For several centuries the territory which makes up the present-day Voronezh Region was an outpost of Russia's southern border, defending the country from raids of nomads and Tatars.  The administrative centre is the city of Voronezh which is considered the birthplace of the Russian naval fleet founded by Peter the Great.  The city also has the third biggest cathedral in the country.

Located in the region is the spectacular Kostomarovsky Spassky Convent whose cathedral is carved out of a rock.  Another popular sight is the Divnogorye Museum-Reserve which has a whole complex of buildings carved out of chalk caves including the Svyato-Uspensky Divnogorsky Monastery and a hill fort.  Also of interest is the village of Ramon which is famous for the unusual Castle of Princess Oldenburg.