Top 25 - attractions of Volgograd, Russia

Volgograd is known for its grandiose figure "The Motherland Calls!" on Mamaev Kurgan and complexes of monuments dedicated to episodes of the Great Patriotic War. This is a hero city that bravely took on a powerful attack of the German invaders and was destroyed almost to the ground. The victory in the Battle of Stalingrad was of key importance for the USSR, as it turned the whole course of the campaign at the cost of countless lives of brave soldiers.

Many war memorials remind residents and tourists of those difficult times: the Stalingrad Battle Panorama Museum, Heroes Alley, Pavlov's House, Gerhardt's Mill will tell about the events of the terrible war. The city seems to be saturated with the spirit of heroism that hovers in museums, on the streets and squares.

What to see and where to go in Volgograd?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Mamaev Kurgan and sculpture "Motherland is calling!"

The monumental sculpture of a woman with a sword in her hands on Mamaev Kurgan is the central composition of the memorial complex "To the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad". It was created in 1967 according to the project of E. V. Vutechich. The total height of the monument is 85 meters. It was installed 200 meters from the legendary 102nd height, for which there were fierce battles for 140 days during the Battle of Stalingrad.

Panorama Museum "Battle of Stalingrad"

Museum complex, opened in 1985 and consisting of two levels. On the first floor there is the exposition itself and the repository of funds. On the second - a panoramic canvas "The defeat of the Nazi troops near Stalingrad." Some exhibits are placed in the open air: military equipment, several monuments and a tank tower. About half a million people visit the museum every year.

Mill Gerhardt

Steam mill of the beginning of the 20th century, which was destroyed during the Battle of Stalingrad. The building was not restored in memory of the terrible events of the war. Its ruins are included in the structure of the Museum-Reserve "Battle of Stalingrad". In the first years after the end of the fighting, some of the premises of the mill were used as living quarters, which can be clearly seen from the sealed windows in old photographs.

Central embankment

The city embankment is considered one of the best on the Volga. It consists of two levels: the first is adjacent directly to the river, the second is close to residential buildings. The place acquired its modern look in the 1950s. Before the war, the embankment was used to receive cargo ships, and there was also a passenger river station. Today it is the decoration of Volgograd and the front gate to the city.

Square of the Fallen Fighters

The central city square, where merchant shops and taverns were located before the Revolution of 1917. During the Battle of Stalingrad, it became the site of bloody battles. In honor of the fallen soldiers, in order to honor their courage and heroism, the Eternal Flame was lit here in 1963. There are two mass graves on the square. Today it is surrounded by monuments, administrative buildings, hotels and residential buildings.

Avenue of Heroes

One of the central boulevards of Volgograd, consisting of three parallel streets. It originates from the Volga embankment. The memorial alley began to be laid after the war during the restoration of the city from the ruins. It was decided to dedicate it to the defenders of the Motherland, who heroically fell in battle. There are steles along the boulevard, on which the names of 127 fighters are engraved, who defended Stalingrad to the last breath.

Pavlov's House

Residential building on the square. Lenin, famous for the fact that during the Battle of Stalingrad a group of fighters held the line for 58 days, hiding within its walls. The soldiers were led by senior sergeant Ya. F. Pavlov, hence the modern name of the building. For the Soviet people, the house has become a symbol of stamina, incredible courage and heroism that people can only show when defending their homeland.

Museum of Fine Arts. I. I. Mashkova

The exposition opened to visitors in 1963. Today it is the only art gallery in Volgograd. The collection is a collection of works of the XIX-XX centuries. It is based on exhibits donated from the State Hermitage, the State Historical Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery. A separate section of the museum is dedicated to the works of Volgograd painters.

Memorial and Historical Museum

The collection is located on the territory of the mansion built in 1903, which once belonged to the Repnikov merchant family. The building itself is a valuable architectural monument of the early 20th century, built in the new Russian style of bright red brick. The exposition consists of six sections, which showcase paintings, graphics, photography, documents and other items from the period of the Civil and Great Patriotic Wars.

Museum-reserve "Old Sarepta"

An open-air museum covering an area of ​​5 hectares. It was organized to preserve the architectural heritage of the XVIII-XIX centuries, as well as to revive the traditions of the peoples of the Volgograd region. Russian, Tatar, German, Kalmyk, Ukrainian and Belarusian national centers operate in Staraya Sarepta. The museum collection consists of ethnographic, archaeological and artistic exhibits.

Volgograd Planetarium

The planetarium was opened in 1954; today it is the only space theater in the region and the surrounding regions. It was erected by engineers and builders from the GDR as a gift from the USSR in honor of the upcoming 70th anniversary of I. Stalin. The architecture of the building resembles the outlines of a neoclassical monumental temple with massive frontal columns and a high dome.

The building of the Tsaritsyno fire brigade

A regional architectural monument of the 19th century that served as a fire tower. The historical building was erected in 1897, but it was destroyed in the 1930s (according to another version, during the Battle of Stalingrad). The modern building appeared in 1995, it was recreated in accordance with the original appearance. Currently, the former fire tower houses administrative bodies.

Kazan Cathedral

The temple was erected at the end of the 19th century in honor of the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Previously, a church of the early 18th century stood on this site, later a wooden chapel. The building was built in the eclectic style, combining the architectural manners of different eras. Perhaps that is why it looks so festive and elegant. The cathedral was reconstructed after many years of desolation that took place during the Soviet period.

Church of All Saints on Mamaev Kurgan

The temple received its first parishioners in 2005, but the place for its construction was consecrated back in 1993 by Patriarch Alexy II. The building was erected not far from the mass grave on Mamayev Kurgan, and this gesture had a rather deep meaning. Today, its golden domes shining in the sun seem to complement the memorial composition dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War.

Fountain "Art"

The composition adorns the central city embankment. It is also known to the residents of the city as the Fountain of Friendship of Peoples. The sculpture represents a group of three girls in national costumes performing some kind of folk dance. The figures are mounted on a high pedestal, around which water jets beat. This place is in demand during social events and festivals.

Fountain "Barmaley"

The historic "Barmaley" once adorned the center of Soviet Stalingrad. It was first created in 1930. In memory of that fountain, two copies of it were installed in 2013. One is near the Gerhardt mill, the second is on the square near the station. The composition consists of figures of dancing children who dance around a huge crocodile. The sculptural group was created based on the tale of K. Chukovsky "Barmaley".

Monument to Panikahe

The sculpture is dedicated to Mikhail Panikakha, the hero of the Great Patriotic War. During the defense of the 102nd height, he rushed with a Molotov cocktail to one of the German tanks and blew it up, thereby preventing the enemies from gaining a foothold on Mamaev Kurgan. The monument is made in the form of a 6-meter figure, frozen in a resolute pose and ready to take off at any moment. This is how the sculptors saw the hero during his mortal throw.

Lenin monument

At the very entrance to the Volga-Don Canal there is a 27-meter monument to Lenin on a 30-meter granite pedestal. It was made using the same technology as "The Motherland Calls!". The monument was built in 1973, earlier in its place there was a monument to I. Stalin, which was dismantled in 1969. Today the monument is an object of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation.

Volgograd elevator

The unremarkable industrial building built in 1940 is today an important historical monument due to the role it played during the Battle of Stalingrad. In 1942 and 1943, fierce battles were fought for the object, as a result of which the building was badly damaged. In 1977, a memorial sculpture to the soldiers-defenders of the city was installed here.

Railway station building

The station on the Volga branch of the railway, which is considered an architectural monument. The modern building was erected in 1954 to replace the old brick structure of the late 19th century, completely destroyed during the Battle of Stalingrad. The station was built in the classical style of the Stalin era with its inherent solemnity and monumentality. Marble and granite were generously used for decoration.

Metrotram

City light rail system with metro elements, consisting of 22 stations. The total length of the branch is more than 17 km. Its history began with the opening of a tram depot in 1971. According to some Western magazines, the metrotram is one of the most interesting tram routes in the world due to the fact that many of its sections are laid through underground tunnels.

River Station

The Volgograd river station is considered the largest not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. It was built in the second half of the 20th century. Its pier is designed for 6 ships, inside there is a spacious concert hall for 1000 spectators. From here you can go on a pleasant walk along the Volga on a comfortable boat. Today, the station is more of an entertainment center than a full-fledged transport hub.

Volga-Don Canal

The canal connects two large water arteries of the European part of Russia - the Volga and the Don, it stretches for 101 km in length. German prisoners of war, prisoners, demobilized soldiers and civilian university students took part in the construction - in total, about a million people were employed at work. Perhaps that is why the canal was dug in a record short time of 4.5 years.

Volzhskaya HPP

The largest hydroelectric power plant in European Russia. It was erected in 1961 as part of the Volga-Kama cascade. The activity of the enterprise benefits people, but causes harm to the environment, as it makes it difficult for the spawning of beluga, sturgeon and other river species. The grandiose structure can only be admired from the shore, since passage and filming on the territory of the hydroelectric power station are prohibited.

Volga river

The largest water artery in Europe (and one of the largest on the entire planet), stretching for 3.5 thousand km. from the Tver region to the Caspian Sea. Numerous cities, including those with a population of over a million, stand on its banks. The coastal landscapes of the Volga are sung in many works of Russian classics and depicted on the canvases of artists, as people have long admired the grandeur and power of this river.