Nikita Petrov: “Almetyevsk is literally the bottom of the ancient sea”

TOP 4 - what to see in Almetyevsk in one day

Almetyevsk has a lot of attractions, but against their backdrop, truly special places stand out, which are deservedly considered symbols of the city.

Cathedral Mosque named after Rinat Galeev

• Address: Sh. Marjani street, 82a.

The Almetyevsk Cathedral Mosque is a grandiose religious building, the construction of which took nine years (1990-1999). It received its name in honor of the former head of the Tatneft enterprise, Rinat Gimadelislamovich Galeev. He took an active part in the formation of the mosque, and his contribution was appreciated.

The mosque is located on an elevated place and attracts the eye from a distance. Although the building is modern, its architectural style retains elements of traditional Islamic architecture.

The mosque is decorated with five minarets. The tallest of them is crowned with a massive dome with a crescent at the end. In clear weather, the sun's rays reflect off the golden roofs of the minaret and the main building, causing the temple to shine dazzlingly.

The interior decoration of the mosque is replete with rich decorations and decorations in the form of wall paintings, ceramic tiles and stained glass windows. The Cathedral Mosque is the main Islamic temple of Almetyevsk and, undoubtedly, its most beautiful building.

Museum of Local Lore

• Address: st. Mira, 1.

The local history museum was founded in 1994. Initially, it did not have its own premises, but in honor of the city’s fiftieth anniversary, a separate building was allocated for it, spacious enough to accommodate the museum’s collection, which numbered more than 7 thousand.

The exhibitions tell about the history of the Almetyevsk region, from antiquity to modern times. They are divided into several sections:

1. “It all started like this...” The section covers different eras of life in the region and tells about ancient settlements, traditions and culture of indigenous people, merchants and nobles of the 17th-20th centuries, war years, the discovery of oil fields, the development of medicine and sports in the city.
2. “Newlyweds of all times unite!” — the original exhibition is dedicated to the evolution of wedding traditions. It tells about wedding costumes, festive treats, superstitions, bride price and marriage rituals.
3. "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten". This room reveals more deeply the events that took place in the city during the Second World War. Tourists are presented with personal belongings of soldiers, letters from the front, archaeological artifacts recovered from the battlefields and biographies of natives of Almetyevsk who participated in the battles.

In addition to the main exhibitions, the museum organizes thematic excursions, public events and children's parties. Master classes on clay modeling and weaving with beads and rags are also held.

Oil Monument

• Address: microdistrict 4B.

A spectacular and memorable monument to black gold was erected in 2007 on the occasion of the production of the three billionth ton of local oil. The sculpture of impressive size symbolizes the flow of oil gushing from the depths of the earth. The monument is located on a granite platform with a circular staircase.

Pedestrian promenade

• Address: Gagarin street.

A pedestrian promenade is a walking area that stretches over several streets. Its territory is filled with gazebos, sculptural compositions, fountains and is framed by well-groomed alleys.

This place is popular among young people and lovers of colorful photo shoots, because literally every centimeter of the attraction provides an original backdrop for an interesting photo.

How to get there?

By car from Kazan to Almetyevsk it takes about four hours - the distance between the cities is approximately 264 kilometers. The path starts from the Volga highway and leads to the village of Shaley with an exit to the new highway. Then you need to take the P239 highway and get to Chistopol. From there, follow the signs - get out onto the Orenburg road and continue on to the oil capital.

If you don’t have a car, you can use the BlaBlaCar service - the price for such a trip starts from 350 rubles and goes up to 650. There are also buses to Almetyevsk: from the South and from the Central stations. Check the schedule by calling and +7 (843) 293-04-00.

Popular taxi services like Yandex and Gett offer a ride to Almetyevsk for more than 4,000 rubles.

Museums and cultural institutions of Almetyevsk

In Almetyevsk, great attention is paid to the culture, education and social life of the townspeople.

Tatar State Drama Theater

• Address: st. Lenina, 37.

The drama theater building is the pearl of Almetyevsk. It is distinguished by snow-white columns and high arches. The history of the theater began in 1944, when an amateur troupe of aspiring actors was formed in the city.

Talented boys, girls and even children took part in impromptu performances. Since then, the drama theater has come a long way and from a small creative circle has turned into a professional theater recognized as one of the best in Tatarstan.

Performances here are performed in two languages: Russian and Tatar. The attraction's repertoire includes pop concerts, productions for children and adults, ballet, talent shows, and themed events.

Palace of Culture "Neftche"

• Address: st. Lenina, 98.

The building of the Almetyevsk Palace of Culture was designed in 1973 with the help of specialists from the Kyiv Architectural Institute. The main purpose of the building was its ability to accommodate a large number of people and provide them with a comfortable pastime.

The designers managed to accomplish this task: the Palace of Culture became the most visited and multifunctional institution in the city.

Today it houses the following leisure facilities:

• concert hall with modern sound and acoustic equipment;
• a parquet hall for holding public events, including themed balls;
• an extensive library with a collection of scientific publications;
• winter Garden;
• showroom.

The grand opening ceremony took place in the fall of 1981.

Art Gallery

• Address: st. Lenina, 98.

The art gallery hosts exhibitions of paintings and photographs by various authors. Most of the art is dedicated to oil themes and city landscapes.

A place of honor here is occupied by the works of the painter Kondrat Maksimov, who, although a native of Vyatka, spent his youth in Tatarstan.

On his canvases he depicted the charm of the Almetyevsk region with soul and feeling. The townspeople are very proud of these paintings, and the gallery treasures them.

Historical Museum named after Khaliulla Akhmetshin

• Address: st. Lenina, 101A, village of Nizhnee Abdulovo.

The historical museum is located in the outskirts of the city, in the village of Elokhovo. It was founded by the honored cultural figure and World War II veteran Khaliulla Khairullovich Akhmetshin at the end of 1961.

The museum's collection began with a tiny penny dating back to 1734 and has grown to 12 thousand exhibits. These include:

• archaeological artifacts;
• samples of national applied art;
• objects of natural origin (fossils, minerals, plants, rocks, precious metals and stones);
• paintings and sculptures;
• items of peasant and noble life.

There are also permanent exhibitions dedicated to the development of agriculture, schools, the oil industry and the war period. The exhibitions are housed in a one-story building, decorated in a colorful national style.

Map of Almetyevsk with houses

The northeast of the city is built up with low-rise comfortable houses, in which about a third of the population lives. In the west and northwest there are modern neighborhoods and the private sector. Using a map of Almetyevsk with house numbers, you can find any building if its address is known.

In the historical district of the city there are many green spaces; the facades of the buildings have been renovated and look very modern and beautiful. However, most townspeople prefer to live in the northeastern part, where large-scale construction of private brick cottages is underway. The prestige of the area influences the pricing policy in the real estate market.

A map of Almetyevsk with houses allows you to verify the presence of infrastructure facilities in each microdistrict of the city, as well as see whether there are green parks and ponds, highways and stops nearby.

Orthodox temples and churches of the city of Almetyevsk

All Orthodox churches in Almetyevsk were built in our time. There are no ancient churches or ancient monasteries here. Modern buildings breathe newness and serve not only as spiritual centers, but also as decorations of the city.

Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

• Address: Cathedral Square, 1.

The church stands next to the Cathedral Mosque. This location was not chosen by chance - churches belonging to Orthodoxy and Islam standing side by side symbolize the peace and equality that reigns between people of different nationalities and cultures.

The temple was built in 2003 in a classical style. It impresses with its size, spaciousness, white stone walls and the beauty of its five golden domes. The belfry is filled with eleven bells made in Yaroslavl (the largest one weighs more than a ton).

More than a thousand believers can be in the Kazan Church at the same time. Divine services, liturgies, baptismal and wedding ceremonies are regularly held here.

Church of the Nativity

• Address: st. Pushkina, 49.

A small temple was erected in memory of the fallen soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. Very often it is mistaken for an ancient church, but in fact it is a building of the 21st century. The ancient appearance is the result of imitation of the architectural style of the Yaroslavl Chapel of Alexander Nevsky, dating back to the end of the 19th century.

The architects of the temple did not skimp on decorations and gave it figured masonry, decorative barrels, shining hipped roofs with domes and bright colors. Around the building there is a small garden with flowering shrubs and flower beds. The territory is fenced with a wrought-iron fence on brick pillars.

War Monuments: Monuments and Sculptures

There were no military operations on the territory of Almetyevsk, but many of its residents took part in the battles for their homeland and died defending it. In honor of the heroes, monuments were erected on the streets of the city, reminding the modern generation of the cost at which peace was restored.

Military memorial complex

• Address: City Park.

The military memorial is the most significant monument in Almetyevsk. It is a massive stone slab with a carved portrait of a Russian soldier. The young man’s face is full of determination, his eyebrows are sternly knitted, and he clutches a gun barrel in his hand.

The monument is installed on an elevated platform, at its foot the Eternal Flame burns. The opening ceremony of the complex took place on May 9, 1975 - the thirtieth anniversary of Victory Day. Since then, a solemn meeting has been held annually on its territory.

Monument to fallen compatriots

• Coordinates on the map: 54.895014, 52.154270.

The monument to the fallen fellow countrymen was erected on the outskirts of the city in the 1980s. This is a stone stele depicting the Eternal Flame and the coat of arms of the Soviet Union.

The slogans are inscribed on the polished surface: “No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten” and “Eternal glory to the fallen” in Russian and Tatar. The main part of the monument is occupied by memorial plaques with a list of the names of natives of the Almetyevsk Territory who died in battle.

The location in a remote place does not affect the attendance of the monument - there are always wreaths and fresh carnations lying next to it.

Almetyevsk sculptural compositions

Another decoration of the city are sculptures. Each of them has its own meaning and hidden meaning, revealed only to attentive viewers.

"Inspiration"

• Address: ave. Gabdully Tukay/st. Lenin.

The sculpture “Inspiration” was created by the famous Tatar artist Mahmut Gasimov. He depicted the Muse riding a pegasus across the waves of a stormy sea. The figure is installed on a high pedestal in the form of a marble column with national ornaments.

The sculpture “Inspiration” is dedicated to Gabdulla Tukai, a national writer who did not live even thirty years, but during the allotted time he became an outstanding poet and made an invaluable contribution to the development of Tatar literature. The monument is located on Gabdulla Tukay Avenue.

"Mother Tartary" ("Fertility")

• GPS coordinates: 54.923300, 52.287259.

The work of sculptor Rafael Agafonov depicts a beautiful woman dressed in the Tatar national costume. Her right hand is extended in an inviting gesture, and her left hand holds the sun, symbolizing the friendliness and hospitality of the Republic. The height of the sculpture is seven meters, it is located at the entrance to the market square.

“Peace to the world!”

Sculpture “Peace to the World!” is a group of three people belonging to different nationalities. They hold the Earth in their outstretched arms, entwined with a long ribbon on which the word “PEACE” is embroidered in all languages. The symbolism of the composition lies in the desire of ordinary people who have gone through wars to live in peace and tranquility.

The author of the project was the sculptor Stanislav Slovitsky. Similar monuments were erected in many Soviet cities at the turn of the 1950s and 1960s, but most of them were destroyed during the “perestroika” period. Currently, examples of the monument “Peace to Peace” exist only in Moscow and Almetyevsk.

Monument to Pioneer Oil Workers

• Address: Neftchinikov Square.

In 1984, Almetyevsk celebrated the production of its two billionth ton of oil. In honor of this event, a monument to the pioneering oil workers was erected on Neftchinikov Square.

The sculptural composition consists of two figures of drillers of Slavic and Tatar origin. Together they work, mining “black gold”. In the same year, a large fountain was built next to the monument.

Lover's Bridge

• Coordinates: 54.896326, 52.283146.

In the center of the city there is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Almetyevsk - the Bridge of Lovers, from where picturesque city views open up. Almost all newlyweds come here. And here you can see swans gracefully swimming across the pond, across which the bridge is built.

Coat of arms of Almetyevsk

The coat of arms of Almetyevsk is made in the form of a so-called French shield. In the upper part there is a red rectangle (side 1/6 of the height of the coat of arms), with the inscription of the name of the city. The letters are convex and golden in color.

In the central section of the emblem’s plane, against a blue background, an oil rig with a drill bit is depicted. On a blue background, in the left corner - the numbers “1953”. There is a yellow border around the perimeter. The composition is not included in the State Heraldic Register of the Russian Federation. Approved by Decision No. 558 of the executive committee of the City Council of People's Deputies on October 9, 1987.

Where to go with a child in Almetyevsk

There is not much entertainment in the city of Almetyevsk, but still, city residents with children and family tourists will not be bored here.

Planetarium-cinema "Sfera"

• Address: ave. Stroiteley, 30/2B.

As reviews say, this is one of the most interesting places for a child in Almetyevsk. In addition to the fact that here you can admire the beauty of the starry sky, the most interesting films and films on the theme of space are available for viewing. The most interesting master classes for children are held here, and you can also organize a real holiday, such as a birthday, which will definitely cause a lot of positive emotions in your child.

Almetyevsk Children's Zoo

• Address: City Park.

People also often come here with their parents. Not to say that there are a lot of animals here, but the kids also like the ones that exist. Moms and dads note that the enclosures here are clean, the animals are cute and kind.

Almetrica Museum

• Address: st. Lenina, 69A.

This unusual place will help your child get acquainted with various physical phenomena, where even an adult will find it very interesting. The Music Department, the Science Block and the robotics presented deserve special attention. In a word, one visit to this attraction will clearly not be enough to see and try everything.

Don't miss: Beautiful places of Tatarstan and Sights of Kazan

Where is Almetyevsk located?

Almetyevsk is the administrative center of the Almetyevsky district, which forms the municipality of Almetyevsk.
It has the status of an urban settlement. Located in the Republic of Tatarstan. It is located in Zakamye, on the slopes of the Bugulma-Belebeevskaya Upland. The city is also located on the banks of the Zay River. It is the largest city in the polycentric Almetyevsko-Bugulma-Leningrad agglomeration. The approximate population is 157 thousand people. The city is the fourth largest in Tatarstan. The total area of ​​Almetyevsk is 118 square kilometers. The climate in the city of Almetyevsk is the same as throughout the Volga region and central Russia: warm and hot summers, moderately cold winters. The annual precipitation rate is 500 mm. The main industrial sector in the city is oil production. Because of this, the city often smells of gas. The situation with the poor environmental situation is aggravated by the fact that Almetyevsk is located in a lowland and surrounded by hills.

Almetyevsk is located in the same time zone as Moscow, the offset relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is +3.

Nature around Almetyevsk

Almetyevsk is a green city, replete with picturesque views and unique natural sites.

City park named after the 60th anniversary of Tatarstan oil\

• Address: st. Radishcheva, 22.

The city park has everything you need for recreation: bicycle and walking paths, comfortable benches in the shade of spreading trees, cafes, picnic fields and tennis courts. In winter, you can go ice skating and skiing here.

The local amusement park is very popular: it has more than thirty carousels, including an autodrome, Formula Viatti and Free Fall. A small zoo is open for children.

Every year the park becomes more fashionable and modern thanks to the sponsorship of the Tatneft enterprise, which makes a significant contribution to the development of the city.

Cascade of ponds

• Coordinates: 54.902200, 52.285743.

Initially, the park area near the Cathedral Mosque was neglected and poorly maintained. It was crossed by an overgrown ravine with a swampy pond.

However, in 2003, Shafagat Takhautdinov, the director, organized work to improve the natural area. Then lawns and leafy alleys were planted, pedestrian and bicycle paths were equipped, and a Cascade of ponds was erected on the site of the ravine. It is made up of several lakes located at different heights and separated by bridges.

Many years have passed since the park was founded, but it still enjoys the love of the townspeople and is included in the list of the most picturesque places in Almetyevsk.

City Beach

• Address: Shevchenko street.

In the city center there is also a small but quite cozy and equipped beach where you can swim, sunbathe and relax. Near the beach there are a number of shops and kiosks where you can buy everything you need.

Komsomolsky Park

• Address: Sovetskaya street.

Komsomolsky Park is a corner of nature in the middle of a bustling city. It is literally surrounded by the greenery of a birch grove, bushes and flower beds. The area is perfect for families with children. For them, there are playgrounds with carousels, swings and sandboxes, as well as sports courts suitable for roller skating and cycling.

Lake Aktashsky Proval

• Coordinates: 54.915000, 52.148027.

A natural sinkhole formed in 1930 and filled with karst waters, turning into an amazingly beautiful turquoise lake.

The reservoir contains a large amount of minerals, especially calcium. Its depth is 20 meters and its circumference is 28 meters.

In December 2005, Aktash Proval received the status of a natural monument and is protected by the state as a protected area.

Almetyevsk. History and sights

Almetyevsk is a city (since November 3, 1953) in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. Administrative center of Almetyevsky district. The city of Almetyevsk forms a municipal entity with the status of an urban settlement as the only settlement in its composition. The largest city in the polycentric Almetyevsko-Bugulma-Leninogorsk agglomeration and the center of the TPK of the South-Eastern economic zone of the republic, the fourth most populous city in Tatarstan.

Climate and ecology of Almetyevsk

The climate in Almetyevsk is the same as that characteristic of the Volga region and the entire central zone of Russia. Quite warm, sometimes quite hot summers, moderately cold winters. The average temperature in January is about 10 degrees, in July - about 20. The average precipitation per year is about 500 millimeters.

Oil production, as the main industry, determines not only the life of the region as a whole, but also the environmental situation. Those who do not live in the area permanently, but come there from time to time, have probably noticed the presence in the air of the smell of gas, which is released in large volumes during the oil production process.

The matter is further aggravated by the fact that Almetyevsk is located in a lowland and surrounded by hills. On the one hand, this factor protects residents from strong winds, on the other hand, it complicates the process of “ventilating” the territory from automobile exhausts and associated gas combustion products.

The industrial development of Almetyevsk is one of the reasons for the abundance of transport, including transit, which also affects the air quality. A large industrial zone that occupies almost the entire southern part of the city, many gas stations, a large sector of private housing heated by gas - all this also does not contribute to improving the environmental situation.

Population of Almetyevsk and demography

According to the latest census data, more than 140 thousand people live in Almetyevsk. The city is very international. Representatives of more than 60 nationalities live here. The three most numerous ethnic groups look like this: Tatars (more than 50%), Russians (more than 40%), Chuvash (about 2.5%). In general, the higher standard of living in Almetyevsk than the average for Tatarstan, given the structure of the economy, which is dominated by the oil industry, determines the relatively prosperous demographic situation in the city. On average, the district registry office registers from 40 to 60 newborns per week. As for mortality, in the first half of 2012, 786 cases were registered in the city, which is 25 less than in the same period in 2011.

But the situation with unemployment is worse than in Tatarstan as a whole. At the beginning of 2010, at the height of the crisis, its level in the city reached almost 4.5%. In 2012, unemployment in the city hovered around 1.5%, which, although insignificant, is still higher than the average for the Republic of Tatarstan, but lower than in areas with a depressed economy.

The standard of living in Almetyevsk is clearly visible. For example, in terms of the number of cars per 1 thousand people, the city is not inferior to the megacities of Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny, and on a Russian scale it can even be compared with Moscow and St. Petersburg. Moreover, the quality of the population’s vehicle fleet is impressive: the concentration of prestigious foreign cars on Almetyevsk streets is visually, perhaps, not inferior to the two Russian capitals. And this despite the fact that the average salary in the city is only a couple of thousand rubles higher than the low average salary in Tatarstan. The last figure is about 20 thousand. Although there is no reason to be surprised, knowing that the central office of OJSC Tatneft is located in Almetyevsk, whose employees are, frankly speaking, not poor people, and the average salary level is no more objective than the average temperature of patients in the hospital. Unlike most regional centers of Tatarstan, Almetyevsk is a young city, in the sense that there are a lot of young people in it. The Almetyevsk State Petroleum Institute is located here. More than 5 thousand students study at the institute, which is already about 3% of the city’s population.

City `s history

About the history of the city It is not known for certain when exactly on the banks of the Stepnoy Zai River, in the place of modern Almetyevsk, the settlement was founded. However, in 1840, during a survey taking place in the region, residents of the village of Almetyevo reported to the authorities that it appeared 121 years ago, that is, in 1719. The village received its name from its founder, a mullah named Almet. At that time, even a letter signed by this man was preserved. The village was large: in 1930, during the administrative division into districts and regions, Almetyevo became a regional center. History has not yet settled down, but the city of Almetyevsk began with the discovery of the Romashkinskoye deposit. In 1943-1944, geological surveys were carried out in Tatarstan, which discovered the Shugurovskoye field and determined the right direction for further searches for a more productive oil-bearing formation.

In 1948, near the village of Romashkino (Timyashevo), a team led by Sergei Kuzmin uncovered this powerful layer. The era of development of these powerful oil deposits in the southeast of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic began, which were rightly called the “Second Baku.” This led to a large influx of workers and specialists. The village of Almetyevo, which received an impetus for growth and development, was transformed into the urban-type settlement of Almetyevsk in 1952, which a year later, in 1953, received city status.

The headquarters of the oil industry is located in Almetyevsk, which is the main source of budget revenues and the sponsor of most construction, improvement and development projects. Significant enterprises are also those that produce electric centrifugal pumps for oil production, and a pipe factory that makes oil and gas pipelines.

Enterprises and work in Almetyevsk

Although Almetyevsk is not formally a single-industry town, given its diverse and relatively diversified industry, the city’s economy still has distinct specifics. Whatever one may say, Almetyevsk is Tatneft. More than 70% of added value in the city comes from oil industry enterprises. In addition to the head office of the oil company, a number of structural divisions of Tatneft are located in the city. Mechanical engineering and metalworking enterprises are also closely connected with the oil industry: the ALNAS electric pump plant, a pipe plant, a rubber products plant, and a reinforced concrete products plant. Even the main light industry enterprise, the Alsou hosiery factory, was once created on the initiative of an oil company to solve the problem of female unemployment in the region.

Judging by the advertisements for workers, there are a lot of vacancies at Almetyevsk enterprises. But the labor market in the city is characterized by the same problem as other Russian cities - a clear imbalance between the demand for blue-collar jobs and the supply, which is dominated by lawyers and economists. The financial and economic sphere of Almetyevsk is well staffed, which cannot be said about the industrial sector. Hence the very favorable offers to job seekers in terms of wages. For example, finding a job with a salary of at least 30 thousand for a qualified welder in Almetyevsk is not a problem; the same can be said about turners and milling operators. Even IT specialists are not rated so highly on the local labor market; for them, a salary of 20 thousand is already considered good, and for hosiery factory workers it is the ultimate dream.

Finding a job in the city is quite possible for a good programmer. The trade sector is also very widely represented on the local labor market: vacancies for salespeople and sales managers occupy approximately a third of all vacancies. More than half of the vacancies are related to the oil production sector and related industries. One of the characteristic features of the city is a large number of trade facilities and service enterprises. Shops, cafes, beauty salons and other establishments of this type occupy the first floors of almost all houses located along the central streets.

There are not many large shopping centers in the city. The main one is the three-level shopping center "Panorama", located on Lenin Street - one of the central and busiest. The concept of the shopping complex is not particularly original; it contains a set typical for most shopping centers of this kind. Since Panorama is the only large shopping and leisure center in the city, the number of its visitors on weekends reaches 15 thousand. Car enthusiasts are not deprived of choice either - there are more than two dozen car dealerships in the city.

Interesting places

Despite its modest size, Almetyevsk can surprise tourists with a significant number of attractions and interesting places. These include museums, religious buildings and temples, monuments and natural attractions. There are also many sports facilities where those who wish can improve their health. When choosing where to go in Almetyevsk, you should pay attention not only to museums and other buildings, but also to unusual monuments and sculptures.

Museums and galleries

The city has a museum and art gallery, a palace of culture, a regional house of culture and a youth center. Those interested can also visit the local drama theater, founded in 1944, the Light Wings street theater, or watch a film at the local cinema. The following museums are open in Almetyevsk:

• Museum of Local Lore (Mira Street, 1). It was opened in 1944. Its exhibition covers the life and history of Almetyevsk, with special attention paid to the history of the emergence and development of oil production. It presents household items and crafts, archaeological finds dating back to various eras, various documents and other written sources.
• Art gallery (Prospekt Stroiteley, 35). Most of the work is devoted to oil and local beauty. The gallery also owns a collection of paintings by the artist Kondrat Maksimov, who studied and lived in his beloved Tatarstan.
• Pasmurnov's estate. It is located in the village of Novonikolskoye, 22 km from the city and represents the remains of an estate built in the 18th century. Unfortunately, now only an outbuilding remains, but the local school museum has preserved photographs and information about the estate and its owners.

Temples and mosques

Due to the heterogeneous national composition, religion in Almetyevsk is also represented by 2 main faiths - Islam and Orthodoxy. This was reflected in religious architecture. Among the city's attractions are several temples and mosques:

• Cathedral Mosque named after Galeev. Construction began in 1990 and lasted about 9 years. The mosque received its name in honor of the former head of Tatneft, who made a great personal contribution to its construction. The mosque itself combines modern and canonical architectural solutions; it is decorated with stained glass windows, paintings and ceramic tiles. The building is crowned with a wide golden dome. Nearby are the religious center named after Riza Fakhretdin and the Islamic Institute.
• Second cathedral mosque. This is a small one-story building built in the 70s of the 19th century. In the 1930s, the mosque lost its minaret, but it was restored in the late 1990s.
• Church of the Nativity. Built in 2000 in honor of all the soldiers who have ever died. Despite its small age, the temple looks quite old. This impression is due to its shape (the Yaroslavl Alexander Nevsky Chapel, built at the end of the 19th century, was taken as the basis), the choice of color (red and yellow brick) and modest decorations.
• Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God. Built in 2007, its appearance resembles the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The building consists of 2 floors: the upper one is dedicated to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the lower one is dedicated to the Myrrh-Bearing Women. It is one of the most visited religious places in the city, thanks to its unique porcelain iconostasis.

Park and walking areas

Entertainment in Almetyevsk is not limited to museums and religious places. The city has several landscaped parks and a reservoir. Almost all of them have been recently renovated and are suitable for visiting with a small child. Lovers of walking and active recreation will be interested in visiting the following places:

• Cascade of ponds. It is located in the city center near the Galeev Mosque. Initially, the area was very swampy, but now there is a park with a pond, bicycle and roller paths, playgrounds and cafes where you can eat. It is noteworthy that nearby there is a registry office and a bridge of lovers, on which it is customary to hang a padlock as a sign of eternal love.
• Pedestrian promenade. Located on Gagarin Street near the Cascade of Ponds. This pedestrian area is decorated with sculptures, gazebos, a fountain and products of local blacksmiths.
• City park named after the 60th anniversary of Tatarstan oil. Its area is 16 hectares. On its territory there are walking alleys, playgrounds and a lovers' alley, monuments, including the Great Patriotic War Memorial, attractions and a zoo.
• Aktash failure. A natural monument of regional significance is located near Almetyevsk. It was formed by accident in 1939: while working, a tractor suddenly fell underground. Neither the car nor the tractor driver could be pulled out, and the hole quickly filled with clean water. Now the resulting lake enjoys a bad reputation. The water in it is highly mineralized, odorless and colorless.
• Reservoir on the Zai River. This is a natural area with picturesque views, equipped for family and active recreation. Here you can have a picnic, go boating, motorboats and catamarans. On the shore of the reservoir there is a hippodrome and several observation platforms.