The official date of the founding of Saransk is considered to be 1641, when the Cossacks founded a fort here, surrounded by a wooden palisade. Later, a rampart was built around the fortress, and its walls were defended by 9 massive towers. It is interesting that the citadel could not resist the troops of S. Razin, and it was surrendered to E. Pugachev voluntarily. By the end of the 18th century. the fortress lost its defensive significance, and the policy turned into a large craft and trade center of the Volga region. With the advent of Soviet power, industry began to actively develop here. In 1991, after the transformation of Mordovian autonomy into a republic, Saransk received capital status. Today the polis lives a rich cultural life. Local authorities are trying to improve its infrastructure and stimulate construction. A sign of the success of these efforts are several diplomas of various degrees received at the competitions “The Most Comfortable City in Russia.”
What to bring from Saransk
Souvenirs from Saransk can be divided into three groups:
- traditional ones that can be bought in any city - magnets, plates and mugs with the sights of Saransk;
- gastronomic - products and drinks that are famous for their quality outside of Mordovia. These include the products of three factories: the Saransk Distillery, the Saransk Cannery, and the Lamzur Confectionery Factory. You can also buy horse sausage (makhan) and good quality honey in Mordovia.
- national - Mordovian embroidery, Tavlina decorative wood carving, Mordovian felt boots and wickerwork (bast shoes, birch bark products), Mordovian fairy tales with interesting illustrations and Mordovian dolls in national costumes.
The main attractions of Saransk: TOP-5
Among the many interesting things that its guests will see in Saransk, landmarks of significant significance stand out. Their images decorate booklets, magnets, and other presentation products dedicated to the city.
Cathedral
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 21:00.
- Telephone.
- Website: https://www.sobor-ushakova.ru
- Address: st. Sovetskaya, 53. Transport stop “Opera and Ballet Theater” or “Main Post Office”.
The delightful cathedral in the name of the righteous warrior Fyodor Ushakov, erected at the beginning of this century, is rightfully one of the main attractions of the city. The majestic building, whose gilded domes rise 60 meters above the ground, makes a stunning impression. The exterior of the temple is eclectic, combining features of the Empire and Byzantine styles. Its belfry has 12 bells cast using ancient technologies in Yaroslavl. The rite of consecration of the cathedral in 2006 was performed by Patriarch Alexy II.
Monument “Forever with Russia”
- Address: Alley of Friendship. Transport stop "Park".
A majestic monument, symbolizing the inviolability of the friendship of the peoples inhabiting Russia, was solemnly opened in Saransk during the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Mordovia’s entry into the empire. The tetrahedral column, lined with polished marble, is crowned by two sculptures cast in bronze. They depict women dressed in national costumes holding a gilded ear of wheat in their hands. The composition is completed by a magnificent fountain located in front of the monument.
Memorial to fallen soldiers
- Address: Victory Square. Transport stop "Glavpochtamt".
The memory of fellow countrymen who gave their lives for the liberation of the Motherland from the Nazis is sacredly revered in Saransk. In honor of the heroes who did not return from the battlefields of the Second World War, a memorial was erected back in 1970. Then, in front of an 18-meter pylon made of black granite, a sculptural composition was installed depicting the Motherland handing a sword to a kneeling soldier. The bowl of the Eternal Flame is placed in front of the statue. Already at the beginning of this century, the architectural ensemble was complemented by an arched colonnade, 54 m long. Between two rows of pillars, 10 pylons were installed, on the black stone of which the names of fallen heroes were engraved.
Monument to stratonauts-heroes
- Address: Heroes-Stratonauts Square. Transport stop "Railway Station".
The monument to the heroes - conquerors of the stratosphere, who died as a result of the crash of the Osaviakhim-1 balloon, which crashed in January 1934 near the Mordovian village of Potizh-Ostrog, is the dominant feature of the station square of Saransk. The statue of an aviator in a flight helmet, fur boots and a warm jacket thrown over his shoulders rises on a pedestal shaped like a cylinder. The pedestal is trimmed with dark gray labradorite. In its lower third there is a memorial inscription and a high relief with portraits of the heroically deceased stratonauts.
Millennium Square
- Address: Millennium Square. Transport stop "House of Unions".
The architectural ensemble of the square, opened in 2010, is considered the main attraction that Saransk has acquired in modern times. The huge space, lined with colorful paving stones, is framed by magnificent buildings. A round pool with a diameter of 60 m has been created in the center of the square. Geysers reaching a height of 40 meters shoot out from vents built into the bottom of the bowl. In the evening, when the spotlights turn on and the streams of water begin to dance, the square looks fantastic.
Vodka
Saransk vodka
For many years, the most popular Saransk souvenir for adults has been vodka. It is produced at the distillery. Mordovian vodka is famous for its quality and interesting design. The most original copy of the distillery is Vastoma vodka (meeting). It is produced in three types: regular, on a stand and in a musical tube.
The vodka range is varied, both for regular products and for premium ones. There is Mordovian whiskey “Royal Fox”, balsam “Mordovsky” and Sangvini” - either vermouth or martini.
By the way, the symbol of Saransk, the fox, is also the symbol of the Saransk Distillery.
Condensed milk and green peas
Popular products from Saransk are the products of the Saransk Cannery (SKZ) - green peas and condensed milk. It is unlikely that you will bring canned green peas to someone as a gift, but if you have the opportunity, you should definitely buy them at home, they are really very tasty. Like condensed milk, which has a natural natural taste.
The Saransk cannery produces condensed milk in different packaging: cans, plastic bottles and bags. Condensed milk is also available with coffee or cocoa.
Monuments of religious architecture
In a city with a population of more than 300 thousand people, enough churches and cathedrals have been built to make believers feel comfortable. Saransk churches, built in different historical periods, are not inferior in beauty to the religious buildings of Ryazan or Kazan.
Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Address: st. Volgogradskaya, 90. Transport stop “St. Nicholas Church”.
By the end of the 19th century. two wooden churches of Posopskaya Sloboda are completely dilapidated. As a result, the decision was made to build a stone church for numerous parishioners. It was consecrated in 1906, after the completion of construction work that lasted 9 years. The red brick building, topped with massive domes with onions, immediately became one of the main attractions of Saransk. The St. Nicholas Church survived the era of persecution of religion relatively well, since the Museum of Rare Books settled there. The building was returned to believers in 1990. After restoration work, it looks great.
Church of St. John the Evangelist
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Address: st. Democratic, 28. Transport stop "Museum of S. Erzya".
The temple, consecrated in 1693 in the name of John the Evangelist, is not only a revered religious building in Saransk, but also the oldest building in Mordovia in general. The architecture of the church, which was originally visited by numerous inhabitants of Streletskaya Sloboda, is traditional for that era. Five blackened domes, topped with decorative domes, rise above the white stone building. A two-tier bell tower was erected nearby, connected to the main volume of the refectory. The facade of the temple is decorated with an arcature belt, carved kokoshniks and window frames. The building is included in the register of cultural heritage sites of the Russian Federation.
Trinity Church
- Opening hours: daily, from 7:00 to 19:00.
- Telephone.
- Address: st. Volodarsky, 55. Transport stop “Trinity Church.
The Trinity Church, erected at the request of the Saransk Cossacks and consecrated in 1700, is now part of the courtyard of the Mother of God Nativity Monastery. When designing the temple, they used a solution characteristic of the architecture of that time, placing an octagon with a drum topped with an elegant dome on a massive quadrangle of the first tier. A three-tier bell tower with light arched windows was erected nearby. In 1931, the church was closed by decision of the authorities. Within its walls were workshops for various industries. After restoration carried out at the end of the last century, the building was transferred to the monastery.
Candies
Saransk confectionery factory "Lamzur" makes delicious candies, cookies, marshmallows, toffee and waffles. From the original one can be noted: a set of chocolates “Orthodox Mordovia” in the form of a book-box. On the cover, the main Orthodox symbol of Mordovia is the Ushakov Cathedral. On the spread are photographs of Mordovian monasteries.
Tavlinsky carved toys
Tavlinsky carved toys made of unpainted wood became a symbol of Mordovia.
Tavlinskaya toy
In the Erzyan village of Podlesnaya Tavla (Kochkurovsky district of the Republic of Mordovia) there is a children's experimental wood carving school. It was created in the 70s of the last century. The founder of the school is Nikolai Ivanovich Mastin. At first it was just a wood carving club at a school; now the carving school is located in a separate building along with the Tavlina toy museum.
Tavlinsky toys became known far beyond the borders of Mordovia, the most popular being Tavlinsky horses. The peculiarity of the toys is their unique execution style:
- disproportionate, stocky figures of people;
- jewelry-made details of things and objects;
- and of course, Mordovian patterns.
Where can I buy
You can buy Tavlina toys in the village of Podlesnaya Tavla or in souvenir shops in Saransk.
Museum of Combat and Labor Feats of 1941–1945
Museum of Combat and Labor Feats 1941–1945.
Saransk
The Museum of Military and Labor Feat opened in Saransk in 1995. The building was built specifically for his collection. The outline of the museum resembles a map of Mordovia, and its central turret is made in the form of a national headdress - the Mordovian kokoshnik.
In three museum halls there are letters, documents, awards and personal belongings of Mordovian soldiers, samples of firearms and bladed weapons. Next to the museum there is an open-air exhibition of military equipment.
A branch of the Museum of Military and Labor Feats of 1941–1945, the Alexander Polezhaev Museum, also operates in Saransk. Its exhibition is dedicated to the 19th century poet, who was born in Ruzaevka (today the territory of Mordovia). Maps and engravings with views of old Ruzaevka and Saransk, interior items, and portraits of the poet’s relatives are displayed here. The exhibition also includes drafts of his works, including the manuscript of the poem “Sashka”, for which Emperor Nicholas I personally sent the poet to the army, offering to “cleanse himself” from the seditious work through military service.
Urusov boots
Urusov's felt boots, just like Tavlin's toys, have become an ethno-tourist brand of Mordovia. Urusovo is an ancient village in the Ardatovsky district of Mordovia. Here, for several centuries, the entire village has been making felted footwear to order.
There is a great demand for felt boots among local craftsmen, since Urusovo felt boots are famous for their quality. felt boots are made in two colors, multi-colored, with ornaments, with decorations. Here you can also buy souvenir felt boots: gold earrings, keychains, pendants for phones in the form of felt boots.
A museum of felt boots was opened in Urusovo in 2006. Here you can find all types of felt boots made by local craftsmen. In the museum you can see how the shoe felting process takes place.
Printed products
In Mordovian book and souvenir shops you will find:
- books about the history of Mordovia, its nature, national costumes, life and epic;
- biography and book-albums of works by the famous sculpture Stepan Erzya;
- reproductions of paintings by the Mordovian artist F.V. Sychkov;
- icons of the most revered Mordovian saint, Admiral Fyodor Ushakov;
- Mordovian phrase books, which guests of Saransk will not need, since almost the entire population of Mordovia speaks Russian.
One of the interesting books is original Mordovian folk tales with interesting graphic illustrations by Peter Alekseev. Fairy tales will be interesting for both children and adults.
Mordovian Republican United Museum of Local Lore named after I.D. Voronina
Mordovian Republican United Museum of Local Lore...
Saransk
The Mordovian Museum of Local Lore is named after the local historian Ivan Voronin. It was founded in 1918, and in 1935 it moved to the building of the former Church of the Three Saints, an architectural monument of the 17th century, where it is located today.
The museum's exhibition consists of three sections. The historical one houses bladed weapons and firearms, coins, clothing, porcelain and ancient books - including several printed Gospels from the 17th century. The exhibits of the department of modern history are associated with the period from the revolution to the present day: items of Soviet everyday life, paintings by domestic artists, samples of military uniforms and weapons from the times of the Civil War and the Great Patriotic War are presented here. Dioramas in the nature department highlight the flora and fauna of the region. A separate exposition of the local history museum is dedicated to the traditional Mordovian wedding.
Magnets and plates
The most popular and affordable souvenirs from Saransk are traditional magnets, mugs, and plates. Souvenir magnets and plates depict the most popular sights of Mordovia: Fyodor Ushakov Cathedral, museums, monasteries. And of course, the symbol of Saransk, the fox, is present on many souvenirs along with Mordovian patterns.
Where to buy souvenirs in Saransk
Mordovian national costumes
You can buy Mordovian souvenirs in the following stores in Saransk:
- Souvenirny - st. Stroitelnaya, 15
- "Mordovian patterns" - st. A. Nevsky, 101 b.
- Art salon of the museum named after. S. D. Erzi - st. Kommunisticheskaya, 61
- Bookstore "Mastorava" - Lenin Ave., 18
- Book World - st. Sovetskaya, 33
- Gift shop "Crystal" - Bolshevistskaya st., 58/prosp. Lenina, 6.
What to bring from Saransk as a souvenir? Bring something that will remind you of the joyful moments you had here. Saransk is a beautiful, cozy city, you will definitely like it.
Monuments of history and architecture of Saransk
The architectural and monumental sights of Saransk, photos and descriptions of which are presented in the section, will satisfy the most demanding tourist. On the streets of the city, travelers will see colorful creations of architects and sculptors.
Monument to E. Pugachev
- Address: st. Volgogradskaya. Transport stop “Monument to Pugachev”.
The monument to the leader of the largest peasant uprising in Russian history appeared in Saransk not by chance. When an army of rebels approached the city in 1744, the local nobility, led by the archimandrite, greeted him with bread and salt. However, the expectations of wealthy merchants and nobles were not met. Pugachev freed the serfs and distributed the requisitioned wealth to the freemen. The statue of the chieftain, carved from a granite block, forms a single composition with the reconstruction of an ancient fort in the historical district of the city - Posop. It’s easy to take a great photo as a souvenir against the background of the monument.
House of Soviets
- Address: st. Sovetskaya, 26. Transport stop “House of Printing”.
The majestic building, which for a long time housed various structures of the City Council, is not only the dominant feature of the square of the same name, but also an architectural monument of republican significance. The massive five-story mansion looks solemn and respectable. This is facilitated by the cubism inherent in the outlines of the portals. The front side of the façade is decorated with delightful columns. The eye is attracted by the magnificent bas-reliefs of the pediment, designed to demonstrate the inviolability of the friendship of the peoples of the USSR.
National Theater building
- Address: st. Sovetskaya, 27. Transport stop “House of Printing”.
In 2007, the team of the Mordovian National Drama Theater received a delightful gift - a real palace of the Muses, with two auditoriums, the largest of which can accommodate 313 people. The building itself immediately became one of the architectural pearls of Saransk. Its façade is lined with dark red and lilac bricks, against which stand out gilded panels composed of elements of national ornament. The mirror glazing of the palace on the front side further enhances the impression. An elegant three-cup fountain was erected in front of the building, and colorful bronze sculptures “Elder”, “Erzyanka”, “Young Man”, “Mokshanka” were installed directly in front of the entrance.
Monument to F. Ushakov
- Address: Cathedral Square. Transport stop "Glavpochtamt".
The name of F. Ushakov is written in golden letters in the history of the Russian fleet. The squadrons he led, overshadowed by the proud St. Andrew's flag, won victories in 43 naval battles, never once experiencing the bitterness of defeat. The great naval commander spent the last years of his life on Mordovian soil on the Alekseevka estate. The memory of Fyodor Fedorovich in the city was immortalized monumentally in 2006. A bronze statue of the admiral, canonized, rises above a granite pedestal on the square, in front of the cathedral of the same name. Fyodor Fedorovich is dressed in a ceremonial uniform. His gaze is decisive, and his posture expresses confidence, as at critical moments of glorious battles.
Monument to A. Pushkin
- Address: st. Moscow. Transport stop "House of Printing".
A.S. Pushkin never visited Saransk, but was very interested in the period of E. Pugachev’s stay here, mentioning this fact in his historical work. In honor of the great poet and writer, who made an invaluable contribution to Russian literature, a monument was solemnly opened on the fountain descent of Saransk in 2001. The bronze statue of Alexander Sergeevich is installed under the arches, supported by elegant columns. The poet, overwhelmed with inspiration, leaned against the pillar. The Muse floating in the air is ready to lay a laurel wreath on Pushkin’s brow.
