The special color and lightness of Rostov-on-Don is explained by 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 on average in Russia this figure did not exceed 15%. Wealthy merchants ennobled the look of the city, set up parks, built temples, landscaped 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, modern 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 southern Russia, and in the 18th century it was a rather 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 Demetrius, Metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslavl.
Soon the fortress was called - Dimitry of Rostov, or Rostov fortress. Then, with the development of the city, its name was reduced to the word Rostov and then, in order not to be confused with another great city, it was renamed “Rostov-on-Don».
If during the years of its foundation the fortress was able to defend its integrity, then 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 immediately in two parts of the world
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 - Asian.
The Voroshilovsky bridge, which actually separates parts of the world, can be called a tourist attraction: it is usually crowded with tourists who dream of taking pictures on it.
8. Has access to 5 seas
Geography really "made a difference" to the city: in addition to several parts of the world, Rostov-on-Don has direct access to 5 seas. 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-papa the city received for a reason. In the 60s this place became the criminal capital of southern Russia. "Scam artists" from all over the USSR flocked to the city, who sometimes formed entire thieves' dynasties.
Until now, local residents tell legends about the profit schemes that were in effect at that time - for example, a bank robbery under the guise of filming a movie. A difficult situation persisted in the early 90s. Fortunately, the city has now left its bandit glory in the past.
6. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the people have received the name "Gateway of the North Caucasus"
The proud title of “The Gate of the North Caucasus” the city received 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. Only those channels remained that passed through the Rostov turn.
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. During the construction of the Voroshilov bridge, adhesive joints were first applied
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 60-ies of the last century.
When it was erected, a unique technology was first used, which until then had not been used in Russia - adhesive joints. Its essence is that heavy concrete blocks were fastened between supports in the shape of the letter "T" with bustilate glue. Then the structure was further strengthened with steel cables, like threads.
Over the years, the imperfection of this method has become apparent: the cables began to stretch, and the bridge sag. But before these consequences were revealed, the USSR managed to build another 4 bridges using this method.
4. Theater to them. 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, architects called it a brilliant example in their field. The forms repeated the concept of the caterpillar tractor, which is why the people nicknamed it.
Natural and artificial marble trim gave the structure a luxurious look. Inside, large and small halls fit, as well as a library and a special museum.
«The pearl of Soviet architecture”- this is how the theater building was called by foreign experts. Now, after reconstruction, the structure is slightly different from the original plan, but for all of Rostov it is an undoubted center of attraction and culture.
3. Have your 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. The first 9 years of the year there were two such nominees - in spring and autumn. Since 2017, the star is awarded once a year.
2. Musical theater - 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 construction of the theater, Chaliapin, Rachmaninov, Scriabin and others regularly performed here.
In 1919, the Rostov Theater of Musical Comedy appeared on the small stage of a local recreation center. The 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 block with dilapidated buildings. By the time the barracks were demolished, the store’s design was rejected, but the idea arose of creating their own musical theater. Architects created a unique project - the structure of the building resembles a piano with a hinged lid.
From then until today, the theater has been actively operating. Different genres are mixed here: from ballet and operas to short stories, musicals and symphony orchestras. The troupe of the theater carefully preserves classical traditions and boldly mix them with innovative techniques.
1. Rostov Zoo - the largest in Russia
In Rostov-on-Don, there is another record holder - this is the zoo. Now it is - one of the largest zoos in Russia, which contains 5 thousand animals. But in 1927 it was organized on the site of a living corner of one of the schools by teachers and children. After 2 years, the overgrown collection was decided to be transferred to the outskirts of the city to the place of five cottages at once.
The turning point in the fate of the zoo was 1930. Then Anatoly Filatov toured in Rostov with his private menagerie. Due to the resulting debts, the city was forced to confiscate animals from him. So, the zoo was replenished with sea lions, a python, monkeys, llamas, ostriches, a crocodile, a lion, a tiger, a puma, a leopard and an elephant.
After 5 years at the zoo, they were able to breed emu offspring - Rostovites supplied zoos throughout the country and even in China with chicks.
Another important milestone in the history of the zoo was 2009, when the zoo received an exchange of three elephants from Berlin. One of them - a female - turned out to be pregnant and after some time gave birth to a small elephant calf.