Kursk city, Russia

The capital city of Kursk oblast.

Kursk overview

Kursk city is an administrative center of Kursk oblast of Russia. Kursk city is situated in the western part of central Russia. Kursk is an important highway and railway junction. There is also an international airport “Vostochny” in the city.

Kursk has the population of 411,000 (2009). The land area of the city is 190 sq. km.

Kursk city phone code is +7-4712; postal codes - 305000-305099.

Kursk city flag

Kursk city coat of arms

Kursk city map, Russia

Kursk facts

About 30% of all the industrial potential of Kursk oblast is concentrated in Kursk city - plants of machine-building and metal-working, chemical and oil-chemical, food, light and construction industries. Two important railway lines cross Kursk city: Moscow - Kharkov and Voronezh - Kiev.

There are several universities in Kursk (Agricultural Academy, Kursk State University, Kursk State Technical University, Kursk State Medical University).

Kursk history

Kursk settlement was first time mentioned as one of the Severian tribe towns by Prince Igor in his “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” in 1032. The town was completely destroyed by Batu Khan in 1237. Kursk became Russian state town in 1508. Kursk town played an important role as corn trade center hosting large fair.

Soviet power developed Kursk city into major railroad junction of southwestern Russia. Prokhorovka village located near Kursk city is supposed to be the place of the largest tank battle in history between German and Russian tank armies during World War II.

Kursk sceneries

Kursk Russia city view

Author: Sarychev Sergei

Kursk city scenery

Author: Sarychev Sergei

Kursk Russia city scenery

Author: Sarychev Sergei

Kursk attractions

Ancient Kursk city land is one of spiritual centers of Orthodox Russia. Famous and respected by Russian people Feodosiy Pechersky, Iosaf Belgorodsky, Serafim Sarovsky prayed there. At present there are 29 Orthodox churches and parishes in the city. In the center of Kursk city Znamensky cathedral is located, it is one of the largest churches in Russia.

To learn the history of the town, to understand its peculiarities one can get to the following museums: traditional ones - of local study, archeological, of Kursk battle, of Young defenders of the Motherland and also specific ones - of Kursk nightingale and Kursk tram as well as Kursk picture gallery, exhibition halls and art saloons.

When one watches the surrounding panorama seen from the highest point in the city where ancient Kursk fortress was located, it is easy to realize why the Kursk citizens ancestors chose this very place for living and had been defending their city from enemies.

Since mid-1990s the annual festival “Jazz province” takes place in Kursk city. The city day is celebrated on the last Sunday in September.

Kursk is rich in architectural monuments of 19th century. The most outstanding are as follows: merchant Khloponin private residence (mid-18th century), Kazansky church (1778), the building of the former Nobility Assembly (the end of 19th century), the building of the former boys’ gymnasium, the building of the city hospital #1 (“Denisyev house”, 18th century), hetman Mazepa’s chambers (18th century).

There are 3 exhibition halls in Kursk (picture gallery of the famous Kursk citizen A.A.Deyneka, the Art fund exhibition hall, Gallery of modern art), 8 libraries, 3 theaters (A.S.Pushkin regional Drama, Young Spectator and Puppet show theater), the philharmonic society.