Kuznetsk Fortress

Western Siberia


The restored stone ramparts of the Kuznetsk Fortress are massive and topped with cannons, but represent only 20% of their 1810 extent. Kids ride ponies around the attractive grounds, concerts are held and there are couple of modest museums that you can pop into – the archaeology museum, which contains mammoth tusks and old stone tools, is probably the most interesting.

The fortress is in the old part of town on the right (east) bank of the Tom River. To get here take frequent bus 5 from outside the bus station and get off at the first stop over the bridge (15 minutes). It's a 15-minute walk up the hill to the fortress via the beautiful 1792 Transfiguration Cathedral.


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Nearby Western Siberia attractions

1. Transfiguration Cathedral

0.4 MILES

Dating from 1792, this large and elegant cathedral sits below the fortress and is worth a peak for its impressive icons and frescos.

2. Statue of Vladimir Mayakovsky

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Although the doomed writer never actually visited Novokuznetsk, he was so moved by the Soviet project to build a new city that he penned a poem starting…

3. Park Gagarina

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4. Former Soviet Builders Club

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5. Metallurgists’ Garden

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This pleasant garden is guarded by two splendidly reverential statues of Soviet-era metalworkers.

7. Lenin & Gorky Statue

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