Excursion Arkhangelsk city tour & concert hall tour at Archangelsk

Discover the local history, architecture and music of Arkhangelsk during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Arkhangelsk and Chumbarovka Street

Depart the pier for the short drive to Chumbarovka, the only pedestrianised street in Archangelsk. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour along this old street, which is lined with traditional wooden houses and their replicas. Following your tour, re-board your coach and drive down to the River Northern Dvina Embankment for a photo stop at the Peter the Great Monument. This monument, which overlooks the River Northern Dvina, commemorates the Tsar's three visits to Arkhangelsk and his efforts to establish the first Russian merchant shipyard here.

Merchant Yard, Concert Hall and Musical Performance

Next, proceed to the nearby Merchant Yard. A unique example of 17th-century Russian architecture, the Merchant Yard was built for the country's trade and defence. A century ago, the Merchant Yard stood at the border of the 'foreign settlement' within Arkhangelsk. Today, only the house of Merchant Brandt and St. Catherine's Lutheran Church, which dates from 1768 and is now the Concert Hall, still remain. The church served as a religious centre for generations of German and Dutch immigrants who worked in the trade until the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1991, the restored building was re-opened, with a German Schuke organ installed. During your visit to the Concert Hall, take in a performance of three pieces of music.

Crafts Factory Shop and British Memorial and Cemetery

Your tour continues with a visit to the Crafts Factory Shop, which offers a variety of local souvenirs comprised of wool, fabric, wood, birch bark, and even bone carvings made by the factory's craftsmen. Your last stop is at the Arkhangelsk Allied (British) Memorial and Cemetery, which contains 224 burials and commemorations of World War I, including special memorials to 140 officers and men with known burials in cemeteries elsewhere in northern Russia. The cemetery also contains seven World War II burials. The memorial commemorates British officers and men who died during the north Russian campaign. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.74 miles (about 1.2 kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear comfortable, layered clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection and a waterproof jacket or coat from the ship. Guests must be at least seven years old to participate on this tour. The tour sequence may vary. Coaches, guides and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guides may have a strong accent.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Arkhangelsk, Chumbarovka Street, Peter the Great Monument, Concert Hall, Musical Performance, Crafts Factory Shop, British Memorial and Cemetery