Saratov is one of the most interesting merchant cities of the Volga region with a well-preserved historical center. Mansions, mansions and tenement houses of the 18th-19th centuries, old churches, a market in the Art Nouveau style and a mill in the Gothic style - all this can be seen in Saratov. The main central and historical streets of the city with many cultural and architectural monuments are Moskovskaya, Volzhskaya, Kirov Avenue, Museum and Teatralnaya squares.
On Sokolovaya Gora there is a large Victory Park with many objects dedicated to wartime - the Museum of Military and Labor Glory, the Cranes Memorial. The Limonarium and the National Ethnographic Park are located here. You can view the surroundings from a height from the observation deck. One of the city's main parks, the Conquerors of Space, is dedicated to Gagarin, who graduated from a technical school in Saratov, went to the local flying club.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best attractions of Saratov. He will help you plan routes and choose excursions to explore the top places of the city and its environs in 2-3 days.
Memorial complex "Cranes"
The memorial complex, which has become one of the main symbols of Saratov, is located on Sokolovaya Gora. The man-made hill is 100 meters high. The 40-meter pylons mounted on it with a wedge of silver cranes can be seen from a distance of 20 km. The monument dedicated to the Saratov people who died in the war years was designed by I. Yu. Menyakin. The image of the monument is inspired by the song "Cranes" by the poet Rasul Gamzatov.
Read about all the top places in the region: The best sights of the Saratov region.
Cosmonauts embankment
The length of the pedestrian zone near the water is 1.5 km. The main section of the embankment from Obukhovsky to Babushkin's import consists of several tiers - a walking alley, an area with beautiful landscaping, a boulevard with trees and shrubs. There are many interesting objects on the embankment and the streets adjacent to it - the Monument to Lovers, the Gagarin Monument, the Rotunda, the Fedin Monument, the river station.
Saratov bridge
Automobile bridge laid across the Volgograd reservoir and connecting two cities - Engels and Saratov. It is one of the main historical and architectural sights of the entire Volga region. The length of the bridge is 2825.5 meters, and in 1965, at the time of its opening, it was the longest bridge in Europe. It has an arched structure with bird spans. The bridge is held on 39 supports. In the dark, it is beautifully illuminated with backlighting.
Kirov Avenue
The central street of the city, which is pedestrianized along its entire length of 1000 meters. Local residents call it "Saratov Arbat". And tourists will like a large number of restaurants and cafes, souvenir shops, performances by street musicians. Many interesting buildings have been preserved on the avenue - the conservatory of 1902, the Catholic cathedral of 1880, apartment buildings and residential buildings of the 19th century.
Volzhskaya street
Perfectly complements the Kirov pedestrian avenue. Volzhskaya Street was built up in the middle of the 19th century; you can see historical buildings on it. Most of the pre-revolutionary houses are an architectural monument. The most striking building on the Volzhskaya is a chapel in the style of medieval Russia "Satisfy my sorrows". The mansion of Beklemishev with an openwork design, the modern mansion of the Anosovs of 1901 is of interest.
Art Museum named after Radishchev
One of the most important museums in the province is located on Teatralnaya Square. It was opened on the initiative of Radishchev's grandson - Bogolyubov in 1885. The museum's collection contains over 30,000 pieces of art. Russian painting of the XIX-XX centuries is represented by paintings by Vrubel, Serov, Korovin, avant-garde - by paintings by Malevich, Chagall, Kandinsky. The collection of church icons of the 15th-20th centuries and church utensils are especially valuable.
Observation deck in Victory Park
Reconstructed in 2019, since then it has been a popular scenic spot among residents and guests of the city. Wooden benches are located under a metal structure in the form of wings. There are also open benches on the site. The main advantage of the observation deck is the mesmerizing river landscapes of the Volga opening from it, views of the central part of Saratov, Engels on the opposite bank and the highway between them.
Theatre square
The central square of the city, formed in 1812. Its thorough improvement began in the 1950s. A monument was erected at the Mass grave, and later the Eternal Flame was lit. The square with the monument to Lenin was broken. The architectural ensemble of the square is made up of the buildings of the Opera and Ballet Theater, the Scientific Library, the Art Museum. Radishchev, chapel. Monuments to Oleg Tabakov and a sculpture of the Heart of the province have been erected.
Saratov Circus named after Nikitin brothers
One of the favorite places for spending leisure time among Saratov residents. All-Russian and international festivals and charity events are often held in the circus arena. The circus in Saratov was founded in 1873 by the Nikitin brothers. In 1931, a stone building was built for him on Chapaev Street, in which the circus is still located. Such celebrities as the Zapashny dynasty, the Popov and Rumyantsev clowns grew up within its walls.
City Beach
Located on the artificial island of Pokrovskie sands. It was erected during the construction of a bridge between Saratov and Engels. It offers picturesque views of the Volga. Access to the beach is only possible during the day, and the stairs to the island are closed at night. The beach is equipped with playgrounds for active sports recreation, there are fountains with clean water, changing cabins. From the Engels side, the entrance to the water is shallower.
Fountain "Heart of the Volga"
The floating light and music fountain is one of the most spectacular sights of the city according to many tourists. Multi-jet fountain. The height of the central stream reaches 60 meters, the inclined ones - 14 meters. It is installed on a pontoon 40 meters from the embankment. The fountain opened in 2017 and since then, every evening in the warm season, dozens of spectators have gathered to appreciate the magnificent water show.
Moscow street
The central highway of the city is about 5 km long. Since the 18th century it has been considered one of the most prestigious for living. To this day, many luxurious merchant mansions of the 19th century have been preserved on it. The most significant and valuable were awarded the status of an architectural monument. Modern shopping centers have been built - Maria, MIR, Archipelago. Monuments to Chernyshevsky, Kirov, the Three Fish fountain have been erected.
Saratov Limonarium
It grows not only lemons, but also more than 50 other types of exotic plants of tropical flora - passion fruit, coffee tree, feijoa. A visit to Limonaria on Sokolovaya Gora not only gives positive emotions, but also improves health. Indoor air is rich in phytoncides, which are secreted by plants. This substance kills bacteria and makes you feel better. There is a shop with unusual plants.
The best parks of Saratov
Among the most popular parks in the city are the Gorky Park, the Lipki Historical Park, and the Victory Park on Sokolovaya Gora. These are quiet green areas where you can take a break from the bustle of the city, walk along the alleys, and relax with your family.
Victory Park
A large park is located on Sokolovaya Gora. It was founded in 1975. There are many objects dedicated to the memory of those killed during the Great Patriotic War. The dominant feature of the park is the Crane Memorial. The Fountain of Tears is located near it. There is an open-air exhibition with wartime equipment. A monument to the Silent Bell and a monument to concentration camp prisoners were erected, and the Alley of Glory was founded.
Gorky City Park
A large recreational area with centuries-old oaks and ponds inhabited by beautiful black swans. The oak forest occupies most of the park, the rest of the territory is reserved for cultural leisure. There is a cafe, an area with attractions, a chess club, a tennis court, sports grounds. There is a rope park and a petting zoo with raccoons, ostriches, foxes. Concert programs are held on the stage.
Park "Lipki"
It is considered the oldest park in Saratov. Founded in 1824. The park is located in the historical center of the city next to the conservatory and the Dynamo stadium. On an area of 4.7 hectares, about 1000 trees and hundreds of shrubs are planted - chestnuts, spruces, pines, maples, bird cherry, lilac, mountain ash. The park is fenced with a wrought-iron fence, the entrances to the park are decorated with openwork gates. Many beautiful flower beds have been broken, attractions and fountains have been installed.
Children's park
Occupies about 6 hectares on Pugacheva Street. This is a cozy green area, where there are many areas for children's leisure - playgrounds, shooting range, go-karting, sports simulators, bike rental, libraries. There is a cafe. In winter, a skating rink with good quality surface is available. Forged benches and antique-styled lanterns are installed in the park alleys. The decoration of the park is the "Camomile" fountain with lighting. The Vladimirsky temple was restored.
Ethno-park "National village of the peoples of the Saratov region"
A unique place is located on Sokolovaya Gora. The ethnographic complex contains ancient living quarters from different regions and other countries. Visitors to the ethno-park will see yurts from Kazakhstan and Bashkiria, a farm from Ukraine, a house of peasants - hrchit, from Armenia, a Mordovian estate - kudo, a Russian hut of the 19th century. Guests are offered national dishes, introduced to the culture of different peoples of the Saratov region.
Monuments and sculptures of Saratov
The streets of the city are decorated with modern sculptures, there are many monuments and monuments dedicated to historical events and personalities.
Sculptural composition "There are so many golden lights"
The monument to the song in bronze is incredibly popular among tourists and loved by the residents of the city. It was installed in 2009 on Kirov Avenue. The monument was made by the sculptor N.V. Bunin. He portrayed as the image of the famous song a young guy with a bouquet of flowers, waiting for his beloved under the clock. Near the monument there is a fountain with a clock, from which every 15 minutes the motive of the song of the same name is heard.
Recommended: The most interesting monuments of Saratov.
Monument to the Saratov accordion
Located on Kirov Avenue next to the Pioner cinema. The author is a local sculptor V. Palmin. He sculpted an accordion player sitting on a bench under a lantern. The height of the monument is 3 m 40 cm, while its weight is 750 kg. The bronze sculpture was made in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow. The opening of the monument, timed to the City Day, was attended by the governor of Saratov, folklore ensembles and accordionists.
Monument to N.G. Chernyshevsky
Installed on the site of the monument to Alexander II on Chernyshevskaya Square, formerly Novosobornaya. Initially, in 1918, only a bust of Chernyshevsky was installed. The material from which the sculptor Dunduk made the bust turned out to be short-lived. A new monument appeared in its place in 1953. The model of the monument was shown to Stalin, and he gave the order to cut Chernyshevsky's long hair. However, the sculpture was cast anyway with long hair.
Monument to P.A.Stolypin
Before becoming the country's prime minister, Stolypin was the governor of Saratov and carried out many regional reforms. On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of his birthday, the people of Saratov decided to perpetuate the memory of the famous fellow countryman-reformer and erect a monument to him. The sculpture was placed near the building of the City Duma, surrounded by beautiful flower beds. The authors of the monument are V. Klykov and V. Talkov. The height of the bronze figure is 3.5 meters.
Monument to the first teacher
Previously, it was part of the monument to Alexander II, erected on Novosobornaya Square at the entrance to Lipka's garden in 1911. The monument, created before the revolution, is considered by many to be the oldest monument in Saratov. The image of a teacher and student symbolizes the people's education reform. The author of the monument is the sculptor S.M. Volnukhin. Now the monument is located in the park near the building of the Ministry of Education.
Churches and temples of Saratov
The main religious buildings of the city, besides being a place of religious life, delight with their beautiful architecture.
Church "Soothe My Sorrows"
Orthodox Church in the center of Saratov. It is executed in an elegant Russian style and is undoubtedly an adornment of the city and its iconic architectural heritage. It was built in 1904-1906. In Soviet times, the church building survived due to the fact that a planetarium was placed in it. The temple was returned to the diocese in 1990. During the restoration, the church received a new iconostasis in the Old Russian style.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Founded in 1674. The consecration of the temple took place in 1695. It was built in a baroque style, which is rare for Saratov. For several centuries, the temple was rebuilt several times, completed, restored after the fires. At the same time, its modern appearance is close to the original. During the last restoration in 2004, elements of decoration were restored - platbands, cornices, gilded domes, restored old frames.
Church of the Intercession
Built in 1876-1883. The Orthodox Church was built according to the project of the architect A.M. Salko. In Soviet times, all the property of the temple was nationalized. The bell tower was damaged, which was completely demolished by an explosion in 1931. They tried to blow up the temple itself, but the building survived, but the ancient painting of the temple was lost. The bell tower was restored only in 2004. Its total height with the spire is 44 meters.
Main theaters of Saratov
In Saratov, you can visit theaters, there are several of them. Among the famous concert venues - the Sobinov Conservatory, there is an unusual trick theater, the Saratov Youth Theater is one of the best in the country.
Saratov Sobinov Conservatory
It was opened in 1912 and became the third higher musical educational institution in the country. Located on Kirov Avenue. The building of the conservatory in the Gothic style was erected in 1902 and is one of the architectural dominants of the city. Its large hall is considered one of the most beautiful halls in Russia. Other halls have excellent acoustics - Small and Concert. The conservatory collectives give about 300 concerts a year.
Opera and Ballet Theatre
The history of the theater begins in the 19th century with the staging of classical masterpieces of world operas and ballet. Currently, modern, experimental performances have appeared in the repertoire. There are several performances for young audiences. The Sobinovsky music festival is held annually. The main stage of the theater is located in a historic building with columns on Teatralnaya Square. The new stage is on the street 50 years of October.
I. Slonov Drama Theater
Founded at the beginning of the 19th century by the merchant Shekhtel. He built a wooden theater with a stage and stage. Now in the same place there is a public garden with a modern theater building. The traditions established in the theater two hundred years ago are still revered by artists. On the stage of the Saratov Drama Theater, actors popular in the country played - Savina, Kachalov, Komissarzhevskaya. The basis of the repertoire is dramatic classics. They conduct backstage tours.
Theater of magic and tricks "Scooter"
Professional theater of tricks and illusions. Unique performances for children and adults are staged here. The founder of the theater, Sergei Shchukin, was trained by the best illusionists in America, including the famous David Copperfield. The theater has been operating since 1987. About 150 "magic" performances are shown to the audience every year. Each season, viewers are delighted with premieres of two new performances.
Theater for Young Spectators named after Yu.P. Kiselev
Founded in 1918. In 2011, he entered the top ten Russian provincial theaters according to Forbes magazine.In the same year, the theater received a new building, which the next year suffered from a severe fire. The theater has received various awards for its original and highly professional performances. The Youth Theater often participates in international and all-Russian festivals.
The best museums in Saratov
The most interesting museums to visit.
Saratov Regional Museum of Local Lore
The main branch of the museum is located on Lermontov Street. Founded in 1886 and three years later, there were 144 items in its collection. Now the funds of the museum store more than 400,000 exhibits of different directions - archeology, entomology, paleontology, ethnography, numismatics. A large collection of old printed books, ancient religious objects, materials from the cultural and political life of Saratov has been collected.
State Museum of K. Fedin
Located in an 18th century mansion with the status of an architectural monument. Previously, the Sretensky School was located here, in which the writer Fedin studied for several years. The museum was opened in 1981 and now its collections include about 60,000 exhibits. Collected objects of painting, books, periodicals, manuscripts tell about the history of literature in the XX century. The main attention of the expositions is paid to the works of K. Fedin.
Museum-Estate of N. Chernyshevsky
The writer lived in this estate on Chernyshevsky Street for about 20 years. Now it is one of the most visited museums in the city. The museum includes the main house, two outbuildings and the Pypin house. The total area of all exhibition spaces is 581 m². The exhibitions are dedicated to different stages of Chernyshevsky's life, his work, the personality of his wife. A separate exhibition features paintings by the patriotic artist Fomichev.
House-Museum of Pavel Kuznetsov
In this house at the intersection of Valovaya and Oktyabrskaya streets, the artist Kuznetsov lived and worked from his birth. The building of 1870 was awarded the status of a cultural heritage site; the museum was opened in 2001. The interiors of the 19th century have been recreated. Exhibitions acquaint visitors with the work of Kuznetsov. His relatives donated to the museum about 300 works by Kuznetsov himself, as well as about 100 paintings by his wife.
Saratov Ethnographic Museum
Located in an old house on Ulyanovskaya Street, where Lenin's mother and sister lived in 1911-1912. Permanent exhibitions of the museum acquaint visitors with the culture of the peoples of the Saratov region and with the life of the townspeople. National clothes, tools, household items of such peoples as Chuvash, Bashkir, Tatars, Kalmyks, Russians, Mordovians are exhibited. The guides conduct theatrical activities, and the tea parties are settled.
House-Museum of V.E.Borisov-Musatov
Residential building in which the painter Borisov-Musatov spent most of his life. The house itself, buildings around it, a small garden often appeared in his paintings. The museum's collections contain many personal belongings of the artist, his archival documents, and printed publications. The house built in the 1890s was recently restored. Now it houses permanent exhibitions, organizes creative and theatrical evenings.
Museum of Military and Labor Glory
Located on Sokolovaya Gora. Between the spruce and pine trees, in the open air, there is a wartime technique. Visitors will see legendary models of tanks, artillery pieces, airplanes, helicopters, an armored train and a combat boat. In total, about 200 samples of military equipment are presented. Agricultural machinery is also on display - tractors, grain harvesters. 11 volumes of the Book of Memory are kept in the halls of the museum.
Architectural landmarks of Saratov
There are many beautiful buildings and structures in Saratov - monuments of civil architecture. Historic houses coexist with modern buildings.
Ensemble of the Museum Square
Founded in 1674 under the name Living Square. It is the oldest square in Saratov, and the oldest building in the city, the Holy Trinity Cathedral, is located on it. The architectural ensemble of the square has been forming for several hundred years. Gradually, the buildings of the theological seminary, the city school, the mansions of Ustinov, Chirikhina, Leopoldov, and the administration of the Ryazan-Ural railway appeared on it.
House of P. Nikitin
Located at the intersection of Kirov Avenue with Volskaya Street. The mansion was built in 1890. Nikitin himself lived on its second floor with his family, the first floor was occupied by shops, restaurants, pharmacies, pawnshops. The luxurious mansion stood out among other buildings with an elegant facade with intricate bas-reliefs. The original caryatids adorning the entrance have survived to this day. A turret was erected at the corner of the house.
Indoor market
It occupies a whole block on Chapaeva Street. Built in 1916. Architect V.A. Before creating the project, Lyukshin traveled to several large cities and examined the markets in them in order to build a building ideal for conducting trade. The building itself looks light and expressive. Daylight enters through the glass dome. The Art Nouveau style, in which the building is made, perfectly suited the general architectural appearance of the city.
Small Schmidt Mill
In 1883, the Schmidt brothers built two mills - a large and a small one. Small has survived to this day, it is located on Chernyshevsky Street. Architect Alexei Salko gave the mill an unusual expressive look for an industrial facility. Many design elements are borrowed from the Gothic style - pointed turrets, weathercocks, spiers, carved pediments.
Tillo's house
Located on Via Sacco and Vanzetti. The merchant's mansion is the only one in Saratov, which is made in the Moorish style. Its facade is decorated with patterns and pentagrams. It originally belonged to the merchant Tyulpin, who built it in the 19th century. Tillo bought the house and rebuilt it, turning it into a striking architectural masterpiece. The elegance of the Arabian style is added by the many beautiful columns in the decoration.
The building of the hotel "Astoria"
Built in 1917, the hotel is located in the city center. The building style is late modern. Architect - S.A. Kallistratov, author of the Saratov Conservatory project. Massive pylons are stretched along the entire height of the austere building with sharp lines of the facade, an open gallery was made on the fourth floor, sculptures of messengers and knights were installed. In 1956 the hotel was renamed from Astoria to Volna.
Where to go from Saratov?
The history of Saratov is connected with the name of the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. In the vicinity of the city, there is a beautiful memorial and a park where the astronaut landed after his first flight.
Park of the Conquerors of Space named after Yuri Gagarin
It is located at the landing site of Gagarin's Vostok-1 spacecraft, 16 km from the city of Engels, 40 km from Saratov. The historical and educational memorial complex was opened in 2021 with the support of V.V. Putin. There is a memorial at the landing site of the capsule, which can be viewed from the observation deck. The route "108 minutes" was laid with a transcript of Gagarin's negotiations with the Earth, a cedar forest was planted, the Wall of Glory was installed.
