Rostov-on-Don city overview
Rostov-on-Don city (Russian spelling Rostov-na-Donu) is the capital and administrative center of Rostov oblast of Russia. Rostov-on-Don city is also the capital of South Federal District of Russian Federation from 2000.
The city is situated on the Don River about 46 km from Azov Sea. Rostov-on-Don is a major railway and highway junction of Southern Russia. There is also an international airport in the city.
Rostov-on-Don city population is about 1,050,000 (2009) on the territory of 349 sq. km.
Rostov-on-Don city phone code - +7-863; postal codes - 344000-344999.
Rostov-on-Don city features
Rostov-on-Don has its specific unique outlook due to rich historical and cultural heritage. Its whole history starting from a small settlement near Temernitskaya customs and St. Dimitry Rostovsky fortress till nowadays is reflected in numerous architectural, archeological and monumental art as well as in memorial ensembles of military glory.
Rostov-on-Don is a big transportation juncture, there is an international airport in the city with the flights within Russia and CIS countries as well as to the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia. There is also an international river-port in the city.
Rostov-on-Don is crossed by railway “St.-Petersburg - Rostov - Caucasus”, navigable waterway from the center of Russia to the Black and Mediterranean Seas, an air corridor “St.-Petersburg - Moscow - Caucasian region”.
It is planned to construct in 2011 Yuzhny (southern) airport - the largest international airport in the South of Russia. The airport will be constructed on the territory of former Bataysk military airport. Rostov-on-Don is crossed by several highways of federal and regional importance.
Rostov-on-Don city history
Don River mouth area played an important trade and cultural role from ancient times. Such settlements as Tanais (Greek colony), Tana (Genoese state fort), Azak (Turkish fortress) were situated in the region. In 1749 Rostov-on-Don town was founded with main purpose to be a customs house. The settlement received its name after Saint Dimitry of Rostov from an ancient Russian northern town Rostov the Great.
Rostov-on-Don was growing quickly and soon it became the major trading center of the region. Don River connected northern and southern regions of Russian Empire. Rostov-on-Don city became a major river port. The city was one of the centers of Bolsheviks resistance after the Revolution of 1917. It was captured several times by White army and Red army during Russian Civil war.
Rostov-on-Don city became the capital of the region in 1928. The previous capital of the region was Novocherkassk city (Cossack capital). The city was heavily damaged during World War II. German armies captured Rostov-on-Don city twice (in 1941 and 1942). Present time Rostov-on-Don city is one of the centers of new Russian economy growth.
Rostov-on-Don city attractions
There are over 800 objects of cultural heritage in Rostov-on-Don city among them 470 architectural monuments, 55 archeological ones and 106 monumental objects of arts and military glory. The historical center of Rostov is especially rich in architectural buildings-monuments. The building constructed after architect A.N.Pomerantsev’s design - “City Duma” is unique. The building of M.Gorky drama theater refers to masterpieces of world architecture. Its model is kept in the British Museum in London.
There are the following museums in Rostov-on-Don city:
- Museum of local study;
- Rostov regional museum of fine arts;
- Museum of modern fine arts on Dmitrovskaya;
- Museum of Russian-Armenian friendship;
- Rostov museum of railway equipment;
- Center of modern art “Tobacco fabrika (factory)”.
One can see a lot of city sculptures on the streets of the city. These are as follows: a walking “Citizen”, a “Merchant” offering his goods, a pretty “Flower-girl” with the basket of first violets and a lot of small sculptures which attract city guests’ attention and bring joy to people.
The monument to the city’s patron - St.Dimitry - was opened in Sobornaya square as well as to Rostovsky metropolitan, the belfry in Rostovsky Cathedral church was restored. In 2007 the Pokrovsky church was constructed in its historical place in Kirovsky park and the statue to emperor Yelizaveta Petrovna - founder of Rostov - was erected.
Rostov-on-Don is a large educational and scientific center of Russia. It is the third after Moscow and Saint-Petersburg in the amount of universities. There are 4 theaters in Rostov-on-Don, the Don State public library - the largest in the south of Russia, S.V.Rakhmaninov conservatoire, various exhibition halls.
Rostov-on-Don zoo opened about 80 years ago is one of the largest in Europe. The Botanic garden of Rostov State University is considered to be one of the largest in Russia, it occupies about 161 hectares. Besides, Rostov-on-Don is one of the largest jazz centers in Russia. It turned into tradition to conduct art festivals in Rostov-on-Don: “Donskaya vesna (spring)”, “Mini-fest”, “Russian comedy” and international jazz festivals.
