If at the end of the 1990s there was absolutely nothing to see in Yoshkar-Ola, then since the 2000s the city seemed to flourish: all its current attractions, including the Kremlin, were built in just a few years. Apparently, the authorities woke up and remembered that the name of the city is translated as "red", which means - beautiful.
The city center amazes and surprises, there are Belgian houses along the river, a Venetian palace, a stern German castle, and traditional forms of Russian architecture embodied in temples and Kremlin towers. Modern Yoshkar-Ola seems to have left an advertising tourist booklet - all this development looks so unrealistic, you do not expect to find such a thing in the very heart of the Volga region!
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What to see and where to go in Yoshkar-Ola?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Obolensky-Nogotkov Square
Looking at the square, you can't even believe that you are in a Russian city, especially if you face the building of the National Art Gallery, made in the Venetian style and resembling a Doge's palace. In the very center there is a monument to the Russian military leader I.A.Nogotkov-Obolensky, who did a lot for the development of the city, the entire space of the square is laid with stone tiles and decorated with forged lanterns.
Bruges embankment
Another atypical place for a Russian city, decorated with a clear reference to the architecture of Northern Europe. And its name is appropriate - the embankment of Bruges. The multi-colored facades of the houses, crowned with decorative turrets, seem to have been transported here from Belgium. They look especially picturesque and unusual against the background of the imposing domes and red walls of the Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.
Chavaina boulevard
The main street of Yoshkar-Ola, stretching from Victory Boulevard. It passes through the city center and ends at the intersection with Kirov Street. In the middle, among the fountains and flowering alleys, there is a walking area for pedestrians. In the evening, thanks to the subdued light of the lanterns and the soft illumination of the water cascades, a romantic atmosphere reigns here. On weekends and during holidays, the boulevard fills with city dwellers on the promenade.
Tsarevokokshay Kremlin
Tsarevokokshaisky Kremlin is a modern building, erected in 2009 on the site of a wooden fortress that existed in the distant past. Thus, it is the youngest "defensive building" in Russia. In 1919-2009, on the site of the fortifications that had fallen into disrepair and destroyed, there was the Market Square, its current name is Revolution Square.
Sculptural composition "Yoshkin cat"
Bronze statue of a cat, sitting on a bench, weighing 150 kg, known to everyone from a common saying. In fact, the exclamation "Yoshkin cat!" has nothing to do with Yoshkar-Ola, but the idea to create a city talisman based on ready-made folklore material came to the head of the republic and turned out to be very successful. The composition took its place near the Mari University in 2011.
Complex "12 Apostles"
The sculptural composition represents a group of apostles following Jesus, and is part of the clockwork of the chimes installed on Patriarch Square. It is based on a well-known biblical story about the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem. Each figure reaches 1.5 meters in height. From 9 am to 9 pm, once every 3 o'clock, Jesus appears from the gate on a donkey and his followers, accompanied by a church choir.
Republican Puppet Theater
The puppet scene was founded in the 1940s. It all started when the drama theater began to show short performances with puppets during the intermission, which very soon became independent performances. The stage received its own building in 1989, before that the actors performed on other people's venues and toured a lot. Today, the theater is housed in a new building in 2014, made in the form of a medieval German castle.
National art gallery
The museum was founded in 2007 in a purpose-built building - almost an exact copy of the Venetian palazzo (only made in red). This building is one of the most picturesque in Yoshkar-Ola and dominates the architectural ensemble of Obolensky-Nogotkov Square. The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions of collections brought from leading museums in Russia; there is also a permanent exhibition of local artists.
National Museum of the Republic of Mari El
Museum of local lore, opened in 1920. Over the long years of its existence, the collection has repeatedly moved until it settled in the building of 1903 - now an architectural monument of regional importance. To date, the collection contains over 230 thousand items, which are exhibited both in the main department and in branches. At least 130 thousand people visit the museum annually.
Museum of the history of the city of Yoshkar-Ola
The museum was founded in 1996 at the initiative of the city authorities. His collections are housed in the former Chulkov estate, a two-story red brick building erected in 1911. The permanent exhibition consists of old photographs, archival documents, handicrafts, heraldic symbols, household items and home furnishings. From time to time, thematic exhibitions are held here.
Gulag Museum
The collection is located on the territory of a historic building from the mid-19th century, which in Soviet times housed a prison for political prisoners. The museum opened in 2011. The exposition is a standard set for such places, but there is also a dark twist - the instruments for torture, which were actively used by NKVD investigators to extract the evidence they needed.
Art Museum
The organization was formed in 1981 as an exhibition space, which gradually grew into a permanent exhibition. The main focus of the museum is on popularizing the creativity of local artists - representatives of different peoples of the Republic of Mari El. In this way, the museum's collections develop the idea of national tolerance and mutual understanding on a solid platform of art.
Museum of Folk and Applied Arts
Museum of 1999, dedicated to the creativity and cultural heritage of the peoples of the republic. The collection is located on the territory of a wooden house that belonged to a government official before the 1917 Revolution. Tourists will be interested in visiting an excursion or a master class, where they will teach some traditional craft and tell a lot of interesting facts and details.
Mariyskiy Youth Theater
Despite the name, the doors of the theater for young spectators are open to everyone, as they stage performances for adults, youth and children in Russian and Mari. It was formed in 1991. The repertoire is based on works by Russian and world classics, as well as plays by national authors. More than once the troupe took part in the Mayatul festival, which brings together representatives of the Finno-Ugric peoples.
Mari Opera and Ballet Theater
The opera stage became an independent institution in 1994, since 2014 it has been located in a new building, which is considered the best in the Volga region in terms of equipment (for example, the organ for the theater was bought in Strasbourg). The repertoire includes classical operas, ballets, operettas, musical performances for children. Famous soloists of the best Russian theaters often come here to please the audience with their skills.
Drama Theater named after M. Shketan
The oldest stage in Mari El, founded in the 1920s on the basis of a school drama club. For almost 100 years of existence, its own special traditions have developed here. The theater is housed in a classical building with massive columns and a Greek portico surrounded by fir trees and flower lawns. Passing by, you immediately understand that this is a temple of art and the kingdom of Melpomene.
Russian Drama Theater named after G. Konstantinov
Six theaters for such a small town like Yoshkar-Ola - perhaps this is too much? Not at all, because everyone has a grateful audience. So the Russian Drama Theater can always count on its audience, who values contemporary drama on a par with the eternal classics. The institution has been operating since the 1920s and is one of the oldest in the capital of Mari El. The stage is located in a 1984 building.
Annunciation tower
One of the buildings of the Tsarevokokshay Kremlin. Despite its small age (the entire complex was built in 2007), it looks like a real historical landmark, as it was built in compliance with all the canons of Russian stone architecture - from afar it even resembles the tower of the Moscow Kremlin due to the same color and shape. In the middle of the building there is an arched passage, in the central part there is a clock with chimes.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
The magnificent architectural complex is the dominant feature of the entire development of the central part of Yoshkar-Ola, built in 2010 in the Russian style. The facade of the temple is generously decorated with rich decor and painting, the elegant entrance porch resembles the entrance to the luxurious royal chambers, the graceful hipped-roof bell tower is crowned with a dome shining in the sun. The cathedral looks like a bright blossoming bud during the period of spring flowering.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The church was erected in 2006 for the 60th anniversary of the Victory on the initiative of the head of the republic and the local archbishop. The building was built in the neo-Byzantine style. The external facade does not differ in a large amount of decor, however, due to the contrast of the color of the roof and walls, the temple looks quite festive. Graduates of the Yoshkar-Ola Art School worked on the mosaics covering the vaults and the ceiling.
Church of the Holy Trinity
The Trinity Church is the first stone building in Yoshkar-Ola - it began to be erected in the first half of the 18th century. But it has not survived to this day, since it did not survive the upheavals of the Soviet era. The modern building of the 2000s is a mixture of the Baroque style and traditional Russian architecture, characteristic of Central Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to the abundance of decorative kokoshniks, stucco moldings and carved elements, the facade of the church seems slightly overloaded, but still very picturesque and solemn.
Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
The structure of the middle of the 18th century, built partly at the expense of the Kazan merchant V.F.Bulygin, partly - at the donations of the townspeople, has not survived to this day, it was demolished in the 1960s. The modern building, erected on the same site in 2010, is a classic Baroque temple with a hipped roof bell tower. It blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
Ascension Cathedral
Compared to other temples of Yoshkar-Ola, which seem to be competing among themselves in the beauty and splendor of architecture and decoration, the Ascension Cathedral does not shine with bizarre shapes, colors and rich decoration. Indeed, this is the only religious institution that has survived to this day in its historical appearance and was not completely destroyed under the USSR, although it suffered a lot.
Botanical Garden-Institute PSTU
The botanical garden was founded in 1927 as the first plant nursery on the territory of the republic. Today it is a unique museum of nature, where species from all five continents are collected: decorative, medicinal, fruit, and edible. The main tasks of the garden are the preservation and cultivation of rare plants, scientific and educational activities and the promotion of environmental principles.
Central Park of Culture and Rest
The city park, created and equipped in the middle of the 20th century, is a popular place for family recreation, friendly meetings, walks and leisure activities. On its territory there are a large number of sculptures, fountains, alleys, decorative lawns, and, of course, attractions, where can we go without them. On holidays, festivities are organized here, musical groups and folklore groups perform.
