On the right bank of the Volga, 858 km from Moscow, the handsome Saratov prostrated. The ancient Russian city today is almost a millionaire, if we talk about the population. The beautiful places of Saratov attract more and more tourists every year. The city has a rich and interesting past. As well as many historical events that are worthy of attention.
History of the city
In 1590, Boyar Turov and Prince Zasekin founded a fortress to protect river caravans from nomads called Sary Tau - Yellow Mountain.
Saratov served as a transfer point for sellers of salt, fish, flour and grain. Already in the 17th century, Saratov became a large industrial center on the right bank of the Volga region. Through it went the way of trade to Moscow and other cities of Russia.
In 1782, Saratov received the title of the province and its first coat of arms, with the image of 3 fish on a blue background. The city became a major administrative center and the main point for trade in fish and salt.
In the 20th century, Saratov became the most densely populated throughout the Volga region. However, foreign guests could not visit him, as special enterprises carried out orders that provided value to the space industry.
However, now that the city has become, in fact, the main center of economy, culture and education in the Volga region, foreigners can visit it to see all the most beautiful places in Saratov.
Climate and weather
The temperate continental climate brings cold winter and a lot of snow to the city. Sometimes strong snowstorms begin and visibility decreases to 7-10 meters.
Many beautiful places in Saratov in the fall, when numerous plants are painted in bright colors.
At the end of winter, the tracks are covered with snow, which impedes the movement of vehicles, and the Volga completely freezes and begins to thaw only by mid-April.
In the spring the city is often watered by rains, but in the summer it is hot and dry.
The nature of Saratov, the beautiful places of the city annually attract more and more new residents.
But ecology is not so good here. Missile mines, radioactive waste, the release of air polluting substances and cars have done enormous damage to Saratov’s environmental condition.
Victory Park or Falcon Mountain
To see Saratov, the sights and beautiful places of the city, you need to start from the Falcon Mountain, where Victory Park is located.
The 40-meter monument with 12 cranes at the very top, which symbolize soldiers who died in the Second World War, is considered the most notable object in the memorial complex.
These cranes have become a kind of symbol of the city. They can be seen on stamps, postcards and in tourist guides.
In addition to the monument, the park has many exhibits from World War II:
- ambulance train carrying wounded under shelling;
- Submarine;
- aircraft;
- cars;
- tanks
- trucks etc.
We can say that this is an open-air museum. Moreover, it is worth noting that all the equipment is in working condition and even participated in the parade dedicated to Victory Day.
Also, the National Village is built in the park, in which there are already 14 houses that symbolize the housing of every nation living in the city. Here you can see the Azerbaijani tower, the Russian compound, the Korean pagoda, the Kazakh village, the Bashkir yurt and the Ukrainian farm, in the territory of which the Ukrainian cafe operates.
The village hosts festivals and holidays associated with each national culture. Here you can try many folk treats and see the life of each nation.
And most importantly, the most beautiful places in the city of Saratov are visible from the Falcon Mountain. The view opens on the Volga Mother, and on the bridge, and on the Green Island.
Kirovsky Avenue
One of the main streets of the city, named among the townspeople of the Saratov Arbat. The street changed its name 3 times, until in the end, in 1935, it received the name Kirova Avenue.
The avenue was built at the time by the German colonists, the captured French, and the Russians. Now this is the main street, the only one on which, over its entire length, all types of transport are prohibited, except for bicycles.
Numerous buildings with beautiful architecture, sculptures, paving slabs and well-groomed trees make the street one of the most beautiful in the Volga region.
Tourists who visit the city to capture Saratov, sights and beautiful places (see photo below) are always photographed on this avenue.
Walking along the avenue, citizens and visitors can read a lot of interesting things from the history of cultural monuments and buildings located on this street.
Conservatory
If you combine such two concepts as architectural monuments and beautiful places in Saratov, then the conservatory named after him will be an absolute favorite. Sobinova.
The neo-Gothic building is stunning in its splendor. Singing chimeras on the façade, owls and bunches of grapes adorn rosette windows. The sky-high weathervanes, turrets and spiers resemble a medieval castle in the Empire style.
Conductors, pianists, actors, directors, performers on folk, wind and percussion instruments, etc. are trained at the university.
In total there are 3 faculties with 20 departments.
The walls of this building heard the voices of such world performers as F. Chaliapin, V. Sofronitsky, S. Richter, L. Sobinov, M. Rostropovich and others.
Exotic limonaria
On Sokolova Gora there is an amazing place - a limonary. This exotic garden pleases everyone, from small to large. More than 30 species of tropical plants amaze visitors with their appearance and, of course, smell.
Air filled with volatile, has an antibacterial effect, and the aroma of citrus relaxes and improves mood and performance.
Here grow lemons, various types of papaya, bananas, passion fruit, feijoa, oranges, coffee and much more.
The terrier, rabbits, the iguana Drakosha, a big cat and spiders in terrariums live on the territory of the lemonaria.
Employees experiment by crossing different varieties and get new plant species.
On an excursion to the exotic garden, guests are offered to taste some fruits, tell interesting details, and also provide an opportunity to purchase seedlings or fruits that they like.
Green Island
Green Island also attracts the attention of residents and visitors. At one time, he was donated by Peter I to governor Beklemishev, when the king saw him from the height of the Falcon Mountain.
During the war, this green piece of land served the revolutionaries who organized secret meetings there. And at the present time, it provides the work of yacht clubs, boat stations, recreation centers, etc.
Citizens like to relax on well-maintained beaches with clean sand or to retire in the wild to relax from the bustle of the city. Green Island can definitely be called one of the most beautiful places in Saratov.
Automobile bridge
Saratov bridge is considered the main attraction of the city. The construction connecting the cities of Saratov and Engels is almost 3 km long.
The 53-year-old bridge underwent reconstruction, completed in 2014. The opening ceremony was no less celebratory than the first, which took place in the 60s of the last century.
Three lines for transport and two pedestrian paths were laid along the bridge. Previously, to reach the middle of the bridge on foot and find yourself on the beach of Pokrovsky Sands, you had to go a long way. But now the Saratov-Engels bus takes tourists directly to the stairs leading to the beach.
Especially beautiful is the view of the bridge and from the bridge at night, when the lights come on. It offers a magnificent view of both cities and the mighty Volga.
Religious sites
Before the famous October Revolution in the Saratov region, there were almost five dozen temples, many of which were destroyed after the end of the revolution.
Temples of the Christian religion, mosques for Muslims and synagogues for Jews have been erected in Saratov.
The Church “Satisfy My Sorrows” got its name thanks to the image of the Mother of God on the icon “Satisfy My Sorrows”.
The temple was built in 1902, but then changed its purpose to the center "House of Mother and Child", and later to the planetarium. After restoration in 2008, the diocese was again returned.
Today it is a very beautiful building, with twisted multi-colored domes that make the temple look like St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. Under the colorful bulbs are scattered many small arches, like a fish scale.
This spectacular building is popular with residents and tourists.
The mosque for the Muslim community is located on Tatarskaya Street. The building of the mosque was built in red and white with green domes and decorated with a minaret 46 meters high.
Holy Trinity Cathedral - one of the oldest buildings in the Volga region - is located next to the promenade. Several times the church was destroyed, but then rebuilt again. Now this is the main architectural condition of the city.
Sculptures and monuments
“There are So Many Golden Lights” - a song that has become almost the anthem of Saratov. The figure of a young man under the watch, who froze with a bunch of flowers in his hands in anticipation of his beloved girl, is dedicated to her.
Also on Kirova Avenue you can see the stone accordion in the hands of a seated man.
At the entrance to the University of Economics, a student sat down, buried in a book on his lap. Among students there is a belief that if you rub his knee or forehead, then success in the exams is guaranteed.
Also popular among tourists are the monument "Heart of the province" and a monument to students.
Beautiful places of Saratov
Saratov Park "Lipki" is considered one of the most beautiful places in the city. It began with the planting of linden seedlings around the cathedral. But then it was equipped with lamps and benches.
Today the park is filled with fountains, gazebos, a playground, sculptures and monuments. A variety of shrubs and trees make the park very beautiful at any time of the year.
Lipki is one of the most beautiful places in Saratov for photo shoots.
The embankment of the astronauts offers a wonderful view of Mother Volga and the bridge. Walking along the promenade, you can meet newlyweds who tie, as a sign of eternal love, ribbons on a monument to lovers. And also you can see the monument dedicated to Y. Gagarin.
Park of culture and rest "Lukomorye"
You can’t see Saratov, sights, beautiful places, click a photo and take a memorable selfie if you haven’t visited Lukomorye Park.
This is a whole fairy tale for children and adults. The park has many attractions, carousels, playgrounds for children. Fairy-tale objects in the form of a hut, a stone with a mermaid, a tree with a crow, a bear attract small guests.
Low fences made of wooden beams, ponds and perennial oaks make the park one of the most beautiful places in Saratov.
Circus them. Nikitins brothers
City guests are recommended to visit the Saratov circus with a fountain at the entrance. Besides the fact that the building is a cultural heritage monument, fascinating performances are held there, which are loved by both children and adults.
Such famous clowns as Pencil and Oleg Popov, as well as the Zapashny brothers - Walter, Igor and Mstislav, made their debut here. Visitors often amaze and delight visiting stars. And in 2016, the international festival “Princess of the Circus” was held, in which girls from a dozen foreign countries participated.
Tourists reviews
Reviews of tourists are full of laudatory praises in honor of Saratov. All as one celebrates the magnificent view from the bridge to the Volga and the view from the boat trip to the bridge and the river.
They also praise the clean embankment, where you can walk for hours, take pictures, relax on benches with a view of the Volga.
Many are advised to visit such cultural places as:
- Ethnographical museum.
- Radischevsky Museum.
- Museum of Local Lore.
- Gagarin Museum.
- Museum of Military Glory.
- Einstein Museum of Entertaining Sciences.
Tourists also note the cleanliness and grooming of Saratov, that here you can have a great rest with children, since there are many entertainment venues for them.
The city is also loved by students who consider it necessary to visit the monument to the student, see educational institutions and see the monument dedicated to the first teacher.
Beautiful places in Saratov, photos of which are posted above, can be seen in the parks and in the city, especially on the main street. Avenue of Kirov attracts all tourists and citizens with its old look.
It is certainly worth a visit to the museum-estate of N. G. Chernyshevsky and the Opera and Ballet Theater.
The general opinion of tourists is that Saratov is a warm, cozy, beautiful and sincere city, with magnificent architecture and unique energy.