Sights of Izhevsk

The image of any city above all consists of impressions of its architectural-artistic appearance. It has to have something which makes it unique and peculiar. For Izhevsk these are its large pond with an ancient plant building on the bank, a wonderful esplanade with the splendid Monument of People’s Friendship and, certainly, rapidly growing residential areas.
There are not so many monuments in Izhevsk as in other ancient Russian cities and towns, but all of them are remarkable for both their specific peculiarity and noble composition. All the best historic monuments of Izhevsk were built in the classical style: the plant principal building, the Arsenal, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

 

Izh pond

 

The Izh pond was created in 1760 for ironworks needs. Nowadays it is a source of drinking and industrial water supply of the city. The pond is a property of the Russian Federation and is the biggest artificial water body in Europe.

 

 

 

Izhevsk dam

 

Process of building of the dam on the river Izh, owing to which Izh pond appeared, was begun in 1760. In the XVIIIth century ironworks grew near the dam. On its base Izhevsk plant of small arms was opened in 1807, and that great event became a powerful stimulus to the development of small settlement. Dam and pond were the biggest in Russia right up to the XXth century.

 

Embankment of the Izh pond

 

2010 saw the grand opening of the new embankment of the Izh pond timed to the 250th anniversary of the city of Izhevsk. Though the old embankment was truly nice, the new one became a real gem for the city of Izhevsk and immediately became the favourite place for Izhevsk dwellers spending their leisure time. Multilayer beautiful embankment gradually goes down from the monument of People’s Friendship to the Izh pond tying all components of this part of the city into unite ensemble. The new embankment is obviously created for people, and it becomes clear in the fact that there are a lot of benches, where you can sit, chatter with friends and enjoy the view that is completely beautiful from each point of the embankment. Thus, the new embankment is a real adornment of Izhevsk and visiting it is sure to bring truly memorable aesthetic experience.

 

 

 

Izhevsk plant principal building with tower

 

The first multistoried production building in Russia reflects the heroics of the War in 1812. Multitiered 50 meters height round tower with chimes was framed with wooden sculptures of war attributes before. In 1834 decorations were burned down and were replaced by a strip of forged relief, and in 133 years they were restored in initial appearance, but in stainless steel.

 

Arsenal

 

The Arsenal was built in 1825 and was used for storing of arms produced at the Izhevsk plant. In 1975 the Arsenal was appreciated as a monument of Russian significance and was given to the National Museum of the Udmurt Republic. Today the Arsenal is a part of architectural ensemble of the center of the city. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Izhevsk.

 

Saint Michael Cathedral

 

The Cathedral was built in 1907 by means of Izhevsk plant workers. It existed only for 30 years and then, in 1937, was completely destroyed. Rebuilt in its original appearance in 2007 the Saint Michael Cathedral became a real adornment of the city. Its height reaches 67 meters. This fact along with the location of the Cathedral on the highest place in Izhevsk makes its appearance grand and light at one and the same time.

 

 

 

Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral

 

The Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral was built in the XIXth century by personal means of Alexander I. Since 1930 the building was deprived of its religious meaning and was used as a child’s club, a museum with atheistic displays, a cinema theatre. In 1990 the church was given back to believers. It got the status of the Cathedral in 1994.

An architect S. Dudin constructed Alexander Nevski Cathedral according to the drafts of the Andreevsky Cathedral in Kronshtadt made by A. Zakharov. It is a magnificent building with a classic portico and a multitiered bell tower. The motives of this tower were adopted from ones that were used by A. Zakharov in the building of the Admiralty.

 

Holy Trinity Church

 

The church was built in 1814 on the territory of the east cemetery of the Izhevsk plant workers’ settlement, in place of a wooden chapel. This is the oldest building among religious objects of the city that came to our time. In the Soviet period it was the only working church in the upland part of Izhevsk. The Udmurt and Izhevsk Eparchy is located here.

The church has classical proportions and a harmonious silhouette.

 

Monument of Peoples’ Friendship “With Russia Forever”

 

The monument is the principal ideological-artistic element of the city centre ensemble. It was opened in 1972 and was dedicated to Udmurtia voluntary entering the Russian state. Two 14-storeyed house height steles symbolize two nations living as a single family – Russians and Udmurts. The Monument is designed in a form of partially open book, from pages of which people can express itself.

The monument is the composition core of the architectural ensemble of the embankment of the Izh pond.

 

 

 

Monument to Izhevsk Armourers

 

Monument depicts the “kaftanshchiks” (men in caftans) – the best armourers of the tsarist period. At the pedestal there are slabs with names of people who contributed significantly in the development of gun works in Izhevsk, and with the names of the two most famous producers of small arms – the Izhevsk machine building plant and the Izhevsk mechanical plant. The territory where the monument is located got the name of the Square of Izhevsk Armourers.

The monument is situated on a sleep slope to the Izhevsk plant, with the establishment of which the history of the capital of the Udmurt Republic began.

 

 

 

Michael column

 

The Michael column in Izhevsk is the only monument in Russia that is dedicated to the grand duke Michael Romanov, who was the head of the Artillery department and also was at the head of Izhevsk plant that produced small arms during the War in 1812. In the 30s of the XXth century the monument was demolished, but in 2007 Archangel Michael on the top of 20 meters height column newly occupied its historical position at the Square of Izhevsk Armourers.

 

Monument to Izhevsk plant founder A. Deryabin

 

The monument to Andrei F. Deryabin, who founded gun production in Izhevsk in 1807, is situated at the embankment of the Izh pond opposite the Izhevsk plant tower entrance. It was erected on the occasion of the centenary of the Izhevsk plant construction. One of the most famous and favourite symbols of the city stands on the three step pedestal. There are emperor monograms of Alexander II and Nicholas II on both sides of this pedestal.

 

Monument of battle and labour glory of Udmurtia’s sons and daughters

 

During the Great Patriotic War 11.5 million rifles and carbines were produced in Izhevsk that made up more than 90% of the number of guns turned out in the whole Russia. In 1967 in the central public garden of the city the Monument of battle and labour glory with the Eternal fire and commemorative plate where the names of 100 Heroes of the Soviet Union, who were born in Udmurtia and who forged victory either at the front or on the home front, are struck. The Monument to the Unknown Warrior is also a part of this memorial complex.

 

Monument to Pelmen’

 

Generally known word “pelmen’” (meat dumpling) that is considered to be Russian comes in fact from Udmurt “pelnyan’” (“little bread ear”). The first and the unique monument to pelmen’ was opened in October, 2004, and marked the geographical point in the map of the world where this famous dish was firstly cooked. Such an unusual monument looks like a pelmen’ of impressive size (one meter in diameter) pinned down on a gigantic fork.

 

Izhevsk crocodile

 

In 2005 at a crossroads of Sovetskaya Street and Kommunarov Street the sculpture of crocodile appeared. Nowadays it is one of Izhevsk so-called “ironic monuments” (along with monuments to Pelmen’ and to a Goat) and it is truly beloved among Izhevsk dwellers.

There are some versions of reasons of such an unusual sculpture appearance. In the tsarist period “Izhevsk crocodile” was one of the nicknames for armourers of Izhevsk plant (perhaps, because of their green award caftans). Beside that, the name of the city on the river Izh itself goes back to the name of mythic aquatic underground pangolin of ancient Udmurts. Moreover, since XIXth century stories about crocodiles run away to neighboring water bodies from circus, zoo or other unknown places had been appearing among Izhevsk citizens constantly. For example, in 70s of the XIXth century one of the city papers reported that living crocodile was seen in the Karlutka river.

 

Museum Exhibition Complex of Small Arms n.a. M.T. Kalashnikov

 

The Museum Exhibition Complex was opened on the 4th of November, 2004, on the 85th Birthday of Mikhail T. Kalashnikov. The museum is supplied with the newest achievements of informational technologies. Various thematic expositions are represented here, excursions, public lectures and musical concerts are held, multimedia shooting gallery is functioning.

 

 

 

House of People’s Friendship

 

The House of People’s Friendship was opened in September, 2008 for multinational people of the Udmurt Republic. State, national and international celebrations, forums, concerts, enlightening activities are carried out here. Here there is a grand events hall, marriage registration hall, musical salon, conference hall, etc.

 

 

 

The Circus

 

The circus was built in Izhevsk in 1914. It was made of wood. In the 1930s the circus fell into decay. In 1943 a standard building was erected. The citizens keep in memory the performances of talented circus artists: A. Durov, immensely strong I. Poddubny and many others. In 2000 the construction of the complex of new buildings has been started. New modern circus was opened in 2003 and became one of the biggest ones in Russia and one of great centers of the circus art.

 

 

 

Surely, in this brief description it is not possible to mention all sights and places of interest of Izhevsk, because this city hides a lot of beautiful and unusual places that are interested to get acquainted with. The best way to discover Izhevsk is to visit it.

Still, it is appropriate to mention that there is additional information about museums, exhibitions, theatres, cinemas and recreational areas of Izhevsk here in these web pages: Museums & Exhibition centers, Theatres & Cinemas, Parks & Recreational areas.