Today we present you an article on the topic: "Mordovia sights" with full description where to go and what to see. We also offer interesting comments from travelers.

Attractions of Mordovia - overview and photos of interesting places

Mordovia is a republic Russian Federation, belonging to the Volga region and located in the western part of this region. The capital of this Volga republic is the city of Saransk. Its history as an independent region began in 1930, when the Mordovian Autonomous Region was formed. Four years later, the autonomous region received the status of a republic within the RSFSR.

According to the nature of the relief, the republic can be divided into two parts: its West Side located on the Oka-Don Plain, and the eastern, more extensive - on the Volga Upland. From the northwest to the southeast of the region, the natural areas- the zone of coniferous-deciduous forests gradually turns into a forest-steppe zone.

There are many cultural, historical and sports attractions in Mordovia, as well as unique natural monuments that are of interest to guests of the republic.

This museum, located in the capital of Mordovia, is considered the oldest cultural institution on its territory. It was created in 1918 through the efforts of about a hundred local historians who have been collecting exhibits for it for years. In 2001, the museum officially became one of the institutions with the greatest cultural value in the republic. After another 4 years, he was named after Ivan Dmitrievich Voronov, a local historian who singled out local history as an independent science, literary critic and writer.

The museum has a historical exposition, a department modern history and exhibits telling about the nature of the region. The total number of its exhibits exceeds 200 000 . In it you can get acquainted with valuable books, collections of coins, ancient weapons, as well as see stuffed animals of various types.

This wonderful museum is located in Saransk. It exhibits the world's largest collection of works by the famous sculptor Erzya. Also in the museum you can contemplate the work of artists Sychkov and Makarov. These three cultural figures are natives of Mordovia.

The museum has an art salon where you can not only see, but also buy your favorite works of painting and sculpture by contemporary authors.

The museum is located on Victory Square in Saransk. It was opened for the 50th anniversary of the Great Victory. The area on which it is located is a memorial complex. Granite slabs on the facade of the museum are decorated in the form of a St. George ribbon, and the roof is stylized as a Russian kokoshnik.

The Locomotive Depot Museum is located in Ruzaevka, a major railway junction and one of the main centers for the construction of railway transport in Russia. At the entrance to the museum are two soldiers with guns, as it was in the early twentieth century. Museum visitors have an excellent opportunity to learn the history of the legendary steam locomotive "Cuckoo", which is considered a symbol of Ruzaevka, as well as about the local depot and railway transport the beginning of the last century.

Mordovian State National Drama Theater is located in the capital of the republic. In addition to classical performances, here you can see performances by Mordovian playwrights, which are performed in the Mordovian languages ​​(Erzya and Moksha) with simultaneous translation into Russian. Theater actors actively tour the territory of the republic and neighboring regions where Mordovians live.

The theater has existed since 1889. Then it was organized by the graduates of the Shchepkinsky Theater School who returned to their small homeland, at whose disposal an old house was provided. Since 2007, the theater has been located in a new building.

One of the attractions of Saransk is the musical theater. It hosts classical music concerts, operas, operettas, comedy musical and ballet performances. The theater was opened in 1935. By the beginning of the 75th season, a new building was allocated to the theater. Its auditorium began to accommodate more than 700 people. According to its acoustic characteristics, this hall is one of the best in Russia. Then, in 2011, he was named after the Mordovian singer I.M. Yaushev.

The cathedral was built in Saransk in 2006. It was consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II. The building of the cathedral was built in the Empire style, and the dome is made in the neo-Byzantine style. The temple rises 62 meters from ground level. It has 4 belfries, each of which has 3 bells made in Tutaev using ancient technologies. The cathedral can be visited by more than 3000 people at the same time.

The Church of St. John the Evangelist in Saransk was built in 1693 on the site where before that there was an old wooden church.

In the late 1930s, the temple was closed, and the NKVD archive was placed here. In 1944, the church was reopened to parishioners. For a long time it was the only functioning church in the city. Since 1960, the temple has been included in the number of architectural monuments of federal significance.

The monastery is located on the territory of the Ruzaevsky district in the village of Paygarma. In 1865, an icon of the martyr Paraskeva was discovered on the territory of the village temple, and in connection with this significant event, it was decided to build a monastery here, which would bear the name of the saint. The territory of the monastery covers an area of ​​about 11 ha. Its temples, chapels and bell towers were built in different architectural styles, but in general architectural complex monastery looks very harmonious. The monastery is regularly visited by many pilgrims seeking spiritual growth and seeking their true path.

Sanaksar monastery located near the city of Temnikova on the banks of the Moksha River, surrounded by pine forest. Its history began in 1659. The most revered shrines of the monastery are the relics of the saints of St. Theodore, the righteous warrior Theodore (Ushakov), St. Alexander the Confessor, as well as the icon of the Mother of God. Pilgrims from all over Russia come to touch its shrines.

This is the main national library of Mordovia. It began its existence in 1899, when a library-reading room was created by the joint efforts of the intelligentsia of Saransk. Her visit was absolutely free.

At first there were very few books in it, but due to donations, its fund gradually increased. In 1939, the library became a republican one, and a separate building was allocated for it. In 1970, it was moved to a new building, where it remains to this day.

Recently, a building of 9 floors was added to it, which made it possible to increase the size of the library several times over. Among its many subdivisions, there is a department completely dedicated to the work of literary figures of Mordovia. The institution has established close contacts with other libraries of the Finno-Ugric peoples, including those located in foreign countries.

The reserve is located on the right bank of the Moksha River. Almost all of its territory is covered mainly with pine forests. The age of the pines growing here is estimated at 300-350 years. There are also mixed forests where pines, birches, lindens and oaks grow. Spruce forests can be found in the river valleys.

Lake Inerka is located near the Bolshie Berezniki district center in the Sura river valley. This is one of the most beautiful and largest lake in Mordovia (56 square kilometers). Its banks are covered with coniferous-deciduous and birch forests.

On the shores of the lake, tourists like to put up their tents. Here good places for fishing, and in coastal forests you can pick mushrooms and berries. In addition, off-road car rallies are held annually near the lake.

This amazing park is located in the Leninsky district of Saransk. In the park, you can walk along the picturesque alleys, cross the streams flowing through its territory, climb the wooden bridges with railings made by art forging masters, and relax in the gazebos covered with green ivy. Everywhere there are sculptures of heroes of fairy tales by A.S. Pushkin. The park has a variety of attractions and is the largest zoo in the country. This is favorite place recreation of the inhabitants of Saransk, both adults and children like to visit it.

The legendary instigator of the peasant uprising visited Saransk in the early summer of 1774. He spent only a few days in these places, during which he managed to execute many representatives of the nobility and clergy who were objectionable to him and issue a manifesto on freedom for serfs.

In memory of those events, a monument to Pugachev was erected in Saransk. The tent of the leader of the peasant war was also preserved, which is an old house made of stone.

This is the largest sports facility in Mordovia, which trains athletes of all levels in many sports. open sports complex since 2004.

The Saransk Palace of Sports hosts sports competitions from the city to the all-Russian level. Here are the competitions water sports sports, different types of wrestling, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, basketball and volleyball.

Saransk received a powerful impetus to development after 2010, when it was chosen as one of the candidates for hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. That is why funds began to be allocated from the federal budget for the restoration of architectural monuments, the construction of new cultural facilities, as well as for improving infrastructure and making the city more attractive. As a result, Saransk has turned into a well-groomed and rather interesting place, where there will be something for tourists to see.

The first step is to walk through the squares and streets, looking at the local churches along the way - both new and old churches are magnificent examples of traditional church building. Next, you should visit the city museums, which are interesting not only for their expositions, but also for the buildings in which they are located. You can end your walk in the park. A. S. Pushkin or at the monument to Emelyan Pugachev.

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What to see and where to go in Saransk?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

1. Theodore Ushakov Cathedral

An outstanding monument of church architecture of the XXI century, built in the Empire style. The cathedral was erected in 2006 and consecrated by Patriarch Alexy II. The grand temple with a 60-meter dome is designed for 3,000 parishioners. Inside there is a skillfully executed gilded iconostasis made of precious woods, the entrance portal is decorated with majestic marble columns. The whole appearance of the temple evokes thoughts of something high and unearthly.

The main city square, which arose in the middle of the 17th century. Its very first name was Sobornaya, later it was renamed into Torgovaya, Bazaarnaya and, finally, in 1919, Soviet. Today, the architectural appearance of the square is formed by modern buildings of the 20th century; historical buildings, alas, have not been preserved. The oldest building former House Soviets, built in the 1940s.

3. Millennium Square

Appeared in Saransk in 2012. It was built in honor of the anniversary of the unification of Russia and Mordovia. It occupies a fairly large area and is perfectly suited for walking and organizing mass events. One of its main decorations is the “Star of Morodvia” color and musical fountain with a diameter of 60 meters, in the center of which there is a solar sign of the national ornament.

4. Musical Theater named after I. M. Yaushev

Musical stage where opera, ballet, operettas and musicals are staged. The theater also hosts children's performances and concerts. It was founded in 1935, and initially the repertoire was composed of comedy productions. In 2011, the troupe moved to a new building with a large hall with a capacity of over 700 spectators. The facade of the building is painted in white and red, columns, capitals and shapes resembling the outlines of musical instruments are used as decorative elements.

5. National Drama Theater

For the national republics of the Russian Federation, the tendency to build theaters focused on the works of local authors has long become the norm. In Mordovia, such a stage was built in the late 1980s. Most of the repertoire consists of works by Mordovian authors, which are in the Erzya and Moksha languages ​​with simultaneous translation. There are also plays by classical Russian and foreign playwrights, but there are much fewer of them.

6. Russian Drama Theater

Another theatrical scene in Saransk, but already specializing in a more classical repertoire - works by Russian and foreign playwrights. The theater opened in 1932 and has been developing successfully ever since. Since the 1990s, the troupe has been participating in international and local festivals, receiving high marks from critics and viewers. To attract a wider audience, productions by contemporary authors are introduced into the repertoire.

7. Museum of Fine Arts named after S. D. Erzya

The museum was opened in 1960, in the 1970s it was renamed in honor of S. D. Erzya, the famous Mordovian sculptor. The basis of the collections are precisely his works, as well as the works of a native of the republic, artist F. V. Sychkov. In total, the museum funds contain more than 15 thousand exhibits representing Russian and national Mordovian art, arts and crafts and modern trends.

8. National Museum of Local Lore

One of the oldest museum institutions in Mordovia, founded in 1918 on the initiative of representatives of the local intelligentsia. Its numerous collections are located in several branches. One of the largest branches is a new building built in the 2000s. It resembles a classic palace of the 19th century, decorated with elements traditional for this style: arches, a portico, columns, domed towers.

9. Museum of Mordovian Folk Culture

The museum collection is housed in a 19th-century mansion, which is a monument of urban architecture. Before the Revolution of 1917, this house belonged to the merchant K. Kh. Barablin. The exposition consists of national clothes, handicrafts made by Mordovian craftsmen, agricultural tools, household items that give an idea of ​​the culture of the peoples inhabiting Mordovia.

10. Museum of A. I. Polezhaev

The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the artist A. I. Polezhaev. She earned in 2001 on the territory of a wooden house of the XIX century. The collection consists of four sections dedicated to various periods of the author's life and work, as well as a literary lounge, where poetry evenings and concerts are held. It should be noted that this is the only museum in Russia that sanctifies the activities of A. I. Polezhaev.

11. Museum of military and labor feat

The museum collection is part of memorial complex erected in honor of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The institution opened in 1995. You should pay attention to the original building - the facade is made of multi-colored granite slabs in the colors of the St. George's Ribbon, the shape of the structure resembles the outlines of the borders of Mordovia. The exposition is located in four halls, next to it there is an open area with an exhibition of military equipment.

12. Monument to the soldiers of Mordovia, who fell during the Second World War

Memorial complex, located on the square. Victory. It includes several structures: a monument to soldiers, a Museum of military and labor feats, another monument to soldiers-internationalists, a chapel and an obelisk "Escape from Hell". All elements of the complex appeared at different times - the earliest (a sculptural group depicting a woman handing a sword to her son-soldier) was built in the 1970s.

13. Makarovsky St. John the Theologian Monastery

Men's monastery, located in the village of Makarovka. It was founded not so long ago - in 1995, on the lands where since the beginning of the 18th century there has been the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian, around which there was a cemetery. The building of the cathedral has survived to our time. Later, other churches were erected here, destroyed after the Revolution. That is, the monastery can be considered both new and old.

14. Church of John the Evangelist

The temple is the oldest architectural object preserved on the territory of Mordovia. Due to its value, it not only did not suffer during the persecution of religion, but even in the 1960s it was declared architectural monument. The church was erected at the end of the 17th century, after 200 years a bell tower was added to it. Since 1944, it has been the only one operating in the republic.

15. Church of St. Nicholas

Temple late XIX century, designed by a Penza architect. The building was erected in a fairly typical for that time architectural style imitating classical Russian architecture. The facade and walls are made of red brick. In Soviet times, the church was used for other purposes, but its appearance did not suffer from this at all - the building has survived to this day in its original form.

16. Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

A new temple, built in the 2000s in a majestic neo-Byzantine style. True, with significant simplifications, given modern tendencies in architecture. On the central quadrangle there are several domes, along the edges there are a three-tiered bell tower and semicircular apses. The entrance is decorated with decorative arches and large windows, due to which there is quite a lot of light inside the building.

17. Monument to Emelyan Pugachev

During the Pugachev uprising, the inhabitants of Saransk gave the rebel and his army a warm welcome. During his stay in the city, he freed all the peasants and divided food supplies among the poorest, and also executed many merchants and officials. The monument in his honor is the only one in Russia. The mighty figure of Yemelyan crowns the makeshift fortress wall.

18. Monument to Stratonauts

The monument is dedicated to I. D. Usyskin, A. B. Vasenko and P. F. Fedoseenko, who in the 1930s created the Osoaviakhim-1 apparatus and climbed on it to a height of 22 km into the stratosphere. The aircraft crashed, killing all three. In memory of this tragic event, in the 1950s, a sculptural group was erected in Saransk in the form of a young man standing on a pedestal with bas-reliefs of the flight participants.

19. Mordovia Arena

Football stadium built for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It was founded in 2010. Estimated capacity - more than 40 thousand spectators. After the competitions and reconstruction, which includes a reduction in the number of stands and the construction of additional areas to accommodate sports facilities, the arena will become home to the local FC Mordovia.

20. Pushkin Park

The park was founded in the 19th century, when the first trees were planted in one of the city squares around the church. The final improvement of the city garden was completed by the beginning of the 20th century: a theater worked on the territory, an orchestra performed and folk festivals took place. In the 1930s, by decision of the authorities, the area of ​​the park was increased several times and placed on it dance floors, summer cafes, auditoriums, a cinema and exhibition pavilions.

The most interesting sights of Mordovia are located in the city of Saransk: museums, parks, churches, a monastery and much more. Of the natural attractions of Mordovia, the brightest are beautiful lake Inerka, nature reserve named after Smidovich and national park"Smolny".

Lake Inerka

The Republic of Mordovia is located 330 km from Moscow (MKAD). Why is she interesting? Despite its proximity to Moscow, many confuse it with Moldova or have heard very little about it.

The center of Mordovian life is the city of Saransk, the capital of the Republic of Mordovia. Here is the center of culture, entertainment and everything else. Saransk is a city of republican significance. Citizens flock here from all over Mordovia for some narrower problem: medical examinations, receiving public services, etc.

Approximately 315 thousand people live in Saransk. In second place in terms of numbers and importance is the city of Ruzaevka - with a population of about 46 thousand people. In third place is the city of Kovylkino with 20,000 inhabitants. The next are the urban-type settlement of Komsomolsky - 13 thousand people and the working settlement of Zubova Polyana - 10 thousand people.

There are 7 cities in Mordovia: in addition to Saransk, Ruzaevka and Kovylkino, these are Krasnoslobodsk, Ardatov, Insar and Temnikov. The oldest and smallest city is Temnikov. Its population is only 6.3 thousand people, the date of foundation is 1536.

The entire population of the republic is less than 1 million - about 800 thousand people. Russians, Mordovians and Tatars live in Mordovia. Mordvins are divided into three nationalities: Moksha, Erzya and Shoksha.

Natural objects of Mordovia

The largest lakes in Mordovia are:

• Inerka- most big lake in the Republic. Translated from the Mordovian "Inerka" means "Great Lake". Its length is 3.35 km, width - 80-150 meters, maximum depth - 11.5 meters.
• Imerka- the deepest lake in Mordovia, located on the territory of the Zubovo-Polyansky district.

The rivers of Mordovia are flat and calm. The main rivers are Moksha and Sura.

Map of Mordovia

Highway M5

Passes through Mordovia federal highway M5 Moscow-Chelyabinsk. Driving along the highway after the Moscow and Ryazan regions, Mordovia begins. The most extreme to Moscow and the largest region of Mordovia is Zubovo-Polyansky.

After entering the territory of Mordovia, the famous village of Umet will be on the highway. It is known for the abundance of tiny cafes along the route (more than 200) and the strong smoke and smell from barbecues. The names of cafes are varied, the most famous of them is Mordonalds.

Umet

The main target audience of local catering is truckers, but there are also simply hungry people passing by. When stopping at the Umet cafe, remember that everything here is simple, for an undemanding client: a wooden toilet on the street, simple dishes, not intricate home-cooked food.

The entire village of Umet with a population of 2.7 thousand people works in catering.

Sights of Mordovia

camps

Mordovia is famous for its prisons; Dubravlag or ZhKh-385, which is part of the Gulag system, was built here at the end of the 20s of the last century. This is not to be proud of, but it is a sad fact. Camps are located among the forests of the western part of Mordovia in the Zubovo-Polyansky district, now there are more than 30 of them.

The center of this largest state. institution is the village of Yavas, previously bore the names of 36 kilometers and Zavodskoy. Therefore, the Mordovian zone is often called Javaska.

In Soviet times, there was a special camp for political prisoners. Now among the correctional colonies (IK) there is the only zone in Russia for foreigners. There is also a zone for convicts for life and women's camps. By the way, modern political prisoners were once again here: Yukos lawyer Svetlana Bakhmina, Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

Saransk

Basically, the sights of Mordovia are concentrated in Saransk. - these are museums and monuments, theaters and cinemas, parks, a zoo, attractions, nightclubs, restaurants, shopping centers and other pleasures. If you are in Mordovia, in order not to get bored and buy, be sure to come to Saransk.

Fountain Star of Mordovia on Millennium Square

The city makes a favorable impression. There are many squares, beautiful modern and embankments. In spite of a large number of factories, it does not give the oppressive impression of an industrial city. Saransk is an oasis of civilization among the endless forests, fields, marshes and small settlements of Mordovia.

In addition, Saransk is an ancient city-fortress, founded in 1641. It was visited by the troops of Stepan Razin and Emelyan Pugachev himself. It's always interesting when a city has some kind of history.

Saransk is the smallest Russian city, which hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For this event, the Mordovia Arena stadium was built in the form of a sun, with a maximum capacity of about 44 thousand people.

Ruzaevka

Railway station in Ruzaevka

Ruzaevka is the second city after Saransk in terms of population in Mordovia. After the last FIFA World Cup 2018, Ruzaevka has changed for the better. Has been refurbished Train Station, street improvement works have been carried out, and main roads have been repaired. And also, the bus station has finally been put in order and, most importantly, the railway pedestrian bridge has been reconstructed.

What pleases the passengers of the Ruzaevka station is that the railway station and the bus station are in the same place. The truth separates them with a footbridge over the railroad tracks. Now it has become covered and beautiful instead of a still quite new, but shabby and broken-down bridge.

The bridge now has elevators on each side. No more hauling heavy bags up onto the bridge and then down. Walking along the new, glazed bridge, I just want to say: thank you, World Cup. If not for you, the passengers would have suffered dragging their luggage across the bridge.

On Privokzalnaya Square in 2011, a monument to the railroad workers of Ruzaevka was erected - the freight steam locomotive Lebyadyanka. The locomotive was built in 1954 and most of its life was used in the sections Penza-Ruzaevka and Ruzaevka-Krasny junction. Nearby are bronze figures of a railway worker with his son.

From Ruzaevka bus station to Saransk bus station - 27 km.

Attractions Ruzaevka

Locomotive Depot Museum

Ruzaevka is not rich in interesting or beautiful places. The city of railroad workers can offer as a cultural leisure - the museum of the locomotive depot. It is located at: st. Revolutions of 1905, house 7.

Trinity Cathedral

The Holy Trinity Cathedral of Ruzaevka with 16 golden domes was founded in 2009. Built in 2012 at the expense of the Ruzaevsky glass factory and donations from believers at the address: st. Karl Marx, house 61. The construction of the temple was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the unity of the Mordovian people with the peoples of Russia.

The temple is huge, 40 meters high, there is a library and a Sunday school, a refectory and an assembly hall, the Ruzaev diocese is also located here. It is divided into upper and lower temples. It is located at the entrance to the city from Saransk on the highest point.

Near Ruzaevka is the village of Paygarma, in which there is an ancient women's Paraskevo-Ascension Monastery. The monastery is active.

Temnikov

The city of Temnikov is located on the Moksha River, it is surrounded by pine forests. Here is located the relic pine Emashevskaya grove on the shore of Lake Vyakchishev.

The city of Temnikov is primarily famous for the ancient Sanaksar Monastery, where the grave and relics of Admiral Fyodor Ushakov are located. There are also the Temnikovsky Local History Museum and the House-Museum of the composer L. I. Voinov.

The decoration of Temnikov is the ancient Church of the Assumption Holy Mother of God(1827). It was built in honor of the Temnikovsky militia of 1812.

A few kilometers from the city of Temnikov is the most beautiful old Sanaksar Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos. It is located on the banks of the Moksha River and was founded in 1659.

The name of the monastery is associated with the personality of Admiral Ushakov, a famous Russian naval commander. He spent the rest of his life in his estate in the village of Alekseevka near the town of Temnikov. Now there is nothing left of the estate.

The illustrious admiral was buried in the Sanaksar monastery. In 2001 he was canonized by the church as a saint in the face of the righteous. And now the monastery has not only the grave of the great military leader, but also the relics of the saint.

The remains of Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov from time to time travel around Russia as holy relics for solemn church events, including military personnel and sailors.

It is noteworthy that the admiral's uncle Ivan Ignatovich Ushakov, after being tonsured - Theodore of Sanaksarsky was the governor of the Sanaksar monastery (1764-1774), died and was buried here. In 1999, the church canonized him as a saint, but only locally revered by the Saransk diocese.

Krasnoslobodsk

Passing the city of Krasnoslobodsk, you will not confuse it with anything. A notable sight of Krasnoslobodsk is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. It is located at the crossroads of the main roads and rises 35 meters above the houses.

The view of such a tall, pompous temple with dazzling gilded domes against the background of dull typical houses causes dissonance. It absolutely does not fit into the local landscape and once again emphasizes the pathos and grandeur of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Chamzinsky district

The Chamzinsky district of the Republic of Mordovia cannot boast of any sights, despite the fact that the villages of Komsomolsky and Chamzinka are located here. They are big settlements Republic. In Komsomolsk there are large factories "Mordovcement" and "Lato".

There are no large lakes or rivers in the Chamzinsky district, the only natural attraction is bald mountain, spread out next to Alekseevka.

You can also note the beautiful old church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Makolovo.

Torbeevo

The village of Torbeevo with a population of 9 thousand people is located on the M-5 highway between Zubova Polyana and Krasnoslobodsk. Torbeyevo was glorified all over the world by a man who managed to escape from a German concentration camp - fighter pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union Mikhail Devyatayev. He was born in Torbeevo, now in his homeland there is a house-museum dedicated to the feat of the pilot.

Website: mrkm.ru The address: st. October, 29 Price: 50 rubles, schoolchildren, students - 20 rubles, children from 5 to 7 years old - 15 rubles.

The museum was opened on May 8, 1975. It consists of two parts: ethnographic and dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. Here are Devyatayev's personal belongings, documents, photographs, awards, as well as items from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp: a prisoner's striped uniform, wooden shoes, a whip and others.