Samara is a versatile city. Ancient monasteries in it are adjacent to the Museum of Cosmonautics, museums are dedicated to the politicians of the Civil War and writers, classical productions and modern modern performances are staged in theaters, the old Strukovsky Garden and the young Gagarin Park are beautiful. Among the religious buildings there are Orthodox churches, a Muslim mosque, a Lutheran church, a Catholic church.
The architectural appearance of the city combines different architectural styles. In the historical part of Samara, there have been preserved openwork wooden mansions, buildings in the Art Nouveau and Stalinist classicism style. Many architectural monuments are located on Kupecheskaya Street. Many places are dedicated to the memory of the tragic events of the Great Patriotic War - Victory Park, the Glory Monument. Stalin's declassified bunker is especially interesting for tourists.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best sights of Samara. He will help you plan routes for self-examination of the top places of the city in 2-3 days.
Samara embankment
It is considered the best in the Volga region. Architectural and engineering solutions combined the beach, walking, recreation and sports areas in one picturesque place. The embankment is decorated with a fountain and many green spaces - chestnuts, cherries, blue and silver spruces, palms. The embankment offers beautiful views of the famous Russian Volga River. There is an amusement park, from the pier you can go on a boat trip.
Read about the best places in the region: the main attractions of the Samara region.
Zhigulevsky brewery
A visit to a brewery is one of the most unusual excursions in Samara. Guests will be introduced to all production stages in the existing workshops. The program includes an inspection of a brewhouse, a fermentation and lager shop with vats of 250 m² and a filtration department, where the foamy drink is poured into containers. They will tell the secrets of making Samara beer and about the history of the plant. At the end of the excursion - tasting of five sorts of beer.
Observation deck "Helicopter"
Earlier, this place was the landing site of the helicopter of the chief designer of the engine building plant. After the observation deck was founded here, it was popularly dubbed the "Helicopter". It is located 25 km from the city. It offers a breathtaking view of Samara, the Volga, islands in the river and a wonderful natural landscape. On the territory around there is an artificial reservoir with a waterfall, benches are placed, flower beds are planted.
Leningradskaya street
"Samarskiy Arbat" or simply "Leningradka" - this is how residents of the city sometimes call this street. There are many merchant mansions of the 19th century, architectural monuments of different eras and styles. The most popular among tourists is the pedestrian section of the street, where its width reaches 25 meters and you can enjoy the old buildings without interference. The most interesting buildings of the street are the house of the merchant Golovin, the house of the architect Mashkov.
Samara Iversky Monastery
Convent, founded in 1850. At the beginning of the 20th century, its architectural ensemble was one of the most beautiful in Samara. In the 1930s, under Soviet rule, the second largest Assumption Cathedral in the city was blown up, the bell tower, part of the buildings were destroyed, the monastery cemetery was destroyed, and valuables were confiscated. The surviving structures were recognized as historical monuments in the 1990s, and the monastery began to be restored.
Samara Regional Art Museum
The museum is housed in a luxurious building with the status of an architectural monument. Its majestic interiors are perfect for placing paintings by great artists - Shishkin, Surikov, Repin, Aivazovsky. In the museum's collection there are many paintings by local and European artists of the 18th-19th centuries, there is a collection of Russian avant-garde and graphics, Soviet art. In total, there are about 35,000 paintings in 5 permanent exhibitions.
Kuibyshev Square
It is considered one of the largest in Europe. Its area is 17.4 hectares, half of which is occupied by green spaces of four squares. Until the 1930s, the architectural dominant of the square was the Cathedral, and the square was called Cathedral. The Bolsheviks blew up the cathedral and built the District Officers' House in its place. Now the most remarkable building on the square is the Opera and Ballet Theater.
Intercession Cathedral
Orthodox cathedral, built in 1861. It was erected in the center of the city and its golden and sky-blue domes can be seen from afar. The cathedral is designed for 2000 people. A tent-roofed bell tower is attached to the five-domed temple in the style of traditional Moscow temple architecture. The cathedral's church singing school is considered one of the best and is famous for solemn divine services. There are miraculous icons and sacred relics in the temple.
Museum "Samara Space"
Opened in 2007. It is housed in the original building with a Soyuz launch vehicle built into its façade. The height of the museum with a rocket directed into the sky is 70 meters. The main exhibition of the museum on the ground floor shows space instruments and spacecraft models. An interactive exhibition on the second floor clearly demonstrates the everyday life of people in space. You can see the real spacesuit and the engine of the lunar ship.
Sculpture "Barge Haulers on the Volga"
Installed at the Parus fountain in 2014. It is a sculptural embodiment of the famous painting by Ilya Repin. The barge haulers and the launch are enclosed in a bronze frame; the waters of the Volga River are a natural background. The size of the monument with the frame corresponds to the size of the real painting. The monument was opened in honor of the 170th anniversary of the artist Repin and his visit to Samara before painting the picture. The sculptor is N. Kuklev.
"Stalin's Bunker"
The bomb shelter, built in 1942 at a depth of 37 meters, has 9 floors. Stalin's secret bunker was declassified in 1990 and is now a popular tourist excursion site. It retains the interiors of the 40s. Visitors will see the study and the rest room intended for Joseph Vissarionovich, the meeting room of the defense committee. The guides will tell you about the riddles and secrets of the bunker, as well as about the leader of the USSR.
The best museums of Samara
The most visited museums in the city, which must be visited.
Povolzhsky Museum of Railway Engineering
Located on a former railway landfill. Most of the exhibits are in the open air. These are freight and passenger trains produced in different centuries, diesel locomotives, steam locomotives, railcars, tanks. Some of the trains can be viewed from the inside. The main administrative building is decorated in the style of a 19th century train station. In it you can see the station superintendent's workplace, antique furniture, old documentation.
Museum of History and Local Lore named after P.V. Alabin
Founded in 1886. The museum has several branches. The main building, built on Alabin's initiative, houses permanent exhibitions. Visitors will learn the history of the region, the traditions of its indigenous peoples. In the nature hall, they tell about the animals and birds of the region. There are ethnographic, paleontological and archaeological exhibitions. The collections of ancient weapons, rare books of the 18th-19th centuries, numismatics are noteworthy.
Children's art gallery
It is located in a building, which is an architectural monument - the former mansion of the merchant Te-Klodt, built in 1898 and looking like an elegant castle. The gallery exhibits thousands of children's works from around the world. Festivals of children's creativity and various exhibitions are held regularly. The museum contains about 17,000 works by emerging artists. An interesting exposition of dolls in historical costumes.
Museum of Modern
The museum is located in one of the most original buildings in Samara, erected in the Art Nouveau style in 1903. Unique exhibits are collected in the restored interiors of the merchant's estate. The refined decoration of the boudoir, study and dining room has been recreated. To fully enjoy the ancient atmosphere, you should pay attention to the details - a patterned staircase, tiled tiles, stucco molding on the facade of the house.
House-Museum of M. Frunze
The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the Civil War of 1918-1920 and the participation of the military and statesman Frunze in it, tells about his talent as a leader. Extensive local history material shows the life of Samara before and during the revolution, as well as during the seizure of the city by Czechoslovak units. Among the exhibits are the uniforms and equipment of the "red" and "white" troops, Frunze's personal belongings, documents and photographs.
Museum-Estate of A.N. Tolstoy
The opening of the museum is timed to coincide with the centenary of the writer in 1983. The 19th century mansion that houses the museum belonged to Tolstoy's stepfather. Tolstoy lived in this house during his studies at the school and institute, he wrote several works. The atmosphere of 1900 was recreated in the memorial estate. Preserved items of furniture, clothing, dishes, magazines. The writer's relatives provided the museum with letters and documents from Tolstoy.
Architectural landmarks of Samara
The city has interesting and notable architectural monuments and urban planning objects. To see the beautiful historical buildings of Samara of the XIX century, go on an excursion along Kuibyshev Street.
Kuibyshev street
The main street of the historical center, where buildings of the 19th century have been preserved. They are occupied by shops, restaurants and cafes, entertainment establishments. More than 50 buildings of the street are of architectural and historical value. The building of the Lutheran Church with a pointed bell tower has been preserved since 1865. The buildings of the Russian Trade and Industrial Bank in the neo-Russian style and the building of the Public Assembly in the modern style look smart.
"House with elephants"
The dacha of the merchant Konstantin Golovkin, built in the Art Nouveau style at the beginning of the 20th century by the project of the architect Tepfer and Golovkin himself. It is a cultural heritage site of the Russian Federation. The sculptures of elephants are a significant object in the design of the dacha. Giant figures set against the backdrop of the house are clearly visible from ships sailing along the Volga. Several legends about the treasures stored in them are connected with the figures of elephants.
Train Station
The height of the unusual railway station is 101 meters. This is one of the tallest train station buildings in Europe. The high spire installed on the dome stands out especially. An observation deck is located inside the dome at a height of 85 meters. The total area of the station premises is 32,000 m². About 16,000 commuter and long-distance train passengers pass through it every day.
Flour mill Stroykov and Yakimov
Regional cultural heritage site. The mill was built near the Volga by the merchants Stroykov and Yakimov in 1903. The ground flour was loaded onto ships and transported around the world. The red brick building was built in the pseudo-Russian style and has many decorative decorations. The mill is one of the few that to this day, like a hundred years ago, produces high quality products.
The best theaters in Samara
There are several large concert and theater venues in the city. Thousands of Samara residents and guests of the city visit them every year.
Samara Opera and Ballet Theater
Founded in 1931. Its building is a striking and grandiose example of the neoclassical style of the 1930s. The repertoire of the theater is diverse, they are not afraid to stage creative experiments. Among his productions are classical opera and ballet works of the 18th century, as well as avant-garde performances of the 20th century, operettas and concert programs. Many actors of the theater troupe have received awards from Russian and international competitions.
Samara State Philharmonic
Located in a new building on the site of the Olympus circus theater. The architecture of the modern building combines features of the Samara Art Nouveau with the exterior of the old building. Since 2001, an organ has been installed in the Philharmonic, which has given the concerts a new sound. Concerts of local bands and touring ensembles and performers take place on the stage of the Philharmonic. For children, there are activities that introduce children to classical music.
Samara Drama Theater named after M. Gorky
The theater was founded in 1851, and its building built in 1888 is a historical cultural heritage site. For its bright facade and decorative design details, the people call it "gingerbread house" and "tower". The hall can accommodate 702 spectators. The repertoire of the theater includes both serious performances participating in festivals and light entertaining performances. The troupe includes honored and people's artists of Russia.
Theater "Samarskaya Square"
Created in 1987 as an experimental studio theater. His modern contemporary productions, combined with excellent drama, attract a large audience. The performances of the theater are distinguished by originality and poignancy, conveying reality in a satirical and metaphorical form. Musical and dance inserts make the performances more colorful. The repertoire includes classical plays by Chekhov, Ostrovsky, Gogol.
Cult places of Samara
The architecture of the city's religious buildings is represented by objects of the Orthodox, Muslim, Catholic faith.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
A religious building in its architectural appearance is more suitable for Europe than the Volga region. This is a church built in the neo-Gothic style by the Polish community. The church has the shape of a cross and is decorated with towers up to 50 meters high. In Soviet times, the church was closed and plundered, the building was returned to the Catholics in 1991. In the altar of the temple, a fresco has been preserved, which is a copy of Dali's painting "Christ of St. John of the Cross".
Don't miss: 35 main temples of Samara.
Samara Cathedral Mosque
The central mosque of the city was erected at the end of the 20th century, after the old building fell into disrepair and ceased to accommodate all parishioners. In 1999, a cross was erected on the constructed mosque and the first prayer was held. The modern building was built in accordance with all the canons of Islam. It can accommodate 5,000 people. The floor of the main hall is paved with marble covered with a luxurious carpet - a gift from fellow believers from Tajikistan.
Cathedral of the Ascension
The oldest surviving temple in Samara. Built in 1841 and was the only temple in the city in the style of classicism. Destroyed in Soviet times, the 56-meter bell tower and dome were rebuilt in the 1990s. The bell tower with a thin spire has 9 bells. The main shrines were donated to the temple by the parishioners. These are the icons of the Mother of God "Everlasting color", "It is worthy". The main shrine is the image of the Mother of God "Quick to Hearken".
Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul
The Orthodox church was founded in 1865 at the expense of the merchant Andrei Golovachev. At the beginning of the 20th century, the church became three-altar. The bell tower and the refectory are located symmetrically to each other at the side chapels. The Bolsheviks used the premises of the church as a military warehouse and stables, so after its return, the believers had to carry out a major reconstruction. The tents were decorated with gilded coverings, the icons of the iconostasis were replaced.
Lutheran Church of St. George
It was built at the expense of the merchant Annayev as a Roman Catholic church, but after the Polish uprising in 1863, the building was handed over to the Samara Lutherans. They completed the church in 1865. The building looks unusual among the merchant houses of the traditional Russian style. Kirkha has a pseudo-Gothic style, pink walls are decorated with decorative white elements. The graceful and austere bell tower is crowned with a cross.
Monuments and monuments of Samara
There are many historical and modern monuments in the city.They are dedicated to famous people and memorable events that took place in the city.
Glory Monument
Located on the square of the same name. Funds for the creation of the monument were collected from all over the city - each worker of the factories and plants of Kuibyshev donated a ruble. The majestic monument is a 13-meter sculpture of a worker facing the Volga. In his hands are the wings of military aircraft. The sculpture is installed on a pedestal 40 meters high. The "Grieving Mother" complex is located nearby.
More information about monuments: 30 most famous monuments of Samara.
Monument "Samara Ladya"
Massive concrete structure 20 meters high. Opened in 1986 in honor of the 400th anniversary of Samara. The authors of the project depicted a boat under sail, sailing towards the Zhigulevskie mountains, past the banks of the Volga. The stele is painted white. The city's coat of arms is depicted on its main sail in the form of a bas-relief. The sculpture is installed on the upper terrace of the embankment. It is one of the symbols of the city, in the opinion of the townspeople.
Monument to V.I.Chapaev
An emotional and vibrant monument is installed opposite the drama theater. It opened in 1932 and for a long time was the highest in the country. Its height is 10 meters, the dimensions of the pedestal are 17 * 22 meters. The monument is a sculptural composition of 8 people. In addition to Chapaev, riding on a horse, rearing up, is depicted a commissar, a partisan, a sailor, a woman with rifles and three soldiers. Sculptor - M. Manizer, architect - I. Langbard.
Monument to Prince Grigory Zasekin
The monument to the founder of the city was erected on the embankment in 2014 in the center of a small site. The sculptor is Karen Sarkisov. He sculpted the prince from bronze on horseback. The prince looks at the part of the city where in 1586 a wooden fortress was founded, which later became a large Volga city. In Zasekin's hand is a banner with the image of Jesus Christ. The height of the monument is 8 meters, the weight together with the pedestal is 46 tons.
Monument to Nicholas the Wonderworker
Installed in 2012 near a house on Chkalov Street, where, according to an urban legend, a miracle happened in the 1950s. According to her, the punishment of God overtook the young girl Zoya Karnaukhova for blasphemy - a dance with the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. It is believed that she froze in one place like a stone and stood motionless for 128 days. The house became a place of pilgrimage, and the city authorities met the request of the diocese to erect a monument.
Gardens and parks of Samara
There are several popular places in the city where you can take a break from the bustle of the city. There are parks with beautiful alleys where you can take a leisurely walk, and places with attractions where you can relax with the whole family.
Strukovsky garden
The old city park was founded in 1851. The territory of the park is 10 hectares. In 2018, the park was reconstructed in accordance with modern park norms, while preserving its historical component. The garden and park ensemble is very beautiful. Terraces with sculptures and fountains cascade down to the river. Arranged for many flower beds and landscape compositions. There is a grotto with an artificial waterfall.
Park named after Yuri Gagarin
Natural park in the city center. It has a lot of green spaces - maples, oaks, spruces, artificial and natural lakes where you can go boating. The total area of the park is almost 40 hectares. A large entertainment area has been equipped, the main attraction of which is considered to be a 55-meter-high Ferris wheel. Visitors are offered horseback riding, a car park and bicycle rental.
Country park
Garden and park zone near the Volga embankment with an area of 42 hectares. A wide alley leads to the river, with flower beds and sculptures installed. Since Soviet times, a zone of traditional park attractions has been preserved - Veselye Gorki, Orbit, Surprise, Ferris wheel, room of laughter. There is a modern rope park, a mini-zoo, a climbing wall, a cafe, a riding school. In winter, there are snowboard and downhill skiing trails.
Park named after the 50th anniversary of October
The people are called the Park of Metallurgists. Its main attraction is a natural lake, where you can ride a boat or catamaran. In the lake there is a fountain "The Swan Princess" with beautiful illumination at night. Several small figures of swans are placed around the figure of the princess. Live on the lake and real swans, as well as ducks and geese. You can meet them all year round, since the lake does not freeze in winter.
Botanical Garden of Samara University
It occupies a huge area of 40 hectares and is an excellent place for walking. The garden has two lakes, an alpine slide and about 3000 different types of plants. Plants from Africa, North and South America, and the Far East are presented. A greenhouse was built especially for tropical plants. It contains palms, vines, orchids, cacti, avocados, dates. Separately allocated areas for luxurious roses and fruit trees.
Victory Park
Opened in 1977. It is filled with sights related to the Great Patriotic War. A monument to young prisoners of fascist concentration camps, a high stele in honor of the Victory in the war and an Eternal Flame, a sculpture of Lieutenant General Karbyshev have been erected. Children are especially attracted by a real war howitzer. The park has linden alleys, a pond and several fountains. There is a chapel on the central alley.
Children's attractions of Samara
It is impossible not to highlight this place as a separate item in the list. The modern Oceanarium in Samara is an ideal place to spend a day with children.
Samara Oceanarium in the shopping and entertainment complex "Moskovsky"
A place where about 4,000 inhabitants of oceans, seas and fresh water bodies live. Separate aquariums are allocated for predators - moray eels, sharks, piranhas. Of particular interest to visitors are blue dolphins and an unusual protopter that can live both on land and in water. The terrarium is home to Red Book Cuban crocodiles. There is a 15-meter tunnel, a walk along which creates the illusion of being in the World Ocean.
Attractions in the vicinity of Samara
The bend of the Volga River in many ways forms the picturesque surroundings near the city. The main natural sites are the Samarskaya Luka National Park and the Zhigulevsky Reserve. These are ideal places to go there on a weekend.
Zhigulevsky reserve
Natural reserve 130 km from Samara, certified by UNESCO. Wild animals live on its territory - ungulates, predators, birds. Visiting the natural attractions of the reserve is possible with a guide. One of the popular tourist routes leads to Strelnaya Mountain, 351 meters high. It offers a beautiful view of the picturesque landscapes of the reserve, the Volga, mountain peaks.
Museum "Motorworld of Vyacheslav Sheyanov"
A museum with a collection of motor vehicles from around the world is located 30 km from the city. The founder of the museum has been collecting it for two decades. There are about 100 motorcycles on display, including the legendary Harley and Indian. All of them have been restored and are in perfect condition. There are motorcycles 100 years old. Each exhibit has its own story - military, civilians, filmed in Hollywood.
Mastryukovsky lakes
A picturesque group of lakes 50 km from Samara. Crystal clear reservoirs are a natural monument. Recreation centers and eco-hotels have been built among virgin nature. Ecological trails are laid along the banks. At the Festival Glade by the Lakes, the Grushinsky Festival of Author's Songs is held, which is attended by dozens of performers from all over the country. These days on the shores of the lake a large tent city grows up.
