←Merchant Rybinsk

Merchant Rybinsk

Photo of route “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)

  1. Rybinsk Railway Station — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Rybinsk Railway Station

    🚂 Railway station

  2. Artists' House — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Artists' House

    🏟️ Architectural landmark

  3. Polish Catholic Church of the Holy Jesus — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Polish Catholic Church of the Holy Jesus

    🕍 Place of worship

  4. Fire Watchtower — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Fire Watchtower

    ⚙️ Industrial site

  5. Rybinsk Embankment — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Rybinsk Embankment

    🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

  6. Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

    🕍 Place of worship

  7. Old Grain Exchange — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Old Grain Exchange

    🕵️ Urban legend

  8. New Grain Exchange (Museum-Reserve) — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    New Grain Exchange (Museum-Reserve)

    🕵️ Urban legend

  9. Red Square — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Red Square

    ⛲ Square

  10. Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior

    🕍 Place of worship

  11. The Nobels and the Nobel Movement — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    The Nobels and the Nobel Movement

    🏛️ Museum · 🌿 Public garden or park

  12. Sigson Family House — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

    Sigson Family House

    🏟️ Architectural landmark

Fire Watchtower in Rybinsk

Point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

Fire Watchtower — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”
Fire Watchtower — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”
Fire Watchtower — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”
Fire Watchtower — point on route “Merchant Rybinsk”

Point 4

Fire Watchtower

⚙️ Industrial site

Historical Background

The fire tower in Rybinsk was built in 1842 as an addition on top of the stone police headquarters. The base of the tower was designed in the late Classical style. In May 1911 a curious and highly scandalous incident occurred: a fire broke out in the fire tower. According to witnesses, it was caused by a smoldering cigarette tossed away by the watchman. Some of the police department's archives burned, which gave rise to rumors that the wooden tower had been deliberately set on fire by someone seeking to destroy evidence that compromised him.

Russia's Tallest Fire Tower

There was actually no longer any need for a new tower on the site of the old one: the town had telephone service, so there was no need to sit watching from the top of a tower. Nevertheless, the five-tiered tower you can see today was built in 1912 to a design by I. K. Khotin in the Art Nouveau style. The new tower stands out from others for two interesting facts: it is the tallest fire tower in Russia, at 48 meters (157 feet), and it proudly holds the status of one of the first buildings made of reinforced concrete.

Today

Today the fire tower building houses one of the town's fire stations and the Museum of Rybinsk Firefighters.