Grozny in 3 Russian words

Gateway to Russia

May 19 2026

Ekaterina Chesnokova/Sputnik

The capital of the Chechen Republic was literally wiped off the face of the earth during the armed conflicts of the early 1990s and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Here are three of its main symbols.

1. МЕЧЕТЬ «СЕРДЦЕ ЧЕЧНИ» (The ‘Heart of Chechnya’ Mosque)

Ekaterina Chesnokova/Sputnik

This is one of the largest mosques in the world. Over 10,000 people can pray simultaneously within its 5,000 square meters. An equal number can fit in the adjacent square and summer gallery. The mosque is built in the classical Ottoman style, modeled after the famous Sultanahmet Mosque, or Blue Mosque, in Istanbul.

2. «ГРОЗНЫЙ-СИТИ» (‘Grozny City’)

Ekaterina Chesnokova/Sputnik

‘Grozny City’ is a complex of seven skyscrapers housing offices, restaurants, residential apartments and one of the largest hotels in the North Caucasus. In 2013, the tallest building in the complex, the 145-meter ‘Olympus’, suffered a major fire. It was restored so quickly that they decided to rename it ‘Phoenix’.

3. НАЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ БИБЛИОТЕКА (National Library)

Said Tsarnaev/Sputnik

The National Library of the Chechen Republic was founded in 1904 and is considered one of the oldest in the North Caucasus. The building and its book collection were also heavily damaged during the Chechen wars. However, in 2013, a new building was opened, with the upper floors now shaped like book spines.