The city of Rybinsk in the Yaroslavl region is one of the tourist cities on the Volga. The historical center of the city has been preserved and restored here, there are no new houses, only buildings built before 1917. All signs of shops and cafes in the center of Rybinsk are written in Old Russian. It creates the impression that you are in city of tsar’s Russia.
Until 1914, Russia`s largest Grain Exchange operated in Rybinsk, which gave the city the status of one of the trade centers of Russia. Many tourists visit Rybinsk on ships during cruises along the Volga. Here you can see the beautiful Transfiguration Cathedral in the style of classicism and many other attractions. Rybinsk is located 370 kilometers north of Moscow and 80 kilometers west of Yaroslavl.
The history of Rybinsk
Rybinsk was founded in 1071 on place, where the Volga and Sheksna rivers merged. That settlement was called Ust-Sheksna. Modern Rybinsk is located on the other side, but it is considered the successor of Ust-Sheksna. In 1777, Empress Catherine II signed a decree on the transformation of the village of Rybnaya Sloboda (Fish’s settlement) into the city of Rybny (Fish’s).
From the name of the city, it is clear that one of the most important activity of Rybny was fishing. There are two sturgeons depicted on the coat of arms of the city. The city of Rybny, as well as the nearby city of Tutaev, supplied a large number of valuable species of fish to the tsar`s table and all over Russia.
Rybinsk received the status of the largest grain hub in Russia due to its unique geographical location. The city of Rybinsk is located at the confluence of two large rivers. The Volga River flows to the south, and the Sheksna River flows from Karelia. In Rybinsk, the Sheksna flows into the Volga.
The development of St. Petersburg and the northern regions of Russia required the supply of large quantities of grain. This could only be done by rivers. By the beginning of the 19th century, the population of St. Petersburg was 220 thousand people, and it was growing rapidly. It was very difficult to deliver the necessary amount of grain by horse carts, so the construction of the Mariinsky Water system (total length 1125 km) began in 1810: the Sheksna River – the White Lake – the Kovzha River – the Mariinsky Canal – the Vytegra River – Onega Lake – the Svir River – Ladoga Lake – the Neva River. The key of this system was the Mariinsky Canal. The workers dug it manually, and the height difference required the construction of 26 locks. All other rivers and lakes were natural. The first ship passed through the man-made canal in 1808.
Thanks to the Mariinsky Water System, the supply of large quantities of grain from the Volga regions became possible to St. Petersburg, and from its port to European countries. The city of Rybinsk became a key hub in this system, since it was possible to transport grain along the lower Volga on large-tonnage barges. After Rybinsk, the fairways of the Volga and Sheksna became shallow, which required the transshipment of grain onto small flat-bottomed barges.
In 1870, a railway was laid from Rybinsk to St. Petersburg in order to increase the volume of bread that was delivered to the port of St. Petersburg and further for export. In 1811, the first building of the Grain Exchange was built in Rybinsk, and at the beginning of the 20th century, a huge building of the New Grain Exchange was built on the embankment. Multimillion transactions were made there, as Russia`s share in world exports of grain was 22%. Quotations of the Rybinsk Grain Exchange for grain had a significant impact on world prices.
Sights of Rybinsk
By the beginning of the 20th century, Rybinsk had reached its heyday, being the main grain hub of Russia. The city center was formed around the Grain Exchange. It was built at the expense of local merchants in 1811 in the classical style. This building has been preserved, but since 1912, a huge building of the New Grain Exchange was erected next to it on a powerful foundation, right above the Volga. Now the Rybinsk City Museum is located in the building of the New Exchange. Visitors can get acquainted with the history of Rybinsk and see paintings by famous Russian artists.
Next to the museum is the majestic building of the Transfiguration Cathedral. It is built in the style of strict classicism. The project of the cathedral was prepared by the architect Avraham Melnikov to participate in the competition for the construction of St. Isaac`s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. There he took third place, but the Rybinsk merchants appreciated project and asked the architect to build this cathedral in their city.
The old town of Rybinsk has been preserved in the area of the Volga Embankment and Cross Street, as well as around Red Square. All the buildings in this area were built before 1917, and the city authorities tried to recreate the appearance of the city of 19th century. All signs on the buildings are made in the Old Russian language and copy the signs of the 19th century.
Be sure to take a walk along the Volga Embankment of Rybinsk. Cruise ships are moored here and it is always crowded. There are several sculptures and various art objects on the embankment. The Volga Park is located closer to the mouth of the Sheksna near the embankment.
If you have a car, you can go to the Rybinsk HPS. It was launched in November 1941 and, together with the Uglich HPS, was of great importance for providing Moscow with electricity during the Battle of Moscow in 1941. The design of the locks is very impressive, and a 17-meter monument to the Volga Mother was installed on the island in 1953.
