Volgograd (Russian: Волгогра́д vuhl-gah-GRAHD) is a large city along the west bank of the Volga River in Southern Russia. It used to be known as Stalingrad, a name which the city is still known as on several war-related dates each year (according to local legislation). It was the scene of one of the most important and bloodiest battles of the Second World War.
Volgograd is near the Volga's estuary into the Caspian sea. The city is more than 60 km long, on the right bank. It used to be divided by gullies heading to the Volga. The majority of these have been filled, but some paths have substantial drops.
The southern part of the city includes the start of the Caspian Depression, and so is a large plain, broken only by the Ergeni mountain range. The construction of railways between the Ergeni and the Volga led to the creation of swampland in the area. Consequently, chunks of southern regions are full of reeds.
The changing names of Volgograd reflect the changing historical eras. The fort Tsaritsyn was founded on site in 1589 Volga crossing on many trade routes. Between 1925 and 1961, the city was called Stalingrad. After the siege, it become a Hero City.
The ground of Volgograd is full of the remains of fallen soldiers, while its air is full of factory smoke and exhaust.
There is an absence of citywide traditions in Volgograd, because much of its population left the city during the war, and were replaced by citizens from various regions. This does mean, however, that the Russian spoken in Volgograd is very close to the Moscow standard dialect.
The proximity of Tsaritsyn to Cossack lands has, however, resulted in some cultural influence. A memorial to the Cossacks was installed some time ago to a mixed reception; the Cossack influence isn't as pronounced as in other places, such as Krasnodar Krai.
Finally, one more cultural peculiarity of the city is the number of migrants from the Caucasus.
Many youths are considering moving to Moscow, due to a perceived lack of economic prospects in the region.
Many travelers to Volgograd note the unsuitability of the city's housing to its climate. Summer in the city is hot, and in times of rain the streets run with dirt from parked cars. After it dries, it becomes a dust that can turn into a dust storm given enough wind.
During the Soviet era and its period of associated development, these concerns were raised, and officials planned a systematic "airing out" of the streets by Volga breezes, as well as massive environmental development to halt the spread of dust. Gradually, this system is falling into decline, the "green ring" around Volgograd is being ruined, and forests are being cut down for housing.
Therefore, between the snowfall and appearance of leaves (in the first half of April), the city is very dusty. From the end of May, it can also be hot. Comfortable weather ceases around the end of August, but extreme temperatures are less assured starting mid-October. From sometime around November to March, pleasant weather for a stroll becomes altogether rare in Volgograd.
[Tourist Information Center of the Volgograd Oblast](http://welcomevolgograd.com/#googtrans(en) (Туристско-информационный центр Волгоградской области), Ul. Gagarina, 12, 48.713434°, 44.525051°, +7 8442 529893, turinfo34@yandex.ru. M-F 08:30-17:00, closed from 12:30-13:00. There is basic information on sights, places to stop by, places to eat, and events. Information at the site isn't always up-to-date, but one can get an understanding. The level of quality of the articles is unclear. 2017-11-08
Volgograd is a major railway junction with good connections from Moscow (20 hr), Saint Petersburg (34 hr) and most other large cities in western Russia, tickets cost between for a second class sleeper. In the other direction, trains come all the way from Irkutsk (92 hr) in Siberia. International connections are limited but several central Asian cities such as Bishkek (77 hr), Baku (30 hr) Dushanbe (72 hr), Tashkent (60 hr) as well as the two major cities in Kazakstan, Almaty (68 hr) and Astana (52 hr) have departures at least once a week. Directs routes from European countries is scarce, the usual route involves a change of trains in Moscow however there is a few trains from Brest (45 hr) via Minsk (40 hr), Kyiv (29 hr) and from Sofia (61 hr) via Bucharest (49 hr) and Chişinău (36 hr) that does not require a change. These trains usually departs 3-4 times a week.
European route , the longest European route connecting Calais, France with Ridder, Kazakhstan, passes through Volgograd.
A trip from Moscow by car is a bit under 1,000 km and takes around 13 hours with short stops. The roads are generally in good condition, although roadworks are plenty.
The city stands at the east end of the Volga-Don Canal, opened in 1952 to link the two great rivers of Southern Russia. River cruises down the Volga operate during the summer months (early May to late September). Dozens of boats operated by different companies run from Moscow to Astrakhan passing by Volgograd. One way or return cruises may be reserved to/from practically any city along the Volga. Turflot (dead link: January 2023) and Infoflot offer tours.
Volgograd's public transport system includes a light rail service known as the Volgograd Metrotram.
Volgograd is divided into 8 regions. From north to south:
The city received its contemporary urban planning after the war, and so lacks the alleys of the old city. If you wish, you can find hidden corners of the past. However, when navigating the city, it is best to keep in mind the four parallels:
Google Map Public Transportation directions cannot be trusted for Volgograd. It will often reference obscure, or non-existent, Marshrutka schedules. To travel between the city center and Mamayev Kurgan, you can take buses 12, 35, or 95. All of them run frequently throughout the day. During peak hours (08:00-20:00) you will not wait more than 10 minutes for one of those buses (October 2018).
If you wish to reach the airport by public transportation, catch bus 6 in the city center at the Komsomolskaya stop (in front of Central Market). Bus ride to airport from the city center takes approximately one hour.
Primary administrative division