Saransk

Have you been to your hometown lately?
The last time I was in my hometown was over the winter holidays with my family. We spent a lot of time together. We skied, skated and just walked.
Also we ate our traditional cuisine.

Where is it on the map?
Saransk, city and capital of Mordoviya, in western Russia. It lies along the upper Insar River and on the western flank of the Volga River uplands.
The population of Saransk is about 320,000 (2020), the area - 81 sq. km.

When was it founded?
Saransk was founded as a small wooden fortress on the bank of the Saranka River on the southeastern outskirts of the Tsardom of Russia in 1641. It was one of the many fortresses that served to protect against the raids of nomads from the Crimea and the Black Sea region. The fortress was called Saransky Ostrozhek.

What is it famous for?
It is an important route centre, with railways to Ryazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Samara, and Penza. Industrial development was greatly stimulated in World War II, and a wide range of factories now produce machinery, electrical equipment, penicillin, and consumer goods. Saransk has a university founded in 1957 and a research institute of Mordvin culture.

What is its main attraction?
Cathedral of St. Fyodor Ushakov (2002-2006) - the largest Orthodox church in Saransk built in the Empire style with a neo-Byzantine dome and located on Sobornaya Square (the main square of the city). The height of this magnificent building is 60 meters. Inside you can see a beautiful gilded iconostasis.

What is its main attraction?
Recreation park named after A.S. Pushkin. This park was founded in the 19th century, when the first trees were planted in one of the city squares around the church. The current territory of the park is about 40 hectares. In recent years, new rides have appeared here, and a boat and catamarans rental station has been opened on the bank of the river. On the territory of the park there is a city zoo, a Ferris wheel, a monument to Fyodor Ushakov, a hotel, a flower calendar, and a live green portrait of Pushkin.

What is its main attraction?
Mordovian Erzia Museum of Visual Arts.
The world’s largest collection of works by the outstanding 20th century sculptor Stepan Dmitrievich Erzia (more than 200 works) is exhibited here. The museum presents collections of works of all major types of art: painting, graphics, sculpture. Collections of works of Russian art of the 18th-19th centuries, modern Russian art, Mordovian folk and decorative-applied art are also on display here.

What should visitors beware of?
The only thing that should be avoided in our city is the old districts. Such as the «старый химмаш » «ТЭЦ», in the evening, as they are considered not very prosperous and you can stumble upon an unfavorable company. But during the day, of course, you can see many beautiful structures there.