10 interesting facts about Rostov-on-Don – the largest city in southern Russia

The special flavor and lightness of Rostov-on-Don is due to its location. Residents not only actually inhabit two parts of the world – Europe and Asia and can travel daily from one to the other, but also have access to 5 seas at once.

Merchants also played a great role in the history of the city’s development: already at the beginning of the 19th century, the population was 70% literate, while the average for Russia did not exceed 15%. Wealthy merchants improved the appearance of the city, laid out parks, built temples, improved houses, some of which still adorn the center of Rostov.

More than 100 nationalities coexist in the city, and this explains the diversity of its culture. This is a city of bandits (in the past!) and the largest theaters, innovations and classics, modernity and traditions, which you should definitely visit.

We bring to your attention 10 interesting facts about Rostov-on-Don.

10 Founded under Elizabeth as a fortress

It is now Rostov-on-Don – the largest city in the south of Russia, and in the 18th century it was quite a small fortress. Empress Elizabeth ordered to build it to protect the southern borders of the country in 1761, as well as for the protection of the Temeritsky customs. The building was named after Dimitri, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslavl.

Soon the fortress was called that – Demetrius of Rostov, or the Rostov fortress. Then, with the development of the city, its name was shortened to the word “Rostov” and then, not to be confused with another great city, it was renamed “Rostov-on-Don».

If during the years of its founding the fortress was able to defend its integrity, the Second World War left a lot of destruction in the city. Rostov-on-Don even made it to the list of 10 cities most affected by the fighting.

9. Located in two parts of the world at once

Rostrov-on-Don has an interesting geographical location. In fact, it affects two parts of the world at once – Northern Europe and Asia.. The border itself runs along the river, so one part of the Don is considered to be European, and the southern coast is Asian.

Voroshilovsky bridge can be called an attraction, which actually separates parts of the world: it is usually crowded with tourists who dream of taking pictures on it.

8. Has access to 5 seas

Geography really “made friendly” the city: in addition to several parts of the world, Rostov-on-Don has access to 5 seas at once. From its port, ships sail to the Black, White, Baltic, Azov and Caspian Seas. This location has turned the city into a central passenger hub.

7. Was the center of gang warfare

“Gangster” name “Rostov dad” the city received for a reason. In the 60s, this place became the criminal capital of southern Russia.. “Swindlers-tourists” flocked to the city from all over the USSR, who sometimes formed entire thieves’ dynasties.

Until now, locals tell legends about the schemes of profit operating at that time – for example, bank robbery under the guise of filming a movie. The difficult situation persisted even in the early 90s. Fortunately, now the city has left its gangster glory in the past.

6. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the people received the name “Gate of the North Caucasus”

The city received the proud title of “Gate of the North Caucasus” in the 19th century.. The fact is that at that time the country did not have railways to transport goods and passengers to the south. There were only those channels that passed the turn of Rostov.

Despite the fact that now the country has many other exits towards the Caucasus, it is Rostov-on-Don that still remains the intersection of the most important road, rail and sea routes.

5. Adhesive joints were used for the first time during the construction of the Voroshilovsky Bridge

One of the most important symbols of Russia – the Voroshilovsky Bridge, which divides Rostov-on-Don into Europe and Asia and is its “calling card” – was built in the mid-60s of the last century.

During its construction, for the first time, a unique technology was used, which until then had not been used in Russia – adhesive joints. Its essence is that heavy concrete blocks were fastened between the supports in the shape of the letter “T” with bustilate glue. Then the structure was additionally strengthened with steel cables, like threads.

Over the years, the imperfection of this method became obvious: the cables began to stretch, and the bridge began to sag. But before these consequences were revealed, the USSR managed to build 4 more bridges using this method.

4. Theatre. M. Gorky is made in the form of a giant tractor

Tourists coming to the city must visit the local drama theater. After the building was erected in 1935 and became a model of constructivism, the architects called it a brilliant example in their field. The forms repeated the concept of a caterpillar tractor, which is why it was nicknamed by the people.

Finishing of natural and artificial marble gave the structure a luxurious look. Inside there are large and small halls, as well as a library and a special museum.

«The pearl of Soviet architecture”- this is how foreign experts called the theater building. Now, after reconstruction, the building is a little different from the original plan, but for the whole of Rostov it is an undoubted center of attraction and culture.

3. Has its own Avenue of Stars

Similar to Hollywood, Rostov-on-Don has its own Avenue of Stars. It is located on Voroshilovsky Prospekt. Every year since 2008, a local resident is selected, whose merits are worthy, to perpetuate his name with a star in the paving stones. For the first 9 years, there were two such nominees per year – in spring and autumn. Since 2017, the star has been awarded once a year.

2. The musical theater is one of the largest in Europe

Rostov-on-Don has always been the center of musical life in the south of Russia. Even before the theater was built, Chaliapin, Rachmaninov, Scriabin and others regularly performed here.

In 1919, the Rostov Theater of Musical Comedy appeared on the small stage of the local recreation center. Troupes huddled on narrow stages, which were actually a branch of the circus.

In the 60s of the 20th century, the Rostov authorities discussed the project of the largest department store, which was supposed to be built on the site of a quarter with dilapidated buildings. By the time the barracks were demolished, the store project had been scrapped, but the idea of ​​creating their own musical theater arose. Architects have created a unique project – the construction of the building resembles a piano with a folded lid.

From that time until today, the theater has been actively functioning. Different genres are mixed here: from ballet and operas to short stories, musicals and symphony orchestras. The theater troupes carefully preserve classical traditions and boldly mix them with innovative techniques.

1. Rostov zoo is the largest in Russia

In Rostov-on-Don, there is another record holder – this is a zoo. Now it is – one of the largest zoos in Russia with 5 animals. But in 1927 it was organized on the site of a living corner of one of the schools by teachers and children. Already 2 years later, it was decided to transfer the overgrown collection to the outskirts of the city to the place of five dachas at once.

The year 1930 turned out to be a turning point in the zoo’s fate. Then Anatoly Filatov was touring in Rostov with his private menagerie. Due to the resulting debts, the city was forced to confiscate his animals. Thus, the zoo was replenished with sea lions, python, monkeys, llamas, ostriches, crocodile, lion, tiger, cougar, leopard and elephant.

After 5 years, the zoo managed to breed emu offspring – the Rostovites supplied zoos throughout the country and even in China with chicks.

Another important milestone in the history of the zoo was in 2009, when the zoo received three elephants from Berlin in exchange. One of them, a female, turned out to be pregnant and after some time gave birth to a baby elephant.