What to see in Voronezh

Want to see ships and estates of Russian writers, but don't feel like going to St. Petersburg? Head to Voronezh: recall Soviet cartoons, take photos at the helm, and stroll through parks. Let's figure out what to visit in Voronezh if you only managed to escape the daily grind for a few days.

Boss, where are we going?

Voronezh is an ancient city located south of Moscow. It stands on the river of the same name and borders Kursk, Lipetsk, and Tambov. Residents of nearby regions can get here by car or train, while others should consider flights: for example, here are tickets for Moscow — Voronezh, and here — Saint Petersburg — Voronezh.

Voronezh is not on the list of cities of Russia's Golden Ring, and therefore is rarely the first choice for travelers. And that's a shame: there's plenty to see here. We'll tell you which attractions deserve special attention.

Museums, Monuments, Historical Sites

• Admiralty Square

The tourist center and one of Voronezh's main attractions. Many excursion routes start from here, so we suggest following the well-trodden path. This square was opened to celebrate the anniversary of the Russian fleet: Voronezh was chosen by Peter I as the place for the development of military shipbuilding. In the square stands a rostral column in the shape of an anchor, facing the river — a symbol of Russia's access to open waters, to the sea. On holidays, mass festivities, concerts, and school graduations are held here.

• Ship-Museum "Goto Predestinatsia"

You don't have to go far — you'll board this ship directly from Admiralty Square. The vessel's name translates to "God's Providence," and it's a replica of the first battleship built according to Peter I's design. The original was sold to the Ottoman Empire, but the replica is no worse. Today, it houses a museum where you can see sailors' belongings and ancient ship equipment. The ship's interior is designed in the traditions of Peter the Great's era, making this museum quite unique: instead of halls, visitors walk on the deck, through cabins, and into the hold.

• Frigate "Mercury"

A backup option, in case one ship wasn't enough for you, and your body persistently demands a bottle of rum and a talking parrot. The frigate "Mercury" stands on a concrete pedestal in the middle of the Voronezh Reservoir, so you won't be able to walk around on this vessel. But you can certainly see it up close: in summer, you can book a boat tour, and in winter, you can walk to the monument across the thick ice. Just don't rush off in search of a dead man's chest: it usually doesn't end well.

• Kramskoy Art Museum

Porcelain teapots, ancient Egyptian amulets, and "Madonna and Child" — the collection of this Voronezh museum is truly diverse. It features paintings by Russian and European artists, archaeological finds, collections of rare coins, and painted decorative figurines. The museum's exterior is also impressive: white columns and traditional Baroque architecture. If you're not keen on taking photos, you can attend a lecture, visit a master class, or participate in a quest game. The museum's program offers a variety of choices, so we recommend studying it before your trip.

• I. A. Bunin House-Museum

If the Nobel Prize in Literature comes to you even in your dreams, you absolutely cannot ignore this place: Bunin was born here and lived for four years, gaining strength and inspiration for his future award. The museum's exhibition is presented in two halls: one is dedicated to the writer's life in Russia, and the other to his emigration period. Here you can not only see Bunin's personal belongings and diaries but also watch lecture videos about his life and literary work. Outside the house-museum, a "Poetic Garden" installation is organized, featuring art objects created based on the writer's works.

Cathedrals, Temples, Churches

• Annunciation Cathedral

This cathedral was built quite recently, in the late 2000s, but has already earned the title of one of the tallest churches in Russia — its height is almost 100 meters including the cross. The cathedral's appearance matches its impressive size: black domes, green roofs, white stone walls, and rich interior frescoes — the architects took the best from the Russian-Byzantine style. Services are regularly held here, and significant Christian relics are kept, such as reliquaries with the relics of the twelve apostles and the Kyiv-Pechersk saints.

• Alexeyevo-Akatov Convent

One of the oldest monasteries in Voronezh — the first monastery church, Alexeyevsky, was founded in the early 17th century. During World War II, the building was severely damaged, and after the war, it was used as residential and storage premises. The restoration of the monastery began in the 1980s, and ten years later, it was reopened to visitors. We recommend visiting here at least for the beautiful view: white columns and spiral staircases are incredibly photogenic. Additionally, you can see a rare icon here — "Life-Giving Spring" depicting the Mother of God.

• Pokrovsky Cathedral

Have you missed golden domes yet? We have. There aren't that many here, but it's just right for the soul. Initially, the Pokrovskaya Church was wooden. The construction of a stone building began in the first half of the 18th century. In the 20th century, the cathedral underwent restoration and extensive construction, so now it includes several chapels, a Sunday school, and a baptistery. Here you can see a reliquary with the relics of Saint Mitrofan, an icon with a particle of the relics of Blessed Matrona of Moscow, and "The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos".

• Assumption Admiralty Church

The oldest surviving Voronezh church, thus combining architectural styles of several eras. It was here that the divine service was held in honor of the launching of the ship "Goto Predestinatsia," which you have, of course, already seen. The Assumption Church stands on the bank of the Voronezh River, offering a simply magnificent view — if you're not a fan of architectural whims and religious mysteries, visit this place at least for the view. Among the church's relics, you can find the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, which is considered miraculous.

• Church of Xenia of St. Petersburg

Another white-stone church with golden domes — there are as many as nine of them here. It was built recently, in the 2000s, but the architects incorporated all the traditions of ancient Russian church architecture. The adjacent territory is decorated with flowers and alleys of thujas, and opposite the church building stands a monument to Xenia of St. Petersburg. It's especially beautiful here in summer when everything is in bloom, but there's also something to see in winter — at night, the church is illuminated. 

Birches, Flowerbeds, Squares

We've compiled a selection of places where you can take a deep breath and listen to the buzzing of bumblebees — just in case exploring local attractions turned out to be more energy-consuming than you expected.

• Kolstov Square
• A. Durov Park
• Petrovsky Square

• Central Park
• Orlyonok Park

If the Kids Get Bored

• Oceanarium

Our expert opinion: seeing animals is a win-win option if your child can no longer look at churches and digging sticks displayed in museums. And if you take them to the tiger shark tank, you'll earn the title of parents of the year (or at least the month). However, the Voronezh oceanarium offers visitors not only a variety of fish: lemurs, turtles, sloths, and even crocodiles live here. You can explore the exhibition halls on your own, or you can book a tour — with it, you'll get to see the sharks without waiting in line. 

• Helen & Teddy Toy Museum

A good option for those who have no more room for bears — although the effect might be the opposite, and you'll be asked to buy another "dust collector." This museum displays a collection of five hundred toy bears: big and small, dressed in the style of the Royal British Guard and Russian naval officers. The tour is included in the ticket price, and it will tell you the history of the Teddy Bear toy and even allow you to touch most of the exhibits. There's also an interesting educational program here: you can book a tour in English about the countries of Great Britain.

• Kitten Monument

Yes, this is the very kitten Vasya from Lizyukov Street who turned into a hippopotamus. A crow with magical abilities is also here — sitting on a branch next to Vasya, casting spells. Maybe it will conjure something good for you too, so you should definitely go. While you're there, touch the sculpture — locals believe it brings good luck.

• Shute Puppet Theater

Firstly, the exterior of this puppet theater practically begs you to take a photo in front of it: white colonnade, latticed windows, fairy-tale Gothic-style clock. Secondly, opposite the theater building stands a monument to White Bim: we don't want a repeat of the Hachiko story, so go and visit the dog. "Shute" opened in the early 20th century and continued its work even during the war. Today, it stages performances for both children and adults, and a list of upcoming events can be found here.

• Museum of Forgotten Music

The founder of the museum is Sergey Plotnikov, and he makes most of the exhibited instruments himself. Here you can find a bagpipe, gudok, hurdy-gurdy, kalyuka, and pishchik: if you don't know half of these names, it's a good reason to go and ask Sergey. He conducts tours himself and even allows visitors to play some instruments — just in case your child dreams of a pop star career. Please note: visits to the museum are by prior arrangement, so plan your trip in advance.

What about the suburbs?

Top 5 places in the Voronezh region for those who have already seen all the city's attractions and are now wondering how to spend their remaining time.

• Kostenki Museum-Reserve

At the end of the 19th century, archaeological excavations were carried out in Kostenki, and so many ancient finds were discovered that it was decided to establish a museum dedicated to the Stone Age in this location. Now you can see an archaeological collection, a mammoth bone structure, and other Paleolithic monuments here. Visitors can not only explore the permanent exhibition but also sign up for an open-air excursion: study burial mounds and chalk caves, and gather wild herbs under the guidance of a biologist. Important: the museum is open from May to November, Monday is a day off.

• Losevy – Shatilovy – Stahl von Holstein Estate

This place with an unpronounceable name is perfect for a summer trip: the estate stands on the bank of the Usman River amidst a huge park. Besides the main building (the manor house), there is the Church of Saint Alexius, a memorial obelisk to fallen soldiers, and several ponds formed after the river overflowed. You can visit the estate only as part of a tour, where you will be told about its former owners — their names are reflected in the estate's name.

• Princess Oldenburgsky Palace

Prepare your aristocratically extended pinkies — the surroundings of Voronezh hold many surprises, including castles of royal personages. The brick building, constructed in Neo-Gothic style, is located in the village of Ramon, 40 kilometers from the city. On the palace grounds, there are several parks, a Retinue Building for the princess's friends, and a paramedic's house — in short, everything that Eugenia Maximilianovna, who commissioned the construction of this place, desired. Currently, the palace building houses a museum where you can admire the preserved interiors, view the princess's belongings, and study archival materials — either independently or as part of a guided tour. 

• Venevitinov Estate Museum

A little more blue-blood aesthetics for those who couldn't get enough of the new season of "Bridgerton." The Venevitinovs were an ancient noble family whose representatives bought land and founded the village of Novozhivotinnoye there at the end of the 17th century. Later, the construction of the estate began: — a manor house, a church, and outbuildings. After the revolution, the estate gained new residents: first, a branch of a research university was located here, then a school and an orphanage. Now this place has the status of a museum, and a large-scale exhibition is displayed in eleven rooms-halls. A park with recreation areas is laid out around the estate — we recommend visiting in summer.

• V. M. Peskov Reserve

A large arboretum, a Fire Museum, a rope park, a beaver lodge, Tolshevsky Monastery, and the Peskov Museum — yes, all of this is in one place. You can plan your route in advance or follow your heart — you're sure to find something. There are eco-trails with ready-made routes, cafes, and recreation areas, so it's best to set aside a whole day for visiting this place. If you have more time, it's worth checking into the hotel — it's also located on the reserve's territory.

So, to the beavers?