Orenburg (Russian: Оренб'ург, Uh-rehn-BOORK) is the capital of Orenburg Oblast. Every citizen will point you the sign at the bridge across the Ural river, supposedly landmarking the geographical border between Europe and Asia (the actual boundary is further east). Orenburg has a sizable Turkic population, which gives to the city a bit of a Central Asian colour.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The bestowing of a German name ("eastern walled town") on a brand new Russian fortress city would not sound unusual in 1743, when German-born nobles played a significant role in the Russian Empire. The chosen place, where the Or and the Ural rivers join, was the Empire's eastern border at the time. Orenburg played a major role in Pugachev's Rebellion (1773–1774), the largest peasant revolt in Russian history. It was then a capital of a vast district, the seat of a Governor. Yemelyan Pugachev besieged the city and its fortress from nearby Berda from October 1773 to March 26, 1774. The defense was organized by Governor Lieutenant-General Reinsdorf.
City public transport includes bus, trolleybus and also marshrutkas (fixed-route cabs).
The remnants of the old fort and its gate constructed in 1743 should be seen first. Museum of city's history. The Gothic building with tower and clock. Museum of regional studies. Museum of arts. Museum of Rostropovich family. Museum-flat of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and his family. Museum "Memory House". St. Nikolai Cathedral. Mosque "Karavan Sarai". Built in 1836-42 by the project of Alexander Brullov. Orthodox Church of Sergius of Radonezh. 1 Frunze Garden (Городской сад им. Фрунзе), ul. Kirova 1. Public garden set up as an open-air military museum, with airplanes, tanks, trucks and artillery pieces of all sizes.
1 Farfor (Доставка еды Farfor), st. Chelyuskintsev, 17 A, ☏ +7-922-82-00-202. 10:00-23:00. Pizza, rolls, sushi, assorted sets, Japanese soups, salads, desserts, main dishes and drinks. ~500 руб per person. (updated Aug 2023) 2 Kruzhka (Кружка), 20 Chicherina st, ☏ +7 353 240-09-60. Casual Russian food.
Local beer and kvas Gofman Dublin Irish pub, 24 Krasnoznamennaya st..
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Orenburg typically sees ~28°C daytime highs and 8 rainy days.
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