Perm — the Cultural Capital of the Urals

Perm is mentioned in medieval chronicles more than once, however, scientists’ opinions somewhat vary until now: whether it was a city or a mysterious country of Parma, mentioned in the Scandinavian sagas... Scattered data began to fall into place towards the middle of the XV century, when the Principality of Great Perm started to form in the Upper Kama region. A major role in the development of the Perm Krai was played by Stroganov merchants who were given these lands by Tsar Ivan the Terrible in the XVI century. Industrialists established here the extraction of minerals, built a salt-making plant, developed the fur and wild fowl trade. It was Stroganovs who initiated Yermak’s campaign to explore Siberia in 1581. Through their patronage, the Kama area got its own style of religious painting, a bright example of which is the world-famous «Stroganov icon». The fine samples of this masterpiece can currently be seen in the Perm State Art Gallery. On May 15, 1723, Yegoshikha copper plant was built on the banks of the Kama River, funded by Stroganovs. It is believed that Perm appeared on the map of Russia on that particular day. The plant and the industrial community grew rapidly. Just half a century later, on 18 October, 1781, Catherine II founded here a provincial city of Perm by a special decree. It was the second birth day of Perm. Now the townspeople celebrate both dates.

By the early twentieth century the population of Perm was about 100 thousand inhabitants. A few strategically important railway lines were laid here, connecting the city with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and the entire Urals. Several enterprises of national standing, a city park, opera and ballet theatre, a few churches and a local history museum appeared in Perm.

A Soviet power was established in Perm in 1919, after the fierce battles of the Civil War, when Perm was passing to both the «Whites» and the «Reds» within two years. It was the period when two tragic events took place in Perm, having left a trail of blood and mystery. After the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, the younger brother of the disgraced emperor, Prince Mikhail Romanov, was exiled here. According to the verdict, he could move freely within the territory of the city, visit public places and lead a life of an ordinary citizen, however part of the local Cheka officers did not agree with such a soft decision of the Soviet court. In 1918, the Prince was kidnapped, taken out of the city and shot dead. The local archbishop Andronicus suffered the same fate a few months later. He died under mysterious circumstances. Now he is a revered saint of Perm.

Many factories, theaters, museums and civilians were evacuated to Perm during World War II. So, the city became a major industrial center after 1945. Today it is a rich city with a million people. Over the last years, Perm prioritizes tourism and is making strides in it. The city has recently joined the famous Red Route created in Russia specifically for the Chinese tourists. Perm is in fact a sight for sore eyes. The fans of ancient art and culture can admire the «Perm Gods» in the Art Gallery. Theatre-lovers will surely like the performances of the local Opera and Ballet Theatre, comparable in style with the best productions of the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. There are also several nature reserves and ski resorts here for outdoor enthusiasts, and the gourmets will definitely enjoy the local cuisine.

One of the main dishes here is, of course, pelmeni (meat dumplings). They are prepared in different ways and with different fillings, but the most popular is the classic one: dumplings from tight milk-and-water dough filled with three kinds of meat: lamb, beef and pork. Pelmeni are traditionally served with sour cream, vinegar and butter. Another well-known local dish is beef stroganoff: slices of beef, stewed in a creamy-floury sauce. The dish is usually served with fresh chopped herbs and mashed potatoes. The legend has it that «beef stroganoff» was invented in St. Petersburg for Count Alexander Stroganov and named after him. The Count was a direct descendant of the very merchants and industrialists Stroganovs, who developed the Perm region and were later granted titles of nobility. Worth tasting from among the culinary «exotica» of Perm is «Pistikov» porridge and new wood horsetail shoots, which, according to local residents, have healing and energetic properties. It is also worth paying attention to the venison Stroganina (slices of frozen fish or meat served cold), which is also a hallmark of the Siberian cuisine. Tourists will like the local potato «wizard» thick pancakes with mushroom stuffing.

Perm Krai is also famous for the taiga berries jam: stone bramble, strawberries, blueberries, pickled and marinated mushrooms, a variety of pickles, canned wild fowl and fish. Local alcohol drinks are also of some interest. In particular, the mead, which is made from fermented honey and berries, as well as various aromatic herbal liqueurs.

If you look into the calendar of events, taking place in Perm, in advance, you will notice that most of the events are held in the warm season due to the harsh Siberian winter. Thus, every year in late spring the local Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts the International Diaghilev Festival, during which you can get acquainted with the modern dance and concert performances. In June, the «Wings of Parma» air show is held at the military base «Sokol», and in July you can visit the folk concerts of KAMWA Festival at the Ethnographic Complex «Khokhlovka». The neighboring towns of Perm Krai do not lag behind either: in summer, Usolsk hosts the famous sailing «Stroganov regatta», Krasnovishersk pleases its guests with a giant blueberry pie and a Blueberry Festival, and in Kungur the sky is painted in all colors of the rainbow during the «Heavenly Fair» festival of aeronauts. However, winter is also full of entertainment! In particular, the Russian Cup of Snow and Ice Sculpture «Zimniy Vernissage» is traditionally held in Perm in the second half of January. It is considered the most trophy competition in Russia, during which the best masters create a real snow fairy tale! So, Perm is happy to have visitors and demonstrates its hospitality at any time of the year!

Get directions

It’s always easier to get to Perm by plane from the capital of Russia. Direct flights to Perm are regularly served from three Moscow airports. The flying time will make up 2 hours and 20 minutes in all. Flights to Perm are performed by two airline companies from St. Petersburg as well, though the flying time from here is 2 hours and 40 minutes. The German Lufthansa airline also carries out a flight to Perm. All international flights arrive in Perm Bolshoye Savino Airport, located just 18 kilometers off the city. If you choose to travel to Perm by train, you should have 26 hours leeway. This is the travel time from Moscow’s Yaroslavl station to Perm. From St. Petersburg trains run from the Ladoga station, and the travel time is about 30 hours.