The historical spirit of Don Land. From Rostov to Azov and back.

Azov is one of the oldest cities in the South of Russia located very close to Rostov-on-Don (30 min driving by car).

The city is located in the delta of Don river. Azov has seen many conquerors: Romans, the khans of the Golden Horde, and was long time being ruled by the Ottoman Empire(XV-XVII cent.). The Turks had a strong fortress Azak here,the main task of which was to keep the European civilization away from the Black Sea region.

In XVII century the famous Russian tsar Peter the Great won his first great victory in the battle for the fortress Azak and annexed the region to the Russian Empire.

In 2001, the city was visited by the famous Norwegian scientist  Thor Heyerdahl who came to the conclusion that the Viking god Odin was born near the town of Azov

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxX2oc5ueMw

Tourists may climb the highest ramparts, examine the ancient powder cellar(a part of Azov fortress),monuments of Emperor Peter the Great and generallisimo Shein, visit the richest museum which is full of artefacts of different eras,take a photos of prehistoric elephants skeletons etc.

The golden artefacts from Azov museum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEayABhsb3U

The Rostov region

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBbe5G-ktuE

If you want you can offer your own program of excursion.