Tsarevokokshaisk, founded in 1584 as a military base on the territory of the conquered Kazan Khanate, developed slowly, although a hundred years later it became the main city of the district. Until the October Revolution, it did not stand out among the policies of the Volga region in anything other than the abundance of educational institutions. The city received the status of the administrative center of the Mari Autonomous Okrug under the name Krasnokokshaysk, and Yoshkar-Oloy began to be called in 1928. During the Second World War, several large enterprises were evacuated here, which predetermined the vector of further progressive development of the policy. Today, the capital of the Republic of Mari El is a prosperous city with developed infrastructure, economy, and culture. The sights of Yoshkar-Ola, photos and descriptions of which are contained in the article, are incredibly colorful.
TOP-5 attractions of Yoshkar-Ola
Among the things you should definitely see in Yoshkar-Ola, even if you are passing through here, there are several historical and architectural monuments of significant significance. They are considered the calling cards of the city and make it recognizable.
Annunciation Tower
- Address: Republic Square and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
This unique creation of modern architects, erected in 2007, has become, perhaps, the main calling card of Yoshkar-Ola. The unique structure is very similar in outline to the Spasskaya Tower in Moscow. The main volume consists of three portals with arched passages. The central tower, crowned with a gilded national coat of arms, rises 55 m above the square. Each side of the quadrangle of the second tier of the tower is decorated with 3.5-meter chime dials. The chime of the clock, broadcast by eight powerful speakers, can be heard within a radius of several kilometers.
Clock "12 Apostles"
- Address: Tsargradsky Avenue, 37. Transport stop “Patriarchal Square”.
At the end of the last decade, city authorities decided to build a multifunctional entertainment and commercial center on Patriarchal Square. When choosing a project, special attention was paid to ensuring that the new building harmoniously fits into the appearance of the recreation area. The goal was fully achieved. Moreover, the colorful building with turrets has become one of the calling cards of Yoshkar-Ola, thanks to its unique clock. Every 180 minutes from 9:00 to 21:00, to the sounds of bells and church chants, figures of Jesus Christ riding a donkey and his disciples-apostles begin to move one after another along the balcony of the building. The procession ends with Judas Iscariot with his head bowed and a bag filled with silver pieces. Crowds of citizens and tourists gather to see the amazing spectacle.
Kokshay Kremlin
- Address: st. Voznesenskaya. Transport stop "Central".
Since 2009, one of the main attractions of the city has been a fortress built of brick on the site where in the 16th century. A wooden fort was built, which marked the beginning of modern Yoshkar-Ola. The walls of the fortress, quadrangular in plan, are protected by four square and round towers, topped with green pointed domes. Inside the citadel there is a magnificent square with cozy benches. Visitors will be able to get acquainted with the exhibition “The Legend of Tsarev Grad”, admire ancient cannons cast according to original drawings of the 16th–17th centuries, and view an exhibition made up of artifacts found during the construction of the Kremlin.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 20:00.
- Address: Voskresenskaya embankment, 1. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
The magnificent cathedral, which became the dominant feature of Republic Square, was built with private donations for about six years and was consecrated by Patriarch Kirill in 2021. The structure, capable of accommodating 2 thousand believers at the same time, looks grandiose. The central gilded head of the temple, crowned with a pointed green tent, rises 74 m. A three-tier bell tower is attached to the main volume. The cathedral, made in the best traditions of ancient Russian architecture, captivates, delights, and amazes the imagination.
Bruges waterfront
- Address: embankment between Theater Bridge and st. Internationalist warriors. Transport stops "Embankment" and "Patriarchal Square".
Perhaps none of the tourists coming to Yoshkar-Ola for the first time assumes that the city has a real medieval European quarter. Meanwhile, this is exactly the case. Here, along the banks of the Malaya Kokshaga River, a complex of buildings was built in an authentic and incredibly romantic Flemish style. Most of the mansions are occupied by republican government structures, however, this does not deprive the area of its color. Walking along the landscaped embankment, you can admire magnificent buildings, including the stunning building of the Wedding Palace, the monument to Empress Elizabeth, and magnificent views of the historical part of the city.
Architectural masterpieces and monuments of Yoshkar-Ola
Photos of the sights of Yoshkar-Ola will take pride of place in the album of the most spoiled traveler. The city has a lot of amazing buildings and colorful monuments.
Mari Drama Theater building
- Address: Lenin Square, 2. Transport stop "Teatralnaya".
The five-story building, erected in 1962 for the national theater, is an excellent monument to the architectural style called Stalinist Empire. It is grandiose and surprisingly proportional, very massive, but at the same time it looks incredibly elegant. The façade of the Palace of Arts is decorated with a portico with a carved cornice and a sculptural composition in a niche. It is supported by 12 massive white columns with luxurious capitals, which gives the wonderful building a resemblance to an ancient temple.
Monument to I. Nogotkov-Obolensky
- Address: Transport stop "Leninsky Prospekt".
Historians consider Prince Nogotkov-Obolensky to be the founder of Tsarevokokshaisk. It was he who supervised the construction of the fortress and was the first city governor. One of the most beautiful squares in Yoshkar-Ola was named in honor of Ivan Andreevich, on which a monument erected in his honor has been standing since 2007. The massive monument, made of natural stone and bronze, is 6 m high and weighs about 6 tons. The prince, dressed in a marching uniform and clutching a scroll with a royal decree in his hand, sits in the saddle of a faithful horse. His proud posture and facial expression radiate calmness and self-confidence.
Monument to Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich
- Address: Voskresenskaya embankment. Transport stop "Tsarevokokshay Kremlin".
The only monument in Russia to Tsar Fedor, the third son of Ivan the Terrible, appeared in the city not by chance. It was at the behest of this sovereign that a fortress was erected on the Kokshaga River, from which the current Yoshkar-Ola grew. The bronze statue of the ruler, holding the Power in one hand and touching the Orthodox cross on his chest with the other hand, is installed on a granite pedestal with a commemorative inscription embossed in gold. The height of the monument is 5 m. It took 1.3 tons to make it. bronze
Yoshkin cat
- Address: Lenin Square, 1. Transport stop "Teatralnaya".
One of the symbols of modern Yoshkar-Ola was an original sculpture that appeared in the city center in the summer of 2011. On a bench next to the freely lounging Yoshkar-Ola cat, radiating incredible bliss, tourists who come to Yoshkar-Ola now always take pictures. The bronze favorite of the townspeople is good-natured and very well-fed, weighing almost 130 kg. The cat’s nose shines, because all you have to do is rub it for your wish to come true.
By the way, in 2013, a monument to Yoshka’s cat was erected nearby. The composition consists of two sculptures - an elegant fluffy seductress and a cat, who lost his head from the unearthly beauty and missed the fleeing mouse.
Monument to Lorenzo de' Medici
- Address: Medici Park. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
Among the interesting places in Yoshkar-Ola, which are included in the mandatory visit program for tourist groups, the Italian Garden, created with donations from city patrons, stands out for its aesthetic sophistication. Its main decoration is a monument to the ruler of the 15th century. De Medici, who did an incredible amount for the prosperity of the Florentine Republic. The sculptor depicted Lorenzo the Magnificent seated on a throne. Behind it is a statue of a lion with a heraldic shield in its paws. The muse soared above the throne, overshadowing the brow of the great statesman and poet with a laurel wreath.
Fountain "Into Space"
- Address: Yubileinaya Square. Transport stop "Cosmonauts Square".
There are quite a lot of fountains for every taste in Yoshkar-Ola. They were built at different times, preserving in their exterior the flavor of bygone historical eras. The original hydraulic structure in Cosmonauts Park, inaugurated in 1975, is especially loved by the townspeople. A sculptural composition made of metal is installed in the center of the stone bowl. It depicts an astronaut, as if floating in weightlessness between the interweaving of planetary orbits and the first Soviet Sputnik soaring into the sky. Geysers spewing water jets from vents installed in the bottom of the pool add a special flavor to the composition.
Other city attractions
The area where Yoshkar Ola is located is unique in many ways. If this is your first time in this wonderful city, be sure to visit Nogotkov-Obolensky Square. This is one of the most interesting places in the ancient city. There is a monument to the governor of Tsarevokokshaisk (that’s what this city was once called).
The square is named after him. Near the monument is an exact copy of the capital’s Tsar Cannon. An art gallery is located on the same square. It is not as big as in the capital, but still the largest in the city.
But in Arkhangelskaya Sloboda there is a monument to a big, big cat, which nobly arched its back. And near the agricultural ministry of the republic, a shelter and a calf are grazing. This is “Ode to the Russian Burenka”. And at the University of Mari there is... Yoshkin's cat - a favorite vacation spot for students.
Yoshkin cat
The area where Yoshkar Ola is located is full of the most unexpected and unusual places worth visiting. To have time to visit this city, satellite-controlled chimes will come to the rescue. The city is looking forward to guests and is ready to open up to each of them.
Yoshkar-Ola museums and theaters
Travelers will not have any problems with where to go in Yoshkar-Ola to get a lot of unforgettable impressions and expand their knowledge base. The doors of local theaters and museums open hospitably to tourists.
Museum of the Republic of Mari El
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Ticket price: adult 80 rubles, reduced price 50 rubles, preschoolers 20 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.fumus.ru
- Address: st. Sovetskaya, 153. Transport stop "Universitetskaya".
The oldest republican museum, whose holdings include more than 230 thousand items, dates back its history to 1920. During this time, its exhibitions, telling about the unique flora and fauna of the region, culture, customs of the multinational population, and the rich history of the republic, were visited by millions of visitors. The exhibition halls display stuffed animals, archaeological artifacts, samples of ancient weapons, and national costumes. The pride of the museum is its extensive collection of paintings telling about the life and colorful traditions of the Mari ethnic group.
National Gallery of Art
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00, on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 20:00.
- Ticket price: adult 80 rubles, reduced price 40 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.rmii.ru
- Address: Leninsky Prospekt, 24. Transport stop "Teatralnaya".
The art gallery, opened in 2007, is housed in a magnificent building with airy Moorish galleries, built according to the architectural canons of the Renaissance. The tower of the central portal of the palace is decorated with the dial of chimes, during which a donkey with the image of the Mother of God moves along the elegant balcony, symbolizing the arrival of Christianity on the land of Mari El. In the spacious halls of the gallery, exhibitions of paintings, graphics, sculptures are held, and there is a permanent exhibition introducing visitors to the work of Mari artists, masters of decorative and applied arts, authentic embroidery, and colorful national costume.
Russian Drama Theater
- Opening hours: performances are given from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive. Daytime performances begin at 11:00, evening performances at 18:30.
- Ticket price: from 120 rub. up to 400 rub.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.rusdramtheatre.ru
- Address: Nikonova Square, 1. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
City Russian Drama will celebrate its centenary in 2021. During this time, the troupe's actors presented many performances of various genres to the audience. The performances of the artistic group have always attracted fans of Melpomene with their colorfulness. Current interpretations of classics and productions of plays by modern playwrights have often attracted and continue to attract full houses. S. Snegovskoy, Y. Sinkovsky, N. Shvedova, awarded the title of Honored Artists of Russia, shine on the local stage.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of Yoshkar-Ola is presented in the form of a French shield. It is crowned with a golden tower crown with five teeth, with a national Mari ornament in a hoop. A silver elk is depicted on an azure background. The animal, facing the viewer's left, has golden horns and hooves. Precious metal symbolizes wealth, nobility, and prosperity. The artiodactyl embodies strength and power.
The coat of arms was approved by the decision of the meeting of deputies of the city district of the fifth convocation dated June 22, 2011 No. 286-V.
Temples of Yoshkar-Ola
Representatives of various religious faiths have lived in friendship in the city for centuries. Therefore, there are many Orthodox churches and mosques in Yoshkar-Ola, and the indigenous population of the republic has the opportunity to perform traditional religious rites in national spiritual centers.
Ascension Cathedral
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.voznesenie-ola.cerkov.ru
- Address: st. Voznesenskaya, 31. Transport stop “Pharmacy No. 1”.
The Temple of the Ascension of the Lord is one of the oldest religious buildings in Yoshkar-Ola that has survived to this day. It was erected back in the Elizabethan era, and consecrated in 1756. Over the centuries of its existence, the church survived fires and a period of oblivion. During the years of persecution of religion, the temple bell tower was destroyed, and the main building was transferred to a local brewery. Only in the mid-90s of the last century did the restoration of the cathedral begin. Unfortunately, the unique frescoes of the 18th century. were irretrievably lost. The reconstruction carried out returned the temple to its historical appearance. Today, divine services are again held within its walls.
Trinity Church
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.troitsky.cerkov.ru
- Address: st. Voznesenskaya, 53. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
Historians are inclined to consider the church, consecrated in the name of the Holy Trinity in 1736, to be the oldest stone structure in the city. However, this is only partly true. The fact is that the temple was almost completely dismantled during the period of persecution of religion. By the end of the last century, all that remained of it was the foundation, on which a modern building was built, differing in exterior from the prototype. The new church is not nearly as ascetic as the traditional eight-on-four with dull drums of its predecessor. The white stone temple, shining with gilded domes, is decorated with kokoshnik belts, carved arches, and mosaics.
Resurrection Cathedral
- Opening hours: daily, from 8:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.vosksenski1-ola.cerkov.ru
- Address: st. Voznesenskaya, 45. Transport stop “Tsarevokokshay Kremlin”.
The history of the temple, in which more than one generation of townspeople were baptized and married, is tragic. It was built with money donated by citizens and patrons of the arts, and consecrated in 1759. After the October Revolution, the church was briefly transferred to the renovationists, and then the building was converted into a cinema. At numerous requests from Yoshkarolin residents, the cathedral resumed work in 1944, but 16 years later, the authorities ordered its demolition. The construction of a new building on this site was completed in 2010. Since then, church ceremonies have been held again under the arches of the elegant single-domed temple, a monument of architectural classicism.
Where to go with a child in Yoshkar-Ola
The beautiful city will be a great place to spend a holiday with the whole family. It warmly welcomes young travelers, offering them a varied entertainment program.
Republican Puppet Theater
- Opening hours: performances are given on Fridays and weekends. Performances start at 10:00 and 11:00.
- Ticket price: from 150 rub. up to 500 rub.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.teatrkukolmariel.ru
- Address: Tsargradsky Prospekt, 35. Transport stop "Central Microdistrict".
A visit to this amazing institution will be a holiday for a child, because immersion in the world of a fairy tale here begins long before the start of the performance. The theater is located in a picturesque castle with high towers and weather vanes - a real architectural pearl of Yoshkar-Ola. Colorful performances based on fairy tales, legends and traditions leave no less vivid impressions on children, during which the dolls seem to come to life in the hands of the wonderful artists of the troupe. The repertoire includes several performances for adults.
Museum of Folk Applied Arts
- Opening hours: daily, except Mondays, from 10600 to 18:00, on Thursdays from 10:00 to 20:00.
- Ticket price: adult 40 rubles, children 20 rubles.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.fumus.ru
- Address: st. Chernyshevsky, 23. Transport stop "Chavaina Boulevard".
The museum's exhibitions are housed in a wooden historical mansion, decorated with openwork carvings, which is included in the register of architectural monuments of republican significance. Visiting here will be equally interesting for both adults and young travelers. The exhibition halls display masterpieces made by skilled needlewomen and carvers from Mari El. Among the exhibits, tourists will see samples of authentic national embroidery, hand-woven towels and tablecloths. Of particular interest is the exhibition-retrospective of the Mari costume. Children will be delighted by the collection of toys.
Central Park of Culture and Culture
- Opening hours: on weekdays from 10:00 to 20:00, on weekends from 10:00 to 21:00.
- Ticket price: tickets for attractions cost from 60 rubles. up to 150 rub.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.park-ola.mari-el.muzkult.ru
- Address: st. Komsomolskaya. Transport stop "CPKiO".
The main park of Yoshkar-Ola invites you to have a wonderful time with the whole family in the fresh air. There is entertainment for children of any age. Little ones are welcome in play areas with safe swings and carousels. Teenagers will be able to ride on a variety of attractions and play active games on sports grounds. From the cabin of the large Ferris wheel you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city quarters. On the recreational territory there is an Alley of Military Glory with an Eternal Flame and monumental compositions. The park is decorated with sculptures and flower beds.
Read about other cities in the Volga region of Russia:
- Penza, Orenburg, Saransk,
- Ulyanovsk, Izhevsk, Kirov,
- Cheboksary, Ufa, Perm,
- Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod,
- Samara, Kozmodemyansk, Kazan.
Yoshkar-Ola is one of the cities of the Volga region that every self-respecting traveler should visit. All conditions for a comfortable stay have been created here, and the number of memorable attractions is simply off the charts.
Diversity of Nationalities
As for the ethnic composition of the city, it has 96 different peoples. The majority of the population in the territory is Russian - 68%. Next come the indigenous Mari - 24%. The third place in number is occupied by the Tatar peoples - 4.3%. In addition to the main national composition, the urban population of Yoshkar-Ola consists of:
- Chuvash;
- Ukrainians;
- Azerbaijanis;
- Armenians;
- Uzbeks;
- Belarusians;
- Udmurts;
- Georgians;
- Germans and many others.
