrh.

Well Zhukovsky

Coordinates: 51.417039, 37.872533.

Once upon a time there was a village here, but today there remains a tract, which is called Zhukovsky, with a holy well. It appeared after the discovery of the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”. Believers flocked to the source. Holy water cured some from blindness, others from other diseases.

And so it happened. The village is long gone, but people continue to come here to wash away their sorrows and illnesses. Long ago, back in Soviet times, they wanted to fill it up, but an unknown force did not allow the tractors to even come closer.

Monuments of Belgorod

If you are thinking about what to see in the Belgorod region, you should pay attention to the monuments. List of the most popular:

Monument to Vladimir the Great.
Monument to Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich.
Monument to Bohdan Khmelnytsky.
Sculpture “Heart of the City”.
Monument dedicated to the widow and mother of a soldier.
Memorial Battle of Kursk. A monument in honor of the legendary battles, it was installed on the battlefields.
An unusual monument called “Dream”.
Monument to the incorruptible traffic cop.
Sculpture "Memories".
Monument-tablet.
Sculpture of a movie camera.
Sculpture "Local history".
Monument to the egg.
Sculpture "Girl and Dog".

Belgorod has a huge number of different attractions that are definitely worth seeing when visiting the city. This place pleases tourists and will give them many unforgettable experiences, as evidenced by numerous reviews. Belgorod and the Belgorod region are an example of how history should be honored. The number of memorial and architectural structures associated with the Great Patriotic War is amazing.

Belgorod is also famous for its ponds, forests and squares, which people also speak of with delight. The temples and cathedrals in this city are majestic. Belgorod is the place where the icon of the Mother of God was found. The city has many interesting shopping and entertainment centers where you can go for a walk with your children.

Belgorod region: the most beautiful caves

Chalk hills are found everywhere in the Belgorod region. Previously, hermit monks dug caves in them to hide from the world. Later, underground churches and monasteries began to appear in these places, but few have survived to this day.

Kholkovsky caves

Address: Monastyrskaya st., 1, Kholki village.

The chalk caves near the village of Kholki, Chernyansky district, are a famous place. They house the only cave monastery that has not only survived, but is still active today. It is believed that they were dug by the monks themselves, but this has not been proven for sure. It is quite possible that they appeared naturally.

The first mention of the monastery, which was called Tsarev, dates back to the beginning of the 17th century. Its history is unenviable - over the 100 years of its existence, it was repeatedly destroyed by the Tatars. The last time it was not restored and was abolished. In the middle of the 19th century, they began to talk about the need to open an underground church, but things did not go further than talk.

And only in 1990 they began to dig out the rubble. Within 5 years, services began to be held in the cave temple, and in 1999 the official opening ceremony took place. 15 years ago, a sculpture depicting the Grand Duke of Kyiv Svyatoslav Igorevich on horseback was installed in front of the main entrance.

Šmarna Cave

GPS coordinates: 51.116543, 37.818060.

One of the most mysterious places in the Belgorod region is located near Stary Oskol. The chalk cave, which locals call the Old Monastery, according to one version, was dug by fugitives from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra after Batu’s invasion. At least, it is very similar to the underground galleries of the Kyiv monastery.

Rumor has it that this is where monks came to die. Thanks to the low temperatures in the dungeon, their bodily shell remained incorruptible for a long time after the soul began its heavenly journey. The last time monks were seen here was in the mid-19th century, and during the war the cave served as a refuge for partisans.

Barkov's Mill

This is a very unusual wooden mill building. It is six stories high, which is rare for wood construction. Moreover, all six floors are made of larch logs, perfectly calibrated in diameter, and all this was done without a single nail, instead, wood veneer was used. The foundation of the building is made of lime, but there is no consensus; some researchers believe that it is made of egg white.

It is unknown how this mill worked before the revolution. Most likely - with the help of a water wheel, and downstream there was a chalk-brush dam. Legend has it that the mill was originally located in a different location. But then the merchant Barkov won it at cards, and the building was transported to the village of Novoivanovka, where it still stands today, on the banks of the Oskol River.

It is believed that this happened in 1914. But the mill operated for many years after that. Of course, the production itself has undergone modernization. After World War II, the mill was equipped with a diesel engine and electric motors, which also operated for many years. The machines that have been preserved in the building have signs stating that they were manufactured in the 1950s at the Voronezh Mechanical Plant.

A major overhaul of the mill was carried out in 1990. After that, it worked until 2004, when production was stopped and the mill itself was recognized as an architectural and historical monument, which is protected by the state. You can get inside the building as part of a guided tour. In addition, since rural tourism is developed in this area, and kayaking is organized on the Oskol River, the mill has become part of this popular tourist route.

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3 ratings, average: 2.67 out of 5)

Nutrition

In terms of food, we were content with eating in inexpensive cafes and restaurants, which we heard about from reviews of local Belgorod residents. I would especially like to highlight the following establishments where I was able to have a satisfying and tasty meal:

“Khomyachnaya” is a small fast food eatery with delicious shawarma.
Cafe “Soprano”, where I managed to eat my fill of quality and truly restaurant food. I ordered a meat frying pan, meat salad, pizza, wheat tortilla, dessert, juice, chicken breast with vegetables. All this cost 800 rubles, which is very reasonable for such delicious food.
“Khinkalnaya No. 1”, where I first tried Georgian cuisine.

Sunset at the Belgorod Zoo overlooking the pond

Preface

For three years now, I, a native southerner, have been exploring the cities of central Russia. In the summer of 2021, the lot fell on Belgorye, or more precisely, on its regional center - Belgorod. Problems with accommodation were resolved even before leaving; I was invited to visit a picturesque village near Belgorod. Having looked at the planned route and approximately estimated the time and expenses for the road, I set off on a journey that was long: more than 1000 kilometers and about fifteen hours of travel, which was suggested to me by the site RuDorogi.ru, where you can calculate the distance from point A to point B and even fuel consumption on the road.

Where to buy souvenirs and gifts

In Belgorod, tourists have access to several shops where they can inexpensively buy wonderful souvenirs and gifts.

One of them is the Souvenirs of Chernozemie chain store at Belgorod airport . It will be convenient for everyone who flies by plane, allowing them to spend their waiting time productively. The store's assortment includes most of the items described above: cute figurines, useful T-shirts, books, children's games and more.

The Art Salon at the Belgorod Art Museum has a good selection of all kinds of gifts . Above all, it showcases the work of local artisans, promoting the value and uniqueness of handcraft. There is a lot of painting and graphics, there are products made of ceramics, wicker, birch bark, colored glass and beads. In the store you can find literature on the history of the Belgorod region, postcards with sights, and classic souvenir plates, keychains, and spoons.

In addition, at the Art Salon, ask for rattles, toys and unusual wooden finger theaters as gifts for your child. For those who come as a group of children, the museum organizes creative workshops. Young travelers will make their own souvenir by decorating a plaster toy or stamping a colorful design on a napkin. A ceramics school is open at the museum for visitors over 12 years of age.

In the neighboring Museum of History and Local Lore and the Kursk Bulge Museum . Belgorod direction" there are souvenir kiosks. In the first one, it is located at the checkout of the institution and offers mainly standard souvenir products - magnets, plates. In the second one you will definitely find mini-samples of military equipment and magnets with the image of the Kursk Bulge building.

The large museum and memorial complex “Prokhorovskoe Field” in Prokhorovsk has several souvenir shops. They contain items with the symbols of Belgorod and military paraphernalia, options from small and inexpensive to serious and representative.

Souvenir shops, which always have the most popular trinkets and useful things, can be found in shopping centers in Belgorod. two of these - “Belgorod Souvenirs” and “Uniqum” in the Mayak department store on Belgorod Arbat, and another one in the Mercury shopping center on Pobedy Street. For those staying at the AMAKS Congress Hotel Belgorod or nearby, it would be advisable to visit the specialized shop in the hotel lobby.

The famous Borisov ceramics are sold in many shops in Belgorod and regional cities, including the souvenir shops mentioned above. However, you will find the largest selection of interior figurines and dishes in the store at the factory , which is located in the village. Borisovka at Respublikanskaya, 60. In the capital of the region, the company store is smaller - a kiosk in the underground passage of the Rodina stop . If your purchase is large or you want to buy something additional, order delivery to any city in Russia on the official website of the production.

Books on the history of the region, maps and postcards with views of Belgorod streets are worth looking in bookstores . There are many of them around the city, but we note that these were seen in the “Read-Gorod” network and the online stores “Labyrinth” and “Books of Belogorya” , which have distribution points in the city center.

Results of the trip

Unfortunately, we were not able to embrace the immensity and see all the sights of the capital of Belogorye. But this little trip left many impressions and practical conclusions regarding finances and accommodation:

Funds for fuel must be calculated based on weather data. If it’s winter or summer outside, be prepared for the additional costs that the heater and air conditioning in the car will require. It’s better to take at least 5 thousand rubles with you and refuel only at proven gas stations.
When traveling, it’s better to prepare your food at home, because eating at roadside cafes is expensive.
Plan your tourist route in advance, look at relevant websites and read reviews.
Look at reviews of cafes, restaurants and canteens where you are going to eat.
Do not provoke the traffic police - bring your car into proper shape.

Author: Ekaterina Sineok