If you are interested in exploring Russia away

If you are interested in exploring Russia away from popular Moscow or St Petersburg, you made the right decision to visit Saratov with its location on the Volga River, interesting history, well-known city center and landmarks.

Welcome to Saratov city!

According to one of the versions the name of the town originates from the combination of the Tatar. Mongolian words «sary» ( «yellow» ) and «tau» ( «mountain» ). This could be the name of Sokolovaya Mountain, yellow by color. The official date of the town's foundation is 2 July, 1590.

Let’s start our journey from the Embankment to enjoy the fantastic view of the wide Volga river. Naberezhnaya Kosmonavtov is a very beautiful and famous place in Saratov.

The main feature of Saratov has always been Volga, the longest river in Europe. Saratov stretches along its right bank. Thanks to the river in 18 -19 centuries Saratov was a great trade city. You will see it and feel in our architecture. Every night the water's smooth surface reflects hundreds of street lights.

Locals and visitors often associate the pretty scene with a line of a song by Kirill Molchanov that goes, "There are plenty of golden lights on the Saratov streets" (Ogney tak mnogo zolotykh na ulitsakh Saratova) — never mind the fact that the song is about love, not Saratov. The golden lights, lit by local energy companies, gives a festive feel to the city center.

Saratov is also famous for its bridge across the Volga River. It was built in 1965 and was the longest bridge in the Soviet Union. Its length is 2, 825. 8 meters (9, 271 ft). Last year it was repaired. There is a new bridge, which was built 7 years ago at the village of Pristannoye, 14 kilometers upstream from here.

Let’s stop near with the entrance to Lipki Park, a favorite leisure spot for locals. Despite being named for the linden tree, the park is planted with many different kinds of trees and bushes.

Now look behind please! You should pay your attention to our famous Conservatory. It was founded in 1912, and was the first provincial conservatory to be founded in Russia, after St Petersburg Conservatory and Moscow Conservatory. Saratov was, at the time, Russia's third city. Since 1935 the Conservatory has taken the honorary name of the tenor Leonid Sobinov.

Now let’s go to the pedestrian street Prospekt Kirova, where you can admire the architecture of old merchant houses. Here you can see Uriev’s commercial apartment building. This cultural site was built in 1880.

On the corner of Volskaya Str. and Prospekt Kirova, there is the oldest book shop in Saratov “Dom Knigi”, it has an English language section and is also a good spot to pick up postcards, maps and souvenirs such as books of old postcard views of Saratov.

Every building and every square bears microcosms of a wonderful past. People who visit Saratov feel the spirit of the great Russian history.

An early 20 th-century market located near the Oduvanchik (Dandelion) fountain. It is situated at the end (on our way) of Kirova street.

Opposite to it you can see Saratov State Circus of Brothers Nikitinykh. Its’ story began in 1873.

On Chapaeva str. you can see The Young Viewer’s Theater features with a rotating list of light-hearted plays. Although described as a “Young Viewer’s theater, " it is mostly visited by adults. This building was built a few years ago.

Saratov is famous for its theatres. Today there are five theatres in Saratov: the Opera House, the Drama Theatre, the Theatre for Young Spectators, The Musical Comedy Theatre and The Puppet Theatre for Children.

And now we are going to visit the Victory Park on Sokolovaya gora. On our way up the Moskovskaya street, I will show you other historical buildings, which are intacted. • Stupin’s commercial apartment building was built at the end of XIX century. (95, Moskovskaya str. )

• Smirnov’s commercial apartment building was built in 1914. (85, Moskovskaya str. )

• Skvortsov’s commercial apartment building was built in 1894. (81, Moskovskaya str. )

• Krasulin’s commercial apartment building was built in 1870. (On the corner of Chapaeva str. and Moskovskaya str. )

• Karina’s commercial apartment building was built in 1847. (45, Moskovskaya str. ) That’s not all, but we can spend the whole day learning about historical buildings in Saratov. Let’s continue our tour in the Victory park.

The strategic Sokolovaya Gora (Sokolov mountain), overlooking the city and the river bending around it, is a popular getaway for Saratovians. The main attraction here is the Victory Park and its lanes packed with military hardware.

• The "Cranes“ Memorial is one of the symbols of our city. The memorial commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. The cranes are symbolizing the souls of the fallen. The road towards the memorial is divided in 5 steps with each step symbolizing a war year. The pillar is 40 meters high.

• Let’s go upstairs! From here you can see the bridge, the central part of the city, and the tops of the churches.

The main park lane eventually leads you into the Ethnic Village with houses representing numerous ethnic groups that inhabit Saratov region.

Let’s finish our tour in Gorodskoy Park (81 Ulitsa Chernyshevskogo). It is a good place to walk around, feed squirrels and meditate. The leafy retreat resembles a museum of unique dendrology; some of the trees were planted more than 180 years ago. You can walk around the park, relax, ride on a merry-go-round and take wonderful photos!

• Alexander Griboedov immortalized Saratov with a single line in his comedy, "The Woes of Wit. “ • One of the main characters, the Muscovite Famusov, pronounced this curse on his daughter — and Saratov — when he decided to send her packing there: "To the village, to your auntie, to the backwater, to Saratov!" (V derevnyu, k tetke, v glush, v Saratov). • Even now as a modern and industrial city, Saratov has failed to disassociate itself from this label — or the feeling of being "provincial" or "a big village. " • Saratov waxes nostalgic for its days of wealthy merchants and manufacturers, and manages to hang onto its 19 thcentury charm with its pompous mansions, outstanding theaters and museums and numerous churches on the banks of the expansive Volga River.

Saratov region is a very interesting place to travel. I want to advise you to go to many places, when you have time…. • The first place is located about 16 km away from Engels city where the first spaceman Yury Gagarin landed;

Then, Uvek is remnants of an ancient city, a large center of the Golden Horde - to the south of the city. Every year in September our government organizes historical stage show in Uvek.

• Saratov’s moderate continental climate determines a great variety of natural landscapes. Saratov Region contains zoological reserves and the state nature park Khvalynsky. The most impressive natural sight is Saratov Chine, which is connected with many legends.

I also like Razin's rock (cliff). This rock is situated on the bank of the river Volga and on the border of Saratov and Volgograd regions. Its height is 35 meters. This is one of the widest places of Volga. Razin's rock is a mystical place. A lot of people see mirages, phantoms and hear strange sounds over there.

Thank you for you attention! • You are welcome to Saratov city anytime! Ole sya Nikitenko