The Nizhny Novgorod Region is the central region of the European part of Russia. The area of the territory of the Nizhny Novgorod region is 76.6 thousand km², the population is over 3 million people. The region is divided into two parts by the Volga. Trans-Volga - lowland on the left bank, and hilly right bank with numerous ravines and gullies. The cities of the Nizhny Novgorod region have a rich historical and cultural heritage.
The region, thanks to shipping on the Volga, has always been a major trade center through which the main trade routes passed. Most of the cities in the region have preserved the memory of the merchant past, with characteristic architecture and urban development. Also in the cities of the region there are a large number of ancient Orthodox churches and monasteries.
The largest cities of the Nizhny Novgorod region
List of the largest cities in terms of population in the region.
Nizhny Novgorod
The regional center of the Nizhny Novgorod region is located on the right bank of the Volga, at the mouth of the Oka River. The city ranks fifth in the country in terms of population. Nizhny Novgorod is included in the UNESCO list of historically valuable cities. The history of the city dates back to the 13th century. The city has a large selection of ancient architectural monuments and modern attractions; since 2012, a cable car has been operating over the Volga. River cruises to Nizhny Novgorod are popular among tourists.
Population - 1253 thousand people.
Dzerzhinsk
The city has been bearing its name since 1929, before that it was a workers' settlement. Dzerzhinsk is the second largest city in the region. The city is often referred to as the birthplace of the chemical industry in the country. The main attraction is the Dudinsky Monastery, presumably built in the 13th century. Also in the city there are 2 temples and 8 churches, a large museum of local lore.
Population - 231 thousand people.
Arzamas
An ancient city founded during the time of Ivan the Terrible in 1578. The city is a major transport hub on the way from the southeastern part of the country to Moscow. A large number of historical and architectural monuments, museums and religious sites are represented in Arzamas. The village of Diveyevo is located 60 km from the city, where believers come to Orthodox monasteries and holy springs all year round.
Population - 104 thousand people.
Sarov
The city is located in the south of the region, 180 km from Nizhny Novgorod, in an unusually beautiful place. There are several lakes near the city, there are several lakes, in the city there are two rivers - Sarovka and Satis, as well as many springs. There is a scientific nuclear center here, and therefore the city is closed. Entry to Sarov is open only at the invitation of relatives, to work or to participate in scientific, sports and cultural events.
Population - 95 thousand people.
Boron
The city is located on the opposite bank of the Volga River from Nizhny Novgorod. Bor is connected to the regional center by a bridge and a cable car. The city owes its name to the coniferous forests in which it is located. In addition to the cable car, which is the main attraction here, the city has interesting pre-revolutionary architecture, ancient churches of the 18th-14th centuries, as well as unique natural beauty.
Population - 78 thousand people.
Kstovo
A small town 15 km from Nizhny Novgorod on the right bank of the Volga. The most interesting sights: the city park with access to the Volga, the local history museum, the Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God of the 18th century, which is recognized as a cultural monument of federal significance. There is a water park in the city.
Population - 67 thousand people.
Pavlovo
On seven hills along the right bank of the Oka River, among many parks and squares, there is a small town. While walking around the city, you can admire the merchant houses of the XVIII-XIV. In Pavlovo there is a monument to lemon, the city is considered the birthplace of indoor lemon, plant seedlings are bred and sold here to this day. Unusual events are also held in Pavlovo: goose fights and canary singing contests.
Population - 58 thousand people.
Vyksa
The city, founded in the 18th century, has preserved the atmosphere of those years to this day. The founders of the city, the Batashev brothers, left a rich legacy: the palace, which now houses the museum of the history of the metallurgical plant, a regular park in the French-English style with artificial ponds, and a hunting lodge outside the city. There are several old Orthodox sights in the city: Iversky Monastery, Nativity of Christ Church.
Population - 53 thousand people.
Balakhna
The homeland of the legendary Kozma Minin is a small town on the Volga, 64 km north of Nizhny Novgorod. Historically, Balakhna has always been an industrial center, but the general appearance has retained the ancient features of merchant cities. In addition, there are a number of Orthodox churches, the Intercession Monastery for men. Among the modern attractions, the new sports and recreation complex with a swimming pool and a gym stands out.
Population - 48 thousand people.
Zavolzhye
During the construction of the Gorky hydroelectric power station, a workers' settlement was founded here. The city center is an ensemble of the 50s, classified as an architectural monument. Park them. Gagarin is made in space theme, in its center there is a monument to the first cosmonaut. For guests and local residents, a favorite place is the Gorky Reservoir, here they arrange picnics, come fishing, rest at recreation centers and boarding houses.
Population - 39 thousand people.
Bogorodsk
The history of the city's origins dates back to the time of Ivan the Terrible. In the 16th century, a settlement was founded around the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos. Despite the city status, the general appearance has retained the features of an old prosperous village with merchant houses and shops. A healing spring with an Orthodox chapel was discovered in Bogorodsk. In the center of the city there is a small lake with old buildings on the banks.
Population - 34 thousand people.
Kulebaki
The city stands on the Kulebaka River; a settlement on this place appeared in the 16th century. In Soviet times, the main architectural and religious monuments were destroyed, today the main part of the city is occupied by the private sector. The main tourist attraction of the Kulebaksky district is the Kutuzovsky skete of the Seraphim-Diveevsky women's monastery of the 19th century, as well as the Malyaevsky skete.
Population - 32 thousand people.
Gorodets
The town, although not large, is widely known for its unique Gorodets painting. Gorodets is practically the same age as Moscow; ancient merchant buildings and ancient Orthodox churches have been preserved here. Here you can admire the views of the Volga and the Gorky hydroelectric power station. In addition to the Gorodets painting, printed gingerbread, lace, and pottery are made in Gorodets. The theme of the city's museums is devoted to folk crafts.
Population - 30 thousand people.
Semyonov
Few people know that the matryoshka, which has become a symbol of Russia all over the world, comes from a small town in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The famous Khokhloma painting was also born here. Founded in the 17th century as a settlement of Old Believers who were engaged in woodworking, Semyonov grew into a large craft center, rebuilt according to the designs of Catherine II. For tourists, the most interesting are the Matryoshka House and the Khokhloma Museum, ancient Orthodox churches, the Old Believer Church, and merchant estates.
Population - 24 thousand people.
Lyskovo
The ancient city, which originated in the XII-XIII centuries on the right Bank of the Volga, today is an industrial center. The original buildings were located a little to the west, where the remains of an ancient fortress have been preserved. Here are preserved architectural monuments of the 18th-19th centuries.Also, tourists often visit the Makaryevsky Monastery, located on the picturesque bank of the Volga.
Population - 21 thousand people.
Sergach
The history of the city begins in the XIV century, from the time of the Mongol-Tatar invasion, as evidenced today by the mound with the burial of Russian soldiers. The main sights of the city: Vladimirsky Cathedral and the Church of St. John the Merciful of the beginning of the 19th century. One of the most beautiful places in the city is the railway station built in 1914, the author of the project is the architect Shchusev.
Population - 20 thousand people.
Shakhunya
The city is located in the north of the Nizhny Novgorod region. In the first half of the 20th century, a large railway junction was opened here; in memory of the railway workers, a steam locomotive-monument was erected at the station square. Also in the city there is a monument to the soldiers-fellow countrymen who died during the Second World War. On the territory of the Shakhunsky district, there are ancient archaeological sites and ancient temples.
Population - 20 thousand people.
Navashino
A small town on the Oka River, belongs to the number of single-industry towns, the city-forming enterprise is a shipyard. On the territory of the Navashinsky district, ancient churches have been preserved in the village of Dedovo and in the village of Bolshoye Okulovo. In the village of Dedovo there is also the Holy Lake - a large karst lake with which various legends are associated.
Population - 15 thousand people.
Lukoyanov
Founded in the 16th century, the town in the south of the Nizhny Novgorod region has a rich history and is even included in the official list of historical cities in Russia. Alexander Pushkin often visited these places, the house in which the poet stayed has survived. The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos in 1834 was restored in 2009 and consecrated by Patriarch Kirill, whose parents were from Lukoyanov.
Population - 14 thousand people.
Pervomaisk
A small town near Sarov, located on the Umoch River. In the vicinity of the city there is a karst sinkhole and springs with mineral water. On the territory of the region there are unique granite boulders brought by glaciation more than 200 thousand years ago, near one of them the buildings of the Skit tract have been preserved. Rogozhsky park with a system of ponds, which belonged to the Karamzin family, is located 25 km from the city.
Population - 13 thousand people.
Level
A small town in the north of the Nizhny Novgorod region. This place has been a settlement of Old Believers since the 18th century, and now there is an Old Believer Church. Also preserved is the temple of the Three Saints built in 1829. The city is located on the elevated bank of the Usta River, which flows into the Volga.
Population - 12 thousand people.
Chkalovsk
The city is located on the bank of the Gorky reservoir. It is known primarily as the birthplace of V.P. Chkalov, who was born here. The city has a monument to the great pilot, a monument to the MIG-21 aircraft, as well as a memorial museum of V. Chkalov.
Population - 12 thousand people.
Vorsma
The city is located on the Kishma River, a tributary of the Oka, 62 km south of Nizhny Novgorod. Founded in the 16th century, today the city is one of the monocities. The main attraction is the Holy Trinity Ostrovoezersky Convent, founded in 1580, is located on an island in the middle of Lake Vorsma.
Population - 10 thousand people.
Volodarsk
A town on the Seim River, located on the site of a settlement of the 16th-17th centuries. There are such archaeological sites as the Volodarskaya site and the Seima burial ground. Ancient burials, remnants of settlements, household items of people of the XII-XIII centuries BC were discovered here.
Population - 10 thousand people.
Perevoz
An ancient town that historically arose on the trade route at the place of the crossing over the Piana river. The Church of the Intercession of 1816 has been preserved here. In the vicinity of the city there are karst sinkholes in the Ichalkovsky pine forest with deep caves. The rapids and rifts of the Piany River attract fans of water rafting.
Population - 8900 people
