The Volga River at the end of the 16th century became one of the main transport routes for Russia. And the steppe borders were increasingly attacked by foreign conquerors. In this regard, there was an urgent need to protect these facilities. That is why in 1589, by decree of Ivan the Terrible, the city of Tsaritsyn was founded on the banks of the Tsaritsa River, which today is called Volgograd.
Tsaritsyn
Thus began the history of the city of Volgograd. It is impossible to summarize it, because during its existence in these places a large number of significant historical events took place.
The wooden fortress of Tsaritsyn became part of the Moscow kingdom, protecting the Russian state along the southern border. Many attacks had to be repelled by his defenders. Basically, Turkey tried to break through it, sending the Crimean Horde soldiers to the borders of Russia.
The history of the city of Volgograd contains many events related to raids, riots and destruction. In particular, in 1667, Stepan Razin, at the head of his detachment, holding his way to the Caspian, passed through Tsaritsyn. Already in the XVIII century (1707), a bloody uprising of peasants led by the Cossack Bulavin took place. And after 10 years, the Crimean Tatars and other steppe peoples organized raids on the city one after another. As a result, Tsaritsyn was badly destroyed.
The restoration took three years. Now, to protect the fortress, a 60-kilometer line of fortification was built, which included a deep moat and Watchtower. Its height was more than 12 meters. These structures have become reliable protection for several centuries. Even now, having left the city, you can see the surviving remains of an ancient fortress.
The history of the city of Volgograd, built at the intersection of several important trade routes, is associated with the name of Alexander II. He issued a decree according to which the best specialists of the Russian state were to begin designing the Volga-Don railway. Construction was completed in the 19th century. Then, a large number of new factories and plants appeared in the city, churches were built. That is, there was a significant development of infrastructure.
The cultural heritage of those times has been preserved to this day. Strolling through the streets of the city, you can admire the stately merchant houses, temples and monuments.
Stalingrad
As already mentioned, Tsaritsyn is modern Volgograd. The history of the name of the city, however, does not end there.
The current Volgograd met the year 1917 and the revolution that occurred at that time already as a city of the working proletariat. But in the course of it was destroyed by the White Guards, turning into ruins. After the victory of the Bolsheviks, the city by common efforts was quickly restored.
The history of the city of Volgograd made a new round, when in 1925 Tsaritsyn became Stalingrad. A few years later, the first tractor plant in the Soviet Union was built there, as well as a shipyard. During the Great Patriotic War, the defense of Stalingrad lasted 200 days. Soviet soldiers did not spare their lives defending their homeland. In 1943, the fascist troops were defeated, but the city was completely destroyed, turning into a pile of ruins.
These places forever keep the memory of the dead soldiers, forcing them to reflect on their immortal exploits.
At the end of the war, Stalingrad was restored for a very long time, and only in the 50s it began to have its original appearance. Now it resembled the pre-war southern city, bathed in bright sunlight. The history of the city of Volgograd forever absorbed the bitterness of the loss of thousands of families who lost their fathers, husbands and sons in the defense of Stalingrad.
Over the past five years, a large number of new houses, schools, institutes have been built; Most factories and plants have been restored.
Volgograd
The modern history of the city of Volgograd began on November 10, 1961, when it acquired its current name.
Now it is a city with a million population , in which a huge number of attractions and memorable places.
Since May 8, 1965 Volgograd is a hero city. Its history is full of many tragic events, despite which the people with dignity were chosen from difficult situations, each time restoring their hometown from ruins. Today Volgograd is an important strategic, socio-economic and cultural center of the south of Russia with a large number of attractions.
Square of the Fallen Fighters
It is no coincidence that Volgograd is a hero city. The history of the construction of the main attraction - the Square of the Fallen Fighters is directly related to the courage and heroism of its inhabitants.
In the very center of the square is the famous poplar, which has important historical significance. This tree survived the Battle of Stalingrad, becoming a symbol of the stamina of the Soviet people. On the trunk of a poplar a lot of damage received as a result of hostilities. Immediately there is the Eternal Flame and a monument to the hero of the USSR Ruben Ibarruri.
The Heroes Alley
This truly memorable alley is located in the center of Volgograd, not far from the Square of the Fallen Fighters. Along it are steles with the names of the dead and missing in the battle of Stalingrad 127 heroes. All of them were awarded the title Heroes of the Soviet Union. At nearby houses you can see the layouts of numerous awards (orders and medals) that this hero city was awarded with.
The creation of the alley dates back to 1954. She forever keeps the memory of the heroes who laid down their lives in the grueling, fierce struggle for the city. The avenue is decorated with architectural monuments built during the reign of Stalin.
Soldier field
This is another attraction located in the Volgograd region, associated with the feat of Soviet soldiers. It was here that the most fierce battles of the Battle of Stalingrad took place, as a result of which several thousand young soldiers died. The area of the Soldier Field is more than 400 hectares.
When the war ended, the field remained mined. It was only at the end of 1974 that the demining work was completed. The number of neutralized shells reached 6.5 thousand. And on September 20, 1975, the Soldier Field memorial complex was opened there, created according to the project of sculptors A. Krivolapov and L. Levin. There is a mass grave in this complex , in which there is an urn with the ashes of dead soldiers, the remains of which were discovered during clearance. The central part of the memorial is occupied by a funnel filled with parts of shells, mines and grenades found here. A little in the distance is a sculpture of a little girl clutching a flower in her hands. And nearby you can see the triangle of the army letter, made of marble. It engraved the words from the letter of Major Petrakov to his daughter. He was one of those who defended Volgograd. The history of the city for the children of war has become a truly life story of its own. The tears of mothers, the rumble of shells, the knocking of the steps of the postman who brought the funeral forever settled in their minds.
The city of Volgograd, whose history and sights are part of the cultural and spiritual folk heritage, and now is a symbol of perseverance, courage and courage of the Russian people.