About city
Obninsk is a nuclear capital of Russia, a city of nuclear glory and the first science city. It is Obninsk where the world's first NPP, the first fast breeder reactor, the first meteorological laboratory at 310-meter elevation, and the first nuclear submarine crew training center appeared. This is home to large scientific-and-research institutes, three of which are the lead state scientific centers. Achievements of Obninsk scientists constitute an integral part of the global scientific heritage, while a number of locally established scientific schools have earned international recognition.
Key Attractions:
Obninsk Stele
Obninsk Stele
Obninsk Stele is the main symbol of the city. It was erected in 1976 to commemorate its 20-year anniversary. The central part of the stone slab contains the city's old coat of arms dedicated to peaceful atom.
The monument dedicated to nuclear industry pioneers
The monument dedicated to nuclear industry pioneers
The monument dedicated to nuclear industry pioneers was erected on the Triangle Square on June 14, 2016. A bronze sculpture of a two-and-a-half-meter-tall man stands against a silver sphere background surrounded by electronic orbits. The man holds a split atom in his outstretched hand. This is a scientist who conquered the boundless power of energy. He saw the emergence of a new world, where human knows all the laws of matter, and paved the way to the future. The back side of the sphere contains a map of Russia, which indicates all the country's nuclear power plants.
Obninsk NPP is the first nuclear power plant on the planet
Obninsk NPP is the first nuclear power plant on the planet
Obninsk NPP is the first nuclear power plant on the planet. It was commissioned in the summer of 1954 under the authority of DSc. Dmitry Blokhintsev. He noted the world's first power start-up with the following log record: "June 26, 1954 17:45. Steam was fed into the turbine". Academicians who were observing the process congratulated everyone who was engaged in this historical event by saying: "Enjoy your steam!"
The planned service life of the NPP was 30 years, but its operation period turned out to be longer - 48 years without any accident or material fault. April of 2022 was marked by shutdown of the plant's power unit.
The NPP is currently used as a museum. The facility is visited by schoolchildren and students, as well as delegates from different countries. No facility is capable of telling more about development stages of nuclear technologies than former NPP. Opening of the museum contributed to emergence of nuclear tourism, a type of tourism which was new to the city. It is aimed at familiarizing with nuclear technologies.
There is a small house called Kurchatov's Memorial House, which can be found in the forest near Obninsk NPP.
Igor Kurchatov
Igor Kurchatov
Igor Kurchatov is an iconic person of the nuclear industry. In his 30, he became the Soviet Union's nuclear project leader. The projects implemented under his authority include: Europe's first nuclear reactor, the first Soviet nuclear and thermonuclear bombs, submarine and ice-breaker reactors, and the world's first nuclear power plant.
A town in Kursk Region, a lunar crater and an asteroid were named after Kurschatov; Chelyabinsk airport also bears his name.
One of Obninsk's main streets is named after Kurchatov, and there are tours arranged along the Kurchatov route. This monument is considered to be the most "informal" monument of the scientist, with him not wearing a suit jacket, and sitting in the armchair, as if he is about to start a usual conversation with you.
Kurchatov Monument located in the public garden of the Central Institute for Advance Training of Nuclear Science and Industry Specialists:
Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering NNRU MEPhI
Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering NNRU MEPhI
Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering NNRU MEPhI is a branch of the Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education "National Nuclear Research University MEPhI" (INPE NNRU MEPhI). Establishment of the higher education institution in the 1950s in Obninsk was due to creation of a large nuclear-and-technical and scientific center there.
Over the past years the MEPhI trained more than 20,000 qualified specialists for nuclear enterprises of nuclear and other industries.
Today, not only Russian students, but also students from 30 countries study at MEPhI, with most of them mastering a complex major of nuclear engineer. In 2017-2020, there were graduations of the specialists trained under the order by Rosatom State Corporation for the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mongolia, and the Republic of Turkey. Scientific and academic ties have been established with the USA, Japan, China, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Lithuania, Finland, etc.
Rosatom Technical Academy
Rosatom Technical Academy
Rosatom Technical Academy is a unified training center for nuclear industry personnel, which is aimed at advance training and re-training of management human resources and specialists in Russian and other countries. Within the scope of cooperation with the IAEA, the Academy trains foreign specialists in the field of nuclear infrastructure and NPP operation. Since 2010, the Academy has been a member to the ENEN (European Nuclear Education Network). The Academy is the largest training center for nuclear industry personnel both in terms of the number of professors and teachers and the number of curriculums, and in terms of hardware equipment. The Academy has Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Ural, Novovoronezh, Leningrad, and Smolensk branches.
The Measurement Tower
The Measurement Tower
The Measurement Tower is one of regional cultural heritage facilities, and is put under state protection. The silver steel tower soars 310 meters into the sky, which makes it the tallest measurement tower in Russian and Europe. It is supported by four tiers of steel ropes, and its maintenance is carried out using an internal elevator.
The structure was erected in 1959, and has been serving the city fault free, measuring various weather characteristics, such as speed and direction of air flows, and precipitation amount. There is no meteorological facility in Russia as powerful as this one.
Leypunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering
Leypunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering
Leypunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering
The history of Obninsk as a science city began in 1946, when a nuclear physics research laboratory was established near Obninskoye station. It soon turned into the Physics and Power Engineering Institute (PPEI), which later became a research and production complex. The world's first nuclear power plant, which was commissioned on June 27, 1954, had been created at the PPEI. Over the years, the Institute has engaged in developing experimental fast neutron reactors. It was the Institute where reactors for submarines and reactors for spacecraft power units were created. Today PPEI is one of the lead scientific-and-research centers.
The House of Scientists
The House of Scientists
The House of Scientists is a cultural center aimed at educational activities. Every year it hosts socially significant events of international scale, such as conferences, concerts, exhibitions, seminars, and lectures.
The white marble building was inaugurated in 1979. While the building’s facade features modesty, its interior is delightfully refined. The second-floor foyer deserves particular attention. It is illuminated by three massive copper chandeliers, with busts of famous Soviet scientists and politicians lined up along the walls.
The House of Scientists includes a 615-seat concert hall with modern electroacoustic and lighting equipment, which allows to host musical bands and pop singers at the top level; a 230-people lecture hall, which is designed as an amphitheatre; a conference hall for gatherings and business meetings; and a banquet hall.
Hotels:
Triumph Hotel 4*
Triumph Hotel 4*
Triumph Hotel 4* is a world-class hotel located in the downtown, close to the main attractions and exhibition halls. It is located on the top floors of Triumph Plaza, a shopping and entertainment center. It offers the whole infrastructure of the shopping and entertainment center, such as stores, cafes and restaurants, beauty salon and bowling alley.
Orbital Hotel 3*
Orbital Hotel 3*
Orbital Hotel 3* was built in 1975 specifically for guests, specialists and students of Rosatom State Corporation, and it has become the largest hotel in Kaluga region. In 2020, the rooms and public areas were renovated. Obninsk downtown is located within 5-minute walk from the Orbital Hotel.
Walking areas:
City Park
City Park
Obninsk’s City Park has everything you need to regain your strength and lift your spirits, namely walking paths that stretch along a leafy grove, and comfortable benches placed at few-meter intervals. The park area is decorated with grass sculptures of animals and birds, and there are flowerbeds blooming with a variety of flowers along the alleys. Active leisure fans can use a rental service for bicycles and roller skates.
Belkino Park
Belkino Park
Belkino Park deserves its name as the most beautiful place in Obninsk, and is located near Belkino Village. In the past, the park area belonged to the Vorontsov family, and was part of their family estate. The estate looked like a classic-style hunting lodge. It used to be surrounded by beautiful blooming garden with ray-shaped alleys and lakes.
Alexander Pushkin often visited Vorontsov family’s place as a guest.
Belkino is a popular location for seasonal and wedding photo shoots. The favorite spot among photographers and models is the "Gazebo of Love", a small gazebo which whitens on the edge of the forest. The is a splashing lake in front of it, and the tree canopy rustling with its leaves behind it.
The Guryanovsky Forest
The Guryanovsky Forest
The Guryanovsky Forest has recently started to be developed, and it transforms more and more every month. The air here is very clean and fragrant with the smell of pine needles and tar. One can easily meet squirrels and chipmunks, or hear how a woodpecker pecks. There are signs everywhere, so it is impossible to get lost among numerous paths.
The Repinka Suspension Bridge
The Repinka Suspension Bridge
The Repinka Suspension Bridge stretches over the Repinka River. It was built back in the Soviet era, and has been repaired and rebuilt multiple times. The bridge connects Obninsk’s old district with Mirny, a suburban town. The best time to walk over the bridge is summer and early fall, when emerald or fiery leaves mottle on the sides, and the murmuring Repinka River runs underfoot.