Krasnodar Things to Do

Within the city of Krasnodar, capitol of the Kray that is named afterthis city, but is generally known as the Kuban, one can get to know everything about it's history in the Historical Museum. This museum has a great collection of items throughout the almost 3.000 years history of the region. Earliest settlers were local inhabitants that soon were dealing with the Greeks that created trading posts along this part of the Black Sea. Especially the artifacts from this period are remarkable and fine.

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There used to be a time in which all Russian towns and villages had (several) statues of the most well-known (or should I say infamous) Sowjet statesmen. Luckely already during the Sowjet regime, people started to find out what demonish man Stalin actually was and how many people disappeared in the Gulag's or were immediately "disappearing" from daily. Lenin however is still seen as a great man and appearing in several towns, as well as in Krasnodar. though his communistic ideas are definately responsible for the downfall of the Sowjet republics towards the rest of the world, his ideoligy is still quite favorite in Russia, as well as outside Russia.
Among monuments one surely also should take the magnificent old buildings along Krasnaja Ulitsa (and on some other places in town, that hold breathtaking architecture and many decorations.

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Krasnodar used to be known as Ekaterinodar. This name was given to the town that appeard around a Kozak outpost in Southern Russia, from where these famous horsemen, conquered land towards the Caucasus mountain range. Though the Kozak's in the civil war after the revolution choose side of the empirial troops (the white army), now-a-days their effort in expansion for the great Russian country, is rewarded qith monuments, especially here in the South. In 2005 a new monument was erected, in front of the Krasnodarskii Kray provincial house.

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Krasnodar is renewing itself since stability has come to the new (post Sowjet) era. Slwoly the central parts of this town of a million inhabitants is rising from the ashes and this means many magnificent new buildings of which the new Russian Orthodox church at the South end of Krasnaja Ulitsa is definetaly the finest example. It's shining gold domes are visible from a far on this main street of the town and in front of it you feel tiny like an ant. Estimated finishing date is halfway 2006, so this picture (taken summer 2005) has still quite some construction works visible.

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Besides the brand new and spectacularly beautiful church at the South end of Krasnaja Ulitsa, Krasnodar holds several other churches and chapels. How could communisme be so blind to destroy various beautiful Orthodox churches? These magnificent historical buildings are truely on of the most colourful abnd graceful sights in any town. Krasnodar is no exception and holds a few perfect examples of Orthodox chapels and churches. The city holds three main (larger) public churches and few minor chapels. Few of the last named are outside the town in the green fields that stretch to the horizon.

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In front of the main kays of Krasnodar a long island stretches out in the middle of the river. At the end it's connected to the cityside and a brand new bridge is recently built to make it possible to visit the island straight from the city centre. On the island there used to be a commemorating park with many old army-vehicles, but now-a-days these old weaponery is shaded with a 101 fun park attribute. A giant wheel, various carroussels, shooting galleries, bars, cafe's and live music, make it a hotspot for nightlife (see nightlife tips). This centre of entertainment of Kuban is a definate must visit on a hot summer day or - for adults - on a warm summer's evening.

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Krasnodar is, especially for Russian standards, a very green town. It has numerous large parks and great open spaces between the suburbs. However, these last are swiftly being filled with the enormous houses of the "new Russians" (upcoming middle class and richer people). Krasnaja Ulitsa, Krasnodar's main boulevard, is actually a long green allee with many trees that bring pleasant shade. In the weekends, this road is closed for traffic and a pleasure to walk on. Furthermore the university has a very large arboretum-park and the town holds various other parks of which few situated along the banks of the river Kuban.

At the beginning (or one could also say the end) of Krasnaja Ulitsa, a true icon of Sowyet times still stands strong. Avrora is a huge statue of a military woman (heavily armed) holding up a star (guess what colour it is imagined to be - haha). The statue is one of the best icon's in town and unique for Krasnodar. A symbol of the town and therefor a must visit for the people that come to Krasnodar.