With its huge 16th Century Kremlin, medieval churches and monasteries, Nizhny Novgorod is one of the pearls of the Southern Volga and has for centuries been the place were traders from Siberia, Central Asia and the Orient came to exchange goods.
In Soviet times it was renamed Gorky after the famous writer who was born there and became the home of many people who were politically exiled during the years of Communism. Nowadays the city is particularly popular with fans of traditional Russian handicrafts.
In particular it is renowned as being the place where the tradition of khokloma, one of the most beautiful styles of painted wooden furniture and crockery, was invented and its originally designed Russian dolls are considered to be some of the best in Russia.
