Rostov-on-Don.

History

In 1749, by order of Empress Elizabeth, a customs house was set up on the Temernik River. A fortress named after Saint Dimitry of Rostov was later built nearby, and in 1806 the settlement was officially named Rostov-on-Don. In 1779 Armenians from Crimea settled close by and founded Nakhichevan-on-Don; the two towns merged in 1928. During the Second World War Rostov was occupied twice.

Culture & traditions

The best-known stage is the Gorky Academic Drama Theatre, alongside a musical theatre, a philharmonic and a puppet theatre. The art museum holds works by Repin and Surikov. The Armenian church of Surb Khach, built in 1792, is the oldest surviving building in the city. Rostov is linked with Chekhov, Sholokhov and the musician Yuri Bashmet.

Sport

FC Rostov was founded in 1930. The 45,000-seat Rostov Arena hosted matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The women's handball team Rostov-Don plays at the top level, and basketball is also represented by a club of the same name.

Food & drink

Rostov's food is shaped by the Don, with fresh river fish and crayfish as local favourites. They are often paired with Don wines.

Practical information

Platov International Airport opened at the end of 2017. The main station is Rostov-Glavny, with a separate suburban station, and the city has a river port. The climate is continental, averaging about −3 °C in January and +23 °C in July. Late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit.

What to see

• Don embankment — the city's main riverside walk
• Surb Khach Church — the oldest building in the city, from 1792
• Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin — built between 1860 and 1887
• Pushkinskaya Street — a street in the historic centre
• Gorky Drama Theatre — the city's best-known stage