Sights of Udmurtia
Udmurtia today. The Udmurt Republic is one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and is territorially part of the Volga Federal District.
It occupies an area of 42,100 sq/km and has a population of 1,528 thousand people. It borders with the Kirov region, Perm region, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. The capital of the republic is the city of Izhevsk.
On the territory of the Republic there are such minerals as peat, coal and oil. The main waterways are the large rivers - Kama and Vyatka.
Monument "Friendship of Peoples" in Udmurtia
So, it is in Izhevsk that there is a monument that is considered a symbol of Udmurtia and its landmark. This is the Friendship of Peoples memorial - the tallest monument in Russia. Its total height is 46 meters. Two pylons on the shore of Izhevsk Pond soared to such a height, symbolizing the friendship of Udmurtia and Russia.
On the front side between them there are metal and gilded reliefs depicting a worker, a warrior and famous women of Russia and Udmurtia, and on the back there is a relief with the heraldic symbols of the two united countries. This majestic monument was made of granite, steel, hammered copper and gold plating by a team of sculptors led by R.K. Topuridze and A.N. Burganov in 1972, and in 2008 it was reconstructed. After reconstruction, the monument looks especially beautiful at night.
Historical and biographical house-museum of N.V. Melnikova
Another famous person who lived most of his life in Udmurtia is Nikolai Vasilyevich Melnikov, a geologist who studied the problems of mining in Soviet times. He has repeatedly received state awards for solving problems.
The house where he was born and raised now houses a museum that tells about the scientist’s childhood, as well as his main discoveries and general scientific activities. The museum's collection contains Melnikov's instruments, which helps to understand the atmosphere of the museum in more detail. The house-museum is open to tourists from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays).
Location: Sarapul, st. Efima Kolchina, 37.
Monument to Dumplings
Here, in Izhevsk, there is another remarkable monument and landmark of Udmurtia. This is a unique “Monument to Dumplings” of its kind. It was not installed in the city by chance, because it is Udmurtia, and its capital Izhevsk, that is rightfully considered the birthplace of dumplings. Judge for yourself: the word “dumpling” itself comes from the Udmurt word “pelnyan”, which translated means “bread ear”. At least, the author of the sculpture, Alexey Shklyaev, is sure that the most delicious dumplings are prepared right here, in Izhevsk.
Udmurt Republican Museum of Fine Arts
The museum was opened in Izhevsk only in 1980. During this time, the museum managed to collect a good fund, represented mainly by works by Udmurt authors. The museum's holdings include a large number of watercolors from the 18th-20th centuries and a collection of dolls.
The museum also constantly hosts temporary exhibitions, mainly presented by the works of the local art school. The museum often hosts interactive events, master classes and events, making it a unique gathering place for the city’s creative elite. The museum is open to guests from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed on Sundays).
Location: Izhevsk, st. Kirova, 128.
Izhevsk St. Michael's Cathedral
One of the most important cultural and spiritual attractions of Udmurtia is St. Michael’s Cathedral, located in the very center of the capital of Udmurtia, Izhevsk. This cathedral church of the Udmurt diocese was built in honor of Archangel Michael in 1907. It was built over the course of 10 long years (starting from 1897) by the entire Izhevsk: with contributions from the workers of the Izhevsk plant, money from benefactors, parishioners and the builders themselves. However, with the establishment of Soviet power, the bells were initially thrown off the cathedral, a little later it was turned into a local history museum, and in 1937 it was completely destroyed. Only on the 100th anniversary of the cathedral, in 2007, through the joint efforts of both the clergy and the government of the Udmurt Republic, the temple was completely restored. Today, as in the original version, this cathedral of exceptional beauty has three altars in the upper church: the southern one - St. Nicholas, the northern one - the Holy Martyr Queen Alexandra, and the main one - St. Michael the Archangel of God.
In March 2013, Izhevsk St. Michael's Cathedral became a participant in the All-Russian competition for the title of the main attraction of Russia.
The restored Cathedral is located next to the famous Small Arms Museum. By the way, also one of the contenders for the honorary title.
Natural attractions of Udmurtia: photos with descriptions
National Park "Nechkinsky"
Nechkinsky National Park
This picturesque place in the village of Novy, Votkinsk district, covers an area of about 200 square meters. km. In the middle of dense forests untouched by man, there are clear lakes teeming with fish. Therefore, for fishing lovers this is simply a paradise.
It is also a great place for people who love outdoor activities. In the Nechkinsky National Park, walking tours are organized with visits to archaeological sites, sites of primitive people, burial grounds and ancient settlements, various ethnocultural sites and overnight stays in the open air. The Epiphany Church, built at the beginning of the 19th century in the Vyatka Baroque style, deserves special attention. Nature lovers can add the following items to their tourist program:
- walk through the corridors and halls of the Chegandinsky caves in Ust-Belsk;
- appreciate the majestic beauty of Sosny-Bort village of Yakshur-Bodya near Izhevsk;
- take a walk in the hydrological natural monument “Saint” spring;
- relax at the source of the Kama River in the village of Kuliga;
- Juniper hills in Sokolovka;
- wander through the hills of Mount Baigurez in Debyosy.
Museum and Exhibition Complex named after. M.T. Kalashnikov
This museum and exhibition complex of small arms was founded in 2004. Here you can see weapons manufactured over 200 years in one of the main Russian weapon forges - the Izhevsk Arms Factory. It was here that the production of the world-famous Kalashnikov assault rifle was mastered. It is not surprising that the museum created in Izhevsk bears the name of M.T. Kalashnikov, a famous inventor, weapons designer, who worked for many years at the Izhevsk Arms Factory. Naturally, a significant part of the museum and exhibition complex is dedicated to Mikhail Timofeevich, his life and work.
The museum is equipped with the most modern multimedia technology and is an undoubted attraction of the entire republic.
Lourdovay
Another incredible museum-reserve is located 17 km from Izhevsk. Here, on an area of 59 hectares , a unique ethnographic complex opens before tourists, which contains estates, mills, and agricultural buildings of the Udmurts.
Thus, museum guests find themselves in a national village, which makes this place attractive for guests. Lurdovay is visually divided into several sectors, showing the characteristics of the Udmurts inhabiting different parts of the republic, as well as the Russian population.
Also, museum guests are presented with exhibitions dedicated to mills and apiaries - telling about the main crafts of the peoples. The estates host master classes and exhibitions that allow you to fully experience the life of the Udmurts. The Lourdovay Museum-Reserve is open to guests from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Mondays). It is located in the village of the same name in the Zavyalovsky district, 17 km from Izhevsk.
State Museum-Estate of P.I. Tchaikovsky
The Udmurts also cherish the memory of their famous fellow countryman - the world-famous composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who lived in his hometown of Votkinsk until the age of eight.
In 1940, on the day of the 100th anniversary of the great composer, a house museum was opened in his homeland in his father’s house, which later became an estate museum, a visit to which allows you to better understand the personality of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the origins of his musical talent.
Today, the museum’s archival funds contain documents about the life of the Tchaikovskys, there is a scientific library, and more than one thousand sound recordings of the classics’ works are stored.
Historical and cultural museum-reserve of the history of the Udmurt Republic “Indakar”
All tourists will be interested in visiting the Indakar Museum in the city of Glazov, dedicated to the medieval settlement of Indakar, which belongs to the Chepetsk culture. Tourists can expect a number of exhibitions dedicated to the history of the city: its way of life, crafts, traditions. Particularly interesting is the diorama “Indakar settlement”, which shows the settlement in its heyday.
It is better for tourists to visit the museum in the summer, during archaeological excavations, as excursions are organized there, and tourists can personally observe the work of archaeologists. Museum staff often conduct interactive events in the form of historical reconstructions and master classes, in which everyone is invited to participate. You need to sign up for them in advance on the museum’s website, and then just come to its territory on the desired day. The museum is open to tourists daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tourists go to the site for excavations separately.
Location: Glazov, st. Sovetskaya, 27 (main building).
Art and exhibition complex "Dacha Bashenina"
Even 100 years ago, the country house of the former Sarapul city mayor, merchant P. A. Bashenin was a symbol of new architectural trends and the real embodiment of the ideas of Art Nouveau, striving for harmony of utility and beauty.
Today, the art and exhibition complex located here, called “Dacha Bashenina,” can be called the calling card of the Udmurt city of Sarapul and one of the important attractions of the republic.
Idnakar ancient settlement
And, of course, when talking about the sights of Udmurtia, one cannot fail to mention the unique monument of Finno-Ugric culture, located two kilometers from Glazov - the Chepetsk settlement of Idnakar. The settlement owes its name to the Udmurt hero, Prince Idna, who, according to legend, founded it.
For more than four centuries, Idnakar was the administrative, trade, craft and cultural center of the northern Udmurts. Today it is a unique monument of archaeological culture.
