SHOPPING

There are several retail parks and shopping centres in Saransk. There you find famous brands, like Zara, Ostin, Snow queen and other and you can have a good time in cafes. One of the famous retail park is "Ogarev Plaza". There are 5 floors. Three floors are for different small shops. The fourth floor is for cafes. You can taste different fast-food like pizza, hamburgers, pancakes and e.t.c. There are Fox cafe and club, here, where you can have a good time all night. There are some organizations, like cosmetic medicine office, tourism office and other on the fifth floor. "Ogarev Plaza" is located in the city centre near Millennium square. 

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/ОГАРЁВПЛАЗА,+торгово-развлекательный+комплекс

There is other retail park in the city centre. "Rio" has 4 floors with shops, cafes and cinema. Here you can shopping with you family or friends, spend good time with your kids in a gambling hall where you find redemption games. And you can see a movie шт the cinema. Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/РИО,+торгово-развлекательный+центр

Another big shopping centre in the city centre is "Planeta". There is supermarket "Evrospar" on the first floor. It is all-day shop with good choice of food and drinks. There are different small shops with clothes on other floors. Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Планета,+Торговый+Центр

A central department store is located on Proletarskaya street. It is old shopping centre with its own history. Here you can buy food, clothes, different souvenirs. Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/searchунивермаг+саранск

The photo of old department store:

Well, there are other shopping centers in other city boroughs. For example, "Max" is the big shopping center with many small shops. Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/search/макс+саранск

You also can buy products, clothes, souvenirs and other different things in small corners shops. There are several convenience store where you can buy food and articles of daily necessity all night.

Good shopping in Saransk!

Cathedral Church of St. Feodor Ushakov

One of the main sights is the orthodox  Cathedral Church of St. Feodor Ushakov.

Historical fact: Feodor Ushakov was Russian naval commander, Admiral of Black Sea Fleet. He was consecrated a saint by the Orthodox Church in 2001.

The Cathidral was built in 2002-2006. It has Empire style and able to accommodate about 3000 people. The high is 62 m. Along the perimeter there are 4 bell towers with 12 bells each other which were made in Tutaev-city by old technology. The largest one weighs 6 tons, then 3 tons, 1.5 tons. Now you can hear the sounds of this bells every Sunday and holidays. Around the main "drum" of the cathedral there is an observation area and you can see a panorama of the city on high 40 m.  Indescribable beauty!

The architects: Khodnev, Kirdyashova, Brodovsky.

The official website of  Cathedral Church of St. Feodor Ushakov: http://www.sobor-ushakova.ru/
Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Кафедральный+Собор+Св.+Воина+Феодора+Ушакова

The monument of Feodor Ushakov is located near the cathedral:

A monument of a family you also can find near the cathedral. It is a work of sculptor Nicolai Filatov. It was made in foundry of city Zhukovsky. Monument of the family is a symbol of main value ​of any society: 

There is a monument of Patriarch Nikon in the center of Saransk  near the cathedral. Nikon was born in a rural family of Mordovia in village Veldemanovo. He played an important role in the orthodox church of Mordovia. Behind the monument there is a rotunda with a beautiful view of the river embankment "Saranka".

VICTORY SQUARE

There is the monument for those who perished in the Great Patriotic War in the center of Saransk near Soviet Square. It was opened on 9 May in 1970. The composition consists of Mother-Mordovia  gives a sword for son-soldier. There is inscription: "Eternal glory to the soldiers who died for the freedom and independence of the Soviet Motherland during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. You have died to save a life . Your heroic deed is forever in the hearts of a grateful nation".  The eternal light burns before this monument. Authors: sculptor N.V. Tomsky and architect A.N. Dushkin.

In 1985 five stelae of pink granite near were installed the monument, on which  you can find the names of natives of Saransk, who did not return from the battlefield:  more than six thousand people. In 2005 on the eve of the 60th of the Victory, the ensemble was complemented by the composition of the columns with arches connecting the entire complex. Architects: V.A. Brodovsky and I.V. Solovyev. (V.A. Brodovsky is the famous architect in our city. Also he is my father-in-law).
Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Музей+Военного+И+Трудового+Подвига

In 1985 on the west side of the Memorial Military Museum there was a memorial composition of the five -lined pink granite stelae, where there were about 5000 names of soldiers of Saransk natives who died in the Great Patriotic War. However, this composition was rapidly destroyed and after several attempts to repair was dismantled . In 2005 in this place a monument to soldiers-internationalists and soldiers who died in local wars and conflicts (Sculptor N.M. Filatov, architect V.A. Brodovsky) was built. The monument is a figure of a soldier running attack with a gun in his hand, is lodged between two gray marble pillars. It symbolizes the vice of War and debt of soldier. It is engraving the names of dead soldiers, as well as the inscription: "It is to soldiers who performed their sacred duty. 1952-1989 with courage, fortitude and honor"and "The heroic deed is forever in the hearts of your sons, Russia. 1994-2003".

Obelisk "The Escape from the Hell". On the east side of the museum there is a monument dedicated to the heroic escape from a concentration camp a group of Soviet prisoners headed by native of Mordovia M.P. Devyataev:

On the west side of Victory Square the Chapel in the name of St. Alexander Nevsky was built in 2000. The building of the chapel (the project of Babakov) is octangle, with a diameter 4.5 meters, high 6 meters. It was decorated with white and red bricks. The total height of the chapel with the cross is 20 meters:

Interesting fact: a three-floored building behind the Memorial Military Museum was a prison. It was built in the XIX century. This building was surrounded by a high wall. The famous Russian writer P.N. Gorsky was prisoner in 1860 here. Now the city administration is located in this building.

  

FOUNTAINS OF SARANSK

The main fountains of the city.

If you're in Saransk you should see the fountains of the city. The main fountain is "The Star of Mordovia". It is one of the most complex and high light and music fountain in Russia.It decorates "M illennium Square" near the new Universal hall in the center of Saransk. The height of the fountain jets can reach 40 meters. It is amazing performance of a water, light and music:

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/ОГАРЁВПЛАЗА,+торгово-развлекательный+комплекс

Ok, if you go to the Opera and Ballet Theater, you will see another light and music fountain and can enjoy excellent view of fountain and theater at night:

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Республиканский+Театр+Оперы+И+Балета+им.+И.М.+Яушева

The other famous fountains you can find on the road from Soviet (central) Square to the park (Fountain descent), where you can find several fountais:

You will see several fountains on river "Saranka" if you walk along the embank:

The fountains are located near the monument "Forever with Russia" ( it means the union of Mordovian and Russian peoples):

Other nice fountain is located in the center and looks like a dandelion:

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Дом+Финансов

A pleasant walking around the city!

MUSEUMS

The most famous museum of Saransk is the Erzya Fine Arts Museum. It was founded as Mordovia Republican Art Gallery of  F. Sychkov, which opened on January 10, 1960. Gallery in 1978 was reorganized into the Museum of Fine Arts, which in 1995 was named after the sculptor S. Erzya. The museum has a large collection of works of famous artists of our republike such as  S. Erzya (more than 200 works),  F. Sychkov, I. Makarov and also modern and classical artists. You can also visit the Hall of folk art. Every year it is visited by more than 60,000 spectators. All information about this museum you can find on official website www.erzia-museum.ru

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Музей+имени+С.Д.Эрьзи

You can find some funny animal near museum. it is a fox. In 2009 "Fox bridge" was opened in Saransk and became the hallmark of the city. In the center of the composition there is the fox, because this animal is a symbol of Saransk. Also, there are balls of  predictions. Using them everyone has the ability to see into the future. 

Well, we will go to the Regional Museum of Republic of Mordovia. In the regional museum there are 3 sections: historical, contemporary history department and the department of nature Mordovia. In the main exposition you can see works of art and life (with the prerevolutionary period to the present day), the culture of the ancient world, flora and fauna of the Republic of Mordovia. The website http://www.mrkm.ru

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Краеведческий+Музей

The interesing fact: the museum is located in building of Trekhsvyatskyа church. It was built in 1761. The church was closed in  1935. After that the building was given to museum. There was a house of vaivode Kamenicky, where  Yemelyan Pugachev feasted. The house was demolished in the  XIX century, but stone storehouse stay here now.  Legend has connected it with the name of a popular leader, and this building is still called "Pugachevskaya tent":

Museum of  Mordovia Folk Culture.

In thematic halls of the museum visitors can find more information about  culture of Mordovia, festivals, ceremonies and wedding customs of Mordva.
Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Музей+Мордовской+Народной+Культуры

A folk costume of Mordva:

Memorial Military Museum of Fame 1941-1945

In museum collections there are over 40 000 items related to the Great Patriotic War and the Republic of Mordovia documents, archives, weapons, photographs, awards and letters from the front. In the memorial museum also exhibited paintings and sculptures dedicated to war.
Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Музей+Военного+И+Трудового+Подвига

There is Museum of military equipment on the open air:

HISTORY OF SARANSK

Let's talk about history of our city. Saransk was founded in 1641 as a military fortress. The river "Saranka" gave the name of our city. Throughout its history Saransk was witnessed of many events. In 1670 it became one of the major centers of the peasant uprising led by Stepan Razin (now we have street was named in honor of him) . After that Saransk was occuped by the forses of Emelian Pugachev . Now there is a monument of Emelian Pugachev   It became the province of Penza since 1801. By the middle of the XVIII century the city finally losed military significance and became a commercial and industrial center. There were many differents small enterprises which produced grain , hemp , leather, meat, honey and other. At the beginning of XVIII century there were more than 700 households 5500 people. In the XIX century devastating fires (1817, 1825 and 1869.) destroyed almost all city, but it was built again. At the end of the XIX century it was passed through Saransk line of Moscow-Kazan Railway. Construction of the road revived economic and political life of the city.There were school of painting of Makarov (1828), City Bank (1844), the first small power station (1866), Paid Public Library (1893), free public library (1899) in Saransk. In the city by the end of the century there were 10 schools. The population of Saransk was more than 14 thousand people. During the Civil War Saransk was one of the centers formed units of the Red Army. The war led to famine, unemployment, a drop in production. Many enterprises of Saransk did not work due to lack of fuel and raw materials. But even in such a difficult time for the city cultural life continued. Regional museum was  founded in 1918. Saransk became the capital of Mordovia ASSR in 1934. About 17 thousand people of Saransk fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, more than 8,000 of them died. In the postwar years the it was created new industries: electrical, engineering, medical, food industry, production of building materials. The Mordovia State University was founded in 1957. Saransk became the capital of  Republic of Mordovia in 1991. In 2012 Saransk  had the title " The most well-appointed Russian city". 

                                                 The picture of Saransk in XVII century:

The photo of old Saransk:

The first trolleybus in Saransk in 1966:

The Soviet Square:

The photo of Lenin Avenue (the central street of Saransk):

Where will be FIFA World Cup 2018 in Saransk?

The Stadiums of Saransk

Saransk has several stadiums, swimming-pools, ski lodges, ice rinks, sport complexes, Olympic training centre, indoor BMX-centre and many others sport objects. Saransk was the host city for many sport events, such as Minor Olympic games of the Volga Federal District, summer Russian biathlon championship, Russian tennis championship among individuals, Russian Greco-Roman wrestling championship for youth, World and European ice speedway championship and others.

Location on map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Старт,+Стадион

 The stadium "Start":

But It has been begun the construction activities of new stadium for 45 000 seats especially for the FIFA World Cup 2018.  After the FIFA World Cup part of the stands, which consist of of prefabricated structures, will be dismantled . After this constant capacity will be 25 000 seats . According to preliminary plans, the shape and color of the new arena will resemble the red sun depicted on the flag of Mordovia. 

In 2010, the area near Volgograd street and the  river "Insar" was cleaned to a construction. It was  planned to finish the building of the stadium to 2012. Subsequently stadium opening was postponed for 2014-2015 . Besides the main arena is projected creation of the sports complex, which includes sport halls for basketball and volleyball, allowing to hold  world-class competitions (information from wikipedia). 

The picture of future stadium:

And the video of the project:

How can you get to Saransk from Moscow?

In the first you can get to Saransk by the plan from airport "Domodedovo". It will be expensive, but faster than other types of of transport. You can find the flight schedule on website of  "Domodedovo" http://www.domodedovo.ru,  Saransk airport http://www.aviamordovia.ru.

The aiport is located near Saransk, in the village Lukhovka. You can get bu bus or taxi to the central of the city from the airport.

In the second you can get to Saransk by the train. The most comfortable is named train "Mordovia" (number 41-42). You should get to the Kazan Railway Station in Moscow (metro station Komsomolskaya), then you go from there by train "Mordovia" to Saransk. The price is depended on a type of train car: economy class or separate compartments. This train is comfortable and not very expensive. The named train "Mordovia" (number 41-42) departs from the Kazan Railway Station, Moscow daily at 21.24 (Moscow time). The train arrives at the station of Saransk at 06.45 h (Moscow time). The time of the journey is 9.21 h.  The train arrives daily. This train departs from Saransk at 20:40 h (Moscow time) and arrives the Kazan Railway Station, Moscow at 06:03 h. The train arrives daily.  There is a photo of a  train "Mordovia":

The Saransk Railway Staition is located in the cenral of our city. More information http://xn--80aa4alnee.xn--h1alffa9f.xn--d1ad.xn--80adplho.tel

The third way is bus. To my mind is won't be comfortable trip. You can get by bus from Moscow Central Bus Station (metro station Schelkovskaya) to Saransk bus station. The bus schedule:

07:45 (Moscow) - 20:05 (Saransk), 17:45 (Moscow) - 06:05 (Saransk)

In finally you can get to Saransk by car.

Hotels of Saransk

Let's start with our review  with  the Hotel "Saransk".  It is located in the city center and in walking distance of almost all sights of Saransk, 1 km from central railway station. The hotel contains 140 rooms. The cheapest is single room is the second category. There are also the first category rooms and suites of various kinds . In addition, the hotel has a conference room, meeting room, Turkish sauna, coffee bar,  beauty salon. The hotel "Saransk" is for different visitors with different financial capabilities. All information you can find on website http://www.hotelsaransk.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Саранск+

отель

Other  hotel "Olympia" has more expensive rooms. "Olympia" is on Titova Street , near the entertainment complex " formula C". It is also located in the city center. The main advantage of the hotel are really comfortable. They are there only 40, including Deluxe executive rooms.  There are also secure parking, high speed internet, transfer to the station http://olympia-saransk.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/search/отель+олимпия+саранск

The Hotel "Meridian" . Originally this building was supposed to be "Center of Finno-Ugric something there ", but now miraculously it is a hotel. It is located in the center near main sights of Saransk, like "Theatre of Opera and Ballet", an entertainment complex "White bear" and the main building of Mordovian State University, the biggest and most beautifull fountain of the city "The star of Mordovia". Naturally , the rooms  are not cheap here. Prices are comparable to "Olympia." There are wi-fi, parking, gym , SPA, restaurant.   "Meridian "  lights at night  http://meridian13.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Меридиан,+Отель

The hotel "Sura " is the old hotel of our city. It is located on the street Polezhaeva , very close to the railway station. But the rooms are old and it are needed in repears. This hotel is not for everyone http://sura-hotel.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/search/отель+сура+саранск

The hotel "Makarovskaya" is interesting because it is located at St. John Monastery . However, living there is not only pilgrims . The rooms are cheap . The hotel has everything to make guests feel comfortable working and rest: conference room, long distance and international telephone calls , wi-fi, satellite TV, computer, scanner and printer for guests, table tennis, billiards, restaurant, bar, laundry, free parking and secure parking. Information http://gostinica-makarovskaya.ru

Location on the map:

"Park Hotel" is one of the most respected hotels in Saransk. This is not only  restaurant and hotel complex. Living rooms  are only 23.  "Park Hotel" is notable of its view (It is stylized as medieval castle). Is is  located in the cental  park of the city.  You can order train and air tickets, rent a car, use the services of a guide http://www.parkhotel-saransk.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Макаровская,+Гостиница

The young hotel "Mirta" is located on a quiet street Fedoseenko, in  walking distance from the central railway station. "Mirta "  is also a furniture factory . The main thing is not to confuse and to find the hotel . There are restaurant, bar, sauna, parking http:// www.hotelmirta.ru

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Гостиница+Мирта

The hotel "Admiral" has about 83 rooms. There are alo restaurant with local cuisine, swimming pool, SPA, gum. All information on website admiral-saransk.ru/ob-otele.html

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/place/Адмирал,+отель+ООО+"Альянс+Саранск"

The hotel "Vizit" isn't located in city center. But you can get to the city center for 7 minutes by car.  It has 13 comfortable rooms, restaurant, parking.

Location on the map: https://www.google.ru/maps/search/гостиница+визит+саранск

Another notable hotels Saransk are called " Nadegda " (Sroitelnaya street) and "Rassvet" (Promishlinaya street) . Location of this hotels is far from the city center, but the rooms are cheap.

You can also  rent an apartment or room. It will be cheaper than a room in a hotel, especially for family or group of friends. There is a good choice of different apartments in our city.

Enjoy your vacation in Saransk.