9 Best Sights in Petropavlovsk, Russia

One of Kamchatka's major volcanic attractions is in the Kronotsky Preserve, a multi-faceted jewel covering more than 10,000 square km (3,860 square miles) of land and a 4.5-km (3-mile) -wide zone stretching along 245 km (152 miles) of shoreline. The Valley of the Geysers, part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an 8-km (5-mile) -long valley, discovered in 1941, famous for its geysers, numerous bears, and exotic landscapes. Access to the valley is restricted during certain times of the year, but even when it is open only two helicopters can land in the valley at a time. Wooden walkways and benches strategically sited at the most picturesque points welcome visitors from all over the world to view the valley's multiple geysers, which erupt at specific times.

Petropavlovsk is on this bay, one of the deepest in the world, and is the site of a submarine base—you'll sometimes see one of these elusive submarines from the shore or while cruising on the bay. On clear days, the bay offers views of spectacular rocky outcrops and its surrounding volcanoes. Starichkov Island, named for the ancient murrelet (a small bird in the auk family) is home to a multitude of the birds, plus puffins, cormorants, and many other seabirds.

The center of the town is Lenin Square (Ploshad Lenina), which is dominated by a rather large statue of Lenin. On the other side of the square are the dramatic and philharmonic theaters. From this point, two one-way streets, Leninskaya and Sovietskaya, divvy up the city.

If you walk down Leninskaya Street, you'll find two monuments commemorating historical occurrences: one is dedicated to the return of the Kurile Islands to Russia by the Japanese; and the other honors Captain Charles Clerke (1741–79), a leader in three James Cook expeditions, who is buried here. There are also statues paying homage to the most prolific explorers of the area, Vitus Bering (1681–1741) and Jean-François Galaup de La Pérouse (1741–88).

Walking down Leninskaya Street, you can see the Memorial Complex honoring those who died in the Crimean War in 1854. Some of the city's oldest buildings are located next to the monument and are now used by local businesses. There is a hope that they will be renovated and restored in the future.

Kamchatka's cultural landscape includes several groups of indigenous peoples, mostly concentrated now in remote areas in the north, as well as in more accessible villages like Esso and Anivgai. In these villages, people of Koryak and Even heritage practice their ancestral traditions. The Itelmen people have established a small year-round settlement in the forest close to Yelizovo, where travelers can learn more about their culture and traditions.

Behind the Memorial Complex is a path leading up to Nikolskaya Hill, where, in 1854, the English and French navies were barred from landing in the city. The view from the top of the hill is beautiful, and it's easy to understand why this hill was the focal point of the city's defense. Nearby are more memorials, including one for the soldiers who died in the siege of Petropavlovsk during the Crimean War in August 1854 and a monument erected on the 25th anniversary of the Kamchatka victory to pay homage to its victims. Nikolskaya Hills is a favorite place for lovers to meet or families to have a picnic.

This small city is located between Petropavlovsk and Yelizovo, the site of Kamchatka's international airport. It is known for its geothermal deposits, which have drawn Russians and foreigners here from early times. Many small lodges have sprung up to accommodate tourists who have come enjoy the benefits of the natural springs.

At the end of the embankment is the local museum, a must for anyone who's interested in learning more about the history and culture of Kamchatka.