To Kungur - to the crossroads of seven roads
The ancient Ural city is known for its famous cave. Lovers of natural wonders in mass streams went to see the mysterious grottoes and underground lakes in the Soviet years.
And nowadays, the Kungur cave is often the chosen destination for a weekend trip.
However, the city itself, which stretches along the banks of the Iren and Sylva rivers, is also worthy of a separate visit.
Kungur preserved the appearance of the merchant city, which was rich in its crafts - leather, salotope, bread since the time of Catherine the Great. Merchants built their shops, mansions here, raised God-pleasing institutions and churches on donations.
Amazingly, Kungur saved these temples. The Transfiguration Church, the St. Nicholas Church, the Assumption Church, the Tikhvin Church, the St. John-Predechensky Women’s Monastery with their golden poppies and crosses hold the verticals of the urban landscape.
The true ancient beauty of the city has been used many times in the creation of historical films. In 2008, the filming of the series “Gold” took place here.
You can come to Kungur by car, train or bus.
The first two options will be the most comfortable, because buses to Kungur from Yekaterinburg only run around noon and late at night.
When planning the route, we turn to audio guides. Kungur has many of them - we choose any topic: merchant kungur, Orthodox kungur, literary kungur, military kungur, or you can choose a quest. Links to all audio guides are easily found on the Web. All routes are provided with maps and photos, brief descriptions.
There are trails in the city as well. The easiest way to start is from the sign “Navel of the Earth”, which is located in the historical center at the crossroads of seven roads: road, river and pedestrian.
The Siberian Road – There and Back
In general, the theme of the road is peculiar to Kungur. For a long time he stood on the road leading from Central Russia beyond the Ural Range further to Siberia. It is thanks to this that the memory of many outstanding personalities is kept in Kungur, who, by their own will or by the verdict of the court, kept their way to the east, and then returned back.
Description of local life left A.N. Radishchev, who went into exile in Irkutsk, and then returned back. Many pages dedicated to Kunguru and V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko in his book "Kama and the Urals".
There is a legend that the famous Baron Munchausen visited these places. Karl Friedrich visited disgraced Field Marshal H.A. Minich, his commander, in Pelyma. There was no other road to the north of the Perm province, so the eccentric Austrian had to pass Kungur.
From distant and exotic Asia came trade caravans to the great fairs of Russia. Many kungur merchants rose up in the tea trade. Now the city is included in the tourist route "Great Tea Route".
The turnover of the tea empire of Alexei Gubkin reached 6 million rubles a year. Mansions and offices of the enterprising tea merchant were preserved in the capitals, and a monument was erected to him in his native Kungur. A lot of the city was made on the money of smart and economic merchants, whose biographies will eclipse many adventure novels.
Of course, in Kungur there is a museum of the history of merchants. It is located in the former Small Living yard, built on the capitals of another famous merchant, Mikhail Ivanovich Gribushin.
The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 to 17 hours. The museum staff are very hospitable and enthusiastic about their work.
The local history museum is located in the building of the City Magistrate, an architectural monument of the late XVIII century. It was founded in 1909. The schedule is the same as that of the Merchant History Museum. The local history museum is located on Gogol Street. Small in size, this street is full of historical and architectural monuments. 14 attractions are waiting for you on its bridges.
Be sure to climb to the observation deck near the Tikhvin temple on Sitnikova Street. The award will be a stunning panorama of beauty. The interior of the temple is distinguished by a special bright feast. The tower of the bell tower has a deviation angle of 3.5 degrees.
The sky over the Syril
The most spectacular views, of course, from the height of the balloon flight. In summer, Kungur hosts the traditional aeronautical festival “Heavenly Fair of the Urals”. Come here at the end of July, you will have the opportunity to climb the sky above Sylva.
Aeronautics is dedicated to a cozy square in the city center. There is also a monument to the local Icarus - the lad Nikitka, who, according to legend, experienced homemade wings and was executed for this by the bloodthirsty king John the Terrible. I must say that the monument resembles a young man very remotely, and the reliability of history raises questions. But on the pedestal you can see all the winners of the balloon festival.
Where to eat.
In general, reviews about kungur food are very, very good. Here are some recommended tourist addresses.
Dining room "Shareholder" on Lenin Street, 51 - clean, inexpensive, delicious. In general, dining rooms under different numbers “Dinner No. 2”, “Dinner No. 5”, “Dinner School No. 8” score points in the reviews of visitors who note affordable prices and very acceptable quality.
Cafe "Favorite" (October, 21a) pleases home cooking.
For those who are not afraid of higher prices, and the menu of fences, the Three Bears bar or Gentlemen Pab is suitable.
Where to stay
If you like individual service, peace and quiet - try to book a place in the hotel "Kungurshavel". This is a separate one-bedroom house and its own enclosed yard, a wonderful location with river views and an exclusive service at your service.
Traditional hotels are "Stalagmite" and "Irene". In "Ireni" praise the food system "all inclusive", but you can eat independently, in a cafe on the territory of the hotel or in the nearby canteens.
Very good reviews from the Kungur Hostel. This is a cozy place, a real small private hotel boarding, with a soulful and hospitable hostess.
Have a nice trip!
Text: Anastasia Scherer
Photo: gorodarus, wikipedia