Kirovka Street – the city’s glory

The most famous pedestrian street in Chelyabinsk is Kirovka.  Its beautification can be compared to Moscow Arbat. But South Urals «sister» of Arbat is truly unique: it is designed with life-size sculptures. There are proud chief of police, modest peasant, light-hearted beggar, freelance artist in front of the curved mirror, Russian left-hander Levsha who shod a flea. Not only guests of the city happy to take pictures with them, but inhabitants as well.

There is a mark of «zero mile», which is as a nominal border between Europe and Asia, and monument devoted to the founders of the city. Sculpture of saxophonist attracts young musicians every day. A bronze camel symbolizes Chelyabinsk. Children adore climbing on a carriage, looking like a Cinderella’s one, and on a bright scarlet barrel with a gallant fireman standing nearby. The firemen like that used to take water from Miass river two centures ago for fire fighting.

The citizens of Chelyabinsk love this street so much that appoint dates and meetings here. They surely take their gests from different parts of the world to Kirovka to boast.  There is a sign for newlyweds associated with this pedestrian street: if in a wedding day young couple walk along the Kirovka, partners will have long and happy family life. The other sign is for everybody: if you make a step on your Zodiac in the astral circle, situated in Kirovka, and made a wish, it will come true.

Kirovka became a place of tourist pilgrimage. Moreover, even presidents come to walk on it. In 2005 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev during their visit to Chelyabinsk walked along the street and had a glass of beer in an Irish pub. Witnesses say that Putin was impressed by a sculpture of a bronze beauty that stays in front of the oldest cinema in Chelyabinsk «Znamia».

FIVE IMPORTANT FACTS

• The south part of the Kirova street, from Truda street to Lenina prospect, became pedestrian in 2000.

• The official name - Kirovka - was given in 2004.
• In 2007 on Kirovka was erected the highest building in city: 23 floors, 111-meters with a spire.
• Street became a good place for creative citizens: amateur artists are singing and dancing, playing violin, guitar and African drums, the Ural craftsmen offer paintings and jewelry, hand made of stone, bark and other natural materials. City festivals and creative meetings are usually held here.
• Since summer 2011 the street is provided with a free Wi-Fi.

HOW TO GET THERE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Kirovka is situated between Revolution Square and Truda Street. You can start your walk from any part of it.

Buses: 4, 18, 64, 80,
Trolleys: 3, 5, 7, 8, 16,
Trolleybuses: 1, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 19, 26,
Route taxis: 3, 4A, 9, 14, 14А, 16, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 36, 38, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, 50, 54, 56, 58, 61, 62, 64, 65, 69, 83, 85, 86, 90, 92, 93, 96, 99.