Originating as a Russian fortress town, Grozny is home to the largest mosque in Russia. The city encompasses elaborate mosques and Orthodox churches that stand alongside cutting-edge modern skyscrapers, together with the flower-filled Chekhov Square.

Things to do

Gain better insight into the history of Grozny at the National Museum of the Chechen Republic. It’s set across six different city branches, including the Leo Tolstoy and Mikhail Lermontov museums, with exhibits detailing traditional weaponry and agricultural tools, as well as works by prominent local artists.

Grozny’s most prominent landmark is the Akhmad Kadyrov Mosque, named after the first president of the Chechen Republic. It’s one of the largest mosques in the world and based on the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, with its interior richly adorned with white marble and paintings by Turkish masters.

In stark contrast are the soaring skyscrapers of the Grozny-City Towers, which are illuminated in neon at night. They are famed for their immense clocks that watch over the city, with each dial weighing in at 5,200 kilograms.

The most impressive Orthodox building in Grozny is the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, which was originally built in the 19th century. While it was almost destroyed during the war, it has undergone extensive renovations and is now open for visitors wanting to admire its former glory.

Getting around

Grozny Airport is around 10 minutes’ drive north of Grozny and offers flights to Moscow, Istanbul, Bishkek and Munich. There are regular, long-distance trains to Astrakhan and Rostov-on-Don, while trolleys and taxis service Grozny itself.