Stary Oskol: sights. Old Oskol Zoo. Ataman Forest

Stary Oskol, whose sights we will consider in the article, is one of the oldest cities in the European part of the country. At first it was called Oskol, and only in time it was added the word Old. The order for its construction was given by the son of Ivan the Terrible - Tsar Feodor Ioannovich. In the modern city there is a monument dedicated to its builders - voevode Ivan Solntsev-Zasekin, the head Ivan Meisnoy and the scribe Mikhail Nechaev. This three-meter sculpture, depicting the first builders of the city in full growth. Emerged as a border town for seven years before the beginning of the seventeenth century, it was the outpost of the Russian lands from the raids of the Tatars. And the city residents coped with this task successfully.

Ataman Forest

Stary Oskol is the city of the glory of Russian arms. During the Second World War fierce battles took place here. Parts of the Soviet army heroically defended the city. In the Ataman forest was the headquarters, where a strategy was developed to contain the fascist German troops.

As a result of the titanic efforts, the rifle divisions frustrated the plans of the Hitlerites and did not allow them to pass through the Don. Now, those who visit the Ataman Forest (Stary Oskol) will see a memorial complex there. Here are the mass graves of fighters who defended their homeland.

Zoo

On the Chumaki farm there is a municipal Starooskolsky zoo. There are about five hundred species of animals and more than one and a half thousand birds. What does the Old Oskol Zoo take pride in ? It has an extensive population of pheasants, which includes half of the existing species in the world.

Dendropark

No less beautiful natural landmark of the city is the Old Oskol dendrological park. Here there are about one hundred and fifty different trees and shrubs, as well as a unique glade-lecture hall. Under the wooden roof there is a board, and instead of the chairs, the listeners can be accommodated on comfortable stumps with backs that are randomly arranged on a gravel-covered area. It will be very useful for schoolchildren to listen to a lecture on the world of flora in this class in the fresh air.

Local History Museum

Traditionally, the history of the region can be found in the local museum of local lore, which was founded in 1923. Now he is in a house that once belonged to the merchant Likhushin. In addition to rich expositions, the Old Oskol Regional Museum offers tourists trips to the ancient Russian town of Holki. Also there you can see an underground monastery in the Cretaceous mountains.

The Holkovsky Monastery

Holy Trinity Holkovsky Monastery is located not far from the village of Holki. This is one of the most ancient sacred places in the country. The legend says that it is based on the meeting place of Prince Igor Svyatoslavovich and his brother Vsevolod before sung in the epic war against the Polovtsi in 1185. In the so-called Zhestovye mountains there are caves of the monastery. In order to take cover from Tatars' raids in time, a Zhestovaya lodge was built on the highest hill. From her were conducted observations of the steppe, from where at any moment might appear unkind riders. In the middle of the eighteenth century, before the entrance to the cave was built a wooden chapel. The monastery was persecuted in the eighteenth century and was closed. In the thirties of the nineteenth century, Prince Golitsyn tried to resume the activity of the holy monastery, not sparing his own means for this, but, unfortunately, he did not succeed.

Today, among the picturesque green hills, you can see a white stone chapel, at some distance from it, the Transfiguration Temple. The churches impress with their amazing modest beauty. Snow-white walls, not blue, but a few bluish roofs and magnificent golden domes, which you can admire endlessly. From the hill to the hill there are stone paths, on each side of which there are lanterns. The paths run picturesquely from the temple to the chapel, and then on to the caves.

The Cathedral of Prince Alexander Nevsky

What is worth seeing for those who came to Stary Oskol? Sights!

In the Stary Oskol, many churches have survived. A simple, strict, even somewhat stern cathedral of Prince Alexander Nevsky is built of red brick. And on the dark blue domes there are stars. The cathedral was built about a hundred years ago. The architecture of the church refers to the Russian and Greek styles. A few meters from the building is located the same style gazebo. Surprisingly, being closed in the first years of Soviet power, the cathedral was opened shortly after the end of World War II.

More Attractions

And tourists should definitely see:

• Holy Cross Church;
• Church of the Ascension;
• The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker;
• The church of Sergius of Radonezh;
• The Church of the Prophet Elijah;
• Chapel in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God;
• The wooden church of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga.

Some of these Orthodox churches are not in the city, but in the surrounding villages. But the beauty of these holy monasteries is worth it for tourists to take an extra trip out of town.

What else is worth seeing those who are interested in Stary Oskol, its sights? In the city, the house of the holy martyr Onufrius was preserved. His fate is the usual story of a sincerely believing person who happened to live in the years of violent persecution by militant atheists. After the reference, he came to this city in the late twenties of the last century. Becoming Vladyka Starooskolsky, he prayed for the inhabitants of the city and humbly carried his cross. Saint Onuphrius suffered the fate of many priests during the years of Soviet power. He was repressed and shot in 1938.

In Stary Oskol, a monument was erected on the territory of a medical college two years ago. The monument depicts a nurse early twentieth century, holding a book.

Travelers will be interested to see the building of the former women's gymnasium and the house of the noble assembly, which are a classic example of architecture of the nineteenth century. And also you should see the beautiful houses that once belonged to the merchants. The house of the merchant Fedyushin, the house of Diaghilev and the so-called house of the tobacco merchant.

In Stary Oskol, you should definitely see the monument to the Marshal of Victory - Georgy Zhukov.

Surprisingly bright and beautiful is the red two-story building of the Starooskolsky Theater for children and youth.

After such exciting excursions, tourists can visit the best restaurants and cafes of the city. For example, "Mokko", "Silk Road", "Iceberg" and others.

Conclusion

Now you know what is interesting Stary Oskol. Its sights are really worth seeing. We hope that the information will be useful to you.