Historic Center of Ryazan

Photo of route “Historic Center of Ryazan” — 3

19 points5 km6 hours

Ryazan is an ancient city with a distinctive history. On this route you'll find out why Kolovrat's horse is rearing while Oleg of Ryazan's stands calmly; who keeps a close watch over the city; where the “Swan Princess” from Vrubel's painting lived; and how Hollywood is connected with an inconspicuous house. And you'll simply enjoy an unhurried stroll through the old streets of the historic center.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

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

Route points (19)

The Power Plant That Smells of Bread in Ryazan

Point on route “Historic Center of Ryazan”

Point 14

The Power Plant That Smells of Bread

🏟️ Architectural landmark • 📜 Historic site

Historical Background

Ryazan had no electricity until the end of the 19th century. The five private power plants built later produced electricity only for specific locations, such as the railway station and the Zemstvo hospital. Ryazan was properly “lit up” in 1912 by a visiting entrepreneur, Sergei Morozov. He launched the first city power plant and wrapped the city in lighting networks a full 20 versts (13 miles) long. Not everyone may remember the history of Ryazan's electrification, but the building that housed the first power station still draws visitors with its unusual silhouette.

Architecture

Two engineers, A. F. Lagovsky and S. S. Shemaev, were involved in designing the brick building, which looks like a Gothic castle with turrets. The Morozov station did not work in Ryazan for long and became obsolete with the nationwide rollout of the GOELRO electrification plan.

Gothic with the Scent of Bread

From the mid-1920s the aroma of freshly baked bread began wafting through the neighborhood from the lancet windows of the “Morozovka”: the city bakery had moved in. For the new occupant the grounds were expanded and annexes added, but, most importantly, the unique style of the buildings was preserved. The townspeople adored the local bread. Old-timers still remember the lines at the little shop by the bakery for warm loaves, fluffy buns, and sponge-dough bread. In 2020, after nearly a century of operation, the bakery closed.

An Art Space

Today the “castle with turrets” is being reborn. The city plans to open a modern art space in the former factory buildings, with an ice rink, a museum, a food court, and shops.