Theater Square of Saratov is located in the north-eastern part of the city. It is one of the most favorite vacation spots for citizens and guests of the city. Saratov Square, its history and interesting facts will be described in the article.
History of the square
The Theater Square of Saratov until 1812 was called “Khlebnaya Square”. At the beginning of the 19th century, she changed it to Torgovaya, and from 1920 began to bear the name Ploshchad Revolyutsii. In 1991, she was given the name "Theater Square". It is believed that the place is located in the city center due to the fact that it is located at the intersection of important central streets. Its area is about 65 thousand m 2 .
It houses various buildings, monuments and square. The following streets pass through the square:
- Radishchev;
- Moscow;
- May Day;
- M. Gorky;
- Big Cossack;
- Kiseleva.
In the area of the square, the borders of several urban areas intersect: Frunzensky, Kirovsky and Volzhsky.
The appearance of the square
Theater Square Saratov appeared in the city in 1812. After a severe fire that occurred in 1811, which destroyed a huge part of the city, it was decided to change the appearance of the area. This square has become one of three new retail locations along with Kirovskaya (formerly Drovyanaya) and Sennaya.
An interesting fact, but initially the Theater Square was two times larger in size than now. However, it was gradually built up by numerous shopping galleries on two floors, and therefore the territory was noticeably reduced.
The first floors of the galleries were occupied by various shops where various goods were sold, and on the second floors there were offices of merchants. A similar device was characteristic of shopping galleries in all cities of the Russian Empire.
The appearance of the name. Development
Saratov Square acquired its current name thanks to the theater, the building of which was erected from wood in 1815. A stone structure was built half a century later. An interesting fact is that in front of the theater in 1885 the first public art museum in the country was opened.
By the end of the 19th century, 3/4 of the area was already completely built up with galleries, a guest yard, a public audience, banks and a stock exchange appeared. All these buildings seemed to surround the square, making it smaller than it was at the beginning of the century.
Here was the Peter and Paul Church, as well as the chapel of Alexander Nevsky and Iverskaya. As mentioned above, before the square was called Theater Square, it was officially called Torgovaya. However, in a conversation she was called the Upper Market, or Rows.
Area in the 20th century
In the 20th century, the area began to be actively built up again. New administrative and educational buildings, institutions appeared. Some old buildings have been dismantled. A new research institute was built on the site of the Peter and Paul Church.
In the early 60s, the square, which is located between the museum and the theater, was completely reconstructed. Today, there are several monuments: Fighters of the revolution, Lenin, Stolypin, Radishchev, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who died in the line of duty, and the so-called "Heart of the province."
The square has the status of a city attraction, and here quite often you can meet guides with tourists conducting sightseeing tours. Newlyweds come to lay flowers at the monuments and take pictures on their background. This has become a kind of obligatory ritual.
Graduation at the Theater Square of Saratov takes place every year in late May or early June. Thousands of graduates mark the end of their studies at school. The celebration of this event at Theater Square has become a good tradition that has been observed for several decades.
Arriving in Saratov, you must definitely get to this square. In addition to visiting the art museum and theater, here you can feel the unusual atmosphere of a magnificent city.