Kaluga

"The heros and daredevils will build the first air routes: Earth - Moon orbit, Earth - Mars orbit and further: Moscow - Moon, Kaluga - Mars". (May 1, 1935. Radio speach).

Kaluga was founded in 1371 as a fortress on the Moscow State frontier. Later it became a major merchant center, given it's location on the left bank of the Oka river, on the main roads from Moscow to the South and West.

The city was involved deeply in the historical, political and cultural life of Russia. There are many places of interest in the city. Among them are:

 

 

 

 

A XVII Century Russian Orthodox Church

 

 

 

 

The Merchant Center (XVIII - XIX cent.),

 

 

 

 

 

The Civil Building (XIX cent.),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The monument to Tsiolkovsky in downtown Kaluga.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trips to nearby old and picturesque towns (Borovsk, Koselsk, Tarusa, Maly Yaroslavets and some others) not far from Kaluga, are very interesting.