About Saratov

Saratov is one of the biggest city of Russia. It is situated on the bank of the Volga river and has population of about one million people. 

Saratov was built in 1590 as a fortress. Since the 18th century it was a cultural center of the Volga Germans, who were merchant and industry elite. Saratov still preserves their cultural and historical spirit. 

Saratov owns the first Conservatory (Musical University) in provincial Russia, place of concerts of the famous composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and the eminent opera singer Fyodor Shaliapin. Saratov has a unique architecture, combining classicism, Barock and modernism. There are churches of all confessions, visiting by representatives of more than 30 nations. The oldest cathedral is 325 years old. 

Saratov is associated with such famous Russian writers as Mikhail Lermontov, Nikolay Chernyshevsky and Mikhail Bulgakov. 

The Radishchev Museum, the first art gallery of provincial Russia, opened in 1885 and owning the pictures of Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Ivan Kramskoy and many other famous painters, attracts thousands of tourists every year. 

Saratov is well-known as Yuri Gagarin’s (the first world cosmonaut) landing place. You can also visit his place of study, the college of our university, and the Space museum. 

Saratov offers wide range of entertainment: museums, Victory park, cinemas, night clubs. You can also go for a dancing party on boat of the Volga ship or have rest in the natural park Kumisnaya Polyana. 

Enjoy culture life in Saratov or just go for a walk along the Volga embankment and admire the spectacular view on the huge European river!