Ryazan, as one of the old cities of central Russia, is rich in a variety of attractions. The area is home to an incredible mix of modern and ancient. There were enough historical events and personalities associated with the region, so the excursions turn out to be spectacular and full-fledged. We have not forgotten the writers whose museums tell about literature. There are a sufficient number of significant religious sites that host parishioners, pilgrims and simply curious travelers.
The local nature is also worthy of special attention, for example, picturesque lakes, or protected reserves. If you know where to go within the region, then Ryazan and the surrounding area will be able to surprise and delight even those who were initially skeptical about a tourist trip.
The most interesting and beautiful places in the region
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best attractions of the Ryazan region!
State Museum-Reserve of S. A. Yesenin
Opened in 1965 in the village of Konstantinovo. In the homeland of the poet, several exhibitions have been created, closely related and complementing each other. In addition to materials dedicated to Yesenin's life, there is also a museum of the poem "Anna Snegina", located in the Kashina estate. The lifetime printed editions of the writer were exhibited, a full-length monument was erected, and the school and the priest's house, where the poet visited, were ennobled.
Starozhilovsky stud farm
Built in the late 90s of the XIX century. Initially, more than 2.5 thousand horses were kept here. Arabian horses were bred here, and then heavy-harness and Orlov-Rostopchin horses were added to them. During the Second World War, the plant died out, but it was restored so that horses would replace the missing equipment. The whole complex has not survived, the buildings were erected in the Gothic architectural style. Now you can look around here and ride a horse.
Ryazan Kremlin
The first defensive structures appeared on the site of the present Kremlin in the 12th century. For those who traveled along the Oka, the Assumption Cathedral and its detached bell tower - part of the complex - have become a kind of landmark in the area. Not all buildings have survived, for example, the towers of the fortress wall have been lost. The uniform style has been maintained, although the temples have been rebuilt several times. Now it is a museum-reserve.
Settlement "Old Ryazan"
Located 50 km from the city on the banks of the Oka. First mentioned in 1096. It was the capital of the principality. Now it is the largest archaeological site in the country. The city was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century, and it was decided not to rebuild it. Nearby there is a village with the same name. Some similarities of the ruins have survived - the foundation of the almshouse, part of the church entrance, and others. Household items and other rarities were found.
The von Derviz estate in Kiritsy
Built in 1889. The architect was Fyodor Shekhtel, who exceeded the estimate and made the project more luxurious than planned by the owners. The family owning the land went bankrupt and sold the estate, which looks more like a fairytale castle. There was temporarily a school, then a rest house and a children's sanatorium. You can look around the territory freely, but it is better to arrange an excursion in advance.
Kasimov Museum of Local Lore
Founded in 1921. The complex includes a number of objects, including natural landscapes and architectural monuments. The mansion of the merchants Alyanchikovs, built in the 19th century, was added as another museum site in 1998. It offers a picturesque view of the Oka. The building has three floors, all of them are reserved for the exposition, which traces the history of the region from ancient times.
Cathedral Square in Kasimov
Surrounded by sights. The main ones are: the Ascension Church, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The last two were built in the 18th century and are in need of restoration. Nearby is the local history museum and the almost abandoned buildings of the shopping malls, looking too pretentious. A 19th century mansion has been turned into an ordinary residential building.
Khan's mosque in Kasimov
Construction began in the 16th and finished in the 19th century. Has two floors, the minaret is older than the mosque itself. It is taller and placed on a solid foundation. After the revolution, a museum was organized inside, which still works. However, in recent years, the management of the museum has been transferred to the Muslim clergy. The exhibits tell the story of religion and the area. There is an Islamic tomb nearby.
Oksky reserve
Founded in 1935. It covers three districts of the region at once. There are different types of terrain and natural objects on the territory. Great attention is paid to ornithology, there is a crane nursery. Experiments are constantly being carried out and natural processes are being studied. Place of internship for zoology students. The reserve is divided into zones, each with its own rules of behavior for guests.
Memorial "Battle on Vozha"
Installed in memory of the events of 1378, when the Mongols were first defeated in a multi-day battle. At this place, a wooden church was laid, lost over time. Now a monument has appeared, which stands on a dais. Glebovo-Gorodishche is located nearby. It is connected both with the settlement of Vyatichi and with the old Russian city. Artifacts, including ceramics, were found during the excavations.
National Park "Meshchersky"
Founded in 1996. In 2016 he joined the Meschera National Park. The area is 105 thousand hectares. Part of the territory is set aside for recreation places for tourists who come for fishing, hunting and for the sake of camping. However, some areas are protected, where the protection of wildlife is a priority. Local places are associated with a number of writers, including Yesenin and Paustovsky.
Art Museum named after I.P. Pozhalostin
Founded in 1913. Located in Ryazan. The collection includes about 12 thousand works of art. For the most part, this is painting, graphics, arts and crafts. All objects belong to the period between the 15th and 20th centuries. They apply to both Russia and Western Europe. The museum has two branches and extensive funds, which have not yet been exhibited for a number of reasons.
Museum-reserve "Estate of S. N. Khudekov"
Has been working since 2006. Located in the village of Erlino. The area of the complex is over 41 hectares. In the very center there are manor buildings from the 18th century and later. These include: the manager's house, an outbuilding, a coachman's, a coach house and others. There is a spacious horse yard, an arboretum with rare plants, a cascade of ponds. The interior furnishings correspond to the construction time of the facilities. The number of authentic exhibits is growing.
Museum-Estate of I. Pavlov
Founded in 1946. It is located in Ryazan on the street named after the scientist. The museum is located in the house of the Pavlov family, where he was born and raised. The exhibition consists of personal and work items of the researcher, his published works and scenes from life. The estate has a gazebo, a bathhouse, playgrounds for towns and croquettes, a well, and a garden with fruit trees.
Museum of the History of the Airborne Forces
Opened in 1972 in Ryazan. It is a branch of the central museum of the Armed Forces, located in the capital of the country. The number of exhibition halls is growing and has already exceeded 10. The exposition includes: samples of weapons and equipment, banners, orders, parachutes, photos, etc. In 2016, the excursion program was modernized by adding virtual reality. It has its own cinema and a collection of military films.
Ryazan Museum of Long-Range Aviation
Founded in 1975. Throughout its existence, the museum does not stand still and is replenished with new exhibits. Of the especially large ones, one can single out: bombers, cruise missiles, aerial bombs and others.They are designed to tell the story of the development of Soviet and Russian aviation. The exposition includes unclassified documents, photos, personal belongings of the pilots, uniforms, etc.
Museum "Russian Samovar" in Kasimov
Opened in 2007. It was initiated by a private collector and honorary resident of the city, Mikhail Silkov. The exposition includes 500 samovars and tells about the traditions of national tea drinking since their inception. All objects fit into several rooms; some of them have a rich history and are associated with important events, such as Yesenin's death.
Kasimov Museum of Bells
Opened in 2014. The honorary resident of the city Mikhail Silkov began to collect the collection. The exposition consists of almost one and a half thousand copies. It includes ship, church, decorative and other bells. There are also products from other countries and cultures, some are related to religious confessions. Tourists are invited to look around accompanied by a guide who is ready to tell the story of any bell.
Holy Protection Monastery in Mikhailov
Female. Founded in 1819. He went through desolation, but returned to the management of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos are the most important buildings of the complex. The territory is surrounded by a high stone wall. The main shrine is the "Seeking of the Lost" icon. It is displayed on a pillar near the Nikolsky side-altar and is decorated with mahogany, pearls and silver.
Trinity Monastery
Male. The exact time of construction is unknown. Perhaps one of the founders is Sergey Radonezhsky. Has a rich history, managed to be a workshop, driving school, depot. After the restoration, which began in 1987, the monastery complex includes: a cathedral, a temple, a chapel, two residential buildings, a front gate. The names of many revered figures in Orthodoxy are associated with the monastery.
John the Theologian Poshchupovsky Monastery
Male. First mentioned in 1534. It is 25 km from Ryazan. The founders are Greek missionaries. He went through ravages by the Crimean Tatars and repeated restorations. The main structures: two cathedrals, two fraternal buildings, holy gates, a chapel, a bell tower, etc. There is a holy spring, popular with pilgrims, the territory around it has been ennobled, a font has been built.
Dmitrievsky monastery in Skopin
Male. It was first mentioned in 1676. The legends about the founding of the monastery often contradict each other, but the staff of Peresvet is invariably present in them. It really exists and was kept in the monastery before moving to the local history museum. It was closed for some time, the revival started in the mid-90s of the last century. The complex stands on a hill, all buildings are in their proper form.
Skopino Museum of Local Lore
Opened in 1919, it worked until 1956 and was closed for 30 years. The current exposition traces the life of the region from the prehistoric period to the present. The objects were archaeological finds and documentary evidence. Main topics: peasant life, cultural component, local miners, military tools, numismatics, WWII and others.
Solotchinsky monastery
Female. First mentioned in 1390. It was originally used as an outpost, as it was located on the border of the princely lands. After the revolution, it was a colony and part of a museum. Now active again. Not all original buildings have survived: three churches, a cathedral, a rector's building, a refectory, and a fortress wall. The gate church is decorated with special tiles (ceramics and clay).
Iberd monastery
Male. Founded in 1892. It was erected in honor of two events at once: the abolition of serfdom and the salvation of the royal family during a train crash. After the revolution, there was a decline, even buildings were dismantled into bricks for household needs. The restoration has been going on since 1996. A new church of Alexander Nevsky appeared, the old cemetery was ennobled, the bell tower was restored. Nearby - a source with a bathing house.
Monument to Evpatiy Kolovrat in Ryazan
The opening took place in 2009. The monument is dedicated to the Ryazan people's hero, who died in an unequal battle with Batu's army. Kolovrat is depicted in chain mail riding on a rearing horse. There is a piece of rock under them. The creation of the monument was paid for from donations from the townspeople, and an amateur Oleg Sedov became a sculptor, although the work looks more than professional.
Borisoglebsky Cathedral of Ryazan
Founded in 1152. It was of particular importance after the ruin of Ryazan in the 13th century. Stone structures appeared in the middle of the 16th century. And again, the heyday was followed by an almost complete decline and major restructuring. After the revolution, the building was taken over by the local authorities, who made a granary out of it. Returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and restored. The bell tower stands separately.
Don't miss: the main churches and temples of Ryazan.
Tsiolkovsky Museum in Izhevsk
Opened in 1967. The building of the museum is surrounded by a fence, on it there are elements of figures of space themes. A monument to the researcher is erected in front of the entrance. Several rooms accommodate an extensive exposition telling both about Tsiolkovsky himself and about space exploration. Since 2007, the manor, where the scientist was born, is accessible for tourists. Inside, there are objects of bourgeois and peasant life.
Ryazan Regional Drama Theater
It was founded in 1787 and was called the "Opera House". One of the oldest theaters in the Russian province. Derzhavin played an important role in its opening. The current building is dated 1961. The repertoire of the theater is classical works, both domestic and foreign. The theater has a permanent program, and also hosts festivals and tours of famous artists.
Laskovskoe lake
It is located about 30 km from Ryazan. There are several other lakes in the area, all of which are suitable for swimming. The water is clear, but with a dark shade due to the high content of peat. Around there is a dense forest, the eastern coast suffered from a large fire, although this is hardly noticeable. There are places on the shore to get comfortable for families with children. It is quite crowded here during the season.