Sights of Syzran – what to see in 1 day in the city and surroundings

A small once merchant, and now the industrial city of Syzran is located in the middle reaches of the Volga between Kazan and Saratov, more than a hundred kilometers from Togliatti and 900 kilometers from Moscow. To the regional center – Samara – three hours by a creaky train or a little more than five – on a regular bus that breaks through Togliatti traffic jams (in summer) and ice (in the rest of the year).

Due to its convenient location right on the banks of the Volga, Syzran boasts surprisingly clean air, which is not particularly harmed by a dozen objects of petrochemistry and heavy metallurgy. Environmentalists are sure that all emissions fly away in time and poison nature somewhere else. The Syzrans themselves do not always agree with them, but they listen.

Syzran can hardly be called the center of tourism, but the city is attractive in its own way. Probably, the matter is in the true Volga tranquility of local residents or in the special patriarchal and philistine spirit of the central streets (these are those that are asphalted and without wooden houses … and no, there are wooden houses on the main highways of Syzran).

Syzran Kremlin

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The main historical attraction of Syzran, which in no case will not be missed by any tourist, is the Kremlin (or rather, what is left of it). It dates back to 1683 and is associated with the foundation of Syzran itself on the site of ancient indistinct settlements. As usual, there was no tsar-emperor: the order to build a fortress with the Kremlin was given by anyone, but by Peter Alexeevich himself (the one who later took the throne name Peter I).

The purpose of building the Kremlin was simple and obvious – protection and defense. In those days, the Volga lands suffered from robbers, and the rich territories near the future Syzran got especially: fish and salt crafts lured merchants, and even on the smell of prey flew and remote people. By the way, robberies then indulged mainly cossacks.

The Kremlin planned a modest, of five towers and laid it quickly, fortunately, the local wood was not scarce. Only the Spasskaya Tower with the main gate was put stone – 27 meters in height, octagon on a quadrangle, with a tent vault. It was dedicated to the Savior of Heaven, who was supposed to guard the entrance to the Kremlin.

Despite the plans, the Kremlin never fumed, except a little, during the peasant war. After Emelyan, it completely lost its significance. Therefore, after another fire, no one restored it, the only surviving stone tower in 1717 was repurposed as the Nativity of Christ Church. Now the Spasskaya Tower is an object of cultural heritage, within its walls there is a museum of the Syzran Kremlin (a branch of the local history museum).

Address: Boat Lane

 

 

Kazan Cathedral

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The majestic five-domed cathedral in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is the largest functioning temple of Syzran. It is a new development, it is dated 1872. On the territory of the cathedral is the throne of the diocese and the shrine:

• Theodore Icon of the Mother of God, which was found in 1713 near the farm Kashpir, in a salary of jewels donated by worshippers;
• Titular Icon of the Mother of God (Kazan), list, un dated;
• the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, un dated;
• the Icon of the Savior and the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, un dated;
• religing with relics from 14 saints.

The cathedral was one of the few buildings that survived during the great Syzran fire of 1906. According to legend, it was extinguished by a watchman, but, most likely, it survived simply because it was one of the few stone buildings.

Divine services are held in the cathedral, orthodox Christians can attend any service according to the schedule, take communion or talk with the minister.

Website: https://kazansky-syzran.ru/

Address: Dostoevsky lane, 17.

 

 

Syzran Museum of Local Lore

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One of the oldest museums of the Samara region – Syzran Local Lore – traces its history back to two enthusiastic scientists who in 1923 created the Syzran City Society of Local Lore and, using the agricultural exposition in the local pedagogical college, actually laid the foundation for a huge modern collection.

In 1924, the museum was given the Kremlin with buildings and the Nativity of Christ Church. Until the end of the decade, the new museum has grown with many assets, including valuables from noble and merchant estates, collections of numismatics and antiquities, collections of graphic materials and books.

Now the museum is located in a surprisingly spectacular eclectic building – a house with a shop of the merchant N.A. Ledneva. There is a permanent exhibition, there are traveling exhibitions, lectures. There are two branches – the Spasskaya Tower with bells and an observation deck and the exhibition hall “Chernukhin’s mansion”, an example of Volga Art Nouveau.

The museum presents an interesting service “Museum Taxi” – in fact, an individual car tour of the central part of Syzran. The price is only 650 rubles (as of November 2021).

Website: http://www.skm-1923.ru/

Address: Syzran, Dostoevsky lane, 34

 

 

Syromyatnikov Estate

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One of the most spectacular pearls of urban architecture is a white and green building with a side bay window on the corner of Sovetskaya and Fedina, built at the beginning of the XX century by the merchant Syromyatnikov, a very iconic person for Syzran.

The owner of the mills, a merchant of flour and grain, who thought about buying a cast iron shop, the merchant of the first guild, Afonty Grigorievich Syromyatnikov, was rich and influential enough to afford an unusual urban residence – plastic, voluminous and eclectic. According to whose project this memorable architectural miracle was built, only the old-timers of the local history museum know. Everyone else is aware that in 1910 the building passed to the daughters of Afonty Grigorievich, Astia and Nadezhda. In 1918 it was nationalized and handed over to the court.

Since 1992, the building has housed the building of the Nostsova College of Culture and Arts. On working days, the house can be safely inspected from the outside and even a little from the inside, it is only necessary to break past the eternally vigilant watchmen.

Website: https://szr-coll-isk.ru/

Address: Syzran, Sovetskaya str., 44

The mansion of the merchant Sterlyadkin

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However, the smooth lines of the Syromyatkin mansion cannot be compared with the audacity and innovation of the main masterpiece of urban merchant architecture – the house of the Honorary Citizen of Syzran Sergey Alexandrovich Sterlyadkin. The mansion was built after the great fire of 1906 approximately in 1915, just when the richest residents of the city competed in architectural delights.

Of course, one of the five sons of the millionaire-flour mill, the richest merchant of the first guild, the head of the assembly of the Syzran City Duma, the chairman of the local credit society, Alexander Alexandrovich Strelyadkin, simply could not hit the dirt with his face. He, in fact, did not strike, bypassing the two buildings of competitors: the Strelyadkin mansion conquers with the dynamics and decor of the facade. In addition, it was built from innovative materials for the beginning of the XX century – concrete, metal, facing tiles and bricks.

Interestingly, the author of the project is unknown. Perhaps it was a guest fashionable metropolitan architect… or maybe just a local talented imitator. Although many people want to believe that Fyodor Schechtel himself had a hand in the house.

The Bolsheviks, of course, nationalized the mansion and first converted it into a military hotel. Since the 30s, there has been a branch of the clinic, and since the post-war period, the district registry office has been located in the mansion, so it is difficult to inspect it from the inside. Only an external inspection remains.

Address: Sovetskaya St., 66

 

 

House of merchant Revyakin

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A cute house in the Art Nouveau style with an expressive stucco facade in the Empire style, a remote portico, a bay window and a forged fence was built in 1908-1913 by the vowel of the County Assembly Pyotr Vasilyevich Revyakin. Initially, the building was maintained in a bluish-green color, but in recent years, with each staining, it is bluer and bluer.

By the way, the merchant Revyakin is a significant character for Syzran. It was he who founded the first pawnshop in the city and paid for a huge bell dedicated to the arrival of Emperor Nicholas II in 1904. After the revolution, the merchant remained in the country until 1918, worked as the director of the Repyev Mills Association. After that, his tracks were lost.

Revyakin Mansion is a regional architectural monument. Since 1945, the city sanitary and epidemiological service has been located in the building. Unfortunately, now the house is in a semi-emergency condition, but some details of the interior decoration (fireplaces, tile stoves, bas-reliefs) have been preserved. The appearance is significantly distorted, the tent of the roof has long been lost, the attic is almost destroyed. Recent years have also contributed – for example, metal-plastic windows and metal doors have been inserted.

Address: Sovetskaya St., 100

Podmarev Mansion

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Sovetskaya Street (formerly Bolshaya) is a kind of vanity fair in Syzran at the beginning of the XX century. This is noticeable not so much in the mansions of rich merchants, but in the houses of those who wanted to compare with them – for example, the bourgeois Podmarev.

The rich peasant Stepan Zakharovich Podmarev from Kashpir himself did not live in the house, and did not even visit at times (for example, to seasonal balls). Having built a mansion in 1914 according to the project of Shcherbakov V.P. for a very considerable amount at that time, he immediately handed it over to the City Club of the Public Assembly.

Now in the house of Podmarev is the First United Bank.

Address: Sovetskaya St., 102

House of merchant Ognev F.P.

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The city house of the merchant of cloth and products of the merchant Ognev was completed in 1914 and looked much simpler than competitors. After the revolution, the building was given for administrative needs, and in the middle of 2000 it was sold to a private investor.

Now the house has a restaurant complex with a sauna and a hotel not of the highest price category. Modern owners maintain the appearance of the house with the help of cosmetic repairs: the house is painted in maroon with white details. The main elements of the façade décor have been preserved, although the authentic doors, architraves and windows have been lost. The interior décor is completely renovated.

Address: Dzerzhinskogo str., 50

Chernukhin House

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One of the most original architectural monuments in the center of Syzran, moreover of federal significance, is the house of the merchant Chernukhin, which houses a branch of the local history museum (exhibition hall). It is simply necessary to visit, to inspect both the permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions.

Martinyan Vasilyevich Chernukhin is a worthy Syzran, about whom even a hundred years after his death, only good things are remembered. A large industrialist, the owner of mills and elevators, he served for a long time for the benefit of his native city as a vowel duma, twice elected head. He participated in many important projects for the city, gave money for the construction of a women’s gymnasium, a power plant, helped to rebuild public services after the fire of 1906.

It is not surprising that the house of such an extraordinary person looks … unusual: an eclectic wooden tower with a tent, openwork through carvings, elegant platbands and cornices is knocked out of the cityscape and attracts attention.

Website: http://www.skm-1923.ru/

Address: Sverdlova str., 2

 

 

Syzran HPP

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One of the oldest Russian hydroelectric power plants is located near Syzran, in the dacha village of Syzranskaya Luka on the Syzranka River. Previously, it was believed that it was built in the 20s of the last century as part of the GOERLO project, but now local historians deny this: documents have been found according to which the Syzran HPP was a separate line in all estimates and was never included in the general plan.

In any case, this is not as important as the fact that now the Syzran hydroelectric power station is the only operating hydraulic structure of those times, which has been preserved in the same form in which it was launched. It is a monument of history and architecture – and at the same time a reliable, technically perfect production enterprise. The hpp itself is an open-air museum and a monument to human genius, and there is a specialized museum on its territory. Unfortunately, you can visit both the hpp and the museum only on working days and by prior agreement with the relevant responsible persons in the management company – Syzran City Electric Grid LLC.

Nowadays, the importance of hydroelectric power plants as an electricity producer is lost, it works, but exclusively for self-sufficiency. Its reservoir is somewhat shallow, requires repair and clearance, but is still loved by citizens and migratory waterfowl.

Address: Syzranskaya Luka, Ostrovnaya street, 8.

 

 

Contact Zoo “Bird’s Cottage”

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Tired of architectural masterpieces and industrial wonders, you can visit the contact zoo, which is located very close to the hydroelectric power station, no more than half an hour walk through the private sector.

Despite the name – “Bird Cottage”, the zoo has many rodents, ungulates and there are predators (bears, lions, foxes, wolves). This must be taken into account, in addition, many may not like the conditions of detention.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/zoo_syzran/?hl=ru

Address: Arkhangelskaya St., 42A

 

 

And what about Syzran?

In the vicinity of the city of Syzran there are many interesting objects, both natural and architectural. To easily go around at least a few of them, it is better to use your own vehicles or book an excursion.

The complex and dangerous natural relief of the Syzran surroundings with a huge number of layers, influxes, blocks of sandstone of the most fabulous colors, washouts with dips is of interest to many tourists. The best time to explore these amazing natural objects, oddly enough, is early spring, when the snow has not yet completely melted. Then many formations look especially epic.

Not far from Syzran there are several pseudo-karst caves, there are 9 full-fledged ones in the Samara region with a total length of 187 m.

Maiden’s Tears Waterfall

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The territory around Syzran can hardly be called mountainous, but, nevertheless, there are caves and even waterfalls. It is not easy to get to one of the most popular: it is better to leave the car in Smolkino or on the Farm Advanced and ride a bicycle or walk. The distance is about two or three kilometers, the terrain is rugged, the soil is sandy, you need to move along a dirt path through the forest.

The waterfall is located in the direction of hollow up about 280 meters above sea level three kilometers northwest of the Front. It is difficult to get to it on your own, it is safely hidden in ravines. It is better to find a local guide, there are enough of them.

From the point of view of geology, the Maiden’s Tears waterfall is an absolutely unique object worthy of true admiration: a tiny stream is suddenly interrupted by a cliff from which water rushes down. The height of the waterfall is 4.1 m, the water-breaking lake has a diameter of about 5 meters. In winter, the waterfall freezes, in summer it sometimes dries up.

Under the “exfoliated” layer there is a long dry cave (more than 50 meters long), which, gradually narrowing, ends in a blockage. It is not recommended to independently explore it without equipment.

By the way, a little further along the ravine there will be a second waterfall – not so expressive, but still beautiful.

Address: outskirts of Smolkino village

 

 

Glade of sorcerers

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On the way to the waterfall, you can turn a little along a well-trodden path and get to local man-made sights – for example, the Glade of Sorcerers, that is, a crooked labyrinth lined with stones. If you listen to the natives, they will tell terrible legends about human sacrifices, bloody rituals under the moon and flights on a broomstick. It doesn’t sound like the truth, but the place itself is just beautiful, it’s easy to breathe and the birds sing. The only thing that spoils it is, in fact, the labyrinth itself, which seems out of place.

From above, from the Glade, you can clearly see the slopes, monumental boulders and boulders dragged by the glacier – the remains, and rock sandstones. One of them, the most beloved by locals, is called devil’s finger (this remain is about 9 meters high). If you look closely, it resembles a palm with a finger stretched upwards. They say he helps bad people. Anything can happen.

Attention! There are no shops in the village of Advanced, so it is better to bring water and food with you.

 

 

Rachey Alps and the Stone Labyrinth

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Not far from Syzran in the upper reaches of the Usa River there is a treasure – a natural monument, organized in 1979. Its goal is the preservation of rare species, the study of geological, botanical and biological features, and, of course, the joy that it can bring to tourists and just curious.

By the way, The Rachey Alps is a local name. Officially, the territory of the natural monument is called “Malousin upland pines and oaks”. And it is here that the most interesting natural objects are located, which were formed by about 20 million. years ago – the Stone Forest (yes, trees literally grow on boulders) and the Stone Labyrinth (Rachea Rocks). They are separated from the main array of the reserve by the Usa River.

They are both a stone (sandstone) bottom and shore of the ancient sea, which, under the influence of external factors – wind, water, frost – took the most bizarre forms.

A good road leads to the Labyrinth from the side of Zaborovka. There will also be parking lots.

Address: Syzran district, 1 kilometer to the east from the village of Smolkino

 

 

Grotto “Turtle”

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All the caves on the territory are skillfully hidden. And if this is possible for a large and rather loud waterfall Maiden’s Tears, then what can we say about the silent grotto “Turtle” – a shallow cavity about five meters long and definitely no more than half a meter high. Most likely, the grotto has an unnatural origin: it is quite possible that a hundred or two hundred years ago stone was mined here for artisanal needs, and so it was left.

The grotto looks faintly like a turtle, but from a few meters away there are impressive boulders resembling a giant turtle (its head, front paws and part of the shell) that is trying to get out of the ground.

Cobra Stone

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To see the smaller sights of the Stone Forest, you need to try and search. For example, not far from the ford through the shallow Usa there is a remarkable stone resembling … maybe a cobra. At the very least, something very scary, raising its head menacingly. It looks perfect in the photo on a dry day, especially in the first half, before lunch, when sunlight falls on it.

An incredible boulder in shape seems to mark the border, after it up such inhuman handicaps are no longer there. They say that it was on the Cobra that the edge of the glacier passed.

Musical Stone

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Any rocky massif should have its own singing or playing boulder, and on the hill of the Rachey Rocks there is a Musical Stone. It is a huge porous boulder with many different holes. If you slap your palm on it, a special sound will be heard. They say that connoisseurs are able to pull a melody out of a stone with alternating claps. What kind of – it’s like going, rock music is a complex and unpredictable matter.

Next to the Musical is the Wedding Stone, the Heart and the Stove. There are also keys, the water from which you can drink raw without risk.

Holy Spring Monashkin Key

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The village of Staraya Racheika is a fairly large settlement, more than two thousand people live here. Its name “Racheika” is a modified form of the stream (there are really a lot of various flowing reservoirs from rivers to tiny streams). The historical roots of the village go back to the XVII century and are associated with Orthodoxy. On the way from Zaborovka on the eastern side of Staraya Racheika there is a place that in 1669 was planned and consecrated as a nunnery. Partially the monastery walls were erected.

Now, instead of a failed monastery, there is a chapel with a font at the source. According to legends, the water from the source is colder than the underground, heals ailments, helps from ailments. The chemical composition of the water is soft, the temperature is about 12 ° C, pH is 6.5. You can take water with you.

Services are held in the chapel, they can be attended. When there is no service, you can hit the bell, it is not forbidden. The use of the source and the hot tub is free of charge.

 

 

Estate of princes Gagarin

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Twenty kilometers from Syzran, in the village of Zabrovka, there is a family nest of two famous noble families at once – the Musin-Pushkins and the Gagarins. The estate is recognized as an architectural monument of regional importance. In addition, indeed, this is the only surviving example of manor architecture of the 1st half of the XIX century in the Samara region. There used to be hundreds of them, but they have sunk into oblivion, as have their aristocratic owners. Not everything is good with the Gagarin estate either: the project documentation for repair and restoration was prepared in 2009, but the process will not be launched, and the old building is systematically dying.

An abandoned and long-feral park, a ruined mill, a half-dammed stream with artificial waterfalls – and as the apogee of the tragedy, a three-story manor house with columns, facing a pond, most reminiscent of a location from a horror or computer game.

In Soviet times, the house was a sanatorium-dispensary, then a psychoneurological boarding school, then a nursing home. They somehow forgot about the repair, especially since the building looks strong even to this day – after all, they built it for centuries for the princes. Since 2005, the estate has been empty and dilapidated.

Address:Syzran district, Zaborovka village, Pochtovaya str., 1a.

 

 

Garibaldi Castle

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157 kilometers from Syzran in the direction of Togliatti is a modern tourist complex “Garibaldi Castle”. It’s almost like Disneyland, but much better, and made with great taste.

In 2006, the businessman, a native of the village of Khryaschevka, decided to build not just a banal hotel, but something truly unique. The choice fell on a neo-Gothic castle with a real stable, fields, a park, fountains. True, in the process of construction, the estimate outgrew all the framework of common sense and… the money ran out. However, investors are not discouraged and promise to complete the castle in the near future.

Inside is not yet allowed, but some services are available:

• photo shoots;
• carriage rides;
• parking and compost track;
• restaurant and café;
• souvenir shop.

Despite its incompleteness, Garibaldi Castle is worth seeing. Perhaps someone’s visit will bring happiness to the owner and he will bring this ambitious project to mind.

Website: http://www.garibaldicastle.com/index.html

Address: Rechnoy pereu., 8, Khryaschevka village

 

 

Stepan Razin Cave

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80 kilometers from Syzran in the direction of Zhiguli there is a legendary object – a cave that is associated with Stepan Razin. From it is two kilometers to the village of Malaya Ryazan and it is part of the Park Samarskaya Luka.

Now the cave is very small – about four meters wide and no more than 20 in length. In it you can not stand in full growth, and the entrance is half-flooded. But they say that in the time of Razin (the end of the XVII century) it was possible to enter here on a horse. At the same time, the cave remained invisible to the enemies.

You can explore the cave at any time. Entrance – 50 rubles (November 2021). There is a drinking water source and a tent-accessible area nearby.

Who would have thought, but Syzran is a wonderful tourist route that will please even a burnt-out skeptic, especially if you separate city excursions and the study of suburban attractions in time. However, against the background of natural beauties and man-made sights, an unpleasant problem is visible: Syzran does not like tourists. It’s not too good with hotels, frankly bad with decent catering and absolutely terrible with hiking infrastructure. When planning a trip, especially if it will include a hike, you need to stock up on provisions, medicines and water, plus be safe with rescue services means of communication.

Attractions Syzran on map