Volgograd

Volgograd is a world-known hero-city. It was founded as a fortress on the left bank of the Volga in 1589 and was called Tsaritsin. Later on the fortress was destroyed and a new city was built on the right bank of the Volga. In 1925 it was renamed Stalingrad and since 1961 — Volgograd, that is the city on the Volga.

The city has become famous for the heroic defenсe which lasted 200 days and nights. When the Battle of Stalingrad was over (on the 2nd of January, 1943) nothing was left here but the ruins and it was called “a city without address".

Many historic places remind us of hard war days — the famous “Pavlov House" which was defended by 24 defenders for 58 days. Not far from there there is a mill which was destroyed during the war.

The Mamayev Hill is another historical place in Volgograd. It is known for its most heavy battles. Much blood had been shed there during the unheard - of 135-day battle for the strategic height. Now the Mamayev Mound is crowned with the majestic monument to the heroes of the Stalingrad battle.

The Pantheon impresses everybody. The names of the heroes who fought in the great battle are inscribed in gold on numerous plaques, and in the Hall of Combat Glory you will see portraits of those who performed the most spectacular feats. In the centre of the hall there burns the eternal flame. The sculpture “Mother in Grief”, 12 meters high, towers over the Pantheon. The whole ensemble is crowned with the sculpture "Motherland", 52 meters high, striking for its tremendous size.

There are many museums in Volgograd. The Volgograd State Museum of Defence is a place of great interest. Its displays are illustrative of the heroic struggle waged by the whole nation and by the people of Volgograd in the years of the Civil War and the Great Patriotic War. There are many interesting exhibits, documents, drawings, photographs and portraits in the halls of the museum. In one of the halls you will also see the gifts from many cities of the world to Volgograd as a token of respect for its staunchness and invincibility, including the "Victory" statue from the Czechoslovak people, a sword from King George the Sixth of Britain, a message from US President Franklin D.Roosevelt and other relics.

The Volga Hydroelectric Power Station is situated in the northern part of the city. From there one can go on an excursion to Volzhskiy, a sputnik-town of builders, power engineers and chemical workers. Also associated with Volgograd is another structure – the Volga-Don Canal built in 1952. The Canal, 101 kilometres long, has 13 locks. Besides being a major waterway, it is an excellent work of architecture framed in luxuriant greenery. One can take a 35-km Volga trip to the Canal by a motor launch: you will see the Volga in all its serene beauty, watch ships passing through the locks and finally speed down the Canal.

Now Volgograd is a city of high buildings, wide streets and squares. It is situated in the south-east of the European part of our country. The territory of Volgograd is 80 km along the Volga. Its population is more than 1 mln people.

Volgograd is one of the largest centres of industry of Russia. Many factories and plants have been built here after the 2nd World War. The Tractor plant and the Red October plant are the greatest. Industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, steel and aluminium production, manufacture of machinery and vehicles, and chemical production. A large Volgograd Hydroelectric Plant stands a short distance to the north of Volgograd.

Volgograders like their city which is rich in sights. In the centre of the city one can see the Fallen Fighters' Square. In the public garden on the square there is a common grave crowned with an external grave and an obelisk. Lying under the granite slabs are the remains of those who had given their lives for the Homeland, for the happiness of all people on Earth. There are always fresh flowers and wreaths laid by tourists and visitors from various cities and countries on the grave.

The Square of Fallen Heroes is crossed by Peace Street, lined with scores of monumental buildings. The street stretches as far as the Planetarium, a gift to the city from German people. A broad Alley of Heroes leads from the Square of Fallen Heroes to the Volga. The Volga embankment is the Volgograders' favourite promenade with its beds of flowers, a broad granite stairway, monumental columns and emerald green slopes. From the embankment there opens a fine view of the Volga, the biggest river of Europe. One can also see a breathtaking panorama of the opposite bank of the Volga.

The city's longest thoroughfare is Lenin Prospect. It runs through the entire length of the city. Actually it connects the entire city. The central thoroughfare crosses Lenin Square.

People who come to Volgograd enjoy seeing the New Experimental Theatre, the Central Department Store where Paulus and his staff were captured in 1943, the Planetarium, the Panorama "The Battle of Stalingrad" and the Embankment. Next to the Central Department Store there is the Eternal Fire to the defenders of Stalingrad.

Volgograd is one of the biggest cultural and scientific centers of Russia. The city boasts of the professional drama theatre, a music comedy theatre, a puppet theatre, a circus, a Palace of sports, a Symphony orchestra, a Philharmonic society, a Fine Arts Museum, a television centre, many clubs, cinemas, libraries, stadiums, sports grounds, Palaces of Culture, many higher schools, and other cultural institutions in Volgograd.

The city is growing greatly day by day. The people of Volgograd accord their guests cordial hospitality and readily tell them all about the city. The hero-city Volgograd with its famous history calls for peace.