lipetsk – липецк

Lipetsk is a regular industrial city without any significant historic sights. The monument to Peter the Great implies that Lipetsk was founded during his rule and by his decree. Actually, Peter ordered to build metallurgical plants in this place in 1703.

Lipetsk allegedly has more fountains per capita than any other city in Russia.

The central square.

The 1791 Nativity Church.

The 2001 Saint Peter and Paul Chapel.

To 1917 revolutionaries.

The Laguna Hotel is a good place for a comfortable stay in Lipetsk.

yelets – елец

The town of Yelets located 80 km west of Lipetsk is a far more old, attractive and photogenic than Lipetsk. When traveling in this area consider staying in Yelets instead of Lipetsk. Yelets was founded in 1146 and today looks like a slice out 19th-century Russia. The huge Ascension Cathedral is visible from miles around. A good view is from the bridge across the Sosna River.

Inside the cathedral you will find a multicolored interior.

The  Grand Counts Church standing just two blocks away from the Ascension Cathedral was built in the early 20th century to mark the 300th anniversary of the Romanovs dynasty that occurred in 1913.  The unusual thing about the church is that the cross on the very top carries big crystals.

The monument marking the 850th anniversary of Yelets.

The central Yelets is littered with big and small churches both restored and still undergoing restoration.

The Yelets Hotel is the only big hotel in town.

zadonsk – задонск

Do not miss the town of Zadonsk south of Yelets. The colourful Nativity of Virgin Mary monastery founded in 1610 is surely worth visiting.

The monastery is built around the 1853 Vladimir Cathedral.

The central feature is a statue of Saint Tikhon who was in charge of the monastery in the 18th century.

The modest Tikhon Church stands where Tikhon's cell used to be.

The Life-Giving Source Church.

The brethren cells.

The brethren.

Worshippers and travelers can stay at the hotel across the entry gate to the monastery.

In Zadonsk the golden painted Lenin matches the gilded domes and crosses.

The WWII memorial.

The Saint Friday Church is located in the village of Bolkhovskoe 4 km towards Yelets.

The Zadonsk monastery as seen from the Saint Friday Church.