The city of Krasnodar was founded during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great in 1793 and named after her Ekaterinodar meaning Catherine’s gift. However, in 1920 the bolshevists’ government willing to destroy the inheritance of the Czarist Regime renamed the city into Krasnodar.

Founded as a military camp and a fortress by the Black-sea Cossacks, Krasnodar became an administrative centre of the Kuban Region in 1860. Interestingly, that time Yekaterinodar was given a city status only in 1867.

Location:

Krasnodar is situated in the European part of the Russian Federation, in the south of the country on the right bank of the river Kuban, 1539 kilometres from Moscow. According to the latest survey made in 2005, 715 400 people live in Krasnodar.

Today Krasnodar is an industrial, transport and cultural centre of the region developing fast. For the past 80 years the city has changed a lot. Although all kinds of big city problems inhere in Krasnodar, it has a full power to be called a cultural capital of Southern Russia. There are several museums including the Museum of Local Lore that contains a vast collection of Scythian and ancient Greek figures, some theatres and two creative associations: “Premyera” and “Cossack choir of Kuban”.

Top seven things to do in Krasnodar

1. Krasnodar stands on the river Kuban and today should certainly undertake a trip down the river. During the trip the ship passes the quay, a mountain village Starobzhegokai, the Cathedral of Nativity and stop at Christmas Park.

2. Visiting Aton restaurant is also on the list. It is one the best restaurants in the city, which justifies high prices. European cuisine, abounding wine card and recommendations of the professional sommelier will not leave indifferent even the most exacting client.

3. Krasnodar Academic theatre is a nice place to visit in the evening. In the theater distinguished artists of the Russian Federation play.

4. The Krasnodar Museum of History and Archeology is especially significant, as its exhibits are inseparable of from the history of the Region and culture of people, who used to inhabit or still live on this land. The museum’s rich collections tell about the traditions and lifestyle of tribes and ethnical groups abiding on the territory of the region. Visitors can gain a familiarity with relics of Kuban Cossacks. The Gold Stockroom of the museum represents unique works made of gold, silver, bronze, ceramics and glass by old craftsmen.

5. Another museum to visit is the Krasnodar Regional Museum of Art. a private collection of Krasnodar merchant Fyodor Akimovich Kovalenko became the basis for the museum. The merchant presented the city with his collection in 1904. The museum houses West-European pictorial art, Russian icons, Russian classicism and actuality, china of 19th century, etc.

6. The museum of bodybuilding is a unique place occupying one the oldest gyms in the city. Hand-made weights, barbells and fitness machines used by Krasnodar body-builders in the time when body-building was criminally liable are on display. The walls are covered with photographs of the body-builders, now they are world-class athletes, masters of sport or internationally certified judges. The gym still works, so it’s quite possible to see a champion here working out.

7. The museum of the ocean is worth visiting, too. The main part of the exhibition is disposed on a former flagman of the Soviet ocean science – marine research ship Vityaz. Besides, the visitors can observe a manned vehicle Pisces, an underwater tow vehicle Thetis, surveying motor-boat, submarine cockpit, etc.