Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street (Russian: Большая Покровская улица, lit.'Greater Intercession Street'; short-name — Pokrovka, Russian: Покровка) is the high street in the historical centre of Nizhny Novgorod and one of its oldest streets. Until 1917 it was considered a street for noblemen. Formed the main street of the city by the end of the 18th century. It is considered an analog of the Arbat in Moscow or 6-7 Lines of Vasilyevsky Island in St. Petersburg.

Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street
Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street in May 2022
Native nameБольшая Покровская (Russian)
Former name(s)Sverdlov Street (Soviet period)
LocationNizhny Novgorod, Russia
Postal code603005
Nearest Nizhny Novgorod Metro station Gorkovskaya
Coordinates56°19′20″N 44°00′02″E / 56.32222°N 44.00056°E / 56.32222; 44.00056

History

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Russian Empire

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The street began to form in the Middle Ages. Then its direction was set on the road to Moscow. After the visit of Empress Catherine II, a new regular city plan was developed, providing for a quarterly system.[1] In 1823 - 1824 the bell tower at the church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin (Russian: Церковь Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы) was built.

At the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 19th centuries stone buildings were added to the street.[2] Since then it has become the main street of the city and has become known as the "noble family", because of the location on it of the estate of the generals, princely families, the governor, the vice-governor and other high officials.[3] In 1896 Nicholas Theater was built, the opening of which was timed to coincide with the beginning of the All-Russia Exhibition. On 18 July 1896, it was visited by Emperor Nicholas II.[4]

Soviet period

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After the revolution, the street was renamed and began to bear the name of the revolutionary Yakov Sverdlov and was popularly called "Sverdlovsk". Approximately in 1935, the Church of the Intercession was demolished. Until the 1980s, the street was a road, and in the early 80's it was made pedestrian.

Current Russia

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After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the street was renamed back to Bolshaya Pokrovskaya. In 2004 the 21st century the street was completely reconstructed.

Attractions

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The State Bank
 
Dramatic Theatre
 
Street at Christmas 2021
 
View to Bolshaya Pokrovskaya street towards Kremlin. July 2014

Interesting

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Buskers

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Every day street musician plays here. They play in different musical styles and repertoires.[5] The attitude of the city police towards street musicians is loyal. Unlike the Moscow Arbat, musicians here are not banished from the street and are not fined. If they do not violate public order.[5]

Street artists

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Near the philological faculty of the UNN, there are various artists and artisans. There's also organized an impromptu exhibition fair of their works. The artists can order portraits, caricatures, and still lifes, and artisans can order a variety of wicker products, pottery, and more.[6]

Sculptures

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From Minin and Pozharsky Square towards Gorky Square:

References

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  1. ^ "Yakov Semenovich Arsenievsky" (in Russian). Nizhny Novgorod Administration. Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  2. ^ "Pokrovka" (in Russian). Encyclopedia of Nizhny Novgorod. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  3. ^ "Bolshaya Pokrovskaya" (in Russian). Central Archives of the Nizhniy Novgorod region. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  4. ^ Tat'yana Kucherova. "Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street" (in Russian). Open text. Archived from the original on 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  5. ^ a b Санян, Эрна (2014-05-21). "Кто поет на улицах Нижнего:студенты, художники, генеральный директор и житель Питера(ФОТО)" (in Russian). ПроГород. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  6. ^ "Большая Покровская в Нижнем Новгороде: улица-праздник" (in Russian). Shagau.ru. Retrieved 2017-04-16.