Chkalov Stairs

Chkalov Stairs is a monumental stone staircase at the Lower Volga embankment in Nizhny Novgorod that connects two main levels through a figure-eight layout. The roughly 560 steps descend from Minin and Pozharsky Square to the riverfront and feature two observation platforms along the route.

Construction began in 1943 as a tribute to the Stalingrad Battle victory, with German prisoners of war participating in building the structure. The stairs were completed and opened in 1949.

The stairs take their name from Valery Chkalov, a Soviet pilot known for his 1937 flight from Moscow to Vancouver over the North Pole. The naming reflects how this place connects to broader Soviet achievements in aviation and exploration that remain part of local identity.

You can enter the stairs from either the upper level at Minin and Pozharsky Square or from the lower riverfront, allowing access from both parts of the city. It is wise to allow enough time for the descent, as the many steps can be physically demanding, especially in warm weather.

The military vessel Hero, which transported thousands of soldiers during World War II, sits permanently at the base of the stairs as a museum piece. This ship connects the staircase to wartime events and serves as a reminder of the region's military past.

Location: Nizhny Novgorod

Inception: 1943

Architects: Alexander Yakovlev, Lev Rudnev, Vladimir Munz

Official opening: 1949

Architectural style: Stalinist architecture

Address: Нижне-Волжская набережная

GPS coordinates: 56.33121,44.00949

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:29