History of the Moscow – Nizhny Novgorod railway route

The Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod rail route was first proposed in 1835, around the time when Tsar Nicholas I was first considering the benefits of building a railway network in Russia, encouraged by many eminent engineers and intellectuals. However, its construction did not begin until 1857 and went on until 1862. Upon completion, the route was served by four passenger trains which took between 14 and 15 hours to make the 440 km trip between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. Today, the journey is a little shorter than in the 19th century – less than four hours on the fastest service, the Sapsan train.

What can you see while traveling on the Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod train?

Vladimir: one of the highlights of the Golden Ring, Vladimir is one of Russia’s ancient cities and played an important role in medieval Russian religion, culture and politics. It was founded in 1108 by Vladimir II Monomakh, Grand Prince of Kievan Rus’, and flourished at the end of the 12th century during the long reign of Vsevolod III, who built some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Today you can visit Vladimir’s medieval monuments including the Cathedral of St. Dmitry, the Assumption Cathedral, the Princess Convent and the Golden Gate.

Pavlovsky Posad: this settlement was first mentioned in the 14th century and was established as a town by Tsar Nicholas I in 1844. Today, Pavlovsky Posad is home to a handful of architectural monuments, such as the Church of the Ascension, Bell Tower of the Resurrection Cathedral, and Pokrovsko-Vasilievsky Monastery. However, it is most famous as the birthplace of one of Russia’s most famous folk handicrafts, Pavlovo Posad shawls. The shawl factory here was founded in 1795 and still manufactures fine woollen shawls decorated with ornate flower patterns.

Nizhny Novgorod: founded in 1220, Nizhny Novgorod is one of Russia’s major cities and a hub of history and culture, home to more than 600 unique monuments like the Grand Kremlin, Archangel Cathedral, and Museum House of Gorky (the city was known as Gorky during Soviet times). The gorgeous historical, pedestrianised Pokrovka street is the ideal place for a stroll, as is the famous Chkalov Staircase with its 560 steps descending to the embankment of the Volga.