Magnitogorsk is located in the Southern Urals.
Almost three centuries ago Russians founded there a fortress. This place was especially rich in ironstone, which had been used even by the Bashkirs.
In 1929, Soviet builders constructed in Magnitogorsk a significant steel company. It became one of the most ambitious construction projects during the industrialization of the USSR.
Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works
Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works is considered to be the centre of industrial tourism:
Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works is the biggest steel company in Russia
In Magnitogorsk
Back to the USSR
In 1929 Magnitogorsk officially became a city, and since then it has been actively built up.
The world-first Social state being formed, the Soviet youth (Komsomol members), led by romantic ideals and dreams, built a city to work and live there. It was a key city for the whole USSR.
One of the best-known symbols of Magnitogorsk is the monument “The First Tent”, literally depicting the tent where the first builders lived.
Magnitogorsk is a great architectural example of the so-called Stalin’s Empire style. Its Soviet-era buildings are highly decorated with bas-reliefs, sculptures, stucco moldings and fountains. It seems that this architecture sets you back in time and brings the atmosphere of the USSR period.
The bigger part of Stalinist buildings are located in Leninsky City District.
The monument “Rear-to-Front”
The monument “Rear-to-Front” on the bank of the Ural River
This monument commemorates the Great Patriotic War.
Two men hold a hammered-out sword. One of them, a warrior, looks westward where Nazis invaded Russia. The other, a worker, turns to Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works.
This monument is a part of a renowned triptych, which consists of the statue “The Motherland Calls” in Mamayev Kurgan (Volgograd, Russia) and “The Soviet War Memorial” in Treptower Park (Berlin, Germany).
The monument “Rear-to-Front”
This sculptural triptych shows the creation of the sword for defeating the invader (Magnitogorsk), the unification of the Soviet people under its banner (Volgograd) and, finally, the annihilation of the enemy in his lair, the liberation of enslaved peoples, the end of a dreadful war and the preservation of peace (Berlin). In the third monument the Soviet soldier lowered his sword but not threw it away.
Magnitogorsk fully deserves to host this monument as every second tank, every third shell and every fourth bullet were produced by Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works.
The German influence on the architecture of Magnitogorsk
After the Great Patriotic War German prisoners of war built there a whole quarter in an architectural style, which was untypical of Russia. The so-called “German quarter” in Magnitogorsk starts from Stroiteley Street.
Magnitogorsk is the place where Europe and Asia meet
Nowadays the Ural River flows through Magnitogorsk and serves as a border between two major parts of the world – Europe and Asia.
A part of the city belongs to Europe and the other lies in Asia
Around Magnitogorsk
A plenty of beautiful natural attractions can be seen in the vicinity of Magnitogorsk. Some of them are famous well beyond the Southern Urals.
The scenery near Magnitogorsk
The scenery near Magnitogorsk
40 km. Lake Bannoye (Yakty-Kul)
Lake Bannoye is known for its stunning nature and an advanced ski resort. The Bashkirs call the lake Yakty-Kul, which can be literally translated as “a bright lake”.
It is one of the best-known and beautiful lakes of the Southern Urals. In the summer these amazing sceneries draw many tourists. And in the winter Lake Bannoye turns into a ski resort.
60 km. Abzakovo
It is the most popular and well-equipped ski resort in Russia, which has one of the longest trails. Moreover, it was visited by the Russian President more than once.
60 km. Verkhneuralsk
Verkhneuralsk is the oldest city in Chelyabinsk Oblast, which is situated on the left bank of the Ural River. It is a real open-air museum known for its antique buildings and rich history.
90 km. Malinovka
Malinovka is a spectacular and calm place. There you can live in a real wooden house and ride a horse.
110 km. Settlement Arkaim
Arkaim is a cultic place in the Urals wrapped in mystery. There an ancient settlement was found, which later became the object of many theories and legends, and sparkled the interest of esotery scientists from all over the world.
Photos by Elena Petrova