Saratov is located on the right bank of one of the most beautiful and deep-flowing rivers in Russia called the Volga. The city stretches for 34 km along the western bank of the Volgograd Reservoir and is one of the largest river ports in the country. Due to its location, the city and its surroundings contain many natural attractions that are worth seeing while traveling through the Volga settlements.
Characteristics of the nature of the Saratov region
A characteristic feature of the Saratov region is that it is the only region in all of Russia that combines forest-steppe, steppe and desert zones.
Starting from the northern part of the Saratov region, there are oak forests, steppes, mixed forest cover and even deserts. All this splendor of natural diversity continues for 200 km to the south of the region. The mixed flora and fauna of the European and Asian parts of the continent gives this region its unique charm. 400 of the 1,700 plant species growing on the fertile soils of the Saratov region are listed in the Red Book. Thanks to this diversity, the region boasts 70 species of mammals and more than 250 subspecies of birds.
Due to its difficult geological situation, the Saratov region has several natural monuments that are protected at the state level.
Victory Park Saratov
The park is located on Sokolova Gora on the street. Sokolovaya. Its length is limited on one side by a mountain cliff, on the other by a Muslim cemetery.
In the center of the park there is a national village of the peoples of the Saratov region, from which paths among planted trees and shrubs stretch in all directions of the park. Here you can find more than 30 species of different plants: from elm to spruce. On the territory there is a Museum of Military Glory and the Church of Alexander Nevsky. At the street The monument to the Cranes and the Eternal Flame was placed in the cathedral.
The park has a Polygon where you can play paintball and laser tag and a children's playground. The landfill is located 73 meters from the National Village. Also in the summer there are stalls with ice cream, drinks and corn.
Kumysnaya Polyana
Any part of Saratov offers a view of a picturesque meadow, where you can breathe in the fresh forest air, take your mind off the bustle of the city and escape from the scorching summer sun.
The massif itself is located on a hill and in order to get there you will have to climb the mountain. The place itself attracts people with its unusual combination: well-groomed meadows, where there are all conditions for spending a day off, and wild, dense forest thickets.
The glade itself is a forest belt, which is located in the west of Saratov. In 1991, the city authorities created a forest park; different goals were pursued - from preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the region to creating a place for out-of-town events. Kumysnaya Polyana occupies 4417 hectares of territory. Among the “local” population you can find hares, foxes, moose, wild boars and occasionally even roe deer. A wide variety of insects and birds, especially owls. The Saratov Peasant Land Bank carried out reorganization work in the forests of Kumysnaya Polyana and improved the territory at its own expense, having previously developed the surrounding lands with summer cottages. All work was done in the late 90s. After this, through the efforts of local authorities, the reserve is periodically restored as one of the main attractions of the region.
For all vacationers, the reserve has a large selection of natural springs, some of them amaze with their pristine splendor, others have been adapted for picnics. Here is just a small part of what the reserve can boast of:
Raspberry spring; Silver Spring; Tatar spring; spring in Money Ravine
Also, the park boasts mountain peaks that even a beginner can climb: Pioneer Peak - the height at the highest point reaches 10 m; Savelyevsky Mountains - approximate height 85 m;
Bald Mountain - offers a breathtaking view of almost the entire territory of Saratov and part of the great Volga River; The ski slope, so popular among local residents and visiting tourists, is located on Cherry Mountain. Weymouth pines are another feature on the territory of Kumysnaya Polyana. They are located on the way to Andreevsky Ponds. There are 5 pine trees in total, but their distinctive features are their vital parameters - age more than 10 years, height 20-25 meters, smooth gray bark characteristic of pine trees, which turns black over the years. The most distinctive feature is the shape of the crowns - an angular pyramid shape, sharply pointed upward. In addition to everything described, pine cones are unusually elongated - up to 5 cm.
Where you can walk in the city, take photos, location and description of attractions
One of the oldest cities in Russia, called Saratov, has recently turned into the largest regional center of the Volga region. One of the most architecturally interesting cities in the country was noted in the work of A. S. Griboyedov with the words “To the village, to the aunt, to the wilderness, to Saratov.”
Kirov Avenue
The pedestrian zone on the street, renewed in 2022. Kirov in Saratov is located in the very center of the city and is surrounded by ancient mansions.
In Soviet times, Kirova Street was no different from ordinary residential areas; public transport traveled here. People lived in one-story and two-story houses of the old construction. And only at the end of the last century the city administration decided to establish a pedestrian zone on this site.
In 2022, Saratov Arbat was extended all the way to the Central Embankment of the city. The facades of ancient architectural buildings located on Kirov Avenue have been completely restored. On the ground floors there are shops, cafes and restaurants. There are many benches and beautiful lanterns on the street that illuminate the avenue at night.
On Kirov there is a famous monument to the Saratov guy with an accordion, which is a symbol of the city.
In 2022, an updated light and music fountain opened on the avenue, which is pleasant to sit near during the hot season.
Saratov Bridge
The Saratov Bridge was built in 1965, and for a long time was the longest in Europe. The automobile bridge across the Volga was built according to the design of Giprotransmost engineers to connect the right and left banks of the Volga. Also, he is considered a symbol and calling card of the city, and his image adorns postcards and advertising booklets about Saratov.
During the construction of the bridge, the filming of a historical film called “The Bridge is Under Construction” was underway, in which famous actors of that time played, who have become legends today:
- Oleg Efremov;
- Evgeny Evstigneev;
- Oleg Dal;
- Lyudmila Gurchenko;
- Oleg Tabakov.
Thanks to the bridge, Saratov received communication with a satellite city called Engels, and many residents of the municipality were able to travel to Saratov to work. The bridge has a length of 2,825.8 km and is clearly visible from the Volzhsky district of the city , located along the Embankment.
The bridge has an original wave-like shape with many smoothly curving spans. Some of them rise above the rest and serve as passageways for tall river vessels. In the evening, the bridge is illuminated with multi-colored lights and looks great from afar.
City Beach
Approximately in the middle between the cities of Saratov and Engels there is a sand spit called “Pokrovsky Sands”, on which the main beach of the region is located. Visiting the beach and swimming in the Volga is one of the most favorite pastimes of Saratov residents.
You can get there by regularly running water bus or walk across the road bridge. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure. There are toilets and changing rooms, benches and sun loungers. There are lifeguards on the officially approved beach and there is a medical center.
For families with children, there are small slides for sliding into the water and various swings. For the youngest visitors there is a separate area in shallow water. The beach is equipped with football and volleyball fields, and there is a sports equipment rental service.
theatre square
Theater Square in Saratov is located opposite the city administration. It is here that all the main ceremonial events of the region take place, including the military parade in honor of the celebration of the Victory on May 9 and the New Year's festivities.
Every year, in the very center of the square, a New Year tree is installed, an ice town is built, and slides are made for skating on ice skates and cheesecakes.
Between Theater Square and the city administration there is one of the largest monuments in the city with the image of V.I. Lenin.
The square was founded in 1812 during the reign of Alexander I. The name of the square comes from the location of the first wooden theater building on it, next to which mansions were later built to house merchants and wealthy traders.
Currently, many historical buildings adjoin Teatralnaya Square, which represent the architectural landmarks of the region:
| Sight | Date of foundation |
| Radishchev Museum | 1885 |
| Opera and Ballet Theatre | 1875 |
| Merchant Exchange Building | 1890 |
| City Scientific Library | 1898 |
The territory of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and Museum Square
Beautiful places in Saratov and many iconic attractions in its surroundings have made the city the unofficial capital of the Volga region.
The main temple of the city, called the Holy Trinity Cathedral, is located next to the Central Embankment of the city, opposite the Saratov Museum of Local Lore.
The temple building was built between 1689 and 1695 on the site of a burnt wooden church and is considered a historical architectural monument of the region. The main religious cathedral of the region and the entire Lower Volga region was built in the Moscow Baroque style.
In the period from 1936 to 1942, the temple building was used as a storage facility for the funds of the Regional Museum. At the beginning of the 21st century, the cathedral building underwent a large-scale restoration, the facade was updated and unique ancient frescoes were restored. In 2014, the cathedral building was given Cathedral status.
Currently, a Sunday school is open at the church, there is a large library and its own printing house for publishing a newspaper. Pilgrims and tourists from nearby cities constantly come to the cathedral building.
The unique cathedral is located on Museum Square, which is the oldest in the city. At the end of the 17th century, taverns, trading shops and market stalls were located on its territory. The square is located in the historical center of the city and was previously called “Living Room”, after which it was renamed “Cathedral”.
The square received its modern name in 1931. The main architectural ensemble in the open-air museum was formed in the era of classicism.
Gagarin field
Gagarin Field is located outside the city of Saratov, on the Engels side. The local landmark appeared on April 12, 1961 after a spaceship with the first cosmonaut on board, Yuri Gagarin, landed at this place.
According to preliminary calculations, the space capsule was supposed to land in the fields of Kazakhstan, but by coincidence and due to a failure in the capsule’s braking system, Vostok 1 landed near the village of Smelovka, on the collective farm field of the Leninsky Put.
The landing of the capsule on the soil of the Saratov region can be considered symbolic, since Yuri Gagarin studied at the industrial technical school of Saratov and it was here that he first boarded the plane.
Currently, a memorial memorial and a 27-meter obelisk of the taking off rocket have been installed on the Gagarin Field. It exactly replicates a copy of the sculpture dedicated to the “Conquerors of Space” in the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics, but several times smaller.
Next to the memorial there is a monument to Yuri Gagarin, his descent module and 12 steles dedicated to the first cosmonauts. Also, there are monuments to S.P. Korolev and K.E. Tsiolkovsky, and there is a park around them.
Children's park
Children's park located on the street. Pugacheva E.I., was founded in 1936 on the territory of Poltava Square. At the beginning of the last century, there was a church on its territory and a garden was laid out. In 1934, the religious temple was demolished and a football field, a cinema building and a tennis court were built in its place.
Currently, the park has modern infrastructure:
- there are benches for relaxation and a fountain;
- in the evening the park is illuminated with original lanterns.
The park is open to children and teenagers:
- cafe;
- playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment;
- library;
- sports town;
- shooting school;
- tennis court;
- an outdoor football field that turns into a skating rink in winter;
- basketball court.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Vladimir Church was built on the territory of the park.
Observation deck in Victory Park and the Cranes Memorial
Beautiful places in Saratov, which are memorials, are mainly located in the central part of the city: Volzhsky, Kirovsky, Oktyabrsky and Frunzensky districts. The date of foundation of Victory Park on Sokolova Gora is 1975.
It was formed in honor of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Victory over fascism in the war of 1941–1945. and occupies an area of 80 hectares, on which are located:
- Museum of Military Glory;
- more than 200 pieces of military equipment in the open air;
- exhibits from the exhibition on the evolution of fire trucks;
- various models of helicopters and airplanes;
- military "Katyusha" and "Grad";
- agricultural machinery from different eras.
At the highest point of Sokolovaya Mountain there is a 40-meter monument called “Cranes”. On 3 high columns there is a star, which is surrounded by 12 cranes flying towards the west.
The birds represent 12 districts of the Saratov region, from which local residents went to fight at the front. At the foot of the monument there are memorial plaques with the names of those killed and wounded fellow countrymen during the Patriotic War. The monument is visible from anywhere in the city. From the observation deck located around the monument, a magnificent view of the city and the Volga opens.
Cosmonauts Embankment
The central embankment of the city stretches for several kilometers along the Volga, through the territories of the Volzhsky and Zavodsky districts of the city. The exits to the Embankment from the city are wide stone terraces with numerous steps. Many trees are planted throughout the embankment, between which there are alleys with benches for relaxation.
The embankment consists of 3 parallel floors, one above the other. From the lower floor there are several descents to the river, near which pleasure and excursion ships moor.
On the Embankment there are ski trails for:
- rollerblading;
- bicycles;
- hoverboards;
- skateboards.
At a distance of 50 m from the shore in the warm season there is a light and music fountain. On the middle floor of the Embankment there is a rotunda with columns, which is usually visited during wedding events.
National Village of the Peoples of the Saratov Region
Beautiful places in Saratov on the territory of the ethnographic complex, developed and ennobled at the end of the last millennium on Sokolovaya Mountain, have no analogues in the region.
Next to Victory Park there is an interactive open-air museum, which presents traditional exhibits of life, cuisine, everyday life and cultures of different nationalities. Here you can get acquainted with the traditions and customs of representatives of different nationalities and various religious denominations.
Here you can see huts and household items belonging to the following peoples:
- Russian;
- Ukrainians;
- Bashkirs;
- Koreans;
- Kazakhs;
- Georgians;
- Armenians;
- Uzbeks;
- Mordvins;
- Tatars
On the territory of each individual farmstead you can taste your favorite dishes and traditional drinks of different nations.
Lipki Park
The park called “Lipki” is located in the very center of the city, and is adjacent to Kirov Avenue. This is a favorite vacation spot for townspeople, which is a local landmark. The park was founded in 1825 on the initiative of the city authorities and more than 1 linden trees were planted in it. The park is surrounded on all sides by a high wrought-iron fence, the gates of which are locked at night.
There are children's playgrounds throughout the territory, next to which there are fountains. For relaxation, benches and covered gazebos are installed on its territory. Also, in Lipki there is a small zoo, which is home to several species of small animals.
City Park of Culture and Leisure - Alexander Nevsky Chapel
The main entertainment attraction of Saratov is the City Park of Culture and Recreation, founded at the beginning of the 19th century on the site of the estate of the city governor. After the hostilities of 1812, the area around the park was improved by captured Frenchmen. They planted a huge number of oak trees, where squirrels currently live.
The area of 19 hectares was registered as a recreational park in 1935. The most interesting entertainment in it is considered to be visiting various attractions, which include rides on swings, boats or carousels. There is a huge Ferris wheel here, which offers a magnificent view of the entire city.
Throughout the territory, numerous alleys are landscaped, decorated with life-size wooden animal figurines. Wrought iron walkways with carved railings span numerous ponds.
According to local tradition, on the wedding day, you need to hang a small lock on the bridge railing and throw the key into the pond, as a result of this action the marriage will be happy and long.
Also, in the park there are tennis courts, a cafe, a rope course and a petting zoo. The youngest visitors to the park can travel throughout the park on a children's train.
Schmidt Mills
In Saratov there is a historical landmark of the mid-19th century called “Schmidt's Mill”. A beautiful unique building, previously owned by the Schmidt brothers, is located on Chernyshevskaya Street. Previously, there was a mill in this place, which produced several tens of tons of flour per day.
Of all the production premises, the building of the Small Mill, which was erected in the middle of the 19th century, remains intact to this day. It is a red brick building in the Gothic style, decorated with carved pediments, tall spiers and weather vanes. The building is one of the masterpieces of industrial architecture in the Volga region.
Chernyshevsky Estate Museum
On the street named after the famous writer Nikolai Gavrilovich Chernyshevsky, there is a mansion in which the great literary critic and publicist was born and lived for 20 years.
In 1920, a museum of a materialist philosopher was organized in the house; it collected more than 50 thousand exhibits, including:
- the writer's family heirlooms;
- archival documents;
- library books;
- personal belongings of the famous democratic revolutionary.
Saratov is a very hospitable city that gladly welcomes tourists in numerous hotels and guest houses. On its territory there are a huge number of beautiful places and unique attractions that are worth seeing.
In terms of living in the city, according to the country’s general rating of attractiveness and well-being, in 2013 Saratov took 89th place out of a possible 165. This took into account the level of well-being of the city’s citizens, transport infrastructure, affordability of housing and the environmental situation of the city.
Author: Olga Zhanskaya
Serpentine Mountains
The length of the mountains is almost 50 m along the Volga coast. The highest point above the river level is 185 m. The slopes are steep and consist of many ravines and landslides. The wildlife of the Serpentine Mountains is rich in its flora, which includes dozens of rare plant species, most of which are on the verge of extinction.
The animal population consists of wild boars, roe deer, martens, badgers and moose. There is a legend according to which the Serpentine Mountains originated from the body of a huge multi-headed snake, cut in half, which ate village girls every day. The unnamed hero managed to defeat him and the monster’s corpse forever turned into stone, forming a mountain range.
Children's Park in Saratov
The children's park is located between the street. Astrakhan, Sovetskaya, Pugachevskaya and Rabochaya.
This is one of the central parks of Saratov. Its area is 6 hectares. In the center of the park there is a sports ground, from it towards the street. In the working area you can find bike rental and a library for the blind. Towards the street Pugacheva is located the Childhood fountain. At the intersection of the street. Sovetskaya and st. Pugacheva, visitors will see the Church of Prince Vladimir.
On the corner of the street. Rabochaya and st. Pugacheva organized a rope town. Next to it is located library No. 38. On the opposite edge of the park there is an animal enclosure called “Menagerie”.
Pinery
Steppe oasis. An extraordinary natural phenomenon is a pine forest among the steppe plain. An amazing feature of this reserve is the very fact of its existence, in a zone of steppe activity, when there were only sands around, nature suddenly created an incredible contrast with the environment - it moved the Siberian forest to the center of the sands. For all its incredibleness, the pine forest of the Volsky region has pine trees over 100 years old and at least 15 meters in height.
Despite the presence of obvious signs of the natural origin of the boron, there is a legend among residents about the artificial origin of the pine forest. Allegedly, a certain nobleman Kokuev ordered the territory to be planted in the second decade of the 19th century.
Lipki City Garden
The city garden is located opposite the Saratov Conservatory. On the street Radishcheva from st. Volzhskaya to Cathedral Square, on the other side the borders end along the street. Cathedral.
The garden area covers 4.7 hectares. It is completely planted with linden, poplar, chestnut, pine and rowan trees, between which there are asphalt paths. The entire area is illuminated by round lanterns installed at each bench.
The center has a children's playground with a trampoline. There is a library next to it. Throughout the garden you can find points selling ice cream and drinks.
Tract "Mukhin Dol"
It spreads over 1356 hectares and was created in order to preserve the unique natural landscape of the Volga region. This place has exceptional biological diversity and the unique beauty of the surrounding area. It is thanks to its unique charm that the place was opened for eco-tourism. Oak forests, pine forests with a mixture of deciduous species, in which rare Red Book species are found: red pollenhead, thin-leaved peony, etc. Due to its distance from populated areas, Mukhin Dol boasts a large number of animals inhabiting the territory - moose, wild boars, brown hares and common foxes, as well as resident roe deer, which add variety to the color of the forest population. Woodpeckers are the most common bird species. On the territory of the tract, constant winds blow, especially from the north.
Garden named after A.N. Radishcheva
The square is located on Theater Square, in its southwestern part, between the Art Museum. A.N. Radishchev and the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater.
Its area is 2.5 hectares. In general, it is a recreation area with benches and asphalt paths along Theater Square. Opposite the Theater there is a Monument to the Fighters of the 1917 Revolution and the Eternal Flame.
There is a small children's playground next to the monument, and public toilets are located on the border with the square.
Rattlesnake Valley
A valley with open access and a wide pond called the Rattled Valley is located in the Volsky region. Gremyachiy Log - this was the name of this place in the old days, which is confirmed by many maps of that time. Such a sonorous name appeared thanks to real natural sounds, due to the fact that every stream and spring thunders in the valley with its unique sound. But since most of the streams and rivers either dried up or were blocked by dams, Rattlesnake Valley has lost its uniqueness. And people are attracted only by its vegetation, which grows in abundance throughout the entire territory. Tall trees, with dense crowns and dense foliage. In Gremuchy Dole, pine trees grow, both very old and younger.
On dark nights and early mornings, elk and roe deer come to the pond to drink water, even wild boars, rare guests of these places, occasionally look into the valley, coming from the wild forests. The reserve is inhabited by a diverse number of insects; butterflies alone are here in countless numbers and in the most unimaginable colors. And several species of ducks that inhabit the pond every season for breeding are wonderful and wild masters of the sparkling surface of the pond.
Square on Teatralnaya Square.
The park area is located along Teatralnaya Square from the street. Moscow.
It represents the artistic design of the square and decoration in front of the Lenin monument.
The square area is no more than 1 hectare. The tree species represented in the design of the green space are mainly spherical topiary poplars and blue spruce. The park is intended for short-term recreation.
On both sides of the Lenin monument there are well-kept flower beds. They separate the roadway of Moskovskaya Street from the recreation area on Teatralnaya Square.
From afar, the Volga River flows for a long time...
According to the latest data, more than 160 plant species are under state protection, 26 of them are listed in the Red Book. Virgin steppes, entire meadows, and oak forests with rare vegetation are subject to disappearance. To preserve the environment and natural landscape of the Saratov region, national nature reserves, parks and natural monuments are being created. More than 140 natural monuments have been registered in the Saratov region. 98 of which are botanical. And representatives of wild fauna throughout the region are taken under state protection.
Nature is part of the history of the people; the greatness of the Motherland is determined by the state of the environment. If a person is not able to protect the wild environment from complete destruction, then such a nation has no future. The Saratov region is one of many regions in vast Russia, which has its own unique flora and fauna. However, over the past decades, the breakdown of recycled waste has led to the death of trees and other vegetation, and the disappearance of entire species and subspecies of the ecosystem. To prevent such an outcome is the main goal of modern man.
Historical places
While traveling around the country, you can simultaneously study its history. The Saratov region is famous for the fact that famous cosmonauts landed on its territory:
- Gagarin field. The historical place is located near Smelovka. It was there that Gagarin landed after his flight into space. A monument to the astronaut, steles and photographs of famous people who dealt with the space industry were installed on the territory.
- Titov's landing site. Another famous astronaut also landed in this area. The event took place in 1961 on an agricultural farm field near the town of Krasny Kut. At first they decided to immortalize this place with pegs and an iron sign, and then they added an obelisk made of wood. After some time it was dismantled, and later a new monument to the second cosmonaut was created.
Not far from the village of Shchegry is Vavilov Dol. In the distant past, the robber Vavila was blinded for a large number of crimes and left to die. He went to a nearby ravine, dug himself a cave near a stream and devoted his life to prayer and repentance. Then other hermits began to join him. After some time, a monastery was founded there, and a church was built nearby. During the war they were destroyed. Today in that place you can only see a chapel with a well and a font.
Another historical place in the Saratov region is the Stepan Razin cliff. The natural object is located near the village of Belogorskoye. The height of the cliff is almost 40 m. In the past, the camp of the famous chieftain was located here. This was confirmed by things found during archaeological excavations.
Square named after A.S. Pushkin (Square named after O.I. Yankovsky)
It is located on the territory in front of the Drama Theater between the street. Rabochaya and st. Slonova.
The square was named after O. Yankovsky in 2015; previously it was named after the great poet A.S. Pushkin.
The park is landscaped with green spaces and benches. Its area is only 1.2 hectares. The trees are mainly birch and rowan. There are also blue spruces. In the center there is a sculpture of O.I. Yankovsky.
The park is popular among theatergoers, where they go for a walk during intermissions or after performances. The rest of the time it is not crowded due to the distance from the city center.
