Volgograd

Volgograd, founded in 1589, has changed its name several times through its history. In 1925 politically dissonant name of the town, Tsaritsyn was replaced by more up-dated and Soviet one - Stalingrad. As a result of dethronement of Stalin personality's cult, in 1961 Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd, that is a town on the River Volga. But it was under the name of Stalingrad that the city went down in the world history as a hero-city. During World War II the city turned into the stage of pitched battles that in many respects determined the victory of allied over the Fascist invaders. By 1945 Stalingrad had been practically leveled and was among the first Russian towns reconstructed in the first post-war years. Nowadays nothing reminds that this beautiful modern city once was a land of ruins. And only several museums and monuments commemorate the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the peace.