Kirov

A large city on the Vyatka River in European Russia, Kirov has a walkable centre with a café and restaurant scene alongside universities, theaters, museums, and churches. Founded in 1374 — and known as Vyatka until 1934, when it was renamed after the Bolshevik politician Sergei Kirov, who never actually visited — the city is the origin of Dymkovo toys, a Russian folk craft tradition, alongside vyatka lace and capa-root carving.

• Population507,155
• Nearest water from center 1.5 km0.9 mi