Kungur combines preserved Orthodox churches from the 18th and 19th centuries with ceramic production and fairs held annually in autumn. The traditional hot-air balloon festival adds another event to these cultural themes. Kungur Ice Cave offers a different perspective through its geology and lies on the northeastern edge of the city.
Orthodox Churches in Kungur
Kungur’s preserved Orthodox churches include St. Nicholas Church, Tikhvin Church, the Transfiguration Church and All Saints Church. All four are active churches in Kungur. Together, they shape the city’s churchscape as both a historical and a contemporary feature. For culture enthusiasts, these four named churches are a specific focus, distinct from crafts and events.
Ceramic Production and Events
The company “Kungurskiye narodnye promysly” offers an insight into the production of ceramic goods—from preparing the clay mixture and painting and firing to sales. Thus, alongside the built heritage, a sequence of craft production takes center stage. If you would like to plan a visit, check in advance whether visits are possible.
Fairs named after merchant and tea trader Alexei Semyonovich Gubkin are held annually in autumn. The traditional hot-air balloon festival “Nebesnaya yarmarka” is also held in Kungur. The events offer different highlights within the town’s cultural profile. If you are traveling specifically for an event, check the exact dates in advance.
The Town Embankment and Ice Cave
“Pup Zemli” was created in 2007 on the embankment of the Sylva in Kungur’s historic center. For geographical orientation, the town center and the Ice Cave are two different reference points: the cave lies on the northeastern edge of the town, outside the urban area itself. Its caverns formed in gypsum and anhydrite; water, cold air and centuries of ceiling collapses shaped their present form. Its features include underground lakes, domed caverns and ice crystals in the Iceberg near the Sylva. On April 29, 2026, visitor access was reported as closed indefinitely. Before making plans, check whether the status has changed.
Another Look at the Perm Region
Another natural highlight in the Perm Region is the Basegi Nature Reserve. It has the “To the Summit of Northern Baseg” excursion route: the circular route is 11 km long, and the total duration, including the guided tour and rest breaks, is 5 to 8 hours. The excursion season runs from June to October; confirm current arrangements with the reserve before planning. The trail starts at the checkpoint at the Schastlivy ranger station. On foot, it runs 3,700 meters through taiga forest (mountain forest zone) and about 300 meters across mountain meadows. The “To Southern Baseg” route is also among the reserve’s excursion trails.
The nature reserve’s visitor center has a small museum exhibition on the flora and fauna of the Perm Region. Environmental education discussions, lectures, quizzes and games featuring films or multimedia presentations are held there regularly. The route to Northern Baseg requires a time slot of five to eight hours; the visitor center offers a different natural history focus, with its exhibition and recurring educational programs.
Discover more destinations: Perm, Oleni, Senkino, Gubakha, Polazna, Pechmen', Gremyachinsk, Chusovoy
Back to the regional travel overview: Perm Region.
