Merchant Rybinsk

12 points4 km3 hours

Since the 18th century Rybinsk has been an important stop on the route from the Volga region to the Baltic. Over its history it earned the title of “Russia's barge hauler capital,” the country's highest government bodies consulted the brokers of its exchange, and the town is also the birthplace of founders of Hollywood. Take a walk and discover the fascinating stories of this corner of “deep Russia”!

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (12)

Red Square in Rybinsk

Point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

Point 9

Red Square

⛲ Square

Historical Background

Back when Rybinsk was still called Rybnaya Sloboda (Fishermen's Quarter), on the site of Krasnaya (Red) Square there was a street three times wider than the square, leading down to the Volga. The square itself appeared in 1784 on the town's first regular plan, approved by Catherine II. It served as a marketplace. On both sides it was bounded by the Flour and Red Arcades, and it was filled with traders' stalls. When the new grain exchange was built, the square took on a ceremonial character and trading there ceased. In Soviet times the square was planted with greenery to better suit the city hospital that occupied the new grain exchange building. In our day the area has been reconstructed, restoring its early 20th-century look.

Features of the Place

Here it's worth looking not only at the grain exchange buildings. A monument to Alexander II once stood at the center of the square, but the Bolsheviks showed it no mercy and tore it down, putting up in its place a monument to Lenin that passersby can still see. By the way, take a closer look: he's wearing a fur coat! While other Lenins freeze in their trademark overcoats, this one has bundled up! To the left of the monument is the Flour Arcade, and to the right the Red Arcade. The latter gave its name to the whole square: it was called “red” because it housed shops selling various fabrics, the so-called “red goods” (in old Russian, krasny meant both “red” and “fine”). Today it is home to a piano museum, cafés, and shops.