The majestic Volga River has been famous for its fish since ancient times. The many peoples that live on the banks of the great river believed that it was fish from the Volga River that supported and fed the whole world. In the 17th century, fishermen from the upper Volga city of Yuravets were responsible for supplying Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich with the sturgeon, sheefish and sterlet for his table. More than 50 years ago soviet power engineers built a cascade of powerful hydroelectric power plants on the Volga, transforming the river into a series of reservoirs. One of them, the Gorky Reservoir, then became a popular place for fishermen to cast their rods. It is here on the bank of the reservoir that the all-Russian Fisherman Festival (“Rybak Rybaka”) takes place.
Much of what the Don region has preserved for lovers of Russian history is concentrated on the shores of the Sea of Azov. Here you’ll find one of the oldest cities in Russia, Azov, which hosts a variety of striking ethnic festivals. The refreshing sea and sandy beaches will help you to forget all your cares and worries. Having visited Azov and the surrounding region, RTG TV host Olga Degtyarova came to the conclusion that in the Rostov Oblast you should definitely try the local ukha fish soup, listen to the Cossack songs and swim in the Don River or the Sea of Azov.