The phrase “Gateway of the Russian North” has a special meaning for Kirov. This is exactly what the Vyatka region was called for many centuries. This territory connected the central and northern regions of Russia. For example, at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries, a trade route to Arkhangelsk ran here, and people from the southern provinces gathered in the city and set off further on their journey.
In the year of the 650th anniversary of Kirov, the historical symbol has become a completely tangible landmark. In the fall, the real “Gate of the Russian North” appeared on Vyatka: an art object nine meters wide and about six meters high. The carved and even elegant design is similar to the gate of the museum-estate of the Kirov artist Nikolai Khokhryakov with decorative elements of Vyatka merchant houses.
The art object was installed on the site where the Spasskaya Tower of the Vyatka Kremlin was previously located on the historical Spasskaya Street. As the regional governor Alexander Sokolov noted at the opening ceremony, the Kirov region is the near Russian North, preserving its character and its traditions of hospitality: “This is a symbol of our openness and kindness to others, and I hope that hundreds of thousands, millions of tourists will come to us , they will rejoice with us in our beautiful city.”
The “Gate of the Russian North” is decorated with decorative elements of Vyatka merchant houses. Photo: Government of the Kirov region
“The Gates of the Russian North” became the first point of a new tourist route with the same name. Several months were spent preparing it, and by the beginning of December, the day when the city officially assumed the status of the New Year’s capital, the route appeared before the guests in all its winter glory. A journey into the history of Kirov consists of large and small circles. Its trajectory resembles a figure eight: the small circle covers more than 29 iconic places of the city, and the large circle covers 65. You can walk along only one of the “rings”, or along the entire route. The length of the large circle is 7 km, the small circle is 3 km.
“On the way you will see a drinking house of the 18th century and the “Red Castle” – the brick mansion of the merchant Bulychev. You will visit Spasskaya Square, where there is a cathedral built under Catherine II, and the already famous art object in the style of Vyatka wooden architecture. Take a photo between the white columns rotundas are a symbol of the city,” said Alexey Cheptsov, head of the Kirov Region Tourism Development Center. The small ring route is suitable for families with children and tourists with limited mobility; it leads to the river and involves a walk along the embankment, the Alexander Garden, and a visit to the Vyatka Dormition Trifonov Monastery.
Navigation is provided along the entire route: light blocks with descriptions, diagrams, signs and QR codes, and now audio guides. Both rings can be covered on foot, on scooters and bicycles, by car or bus.
The central rotunda of the Alexander Garden is one of the attractions of Kirov. It was built according to the design of the architect Alexander Vitberg. Photo: ANO “Directorate for organizing the 650th anniversary of Kirov”
Both the journey through the city and the art object have already become new symbols of Kirov. Father Frost from Veliky Ustyug, who visited here in early December, told reporters that he took a souvenir photo at the “Gate”, at the very beginning of the historical route.
Let us remind you: the project “Kirov – New Year’s Capital of Russia” was officially opened on December 7. And until January 7, 2025, more than 1,000 events related to this festive and honorable status will be held in the regional center and districts. It is expected that more than 50 thousand tourists will visit the region in a month.
Source: rg.ru
