146 km of coastline and snow-covered mountain slopes, picturesque landscapes and futuristic buildings, ancient architectural monuments and modern entertainment centers. All this is about Sochi, the favorite Black Sea resort of millions of Russian residents. The Russian Riviera gained worldwide fame by becoming the venue for the XXII Winter Olympic Games.
Square “Medal Plaza”
The central place of the park, the Medal Plaza Square, where the award ceremonies were held, reminds of brilliant sporting achievements today. The gigantic space is stunning in its dimensions – at the same time it can accommodate about 10,000 people. During the day, tourists walk here and lovers of bicycle tricks demonstrate their talents, and in the evening fans of variety concerts and fantastic dance of singing fountains gather.
In February 2015, the presentation of the “Wall of Games Champions” took place on the Medal Square – a sculptural and decorative composition dedicated to the triumphal victories of athletes. The solemn event was attended by Dmitry Kozak, Vitaly Mutko and Russian sports stars. The snow-white object immediately gained popularity among tourists – at the height of the season, people line up to take a selfie.
The new attraction is a stylized three-meter globe with meridians, parallels and silhouettes of the continents marked on it. To the right and left are two symmetrical pyramids, designed to symbolize the Caucasus Mountains framing Sochi. The tetrahedral structure is adorned with 887 bronze, silver and gold plates with the names of the winners of the competitions.
singing fountain
The dominant feature not only of the Medal Plaza, but of the entire park is the Olympic Flame Bowl. The prototype of the 50-meter stele, on top of which an unquenchable torch blazed on the days of the competition, was the fabulous Firebird. The metal “head” of the mythological character is crowned with a red crest, the outstretched “wings” hug a pool with a diameter of 75 m. A singing fountain of amazing beauty “dances” inside the reservoir.
The mesmerizing action was made possible thanks to 264 cannon-nozzles located underground, releasing jets flying up to the sky. By decreasing and increasing the ejection force, these powerful pumps create the illusion of water flowing up to 70 meters high. The magnificent show is accompanied by world-famous masterpieces of classical and contemporary music.
The fountain operates both during the day and in the evening. The real magic begins when the sun disappears below the horizon. Beating jets illuminate individual spotlights. The color filters installed on them change in accordance with the rhythm of the music tracks. To make the show even more colorful, fog and hundreds of twinkling stars appear on the surface of the pool.
Olympic Stadium Fischt”
“White head” – this is how the name of the stadium “Fisht” is translated from the Adyghe language. The grandiose building is worthy of its name, received in honor of the 2,900-meter peak of the Caucasus Range. The impression of a mountain wrapped in snow and ice is given by the translucent polycarbonate covering the upper part of the structure. This material is highly resistant to precipitation, wind and heat.
The construction of Fisht began in 2010. Three years later, a monumental six-story building appeared on the Black Sea coast. It impresses with its dimensions: the height of the stadium was 69 m, the dimensions of the arena – 105 x 68 m. According to open sources, the construction of the giant facilitated the state treasury by 23.5 billion rubles.
Fisht is known not only for the magnificent opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics. In the summer of 2018, the battles of the World Cup took place on a gigantic field covered with natural grass. You can learn about the glorious days of the competition, admire the exhibits of the sports museum and look into the premises inaccessible to ordinary spectators by visiting a fascinating tour of the stadium.
Ice Palace of Sports “Iceberg”
Made of concrete, glass and steel, LDS “Iceberg” resembles an ice block furrowing sea waves. The creators achieved the effect of incessant movement thanks to the smoothness of the lines and the alternation of blue and transparent stained-glass windows. Inside the phantasmagoric structure, which simultaneously accommodates up to 12,000 spectators, two ice fields and a short track are freely located.
It's always cool at the Iceberg skating rink. The air temperature at a distance of 1 m from the ice surface varies from +6°C to +10°C. A different microclimate reigns in the stands. Stained-glass mirror double-glazed windows have excellent heat-insulating and sun-protective ability. In winter, they keep warm, and in summer they save from scorching rays. Therefore, at any time of the year, fans can enjoy a breathtaking spectacle, without fear of melting from the heat or getting pneumonia.
Today Iceberg is not only sports tournaments, but also numerous entertainments. Under the roof of the palace, mass skating is organized and colorful ice shows are staged, in which famous Russian figure skaters take part. In addition, the stadium serves as a venue for ballroom dancing competitions, musicals and concerts by popular performers.
Adler Arena
In 2012, the Adler-Arena, an oval structure 25 meters high and with a capacity of 8,000 people, was built for the martial arts of world speed skating stars. The building area is 51,151 m². Its main volume (20,300 m²) is occupied by the central hall with a giant ice rink, stands, VIP boxes and locker rooms for athletes. The rest of the territory is divided among themselves by technical rooms.
Worthy of admiration and the appearance of the building. The basis for its creation was the unified concept of the park, which states that each building should carry a semantic load. The silhouette of the Adler Arena is associated with the image of an athlete striving for the finish line. The feeling of movement is enhanced by the metal “ribbon” encircling the facade, repeating the silhouette of a closed ice rink.
At the end of the Olympics, the refrigeration equipment was stopped, and the ice cover was replaced with dirt. Skaters passed the baton to tennis players. In 2014, the Adler-Arena hosted the international Fed Cup match between Argentinean and Russian teams. After the successful holding of competitions, the Academy of Big and Table Tennis was opened on the territory of the palace.
Sports Palace “Big”
The pearl-white structure, whose cosmic forms are similar to the outlines of the Peking Opera, took three years of painstaking work and $300 million to build. Opened in 2012, the Bolshoy recreation center fully justifies its name. The height of the structure is 49 m, the area is 96,155 m². At the same time, 12,000 people can be in the building.
The pride of the Bolshoi is its ultra-modern technical equipment, which has no equal in Russia. The palace includes a ground 4-level and an underground 2-level part. The dome is equipped with a system of 38,000 multi-colored LED modules that transmit images to the screen. The dimensions of this wonderful monitor are comparable to the total size of 12 hockey fields.
In 2014, the Sochi Hockey Club was created on the basis of the stadium, and 5 years later, a children's hockey school was opened. In addition to ice battles for adults and young athletes, Bolshoy hosts exhibitions, concerts, festivals, fairs and large-scale shows. This became possible thanks to the movable transforming stands, which allow changing the area of the playing space.
Ice Arena “Puck”
The five Sochi Olympic giants are closed by a building whose streamlined shape simultaneously resembles a snow whirlwind and a sliding puck. The oval facade is decorated with blocks, the color of which varies from white to blue. Even during the day, this decoration makes the stadium a real eye-catcher. And with the onset of darkness, when 45,000 LED lamps light up on the panels, the Puck is able to compete with the southern sky with its beauty.
Another amazing feature of the stadium is its mobility. “Puck” is a kind of constructor. The metal frame weighing 48,000 tons and 22.8 m high, covering an area of 3.1 hectares, can be dismantled and transported to another location. Hundreds of rooms are hidden inside the unusual structure, the main of which are the ice arena and the auditorium for 7,000 seats. The optimal height of the rows and huge screens allow you to comfortably follow the progress of the matches.
In 2013–2014 “Puck” served as a platform for hockey tournaments and sledge hockey competitions. After the fanfare of the Olympics died down, the stadium turned into the All-Russian sports and recreation base. Currently, the public all-season skating rink “Ldinka” is also open here.
Curling Center “Ice Cube”
Next to the legendary stadiums is another famous Olympic heritage site. The Ice Cube, built in 2013, has become the only Russian curling center. In addition to the space for competitions, locker rooms, medical services, a restaurant complex, a gym and a choreographic hall are located inside the laconic blue-gray building.
The central core of the stadium is a curling area with four 45-meter lanes. Along the perimeter there are corridors for the movement of athletes, coaches and judges. The ice in this part of the field is covered with a special material that prevents slipping. The arena is surrounded by stands, government and VIP boxes, places for press services and commentators.
Unfortunately, the era of Sochi curling tournaments will soon come to an end. In the near future, the ice rink will be converted for international and all-Russian wrestling competitions. Curlers will be replaced by sambists and judokas. It is planned to build a medical center, training halls and a hotel for athletes on the territory adjacent to the Ice Cube.
Sochi Circuit
A visit to the park is not only an acquaintance with the Olympic heritage of Sochi. Those who are indifferent to sports will find here activities to their liking. So, fans of car racing will appreciate the Sochi Autodrom. This facility with an area of 38.5 hectares is truly unique: it allows you to integrate a temporary section of the route into the urban transport system.
In October 2014, the 16th stage of the Formula 1 emergency started at the Autodrom. The choice of the track was no accident – the road surface is ideal for a race of this magnitude. On a three-layer asphalt concrete surface, fireballs can accelerate to a speed of 330 km / h. The track, whose length is 5,848 m, is replete with difficult road conditions: 18 sharp turns, negative slopes and a 650-meter long arcuate turn. The stands can accommodate up to 42,000 spectators.
In addition to watching Russian and world rallies, Avtodor offers tourists an excursion to the kingdom of racing. As part of the educational tour, guests of the resort will visit the control center, apartments for accommodating teams and get acquainted with the life of F-1 pilots. Those who wish can climb the awards podium and take a photo.
Sochi Auto Sport Museum
Another meeting place for fans of iron horses is the museum located in the halls of the main tribune of the Sochi Autodrom. The first exhibits of the collection – a “live” car and miniature models – visitors can admire already in front of the entrance to the building. Further, a world of luxury, bright colors and memories dear to the heart of a car enthusiast opens. The collection consists of 79 famous cars of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The pride of the museum is the faithful assistant of the legendary Mark Webber Jaguar R5B and speed record holder Jaguar XJ220 erected on a pedestal. Champions are surrounded by worthy representatives of the Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mitsubishi, Dodge Viper, Masserati families. Separate showcases display rider costumes, helmets, cups, prizes, a Formula 1 chessboard, models of modern ships and vintage sailboats.
A place of honor is occupied by true rarities – “trendsetters of automotive fashion” of the 50-70s of the last century: Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Corvette, Lincoln Continental, Buick Super, Kaiser Darrin and Dodge Custom. There is also the hero of the epic “Back to the Future” – the ever-living DeLorean DMC 12, as well as James Bond's stainless friend Aston Martin DB9.
Sirius Science and Art Park
Future Olympic medalists and winners of the highest awards in the field of culture, science and art are being trained by Sirius, an educational center created for the education and residence of gifted children from different regions of the Russian Federation. On the territory of a huge complex, which includes classrooms, swimming pools, play spaces and comfortable rooms, young talents not only attend classes on in-depth study of school disciplines, but also participate in various master classes, demonstration performances and sports tournaments.
In July 2018, a planetarium was opened in Sirius, which immediately won the fame of one of the largest in the world. Under a silvery dome with a diameter of 27 m, blooming with purple lights at night, there is a spherical screen with an area of 157 m². The giant monitor is equipped with laser projectors and a 10-channel sound system, which allow you to create a realistic image and the full effect of being in the realm of stars and planets.
At the same time, 60 people can watch films about the origin and structure of the solar system, the study of the moon and the mysteries of the universe. The plots devoted to the development of Buran, a spacecraft designed to transport cargo into orbit, deserve special praise. A full-size mock-up of the shuttle is also on display at the Sirius Center.
Electric Museum of Nikola Tesla
In an inconspicuous building next to the entertainment Sochi Park is the Museum Center, within the walls of which three diverse expositions are exhibited. The first floor is occupied by a museum dedicated to the “father of electricity” Nikola Tesla. Instead of the usual exhibits, visitors will find an interactive performance full of unusual fascinating experiences.
Acquaintance with the museum begins with a short film showing the work and inventions of a brilliant scientist. The viewing is followed by an incredible action, accompanied by numerous experiments. Both children and adults will be interested to learn how Tesla coils work, how to build a plasma Christmas tree, and whether it is possible to pass 100 thousand volts through your own body.
The apogee of the program is the performance “Megavolt – Lord of Lightning”. Dressed in metal chain mail, the “fighter with the elements” effortlessly catches the discharges of alternating current produced by transformers. Lightning is not an optical illusion at all, the voltage reaches 1.5 million volts. The safety of spectators is ensured by a special protective circuit. To the delight of the public, the fantastic show is accompanied by light and sound effects.
Museum of the USSR
Tourists, in whose hearts there is nostalgia for the good old days, will be interested in the exposition located on the second floor of the Museum Center. About 5,000 rarities will help you travel back in time and see once again the interiors, souvenirs, books, appliances, food, clothing and household items marked “Made in the USSR” that have sunk into oblivion.
The island of a country gone into oblivion greets visitors with soda machines. For men whose childhood fell on the 80s of the last century, the collection of miniature car models evokes tender feelings. The makeshift shop is also popular among visitors, on the counter of which canned goods, bottles of Stolichnaya, packs of Indian tea and Java cigarettes lined up in a row.
The Museum of the USSR found a place for the dream of every Soviet person – polished walls, porcelain services, tape recorders, Zenith cameras and scooters. An exclusive is also presented here: a Soviet 3D TV and a microwave oven. Artifacts are not hidden behind glass – they can be picked up, and bicycles and cars with pedals are even allowed to ride.
Mechanical Museum of Leonardo da Vinci
It is difficult to imagine a field of science and art that Leonardo da Vinci, a scientist, engineer, architect, writer, artist and musician, would not have contributed to. The life of the creator was full of secrets and hoaxes, and the unique achievements were in many ways ahead of the Renaissance. Until now, the inventions and paintings of the genius haunt the great minds of the whole world, hundreds of museums are devoted to his work. One of them is located on the third floor of the Museum Center.
The purpose of creating the exposition is not only to acquaint visitors with the inventions of the phenomenal Master, but also to show them in action in a playful way. All copies are functioning models created according to da Vinci's drawings. Here you can watch the work of a perpetual motion machine, sit in a paraglider, lift a heavy load with your own hands or try to break a wooden bridge assembled without a single nail.
A 24-meter crossbow, a trebuchet, a catapult, a hygrometer, an auto-hammer and a clock candle are of genuine interest. Each exhibit is provided with a stand with a detailed description. Along with mechanical devices, the museum collection also has reproductions of famous paintings by the painter, such as Mona Lisa, Lady with an Ermine, Portrait of a Musician, Madonna Litta.
Roller Restaurant
The Black Sea resort does not experience a shortage of catering establishments. The competition is huge. You can no longer surprise a fastidious tourist with delicious dishes; people want not only bread, but also circuses. With this in mind, the Roller restaurant offers its guests an interesting service system. The ordered dishes rush to the visitors along the roller tracks – metal spiral structures that start in the kitchen and end at the round tables.
There is no need to wait for the arrival of the waiter. To place an order, touch monitors are installed on each table. When the choice is made, it's the turn of the chefs. Cooked food is packed in special containers with transparent lids. Then the dishes descend from a height of 12 meters, making sharp turns along the way and drawing dead loops.
The local menu is a selection of Russian and overseas dishes. The chef is especially good at burgers, chicken strips, tagliolini carbonara, grilled asparagus, kvass okroshka, and boiled buckwheat flavored with mushrooms. Little guests are not forgotten in the restaurant. Young gourmets are offered to try a bread pan, colorful dumplings and pasta with meatballs. And, of course, ice cream. In “Roller” it is simply wonderful.
Olympic Village
By 2014, three- and six-story buildings appeared on the Imeretinskaya lowland, where only tall grass had previously grown. The settlement with an area of 164,000 m² was affectionately called “Manor” by the designers. Inside 47 buildings there were modern comfortable apartments for the participants of the Olympic Games. In addition to residential buildings, cafes, clubs and a medical center were opened here. To provide new facilities with uninterrupted power supply, a power plant was built near the settlement.
After the Olympics, the place of residence of the athletes turned into a fashionable Imeretinsky resort microdistrict with wide alleys, an embankment, beaches, restaurants, shops and entertainment centers. Here you can buy real estate, rent apartments or relax in one of the hotel complexes.
In Sochi, there is a second Olympic village – Gornaya, built for skiers and biathletes. The settlement is located in the Rosa Khutor resort, where, from a height of 1,170 m above sea level, stunning views of the Psekhako and Aibga ranges open up. Thanks to the fresh air, natural beauties and nearby sports facilities, the former houses of the participants in the games, converted into comfortable hotels after the competition, are not empty today both in winter and in summer.
Theme park “Sochi Park”
Russian Disneyland is a worthy name for Sochi Park, which is located next to the Bogatyr Hotel. A sea of positive and joy will be presented by 23 attractions – from carousels for kids to structures that cause trembling in the knees. The most extreme ones are equipped with safety sensors. Also, the entertainment center is famous for its petting zoo, play and development areas, theatrical performances and performances of circus artists.
Visitors are waiting for five amazing worlds filled with heroes of fairy tales familiar from childhood. The Fish-Whale, the Geese-Swans, the Little Humpbacked Horse, the Flying Ship and the Serpent Gorynych settled here, through the lair of which rollercoaster trailers rush at a speed of 100 km / h. Emotions in the park are in full swing: from the horror of a free fall from a 65-meter height (“Firebird”) to unbridled laughter (water battles of the Buyan attraction).
A visit to the dolphinarium will be a nice bonus. A friendly team of three bottlenose dolphins and a fur seal pleases its guests with an exciting show lasting 40 minutes. The program includes jumping over the bar, drawing pictures, playing with a ball, incendiary somersaults, trainers skating, graceful dances and solo numbers. For an additional fee, you can take a picture with a participant in the performance or swim in the company of a dolphin.