Samara, Historic Russian Port on the Volga River
Russia Travel Opens Samara Hotels and Historic Town to Visitors
Oct 19, 2009
The city of Samara is situated on a great loop of Europe’s largest river, the mighty Volga where it is joined by the Samara River. The waterway is wide enough here to resemble a huge lake, with splendid vistas of river islands to the west and the wooded Sokolyi hills to the north. The vast Russian Steppes, as fertile as the American prairies, stretch far to the south, east and west.
For many years, this historic and attractive town was little known outside the USSR because it was the ‘closed town’ of Kuybyshev under the Soviet regime, see Samara Flights.
Samara reverted to its original name in 1990 and is set to become as well-known for its many attractions as it was in pre-Soviet times. In 2007, it hosted the European Union-Russia Summit. Its international airport, Kurumoch, now serves Frankfurt, Prague, Dubai and Sharjah (UAE). The city is now attracting international companies and investment, and tourists, some seeing Russia independently, on ‘highlights of Russia’ tours, or their way south to the Gulf, Indian Ocean and south-east Asian resorts - see Russia Travel Samara .
Samara Historical Attractions
From its founding in 1586 as a frontier fortress and river port, Samara attracted some of the best of Russian architecture. Between 1780 and 1914, its layout, fuelled by wealth from wheat exports, milling, brewing, distilling and ironworking, was on grand grid-pattern lines with long avenues, huge town squares and broad vistas. This kind of planning, beloved by the Tsars for the imposing impression it creates, also suited Soviet taste and is still obvious today.
- Fine public buildings and merchant's houses reminiscent of St Petersburg s line the main avenues which are known as shosse, prospekt or ulitsa.
- Churches in various styles, including beautifully restored gilded onion domes and fine murals from Russia’s traditional past, are very photogenic both inside and out.
- Other architectural styles include neo-classical facades, Dubai-style apartments and offices towers, and Soviet municipal ‘heavies’ including monuments to various military achievements.
- Town squares have flower beds and huge statues from different centuries. Glory Square, near the Volga embankment, has a gleaming 40-metre pillar celebrating the town’s aeronautical achievements.
Volzhskiy Prospekt or Volga View
The views of the Volga River from this much admired boulevard have been compared to those around Lake Geneva (by the novelist Vasily Aksyonov, 1932-2009).
- It has been a favourite place to stroll for as long as people have lived here.
- A sandy river beach for sunbathing, picnicking and swimming is popular in the sunny summer months.
- Volga river cruises taken from the quays on Volga View are excellent for experiencing the sheer size of this great river, along with its unspoilt scenery, numerous islands and wetland bird life.
Samara Climate Runs to Extremes
Samara has a Continental climate typical of the middle of large landmasses.
- A hot and often dusty summer is followed by a short colourful autumn.
- Bone-chilling winters feature deep snow, frozen rivers and daytime temperatures well below freezing.
- Record lows for Samara show night temperatures of minus 43 degrees C.
Samara Cultural and Sporting Attractions
As a powerhouse of science and fine arts, Samara as always attracting Russia’s brightest and best, so it is very well equipped for sports of all kinds, both summer and winter, and major cultural events.
Modern soccer stadium, and a giant public ice-skating rink at Stadium Lokomotiv.
High quality opera, orchestral and ballet performances that can be booked at prices lower than in most European cities.
Many cultural buildings, such as the Samara Drama and Philharmonic Theatres are beautiful in themselves and are floodlit at night.
Samara Hotels
These vary from the 4-star Renaissance Samara Hotel and others with luxury spa and sports facilities to budget hotels and hostels. The largest in the city is the 3-star Volga Hotel on the Volga River embankment. All Russia Hotels offers a very good selection for on-line bookings.
Getting Around Samara
- Public transport is very well-catered for because until recently cars were only for the elite.
- Train services from the new railway station, Samara Vokzal with its gleaming blue tower, are good.
- The clean, cheap Metro has eight stops and there are plenty of buses, trams, trolley buses and taxis.
Samara was often regarded as Russia’s second capital, and looks set take its place once again as one of the Russian Federation’s most visited cities.
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