Attractions and sights of Samara

Monument to Chapaev and Drama Theater

Samara is a city with a rich history and classical Russian architecture, where the golden domes of temples harmonize with glittering facades of modern buildings on the background of green hills and majestic Volga River. This city with a million inhabitants and 400 year-old history is famous for numerous monuments, buildings of the XVIII-XIX centuries, and also evidences of the significant events of the XX century.

First of all, among the Samara attractions it is worth noting the temples and churches, which represent not only the important religious monuments, but also the best examples of Russian architecture of the XIX century. Today they administer the divine services, together with Russian Orthodox rituals and rites that can be watched de visu.

Samara is also known as one of the Russian aircraft engineering centers. This is confirmed by such landmarks as the Monument- IL -2 Plane and the R-7 rocket - the legend of the Soviet astronautics.

The Main Attractions in Samara

The Ascension Cathedral

In the center of Samara, overlooking with sparkling dome and bell tower there stands the city’s oldest Cathedral of the Ascension. Built in 1847, it was the main temple of Samara for half a century. Earlier there stood a small wooden church in its place. More...

Iver Monastery

On the Volga steep banks in Samara there is one of the city’s most beautiful sights – the Iver Monastery. The history of this religious complex begins from 1850, with the establishment of a small community of Sisters of Charity. For that end, the Samara inhabitants raised money as much as they could and allocated a small area outside the city. More...

The monument to IL-2

The center of Samara is dominated by one of the city’s main symbols - IL -2 Stormovik, the legendary aircraft of World War II. During the war, Samara plants produced more than 27,000 aircrafts, which accounted for 80 percent of the total amount. To date, IL -2 - is the most massive military aircraft in history. More...

“Cosmic Samara” Museum

Few people know that Samara was one of the main builders of the Soviet Union’s space program. It was the assembling place of “Vostok “rocket which placed in orbit the first manned spaceship. It was there where the aerospace power of the Soviet Union was forming, and it would be strange not to immortalize such a memorable event in the city’s history. More...

Stalin's Bunker

The Stalin's Bunker is one of Samara’s most unique and unusual attractions, located under the Academy of Art and Culture building. This underground structure is associated with some legends, according to which the Bunker is connected by tunnels with other important Samara facilities, and also it has Stalin private office with a lot of false doors. More...

Samara Monuments and Memorials

Samara is home to one of the best collections of monuments and memorials dedicated to outstanding personalities, important events and city’s symbols. Samara residents respect and honor their history, immortalizing in bronze and granite everything that played a significant role in the city’s life. More...