"Seven Wonders of Nizhny Novgorod Region" is a competition held as part of the "Seven Wonders of Five Cities of the World" project.


Alongside the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the following participants took part in the project: Barcelona and Madrid (Spain), Brasília (Brazil), and Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Each of these cities was selected by the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals on the basis of the cultural distinctiveness of the cities and the significance of their sites, which "constitute the cultural heritage of all mankind."

A Wonder as defined by the organizers

"In this context, a wonder may be defined as an object of material culture located within the Region that possesses exceptional value, representing a masterpiece of human creativity and ingenuity."

Coordinates of the wonders

  • In second place is the Blagoveshchensky Monastery Ensemble (Melnichniy Lane). This is the first monastery of Nizhny Novgorod, founded by the great prince Yuri Vsevolodovich. It was burned down in 1229 by the forces of Purgaz. It was re-established in the 14th century at the direction of Moscow Metropolitan Aleksiy. The existing architectural ensemble dates to the 17th century.
  • Third place was taken by the Rozhdestvenskaya (Stroganovskaya) Cathedral Church of the Nativity of the Virgin (Rozhdestvenskaya Street., 34). Built in 1719, the church is an architectural monument of world standing and a prime example of "Stroganov" architecture. It was commissioned by the prominent salt industrialist G.D. Stroganov and consecrated in 1719. Its exquisitely crafted ornate decoration and richly adorned gilded carved iconostasis continue to this day to awe Nizhny Novgorod residents and visitors alike.
  • Fourth place went to the Kremlin) (Minin Square). "The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was built in the 16th century and is one of the finest kremlins in Russia," the competition organizers report.
  • Fifth place was awarded to the "Garantiya" and "Titanic" building (Malaya Pokrovskaya Street St., 7) — a striking example that defines the face of contemporary Nizhny Novgorod architecture. One of the building's authors is the distinguished architect A.Ye. Kharitonov. The building has two distinct identities, which is reflected in its two names.
  • Sixth place went to the Nizhny Novgorod Yarmarka (Lenin Square, 1) — a vivid example of late-19th-century eclecticism. The Main Yarmarka House was built in 1889 and outwardly resembles the GUM building on Red Square in Moscow. The décor of the Heraldic Hall's interiors clearly reflects the style of the French Renaissance. Architects: A.I. von Hogen, G.A. Trambitsky, K.G. Treyman.
  • And finally, seventh place was taken by the Aleksandra Nevskogo Cathedral (Cape Strelka., 3). A rare example of a five-tented church. A striking architectural landmark connecting Nizhny Novgorod with the Zarechka. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built over 13 years and consecrated in 1881. The architects who worked on the cathedral were R.Ya. Kilevein and L.V. Dal.

18 near-wonders

In total, 25 different sites of the Nizhny Novgorod Region competed for the title of a Nizhny Novgorod Wonder, including: the City Theatre building (Bolshaya Pokrovskaya St., 13), the Dobrolyubov Family Estate (Lykova Dam St., 2), the Narodnogo Edinstva Square ensemble, the chambers of A.F. Olisov built in the style of pre-Petrine Old Russian architecture (Krutoy Lane, 7), the Rukavishnikov Income House designed in the Art Nouveau style (Rozhdestvenskaya St., 23), the Makaryev Monastery located in the Lyskovsky District, and others.

Result achieved

As noted on the website, the President of the International Bureau of Cultural Capitals, Xavier Tudela, stated that "the Seven Wonders of Nizhny Novgorod Region will henceforth serve as gateways to discovering the cultural heritage of this region of Russia. I hope that through its Seven Wonders, the Nizhny Novgorod Region will attract more culture-seeking tourists from within the country and from abroad."