Perm Krai in 3 Russian words
Nearly 30,000 rivers flow there; it is home to Russia's largest potash deposit; and it houses one of the country's leading ballet schools. Here are three symbols of Perm Krai.
1. КУНГУРСКАЯ ПЕЩЕРА (Kungur Cave)
This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Europe. It stretches for nearly six kilometers, of which only one and a half kilometers are open to tourists. The cave contains 70 lakes and 48 grottoes, which are specially illuminated for visitors. The most impressive is the Diamond Grotto with its strange, needle-shaped crystals.
2. КАМЕННЫЙ ГОРОД (Stone City)
This amazing place was formed millions of years ago, when a river carved numerous tunnels through the rock massif. The result was an entire stone "city" with what look like streets, squares and houses. It’s also known as the ‘Devil's Settlement’. Today, tourists enjoy strolling through it.
3. БЕЛОГОРСКИЙ НИКОЛАЕВСКИЙ МОНАСТЫРЬ (Belogorsky St. Nicholas Monastery)
This monastery was founded on Belaya Gora, 70 km south of Perm, in the late 19th century. It’s often called the ‘Ural Mount Athos’ for its elevated location and strict adherence to monastic traditions. The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross located there can accommodate up to 8,000 worshipers.
