Way to Russia Talk Lounge

amf · Just Starting Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

I'm planning on visiting Volgograd in late August and would like to hear from anyone who's been there fairly recently.

wwwadim · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:26 am Post subject: Re: visiting volgograd

sharpbws · Just Starting Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Posts: 1

I'm planning on visiting Volgograd in late August and would like to hear from anyone who's been there fairly recently.

It's a wonderful city with may interesting
historic mouments and museums.

My wife is from this city and we're headed
back for a visit in June. I've made 10 visits
to the city since 2000 and will be happy to
tell you more privayely. Please contact me
off list.

Smile

Brad

Keeper · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: visiting volgograd

El Casey · Posted: Sat May 28, 2005 8:08 pm Post subject:

I'm interested in any information I can get. I'll be moving to Moscow in August, but I certainly intend to visit Volgograd if only to visit the museums (I am a huge history buff, especially WWII and Soviet history).

I've heard the Militia there are awfully suspicious and tend to stop almost everyone who doesn't look local and interrogate them about their business there. Truth?

Keeper · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:37 pm Post subject:

About Volgograd.
As it was said it's the longest city with such population (1 mln.) - now it's more than 100 kms along the Volga (the largest river of Europe). The Volgograd region has a sharp continental climate with hot and dry summers and cold winters with light snowfalls. The average summer temperature is +29 C (this summer seems to be cool, but be ready for terible heat), the average winter temperature is - 15 C.

This land keeps the memory of skiffs and sarmats, hunns and vikings who used to move to Greece, merchants caravans moving from India to Europe. A mighty state of the “Golden Horde” was located on its territory in the XIII century. It has become Mother-land for the Don Cossacks and the Volga Germans. Volgograd, founded in 1589 and served as a fortress guarding the trade route along the Volga River, has changed its name several times through its history. In 1925 politically dissonant name of the town, Tsaritsyn (means Tsarina's), was replaced by more up-dated and Soviet one - Stalingrad ("grad" means "town" in Russian, Stalin - I'm sure you know). As a result of dethronement of Stalin personality's cult, in 1961 Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd, that is "a town on the River Volga". But it was under the name of Stalingrad that the city went down in the world history as a hero-city. During World War II the city turned into the stage of pitched battles that in many respects determined the victory of allied over the Fascist invaders.

The simbol of Volgograd - the monumental ensemble "To the heroes of the Stalingrad Battle" on Mamayev Hill and in the downtown has worldwide and national significance - that is the place of fierce and bloody fighting in September 1942 - January 1943. The main sculpture "The Mother-Russia is calling" is the largest sculpture in the world (total height is 85m).
Also I think it will be interesting to visit the Fallen Heroes' Square, in the center of the city, here you will find the Eternal Flame, honoring all those who gave their lives for this city.
For those who is interested in WWII: Museum-Panorama “The Battle for Stalingrad”; mass graves of Wermacht soldiers cemetery located close to the village Rossoshka; Peschanka settlement with Memorial Symbol to perished Austrian soldiers. And other interesting places: Volga Germans Museum “The Old Sarepta”, the Don Cossack's theater, Volgo-Don Canal, Planetarium, the Circus, Museum of Natural History of Volgograd region.

Welcome to Volgograd Smile

Keeper · Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:48 pm Post subject: