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Volgograd

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Coordinates:48°42′31″N44°30′53″E/ 48.70861°N 44.51472°E/48.70861; 44.51472
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"Tsaritsyn" redirects here. For similar names, seeTsaritsyno (disambiguation).
"Stalingrad" redirects here. For the World War II battle, seeBattle of Stalingrad.For other uses, seeStalingrad (disambiguation).

Volgograd
Волгоград
City[1]
Top-down, left-to-right:The Motherland CallsonMamayev Kurgan,therailway station,Eternal flame, TheMetrotram,Gerhardt's Mill,Central embankment
Flag of Volgograd
Flag
Coat of arms of Volgograd
Coat of arms
Location of Volgograd
Map
Volgograd is located in Volgograd Oblast
Volgograd
Volgograd
Location of Volgograd
Volgograd is located in European Russia
Volgograd
Volgograd
Volgograd (European Russia)
Volgograd is located in Europe
Volgograd
Volgograd
Volgograd (Europe)
Coordinates:48°42′31″N44°30′53″E/ 48.70861°N 44.51472°E/48.70861; 44.51472
CountryRussia
Federal subjectVolgograd Oblast[2]
Founded1589[3]
City status since1780[1]
Government
• BodyCity Duma[4]
• Head[4]Vladimir Marchenko[5]
Area
• Total859.35 km2(331.80 sq mi)
Elevation
80 m (260 ft)
Population
(2010 Census)[6]
• Total1,021,215
• Estimate
(2018)[7]
1,013,533 (−0.8%)
• Rank12thin 2010
• Density1,200/km2(3,100/sq mi)
•Subordinated tocity of oblast significanceof Volgograd[2]
•CapitalofVolgograd Oblast,[2]city of oblast significance of Volgograd[2]
•Urban okrugVolgograd Urban Okrug[8]
•CapitalofVolgograd Urban Okrug[8]
Time zoneUTC+3(MSKEdit this on Wikidata[9])
Postal code(s)[10]
400000–400002, 400005–400012, 400015–400017, 400019–400023, 400026, 400029, 400031–400034, 400036, 400038–400040, 400042, 400046, 400048–400055, 400057–400059, 400062–400067, 400069, 400071–400076, 400078–400082, 400084, 400086–400089, 400093, 400094, 400096–400098, 400105, 400107, 400108, 400110–400112, 400117, 400119–400125, 400127, 400131, 400136–400138, 400700, 400880, 400890, 400899, 400921–400942, 400960–400965, 400967, 400970–400979, 400990–400993
Dialing code(s)+7 8442
OKTMOID18701000001
City DaySecond Sunday of September[1]
Websitewww.volgadmin.ru

Volgograd(Russian:Волгоград,IPA:[vəɫɡɐˈɡrat]ⓘ),formerlyTsaritsyn(Царицын;IPA:[tsɐˈrʲitsɨn]) (1589–1925) andStalingrad(Сталинград;IPA:[stəlʲɪnˈɡrat]ⓘ) (1925–1961), is the largest city and theadministrative centreofVolgograd Oblast,Russia.The city lies on the western bank of theVolga,covering an area of 859.4 square kilometres (331.8 square miles), with a population of slightly over one million residents.[11]Volgograd is the16th-largest cityby population size in Russia,[12]the second-largest city of theSouthern Federal District,and thefourth-largest cityon the Volga.

The city was founded as the fortress ofTsaritsynin 1589. By the 19th century, Tsaritsyn had become an important river-port and commercial centre, leading to its rapid population growth. In November 1917, at the start of theRussian Civil War,Tsaritsyn came underBolshevikcontrol. It fell briefly to theWhite Armyin mid-1919 butreturned to Bolshevik controlin January 1920. In 1925, the city was renamedStalingradin honor ofJoseph Stalin,who then ruled the country. DuringWorld War II,Axis forcesattacked the city, leading to theBattle of Stalingrad,arguably thelargest and bloodiest battlein the history of warfare,[13]from which it received the title ofHero City.In 1961,Nikita Khrushchev's administration renamed the cityVolgogradas part ofde-Stalinization.

Volgograd today is the site ofThe Motherland Calls,an 85-metre (279 ft) high statue dedicated to the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad, which is the tallest statue in Europe, as well as the tallest statue of a woman in the world. The city has many tourist attractions, such as museums, sandy beaches, and a self-propelled floating church. Volgograd was one of the host cities of the2018 FIFA World Cup.[14]

Etymology[edit]

Tsaritsyn was established in 1555 and was named after theTsaritsa river[d].[15]The name of Tsaritsyn was written asЦарицынъ,with thehard sign.

WhenVladimir Lenindied in 1924,Joseph Stalintook charge as theGeneral Secretary;Tsaritsyn was renamed Stalingrad in honour of his role in the defence of the city.[16]The name is derived from the compound of Stalin (Сталин;his name) and grad (град:name for a settlement in Russian).

In the aftermath ofStalin's death,Nikita Khrushchevannounced the policy ofDe-Stalinization.The name was changed to Volgograd in 1961, derived from name of theVolgariver, on whose bank the city is situated. (Волга;the name of the river on which the city lies.)

History[edit]

For a chronological guide, seeTimeline of Volgograd.

Tsaritsyn[edit]

Tsaritsyn Coat of Arms (1857) which was the arms ofTsaritsynsky Uezd,in theSaratov Governorate.

Although the city may have originated in 1555, documented evidence ofTsaritsynat theconfluenceof theTsaritsa[ru]andVolgarivers dates from 1589.[3]The structure stood slightly above the mouth of the Tsaritsa River on the right bank. It soon became the nucleus of a trading settlement.

At the beginning of the 17th century, the garrison consisted of 350 to 400 people. In 1607 the fortress garrison rebelled for six months against the troops of TsarVasili Shuisky.In the following year saw the construction of the first stone church in the city, dedicated to St. John the Baptist.

In 1670 troops ofStepan Razincaptured the fortress; they left after a month. In 1708 the insurgent CossackKondraty Bulavin(died July 1708) held the fortress. In 1717 in theKuban pogrom[ru],raiders from theKubanunder the command of theCrimean TatarBakhti Gerai[ru]blockaded the town and enslaved thousands in the area. In August 1774CossackleaderYemelyan Pugachevunsuccessfully attempted to storm the city.

In 1691 Moscow established acustoms-post at Tsaritsyn.[17]In 1708 Tsaritsyn was assigned to theKazan Governorate;in 1719[citation needed]to theAstrakhan Governorate.According to the census in 1720, the city had a population of 408 people. In 1773 the settlement was designated as a provincial and district town. From 1779 it belonged to theSaratov Viceroyalty.In 1780 the city came under the newly establishedSaratov Governorate.

In the nineteenth century, Tsaritsyn became an important river-port and commercial center. As a result, it also became a hub for migrant workers; in 1895 alone, over 50,000 peasant migrants came to Tsaritsyn in search of work.[18]The population expanded rapidly, increasing from fewer than 3,000 people in 1807 to about 84,000 in 1900. By 1914, the population had again jumped and was estimated at 130,000.[19]Sources show 893 Jews registered as living there in 1897, with the number exceeding 2,000 by the middle of the 1920s.[20]At the turn of the nineteenth century, Tsaritsyn was essentially a frontier town; almost all of the structures were wooden, with neither paved roads nor utilities.[19]The firstrailwayreached the town in 1862. The firsttheatreopened in 1872, the firstcinemain 1907. In 1913 Tsaritsyn got its first tram-line, and the city's first electric lights were installed in the city center.

Between 1903 and 1907, the area was one of the least healthy in Europe, with a mortality rate of 33.6 for every 1000 persons. Untreated sewage spilled into the river, causing severalcholeraepidemics between 1907 and 1910.[19]Although the region had an active Sanitary Executive Commission that sent out instructions on the best ways to prevent outbreaks and dispatched a delegate from the Anti-Plague Commission to Tsaritsyn in 1907, local municipal officials did not put any precautions into place, citing economic considerations. The city's drinking water came directly from the river, the intake pipe dangerously close to both the port and the sewage drain. There were neither funds nor political will to close the port (the main hub of economic activity) or move the intake pipes. As a result, in the three years spanning 1908 to 1910, Tsaritsyn lost 1,045 people to cholera. With a population of only 102,452 at the time, that amounted to a 1.01% loss of the population.[18]

Between 1908 and 1911, Tsaritsyn was home toSergei Trufanov,also known as the 'mad monk' Iliodor. He spent most of his time causing infighting and power struggles within theRussian Orthodox Church,fomentinganti-semiticzeal and violence in local populations, attacking the press, denouncing local municipal officials and causing unrest wherever he went. The most permanent mark he left on the city was the Holy Spirit Monastery (Russian:Свято-Духовский монастырь), built in 1909, parts of which still stand today.[19]

In light of the explosive population growth, the lack of political action on sanitation and housing, the multiple epidemics and the presence of volatile personalities, it is no surprise that the lower Volga region was a hotbed of revolutionary activity and civil unrest. The inability of the Tsarist government to provide basic protections from cholera on the one hand and subjecting the populace to strict but ineffective health measures on the other, causedmultiple riots in 1829,in the1890sand throughout thefirst decade of the 1900s,setting the stage for multiple Russian revolutions and adding fuel to the political fire.[18]During theRussian Civil Warof 1917–1923, Tsaritsyn came under Soviet control from November 1917. In 1918White Movementtroops underPyotr Krasnov,theAtamanof theDon Cossack Host,besieged Tsaritsyn. The Reds repulsed three assaults by the Whites. However, in June 1919 the WhiteArmed Forces of South Russia,under the command of GeneralDenikin,captured Tsaritsyn, and held it until January 1920. The fighting from July 1918 to January 1920 became known as theBattle for Tsaritsyn.

  • 1636 View of Tsaritsyn
    1636 View of Tsaritsyn
  • Pre-revolutionary Tsaritsyn
    Pre-revolutionary Tsaritsyn
  • 1914 City tram on Gogolya St.
    1914 City tram on Gogolya St.

Stalingrad[edit]

On April 10, 1925, the city was renamed Stalingrad, in honor ofJoseph Stalin,General Secretary of the Communist Party.[21][22]This was officially to recognize the city and Stalin's role in its defense against theWhitesbetween 1918 and 1920.[23]

Once the Soviets established control, ethnic and religious minorities were targeted. The only Jewish school in the area was closed down in 1926.[20]In 1928, a campaign was launched by the Regional Executive Council to close down the synagogue in Stalingrad. Due to local pushback, they were not successful until 1929, when the council convened a Special Commission. The Commission convinced local municipal powers that the building was in need of major repairs, was unsafe and much too small for the over 800 worshippers who regularly showed up for high holidays.[20]

In 1931, the German settlement-colonyOld Sarepta(founded in 1765) became a district of Stalingrad. RenamedKrasnoarmeysky Rayon(or "Red Army District" ), it was the largest area of the city. The first higher education institute was opened in 1930. A year later, the Stalingrad Industrial Pedagogical Institute, nowVolgograd State Pedagogical University,was opened. Under Stalin, the city became a center of heavy industry andtransshipmentby rail and river.

Battle of Stalingrad[edit]

Main article:Battle of Stalingrad
Street in Stalingrad, 1942
After liberation, 1943
Factory after bombing, 1943

DuringWorld War II,German and Axis forces attacked the city, and in 1942 it was the site of one of the pivotal battles of the war. The Battle of Stalingrad was thedeadliest single battlein the history of warfare (casualties estimates vary between 1,250,000[24]and 2,500,000[25][26]).

The battle began on August 23, 1942, and on the same day, the city suffered heavy aerial bombardment that reduced most of it to rubble.Martial lawhad already been declared in the city on July 14. By September, the fighting reached the city center. The fighting was of unprecedented intensity; the city's central railway station changed hands thirteen times, and theMamayev Kurgan(one of the highest points of the city) was captured and recaptured eight times.

By early November, the German forces controlled 90 percent of the city and had cornered the Soviets in two narrow pockets, but they were unable to eliminate the last pockets of Soviet resistance before Soviet forces launched ahuge counterattackon November 19. This resulted in the Soviet encirclement of theGerman Sixth Armyand other Axis units. On January 31, 1943 the Sixth Army's commander,Field MarshalFriedrich Paulus,surrendered, and by February 2, with the elimination of straggling German troops, the Battle of Stalingrad was over.

The bombing campaign and five months of fighting destroyed 99% of the city.[27]Of the population of more than half a million before the battle, only 1,515 remained following the battle's conclusion.[27]

In 1945 the Soviet Union awarded Stalingrad the titleHero Cityfor its resistance. Great Britain'sKing George VIawarded the citizens of Stalingrad the jeweled "Sword of Stalingrad"in recognition of their bravery.[28]

A number of cities around the world (especially those that had suffered similar wartime devastation) established sister, friendship, andtwinninglinks (see list below) in the spirit of solidarity or reconciliation. One of the first "sister city" projects was that established duringWorld War IIbetween Stalingrad andCoventryin theUnited Kingdom;both had suffered extensive devastation from aerial bombardment. In March 2022 this twinning link was paused because of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[29]

Volgograd[edit]

Volga River in Volgograd
Volgograd on a 1979 map
Kazan Cathedral
Building of the OblastDuma

On 10 November 1961,Nikita Khrushchev's administration changed the name of the city to Volgograd ( "Volga City" ) as part of his programme ofde-Stalinizationfollowing Stalin's death. This action was and remains somewhat controversial, because Stalingrad has such importance as a symbol of resistance during World War II.

DuringKonstantin Chernenko's brief rule in 1984, proposals were floated to revive the city's Stalinist name for that reason. There was a strong degree of local support for a reversion, but theRussian Soviet governmentdid not accept such proposals.[citation needed]

On May 21, 2007,Roman Grebennikovof Communist Party was elected as mayor with 32.47% of the vote, a plurality. Grebennikov became Russia's youngest mayor of afederal subjectadministrative center at the time.[citation needed]

In 2010,Russian monarchistsand leaders of the Orthodox organizations demanded that the city should take back its original name of Tsaritsyn, but the authorities rejected their proposal.[citation needed]

On January 30, 2013, the Volgograd City Council passed a measure to use the title "Hero CityStalingrad "in city statements on nine specific dates annually.[30][31][32]On the following dates, the title "Hero City Stalingrad" can officially be used in celebrations:

In addition, in January 2013, 50,000 people signed a petition toVladimir Putin,asking that the city's name be permanently changed to Stalingrad.[31]President Putin has replied that such a move should be preceded by a local referendum and that the Russian authorities will look into how to bring about such a referendum.[33]

Politics[edit]

In 2011, the City Duma canceled direct election of the mayor and confirmed the position of City Manager. This was short-lived, as in March 2012, Volgograd residents voted for relevantamendmentsto thecity charterto reinstate the direct mayoral elections.[34]

Administrative and municipal status[edit]

View of Voroshilovsky City District of Volgograd

Volgograd is theadministrative centerofVolgograd Oblast.[35]Within theframework of administrative divisions,it is incorporated as thecity of oblast significanceof Volgograd—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of thedistricts.[2]As amunicipal division,the city of oblast significance of Volgograd is incorporated asVolgograd Urban Okrug.[8]

Economy[edit]

Although the city was on an important trade route for moving timber, grain, cotton, cast iron, fish, salt and linseed oil, the economic reach of the Volga was relatively small. When the first rail lines were linked up to Moscow in 1871, this isolated area was suddenly and efficiently connected to the rest of the empire. Thanks to that connection, the province became a major producer, processor and exporter of grain, supplying most of Russia. By the 1890s, the economy of Volgograd (then Tsaritsyn), relied mainly on the trade of grain,naphtha,fish and salt.[18]Modern Volgograd remains an important industrial city. Industries includeshipbuilding,oil refining,steelandaluminumproduction, manufacture of heavy machinery and vehicles at theVolgograd Tractor PlantandTitan-Barrikadyplant, and chemical production. The largeVolgograd Hydroelectric Plantis a short distance to the north of Volgograd.

Further information on the private Russian bank:Volgoprombank

Transportation[edit]

Volgograd is a major railway junction served by thePrivolzhskaya Railway.Rail links from theVolgograd railway stationinclude Moscow; Saratov; Astrakhan; theDonbasregion ofUkraine;theCaucasusandSiberia.It stands at the east end of theVolga–Don Canal,opened in 1952 to link the two great rivers ofSouthern Russia.European route E40,the longest European route connectingCalaisinFrancewithRidderinKazakhstan,passes through Volgograd. TheM6 highwaybetween Moscow and the Caspian Sea also passes through the city. TheVolgograd Bridge,under construction since 1995, was inaugurated in October 2009.[36]The city river terminal is the center for local passenger shipping along the Volga River.

TheVolgograd International Airportprovides air links to major Russian cities as well asAntalya,YerevanandAktau.

Volgograd's public transport system includes alight railservice known as theVolgograd Metrotram.Local public transport is provided by buses, trolleybuses and trams.

TheVolga Riverstill is a very important communication channel.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
189756,500—
1926153,502+171.7%
1939445,312+190.1%
1959593,844+33.4%
1970817,647+37.7%
1979928,692+13.6%
1989998,894+7.6%
20021,011,417+1.3%
20101,021,215+1.0%
20211,028,036+0.7%
Source: Census data

Ethnic composition[edit]

At the time of the official 2010 Census, the ethnic makeup of the city's population whose ethnicity was known (999,785) was:[37]

Ethnicity Population Percentage
Russians 922,321 92.3%
Armenians 15,200 1.5%
Ukrainians 12,216 1.2%
Tatars 9,760 1.0%
Azerbaijanis 6,679 0.7%
Kazakhs 3,831 0.4%
Belarusians 2,639 0.3%
Koreans 2,389 0.2%
Others 24,750 2.5%

Culture[edit]

Mamayev Kurgan Memorial Complex[edit]

Hall of Military Glory

A memorial complex commemorating the battle of Stalingrad, dominated by an immense allegorical sculptureThe Motherland Calls,was erected on theMamayev Kurgan(Russian: Мамаев Курган), the hill that saw some of the most intense fighting during the battle. This complex includes the Hall of Military Glory, a circular building housing an eternal flame and bearing plaques with the names of the fallen heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad. This memorial features an hourly changing of the guard that draws many tourists during the warmer months. Across from this Hall, there is a statue called Mother's Sorrow, which depicts a grieving woman holding a fallen soldier in her arms. During the summer months, this statue is surrounded by a small water feature, called the Lake of Tears. Further down the hill of this complex, there is a Plaza of Heroes (also known as Heroes' Square), featuring multiple allegorical sculptures of heroic deeds. This plaza is sometimes referred to by the title of the most famous of these sculptures, called "Having withstood, we conquered death".

Panorama Museum[edit]

Panorama Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad, including Gerhardt's Mill

The Panorama Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad is a large cultural complex that sits on the shore of theVolga river.It is located on the site of the "Penza Defense Junction", a group of buildings along Penzenskaya Street (now Sovetskaya Street), which was defended by the 13th Guards Rifle Division. The complex includesGerhardt's Mill,which is preserved in its bombed out state. The museum on the complex grounds houses the largest painting in Russia, apanoramic paintingof the battlefield as seen fromMamayev Kurgan,where "The Motherland Calls" statue now stands. This museum also features Soviet military equipment from the 1940s, numerous exhibits of weapons (including a rifle of the famous sniperVasily Zaytsev), uniforms, personal belongings of generals and soldiers involved in the battle and detailed maps and timelines of the battle.

Planetarium[edit]

Volgograd Planetarium

The Volgograd Planetarium was a gift fromEast Germanyin honor of what would have been Stalin's 70th birthday.[38]Neoclassical in style, the building facade is designed like a Roman temple, with sixTuscan columnstopped by capitals decorated with stars. Designed byVera Ignatyevna Mukhina,the dome is crowned by a female personification of Peace, holding an astrolabe with a dove. Opened in 1954, it was only the second purpose-built planetarium in the Soviet Union. The entryway interior features a mural of Stalin in the white uniform of a naval admiral, surrounded by lilies and doves, more symbols of peace. On either side of the mural, are busts ofKonstantin Tsiolkovsky,a Soviet rocket scientist, andYuri Gagarin,a Soviet pilot and cosmonaut and the first human to venture into outer space. On the second floor, there are large stained glass windows, featuring images related to Soviet space exploration. The planetarium was outfitted with aZeiss projector,the first produced by theCarl Zeiss Companyin theirJenaplant after the end of World War 2.[39]The projector supplied was the UPP-23/1s model, which was produced between 1954 and 1964; it is still operational and in regular use at the Volgograd Planetarium. The projector was supplemented by a digital system in 2019; the Fulldome Pro model LDX12. Zeiss also provided the 365mm refractor telescope for the observatory, which is still in operation today.[40]The planetarium hosts scientific and educational lectures, providesFulldomeshows, has scheduled tours, features daytime and nighttime observations and runs an astronomy club for children.[41]

Other[edit]

Across the street from the Panorama Museum, standsPavlov's House,another surviving monument to the Battle of Stalingrad. Several monuments and memorials can be found nearby, including a statue of Lenin, a statue in honor of children who survived war and another to the Pavlov's House defenders.

TheMusical Instrument Museumis a branch of the Volgograd regional Museum of local lore.

Religion[edit]

As a port city along an important and busy trading route, Volgograd has always been a diverse place. An 1897 survey reveals 893 Jews (512 men and 381 women), 1,729 Muslims (938 men and 791 women), and 193 Catholics (116 men and 77 women).[42]

Holy Spirit Monastery[edit]

Holy Spirit Monastery, before 1923

Land for the Holy Spirit Monastery was originally allocated in 1904, but construction did not begin until 1909 and was not complete until 1911.Sergei Trufanov,also known as the 'mad monk' of Tsaritsyn, was the driving force behind fundraising and getting the project off the ground.[19]The original complex had a church that could accommodate 6,000 people, the monastery itself could house 500 and an auditorium that held 1,000. There was a school, space for workshops, a printing office and analmshouse.The land the monastery stood on also hosted multiple gardens, a fountain and several inner yards.[43]

In 1912, the monastery was divided to a male and female section, housing both monks and nuns. In 1914, the school on the grounds of the Holy Spirit Monastery became part of the city school system and in 1915, housed 53 girls whose fathers were on the front lines. During theRussian Civil War,an infirmary was set up and the complex was alternately used by both theBolsheviksand theWhites.In 1923, once the area was under firm Bolshevik control, the monastery was closed. During the following decades, the complex was used as an orphanage, a library, a cinema and a student hostel. Eventually, many of the buildings fell into disuse and became dilapidated. At the onset of the Second World War, the complex was given to the military and many of the original buildings were demolished.[44]

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, theDiocese of Volgogradwas established and the military began the process of transferring what was left of the Holy Spirit Monastery back to the church. A theological school was established in 1992 and restoration of the site continues today.[45]

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral[edit]

Original Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tsaritsyn, before 1932

Construction of the cathedral began on April 22, 1901, with the laying of the foundation stone byBishop Hermogenes.The domes were installed in 1915 and consecration took place on May 19, 1918. Almost as soon as it was built, the cathedral fell out of use. The Soviet powers closed it down officially in 1929, with the crosses and bells removed and the liturgical objects confiscated. The cathedral was then used as a motor depot and eventually demolished in 1932. In 2001, the long project of rebuilding the cathedral was begun. The first foundation stone was laid in 2016 and the finished replica was finally consecrated in 2021 byPatriarch Kirill.[46]

The new church stands in central Volgograd, bounded by Communist Street (Russian: Коммунистическая Улица) and Mir Street (Russian: Улица Мира) on the north and south and Volodarsk Street (Russian: Улица Володарского) and Gogol Street (Russian: Улица Гоголя) on the west and east, respectively. This area is also a park, called Alexander's Garden (Russian: Александровский Сад). The cathedral stands across the street from a World War 2 monument, and a statue of and chapel for, the eponymousAlexander Nevsky.

Floating Churches[edit]

Original St.Nicholas floating church, consecrated in 1910

Volgograd hosts one of the few self-propelled floating churches in the world: the chapel boat of Saint Vladimir of Volgograd. Spearheaded by Vladimir Koretsky and assisted by a Dutch Orthodox priest who was part of the organizationAid to the Church in Need(ACN), the Saint Vladimir was consecrated in October 2004 on the shore of the Volga. Originally a decommissioned landing craft found in a shipyard outside St. Petersburg, it took two years to convert it into a floating church. The boat chapel sports three shining domes and was decorated with icons and religious motifs by a local Volgograd artist. On its maiden voyage, the Saint Vladimir reachedAstrakhanin the south andSaratovin the north; traveling an 800 kilometer (~500 mile) span of the Volga River.[47]

In addition to this self propelled church, Vladimir Koretsky first built two other floating churches in Volgograd, both of which must be towed by another craft. The Saint Innocent was originally a repair vessel and was located in a shipyard in Volgograd. Despite it being in poor condition, the boat had good sized cabins and a kitchen unit; the hull was restored, the largest cabins were merged and a single shining dome was added. Icons and sacred relics were donated by parishes from all over the country and the floating church was consecrated on 22 May 1998. During its first year in operation, it visited 28 villages, where 446 people were baptised and 1,500 received communion. The Saint Innocent was mobile for four months of the year, operating mostly on the Don River, and spent the rest of the time moored inPyatimorsk,providing a semi permanent church for that rural locality.[47]

Due to the success of the Saint Innocent, the ACN launched the creation of a second floating church, this time built atop an old barge. Christened the Saint Nicholas, in honor of the original floating church built in 1910, it was moored at a yacht club in Volgograd for several years, serving as a place of worship for passing ships crews. It was later towed to Oktyabrsky, a remote southern village of the Volgograd Oblast, to serve as a semi-permanent church.[47]

All of these floating churches were inspired by the original; a retrofitted tug-passenger steamer, which ran between Kazan and Astrakhan, named the Saint Nicholas. Commissioned in 1858, it was first christened the Kriushi, then the Pirate, until it was purchased by theDiocese of Astrakhanin 1910 and converted into a church. It served for 8 years, traveling up and down the Volga River, sometimes clocking 4,000 miles a year. Much like every other church in Russia, it was decommissioned in 1918 by the Soviets. It made such an impact on the local population however, that almost 80 years later, it was the inspiration for a new "flotilla of God".[47]

Volgograd Synagogue[edit]

First Volgograd Synagogue

Also known as Beit David Synagogue, it was named after David Kolotilin, a Jewish leader during the Soviet period. Although some sources claim that this was the first synagogue to serve the Jews of Volgograd, was constructed in 1888, and its original purpose was exclusively that of a synagogue, there is little evidence to support this. What little documentation exists suggests that it was indeed built at the turn of the century, but its original purpose is unknown.[48]In fact, a 1903 tourist guide to Tsaritsyn, warns that almost all of the buildings in the town are wooden and makes no mention of this structure, so an 1888 construction date is highly unlikely.[19]It is a two-story, rectangular building, made of brick and richly decorated. The architectural style is typical of residential buildings constructed in Tsaritsyn after the turn of the century.[49]The original building barely survived the Battle of Stalingrad; it was in ruins as late as 1997, with broken windows and gaping holes made by Nazi bombs. Some sources suggest that the building was reconstructed, but not restored, by 1999.[48]Emissaries of theChabad-Lubavitch organizationlaunched a campaign to return the building to the Jewish community and were finally successful in 2003. With the help of multiple fundraising campaigns and generous donors, including Edward Shifrin and Alex Schneider, the synagogue was restored. An annex was constructed in 2005 to mimic the original style and the building was rededicated in 2007.[50]The prayer hall can be found on the first floor, with communal offices on the second.[48]Located at 2 Balachninskaya Street in the center of Volgograd. In addition to regular religious services, it also hosts a soup kitchen, a Jewish day school and an overnight children's camp. As of 2022, the community is led by Rabbi Zalman Yoffe.[51]

Education[edit]

Higher education facilities include:

Sports[edit]

Aerial view of theVolgograd Arenain 2018
Club Sport Founded Current League League
Tier		 Stadium
Rotor Volgograd Football 1929 Russian Professional Football League 1st Volgograd Arena
Olimpia Volgograd Football 1989 Volgograd Oblast Football Championship 5th Olimpia Stadium
Kaustik Volgograd Handball 1929 Handball Super League 1st Dynamo Sports Complex
Dynamo Volgograd Handball 1929 Women's Handball Super League 1st Dynamo Sports Complex
Krasny Oktyabr Volgograd Basketball 2012 VTB United League 2nd Trade Unions Sports Palace
Spartak Volgograd Water Polo 1994 Russian Water Polo Championship 1st CVVS

Volgograd was a host city to four matches of theFIFA World Cupin 2018. A new modern stadium,Volgograd Arena,was built for this occasion on the bank of the Volga River to serve as the venue. The stadium has a seating capacity for 45,000 people, including a press box, a VIP box and seats for people with limited mobility[55].

Notable people[edit]

Main article:List of people from Volgograd

International relations[edit]

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Russia

Volgograd is/wastwinnedwith:[56]

Climate[edit]

Volgograd has acold semi arid climate(Bsk Köppen climate classification: ) with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is low and spread more or less evenly throughout the year.[65]

Climate data for Volgograd (1991–2020, extremes 1836–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1) 		15.9
(60.6) 		20.5
(68.9) 		29.9
(85.8) 		37.2
(99.0) 		39.4
(102.9) 		41.8
(107.2) 		42.6
(108.7) 		37.8
(100.0) 		31.0
(87.8) 		21.0
(69.8) 		12.6
(54.7) 		42.6
(108.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −3.0
(26.6) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		5.1
(41.2) 		15.8
(60.4) 		23.0
(73.4) 		28.1
(82.6) 		30.7
(87.3) 		29.8
(85.6) 		22.5
(72.5) 		13.8
(56.8) 		4.3
(39.7) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		13.9
(57.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.7
(21.7) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		0.9
(33.6) 		10.3
(50.5) 		17.3
(63.1) 		22.4
(72.3) 		24.8
(76.6) 		23.8
(74.8) 		16.8
(62.2) 		9.3
(48.7) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		9.3
(48.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.1
(17.4) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		5.8
(42.4) 		12.3
(54.1) 		17.2
(63.0) 		19.5
(67.1) 		18.4
(65.1) 		12.1
(53.8) 		5.6
(42.1) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		−6.3
(20.7) 		5.4
(41.7)
Record low °C (°F) −33.0
(−27.4) 		−32.5
(−26.5) 		−25.8
(−14.4) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		2.0
(35.6) 		7.2
(45.0) 		4.5
(40.1) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−25.8
(−14.4) 		−27.8
(−18.0) 		−33.0
(−27.4)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches) 39
(1.5) 		32
(1.3) 		34
(1.3) 		26
(1.0) 		41
(1.6) 		34
(1.3) 		29
(1.1) 		19
(0.7) 		33
(1.3) 		33
(1.3) 		27
(1.1) 		43
(1.7) 		390
(15.2)
Average extreme snow depth cm (inches) 11
(4.3) 		18
(7.1) 		10
(3.9) 		1
(0.4) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1
(0.4) 		6
(2.4) 		18
(7.1)
Average snowy days 20 17 11 2 0.1 0 0 0 0.1 1 9 18 78.2
Averagerelative humidity(%) 89 87 81 63 56 55 50 49 60 73 86 89 70
Averagedew point°C (°F) −8
(18) 		−8
(18) 		−3
(27) 		2
(36) 		7
(45) 		11
(52) 		12
(54) 		10
(50) 		7
(45) 		3
(37) 		−2
(28) 		−6
(21) 		2
(36)
Mean monthlysunshine hours 66.1 96.9 138.4 204.2 290.8 308.4 329.3 300.2 228.9 155.8 63.6 42.5 2,225.1
Mean dailydaylight hours 8.8 10.2 11.9 13.7 15.3 16.1 15.7 14.3 12.6 10.8 9.2 8.4 12.3
Averageultraviolet index 1 1 3 4 6 7 7 6 4 2 1 1 4
Source 1: Pogoda.ru.net[66]
Source 2: Weatherbase (snow-sun)[67]Time and date (humidity and Dew point 1985-2015)[68]Weather atlas (Daylight-UV)[69]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^abcCharter of Volgograd, Preamble
  2. ^abcdeLaw #139-OD
  3. ^abЭнциклопедия Города России.Moscow: Большая Российская Энциклопедия. 2003. pp. 81–83.ISBN5-7107-7399-9.
  4. ^abCharter of Volgograd, Article 22
  5. ^"Руководители".volgadmin.ru.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.
  6. ^Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011).Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1[2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1].Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census](in Russian).Federal State Statistics Service.
  7. ^"26. Численность постоянного населения Российской Федерации по муниципальным образованиям на 1 января 2018 года".Federal State Statistics Service.RetrievedJanuary 23,2019.
  8. ^abcLaw #1031-OD
  9. ^"Об исчислении времени".Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации(in Russian). June 3, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  10. ^Почта России. Информационно-вычислительный центр ОАСУ РПО. (Russian Post).Поиск объектов почтовой связи(Postal Objects Search)(in Russian)
  11. ^"RUSSIA: Južnyj Federal'nyj Okrug: Southern Federal District".City Population.de. August 4, 2020.RetrievedOctober 18,2020.
  12. ^"Оценка численности постоянного населения по субъектам Российской Федерации".Federal State Statistics Service.RetrievedSeptember 1,2022.
  13. ^Davis, Daniel L. (November 28, 2016)."Why Stalingrad Was the Bloodiest Battle of World War II (and Perhaps of All Time)".The National Interest.RetrievedMarch 17,2022.
  14. ^"World Cup 2018 stadiums: Complete guide to all 12 venues in 11 Russian cities - CBSSports", June 27, 2018"The industrial city of Volgograd... plays host to the following group stage games: Tunisia vs. England on June 18, Nigeria vs. Iceland on June 22, Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt on June 25 and Japan vs. Poland on June 28."
  15. ^"Рощевская Л.П. Генетик П.Ф. Рокицкий в истории Коми филиала АН СССР (1949-1957 гг.)".Genesis: исторические исследования.7(7): 105–121. July 2017.doi:10.25136/2409-868x.2017.7.23255.ISSN2409-868X.
  16. ^Moss, Walter G. (2004).A History Of Russia.Vol. 2: Since 1855. Anthem Press. p. 213.ISBN978-0-85728-739-7.
  17. ^"Volgograd: History and Myth - GeoHistory".October 10, 2010.RetrievedAugust 22,2022.
  18. ^abcdHenze, Charlotte E. (2015).Disease, Health Care and Government in Late Imperial Russia; Life and Death on the Volga, 1823-1914.Routledge.ISBN9781138967779.
  19. ^abcdefDixon, Simon (2010)."The 'Mad Monk' Iliodor in Tsaritsyn".The Slavonic and East European Review.88(1/2): 377–415.doi:10.1353/see.2010.0064.JSTOR20780425.S2CID147490431.RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  20. ^abcKrapivensky, Solomon Eliazarovich (1993)."The Jewish community of Tsaritsyn (Volgograd) at the turn of the nineteenth century".Proceedings of the World Congress of Jewish Studies; Division B, the History of the Jewish People.3:31–35.JSTOR23536822.RetrievedApril 19,2022.
  21. ^Lutz-Auras, Ludmilla (2012)."Auf Stalin, Sieg Und Vaterland!": Politisierung Der Kollektiven Erinnerung an Den Zweiten Weltkrieg in Russland(in German). Springer-Verlag. p. 189.ISBN978-3658008215.
  22. ^Mccauley, Martin(2013).Stalin and Stalinism(3 ed.). Routledge.ISBN978-1317863687.10 April 1925: Tsaritsyn is renamed Stalingrad.
  23. ^Brewer's Dictionary of 20th Century Phrase and Fable
  24. ^Grant, R. G. (2005).Battle: A Visual Journey Through 5,000 Years of Combat.Dorling Kindersley.ISBN0-7566-1360-4.
  25. ^Geoffrey, Roberts (2002).Victory at Stalingrad(1st ed.). Routledge. p. 9.ISBN978-0582771857.
  26. ^Krinko, Evgeniy; Medvedev, Maksim (November 21, 2017)."Demographic Consequences of the Stalingrad Battle".Science Journal of Volgograd State University(in Russian).23:91–104 – viaDirectory of Open Access Journals.
  27. ^abCraig, William (1973).Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad.Reader's Digest Press.p. 385.ISBN0141390174.
  28. ^"British cinema of the 1950s a celebration"(PDF).expeditiorepositorio.utadeo.edu.co.RetrievedApril 9,2024.
  29. ^"Council sends letter to Russian twin".Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2022.
  30. ^abDecision #72/2149
  31. ^ab"Russia revives Stalingrad city name".The Daily Telegraph.January 31, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 7,2013.
  32. ^"Stalingrad name to be revived for anniversaries".BBC News Online.February 1, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 7,2013.
  33. ^"Putin says Russian city Volgograd can become Stalingrad again".TASS.
  34. ^"Волгоград сдался выборам".gazeta.ru.2012.
  35. ^Europa Publications (February 26, 2004)."Southern Federal Okrug".The Territories of the Russian Federation 2004.Taylor & Francis Group. p. 174.ISBN9781857432480.RetrievedMarch 4,2017.The Oblast's administrative center is at Volgograd.
  36. ^Иванов открыл в Волгограде самый большой мост в Европе(in Russian).Vesti.RetrievedFebruary 9,2011.
  37. ^"Национальный состав городских округов и муниципальных районов"(PDF).Итоги Всероссийской переписи населения 2010 года по Волгоградской области.Территориальный орган Федеральной службы государственной статистики по Волгоградской области.Archived(PDF)from the original on November 4, 2017.RetrievedAugust 5,2013.
  38. ^"About Planetarium/Story".VolgogradPlanetarium.ru.RetrievedMay 8,2022.
  39. ^Firebrace, William (2017).Star Theatre: The Story of the Planetarium.United Kingdom: Reaktion Books.ISBN9781780238883.
  40. ^"Volgograd Planetarium".World Planetarium Database.RetrievedMay 9,2022.
  41. ^"Services".VolgogradPlanetarium.ru.RetrievedMay 8,2022.
  42. ^"Tsaritsyn Synagogue".Tsaritsyn Encyclopedia.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
  43. ^"Construction of the Monastery".sdmon.ru (Holy Spirit Monastery).RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  44. ^"Monastery Transformations".sdmon.ru (Holy Spirit Monastery).RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  45. ^"Monastery Restoration".sdmon.ru (Holy Spirit Monastery).RetrievedApril 20,2022.
  46. ^"Patriarch Kirill Consecrates Restored St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Volgograd".pravmir.September 20, 2021.RetrievedApril 23,2022.
  47. ^abcdBarba Lata, Iulian V.; Minca, Claudio (2018)."The floating churches of Volgograd: river topologies and warped spatialities of faith".Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers.43(1): 122–136.Bibcode:2018TrIBG..43..122B.doi:10.1111/tran.12208.
  48. ^abcLevin, Vladimir; Berezin, Anna (2021). Cohen-Mushlin, Aliza; Oleshkevich, Ekaterina (eds.)."Jewish Material Culture along the Volga Preliminary Expedition Report"(PDF).Center for Jewish Art at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
  49. ^Serebryanaya, V; Kolyshev, Yu (2020)."Regional tradition in the architectural culture of Nizhneye Povolzhye (by the example of the Volgograd region)".IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng.962(3): 032043.Bibcode:2020MS&E..962c2043S.doi:10.1088/1757-899X/962/3/032043.S2CID229477037.
  50. ^"Dedication of New Synagogue in" Stalin's City "".chabad.org.November 30, 2007.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
  51. ^"Jewish Community of Volgograd".chabad.org.RetrievedApril 24,2022.
  52. ^"Volgograd State Technical University – Main page".Vstu.ru. August 21, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 15,2011.
  53. ^Россия."Volgograd State Medical University (VolSMU)".Volgmed.ru.RetrievedSeptember 15,2011.
  54. ^"Волгоградская Академия Государственной Службы - Новости".June 27, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2007.RetrievedSeptember 15,2011.
  55. ^"Your Full Volgograd World Cup Guide".Travel Tips and Concierge Service Blog.June 12, 2018.RetrievedJuly 4,2024.
  56. ^"Города-побратимы".volgadmin.ru(in Russian). Volgograd.RetrievedFebruary 1,2020.
  57. ^Murray, Jessica (March 23, 2022)."Coventry no longer twinned with Volgograd in protest over Ukraine war".The Guardian.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  58. ^"OSTRAVA WILL TERMINATE THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH DONETSK AND VOLGOGRAD".ostrava.cz.March 23, 2022.
  59. ^Bechet, Marc."Liège suspends its twinning with Volgograd".dhnet.be (DH Les Sports+)(in French).RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  60. ^"International Relations; Agreement with Volgograd".Citta' di Torino (City of Turin).RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  61. ^"Twin Cities of Volgograd".Official Website of Volgograd.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  62. ^"International Relations; Volgograd Russian Federation - Agreement (2020)".Citta' di Torino (City of Turin).RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  63. ^"Płońsk suspends cooperation with the Russian Volgograd".March 1, 2022.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
  64. ^"Iran's Ardabil, Russia's Volgograd to be sisters".Mehr, Economy.Mehr news agency. Mehr. May 23, 2015.RetrievedApril 7,2024.News Code 107424
  65. ^"Volgograd, Russia Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)".Weatherbase.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
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  68. ^"Climate & Weather Averages in Volgograd, Russia".Time and Date.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.
  69. ^"The climate of Volgograd".weather atlas.RetrievedFebruary 2,2024.

Sources[edit]

  • Волгоградский городской Совет народных депутатов. Постановление №20/362 от 29 июня 2005 г. «Устав города-героя Волгограда», в ред. Решения №32/1000 от 15 июля 2015 г. «О внесении изменений и дополнений в Устав города-героя Волгограда». Вступил в силу 10 марта 2006 г. (за исключением отдельных положений). Опубликован: "Волгоградская газета", №7, 9 марта 2006 г.(Volgograd City Council of People's Deputies. Resolution #20/362 of June 29, 2005Charter of the Hero City of Volgograd,as amended by the Decision #32/1000 of July 15, 2015On Amending and Supplementing the Charter of the Hero City of Volgograd.Effective as of March 10, 2006 (with the exception of certain clauses).).
  • Волгоградская областная Дума. Закон №139-ОД от 7 октября 1997 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Волгоградской области», в ред. Закона №107-ОД от 10 июля 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в отдельные законодательные акты Волгоградской области в связи с приведением их в соответствие с Уставом Волгоградской области». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Волгоградская правда", №207, 1 ноября 1997 г.(Volgograd Oblast Duma. Law #139-OD of October 7, 1997On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Volgograd Oblast,as amended by the Law #107-OD of July 10, 2015On Amending Various Legislative Acts of Volgograd Oblast to Ensure Compliance with the Charter of Volgograd Oblast.Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
  • Волгоградская областная Дума. Закон №1031-ОД от 21 марта 2005 г. «О наделении города-героя Волгограда статусом городского округа и установлении его границ», в ред. Закона №2013-ОД от 22 марта 2010 г «О внесении изменений в Закон Волгоградской области от 21 марта 2005 г. №1031-ОД "О наделении города-героя Волгограда статусом городского округа и установлении его границ" ». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования (22 марта 2005 г.). Опубликован: "Волгоградская правда", №49, 22 марта 2005 г.(Volgograd Oblast Duma. Law #1031-OD of March 21, 2005On Granting Urban Okrug Status to the Hero City of Volgograd and on Establishing Its Borders,as amended by the Law #2013-OD of March 22, 2010On Amending the Law of Volgograd Oblast #1031-OD of March 21, 2005 "On Granting Urban Okrug Status to the Hero City of Volgograd and on Establishing Its Borders".Effective as of the day of the official publication (March 22, 2005).).
  • Волгоградская городская Дума. Решение №72/2149 от 30 января 2013 г. «Об использовании наименования "город-герой Сталинград" », в ред. Решения №9/200 от 23 декабря 2013 г. «О внесении изменений в пункт 1 Порядка использования наименования "город-герой Сталинград", определённого Решением Волгоградской городской Думы от 30.01.2013 No.72/2149 "Об использовании наименования" город-герой Сталинград "». Вступил в силу со дня принятия. Опубликован:" Городские вести. Царицын – Сталинград – Волгоград ", #10, 2 февраля 2013 г.(Volgograd City Duma. Decision #72/2149 of January 30, 2013On Using the Name of the "Hero City Stalingrad",as amended by the Decision #9/200 of December 23, 2013On Amending Item 1 of the Procedures for Usage of the Name "Hero City Stalingrad", Adopted by the January 30, 2013 Decision #72/2149 of Volgograd City Duma "On Using the Name of the" Hero City Stalingrad ".Effective as of the day of adoption.).

Bibliography[edit]

See also:Timeline of Volgograd § Bibliography

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Volgograd&oldid=1233850552"