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Volgograd (Russian: Волгогра́д vuhl-gah-GRAHD) is a large city along the west bank of the Volga River in Southern Russia. It used to be known as Stalingrad, a name which the city is still known as on several war-related dates each year (on account of local legislation). It was the scene of one of the most important and bloodiest battles of the Second World War.

Volgograd is near the Volga's estuary into the Caspian sea. The city is more than 60 km long, on the right bank. It used to be divided by gullies heading to the Volga. The majority of these have been filled, but some paths have substantial drops.

The southern part of the city includes the start of the Caspian Depression, and so is a large plain, broken only by the Ergeni mountain range. The construction of railroads between the Ergeni and the Volga led to the creation of swampland in the area. Consequently, chunks of southern regions are full of reeds.

The changing names of Volgograd reflect the changing historical eras. The fort Tsaritsyn was founded on site in 1589 Volga crossing on many trade routes. Between 1925 and 1961, the city was called Stalingrad. After the siege, it become a Hero City.

The ground of Volgograd is full of the remains of fallen soldiers, while its air is full of factory smoke and exhaust.

There is an absence of citywide traditions in Volgograd, owing to much of its population leaving the city during the war, to be replaced by citizens from various regions. This does mean, however, that the Russian spoken in Volgograd is very close to the Moscow standard dialect.

The proximity of Tsaritsyn to Cossack lands has, however, resulted in some cultural influence. A memorial to the Cossacks was installed some time ago to a mixed reception; the Cossack influence isn't as pronounced as in other places, such as Krasnodar Krai.

Finally, one more cultural peculiarity of the city is the number of migrants from the Caucasus.

Many youths are considering moving to Moscow, due to a perceived lack of economic prospects in the region.

Many travelers to Volgograd note the unsuitability of the city's housing to its climate. Summer in the city is unbelievably hot, and in times of rain the streets run with dirt from parked cars. After it dries, it becomes a dust that can turn into a dust storm given enough wind. During the Soviet era and its period of associated development, these concerns were raised, and officials planned a systematic "airing out" of the streets by Volga breezes, as well as massive environmental development to halt the spread of dust. Gradually, this system is falling into decline, the "green ring" around Volgograd is being ruined, and forests are being cut down for housing. Therefore, between the snowfall and appearance of leaves (in the first half of April), the city is very dusty. From the end of May, it can also be very hot. Comfortable weather ceases around the end of August, but extreme temperatures are less assured starting mid-October. From sometime around November to March, pleasant weather for a stroll becomes altogether rare in Volgograd.

Tourist Information Center of the Volgograd Oblast, Ul. Gagarina, 12 (, +7 8442 529893. M-F 08:30-17:00, closed from 12:30-13:00. There is basic information on sights, places to stop by, places to eat, and events. Information at the site isn't always up-to-date, but one can get an understanding. The level of quality of the articles is unclear. .

Mamayev Kurgan. The site of one of the 20th century's most important battles: Battle of Stalingrad. Huge memorial The Motherland Calls (the largest non'religious statue in the world) is on top of a hill overlooking Volgograd and the Volga River. The name derives from the hill's supposed status as the grave of Mamai, a famous Tatar Khan and general (kurgan is a Tatar word meaning burial mound).
The Panorama museum, ul. Chuikova. 10:00-17:00. The Panorama museum, which is alongside the Volga river, contains artifacts from World War II. These include a rifle of the famous sniper Vasily Zaytsev. A panoramic painting of the battlefield from the location of the monument "Mamayev Kurgan", can also be found.
Pavlov's House. One of the focal points of the Battle of Stalingrad, a strategic apartment building that a small group of Soviet soldiers fortified and held for two months against a relentless German offensive before being relieved by counterattacking Soviet forces. While the building, rebuilt after the war, is in active use as a residence and not open to the public, a monument made up of bricks retrieved from the battleground is attached to the outside of the building and publicly accessible.

Mamayev Kurgan. The site of one of the 20th century's most important battles: Battle of Stalingrad. Huge memorial The Motherland Calls (the largest non'religious statue in the world) is on top of a hill overlooking Volgograd and the Volga River. The name derives from the hill's supposed status as the grave of Mamai, a famous Tatar Khan and general (kurgan is a Tatar word meaning burial mound).

The Panorama museum, ul. Chuikova. 10:00-17:00. The Panorama museum, which is alongside the Volga river, contains artifacts from World War II. These include a rifle of the famous sniper Vasily Zaytsev. A panoramic painting of the battlefield from the location of the monument "Mamayev Kurgan", can also be found.

Pavlov's House. One of the focal points of the Battle of Stalingrad, a strategic apartment building that a small group of Soviet soldiers fortified and held for two months against a relentless German offensive before being relieved by counterattacking Soviet forces. While the building, rebuilt after the war, is in active use as a residence and not open to the public, a monument made up of bricks retrieved from the battleground is attached to the outside of the building and publicly accessible.

Watch football at Volgograd Arena, opened in 2018 to host matches of the FIFA World Cup. The home team are FC Rotor, who play in the Russian National League, the second tier of Russian football. The Arena replaces the Central Stadium on this site; its capacity will be 35,000. It's on the west bank of the Volga, 3 km north of Volgograd-1 main railway station, take metro to Tspkio.

Watch football at Volgograd Arena, opened in 2018 to host matches of the FIFA World Cup. The home team are FC Rotor, who play in the Russian National League, the second tier of Russian football. The Arena replaces the Central Stadium on this site; its capacity will be 35,000. It's on the west bank of the Volga, 3 km north of Volgograd-1 main railway station, take metro to Tspkio.

Belleville.
Trattoria Rimini, Gagarina St, 9, +7 844 224-09-08. Homely Italian with a decent range of pasta, pizzas and wines.

Belleville.

Trattoria Rimini, Gagarina St, 9, +7 844 224-09-08. Homely Italian with a decent range of pasta, pizzas and wines.