Almost all residents of Russia associate the city of Chelyabinsk exclusively with heavy industry. Therefore, tourists rarely come here, believing that there is absolutely nothing to see here. However, this statement is quite far from the truth. The architecture of the city of Chelyabinsk deserves, if not admiration, then at least close attention.
Our article conditionally consists of two parts. In the first, we will talk about the general features of urban architecture, and in the second, we will focus on individual buildings and architectural monuments of the city.
Chelyabinsk: a portrait of the city
On the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains, on both banks of the Miass River, the city of Chelyabinsk is located. It arose here not by chance: it was at this point that important trade routes converged, connecting the settlements of the Ural and Siberian regions. Yes, and a loaded golden camel is present on the flag and coat of arms of the city for a reason.
Chelyabinsk appeared on the map of Russia in 1736. By the end of the 19th century, it had become an importantcommercial center of the empire. And in Soviet times, the city "overgrown" with large industrial enterprises and took an important place in the country's economy. Today, about 1.2 million people live in Chelyabinsk. These are Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs and representatives of many other nations.
Modern Chelyabinsk is going through hard times. The city is experiencing significant economic difficulties. The problem of air pollution is very acute. The state of public transport and urban amenities in Chelyabinsk also leave much to be desired. But despite all these problems, the city remains a major industrial, business, educational and cultural center of the Urals.
City of Chelyabinsk: architecture and construction
As for the architectural appearance of Chelyabinsk, many bloggers, cultural and public figures of the country spoke of him not very flattering. Some of them quite harshly stated that such concepts as architecture and design are, in principle, alien to this city.
Chelyabinsk, according to director Alexander Sokurov, is "unkempt and faceless." The popular rapper Basta mentioned the "architectural degradation of the city", and the artist and sculptor Mikhail Shemyakin spoke about the scarcity of urban architecture. Well-known blogger Ilya Varlamov once noted that the architecture of Chelyabinsk is "a complete mess of buildings of various eras and styles." At the same time, he was incredibly impressed by the appearance and design of the CMP area.
Indeed, there are few outstanding buildings and structures in this city, because Chelyabinsk began to be actively built up only in the secondhalf of the 19th century. In addition, many old and valuable buildings (in particular, cult ones) were destroyed by the Bolsheviks. Nevertheless, the architecture of Chelyabinsk is represented by five different styles. This is:
- classicism (a vivid example is the building of a tobacco factory);
- modern (Danziger's mansion, Yakushev passage and other buildings);
- eclecticism (cinema "Znamya");
- Stalin Empire style (state university building);
- modern style, or high-tech.
Temple architecture is also of some interest in the city. Chelyabinsk can boast to tourists of its beautiful St. Simeon Cathedral, lavishly decorated with patterns and stucco. The brick Holy Trinity Church, built at the beginning of the 20th century, impresses with its appearance.
Modern architecture of Chelyabinsk
In the last decade, the city has experienced a real construction boom. New high-rise buildings have grown in sleeping areas, and townhouses are being actively built. The modern look of Chelyabinsk is formed thanks to the rather powerful creative potential of local architects.
Vice-mayor of the city Vladimir Slobodskoy calls the building of the Chelyabinsk-City business center one of the most successful examples of modern architecture in the city. In his opinion, it fits perfectly into the ensemble of the ancient buildings of Chelyabinsk and revived it somewhat. But Vladimir Slobodskoy considers the so-called iron on Aloe Pole to be a real "architectural failure" - an indistinct structure of incomprehensible purpose.
Modern Chelyabinsk is developing and actively being built. So, on the site of an unused industrial zone, a new shopping and entertainment center "Gorki" has grown. In recent years, the city has reconstructed the railway station, built a number of new temples and sports facilities. Next, we will try to highlight the most architecturally interesting modern buildings in Chelyabinsk.
Five most interesting modern buildings in Chelyabinsk
Arkaim Plaza is a spectacular, beautiful and presentable building in the historical part of the city. During its construction, the highest quality modern materials were used. The hallmark of this building is its sloped glazing made of 8mm glass.
Chelyabinsk-City is a 23-storey and tallest building in the city. Its height together with the spire is 111 meters. The construction of this business center lasted almost four years, 45 million dollars were spent on it.
Bovid is a grandiose 27-storey business center on Lenin Avenue, the second tallest building in the city. The total area of the complex is about 15,000 sq. m.
"Sinegorye" is a shopping complex of original forms, built in 2002 on the Railway Station Square of the city. The most notable feature of this structure is its huge glass pyramid.
The building of the State Historical Museum is a vivid example of high-tech style in Chelyabinsk, the real pride of the city. The new museum building was opened in 2006.
Architectural sights of Chelyabinsk
Fansof ancient architecture will also find something to amuse themselves in this harsh Ural city. The architecture of old Chelyabinsk is best preserved on the pedestrian street Kirovka. Here you can see several beautiful mansions and civil buildings of the XIX-XX centuries.
Worthy of attention of tourists and local historians and religious architecture of Chelyabinsk. In the city you can see three chic old churches: St. Simeon Cathedral, Alexander Nevsky and Holy Trinity Churches. In addition, an old mosque and a synagogue have been preserved in Chelyabinsk.
It is worth mentioning the Art Nouveau buildings in Chelyabinsk (this style dominated Europe and Russia at the beginning of the 20th century). There are about a dozen of them in the city. The most remarkable Art Nouveau houses in Chelyabinsk:
- S. G.'s mansion Danziger;
- Valeev's store;
- A. V. Breslin;
- city power plant building.
Next, we will introduce you to the most interesting architectural monuments of the city of Chelyabinsk.
SUSU main building
The main building of the South Ural State University without any exaggeration can be called the main architectural symbol of the city of Chelyabinsk. The building was built in 1943 in the Stalinist Empire style. The majestic central tower with a spire was planned in the original project, but it was built much later. In 2003, two impressive black sculptures of Prometheus and the Goddess of Glory adorned the roof of the structure.
The main building of the university is one ofthe tallest buildings in Chelyabinsk and is mandatory included in all city tours.
Holy Trinity Church
The largest of the pre-revolutionary churches in Chelyabinsk is the Holy Trinity Church. Its construction began in 1911 and lasted three years. The temple did not perform its functions for long: with the advent of Soviet power, the church was closed. At first, the Bolsheviks planned to convert the temple into a cinema, but then they changed their minds and placed one of the expositions of the city museum here.
Today the Holy Trinity Church stands by a busy road and looks even more ancient against the backdrop of multi-storey new buildings. The walls of the temple are made of red-brown bricks and decorated with discreet decor. Inside the church, tourists can see a chic iconostasis made of cedar wood.
Yudina's Mansion
This is one of the most elaborate houses in Chelyabinsk! In addition, it is built of wood, which gives it a special touch.
Praskovya Yudina's mansion is located at 100 Krasnoarmeiskaya Street and is an architectural monument of local significance. The building dates from 1905. It was built of wood and sheathed with boards. The house looks like an old Russian tower, which seems to have jumped out of some fairy tale onto the streets of Chelyabinsk. It is very symbolic that today it houses the regional center for tourism development.
Chelyabinsk elevator
What other masterpieces does the architecture of Chelyabinsk hide in itself? In thatAn unusual city is a real agricultural skyscraper - a 40-meter elevator, built at the beginning of the 20th century. This is the only such building in all of Russia! To the greatest regret, the unique structure of the Chelyabinsk elevator today is in disrepair. And its side wings are completely destroyed to the ground.
Chelyabinsk elevator is located in the very center of the million-plus city. It was built in 1918 according to the project of engineer K. E. Zhukov. Until the mid-1990s, the elevator still performed its direct functions, and then it was finally abandoned. Recently, this building was included in the TOP-7 most creepy buildings in Russia (according to the Russia Beyond the Headlines project).
