This place is considered the very center of the city, the zero kilometer, the beginning of all roads. The Alley of Heroes in Volgograd begins at the Square of the Fallen Fighters and runs into the Upper Terrace of the city embankment. Along it there are hotels, the Central Department Store, in the basement of which Field Marshal Paulus was captured in 1943, the Medical University, eight-story residential buildings built in the Stalinist Empire style, on the ground floors of which there are cafes and restaurants.

On the roofs of two eight-story buildings, if you look at them from the side of the embankment, you will see a huge Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal. These signs were awarded to Volgograd for the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Alley of Heroes. History

The Alley of Heroes was founded in Volgograd in the 1950s, when the city was rebuilt after the war. There were proposals on this street, which unites the Square of the Fallen Fighters with the embankment, to open the Square of Glory, and on it – the Victory Museum and even the Victory Arch. Then these plans were abandoned. The Alley of Heroes was opened in Volgograd in 1954 in memory of the exploits of Soviet soldiers. It was created by several architects at once: Alabyan, Levitan and Goldman. Subsequently, the alley became the most popular meeting place for the Volgograd youth.

Interesting Facts

• The length of the Alley of Heroes is 350 meters.
• The street ends at the Volga embankment, where the main city fountain with the poetic name “Art” is installed. It is decorated with figures of dancing girls, vaguely reminiscent of silhouettes on the famous fountain at VDNKh. Because of this, the townspeople call this place the “Friendship of Nations” fountain.
• One of the parts of the alley is decorated with a net of garlands stretched at a height of several meters. Once here in the evening, be sure to take a photo against the background of the “starry sky”.
• Volgograd State Medical University is located at 1, Square of the Fallen Fighters. Like all buildings on this street, it is made in the style of the monumental Stalinist Empire style. It is all the more interesting that here you can find an unusual monument to a five-ruble coin. It was established in honor of the student’s omen that a penny, hidden under the heel, will help to pass the exams with excellent marks.

What to see

The Alley of Heroes in Volgograd is divided into three parts.

Closer to the zero kilometer and the Square of the Fallen Fighters there is a mass grave. Above it there is an obelisk erected in honor of not only the defenders of Stalingrad, but also the Red Tsaritsyn. The eternal flame burns here.

Not far from the Eternal Flame, you can see a local landmark – the Stalingrad poplar. He is famous for having survived the Battle of Stalingrad, and today there is a very respectful attitude towards him: as a person, he is constantly examined with the help of a tomograph and prescribed “treatment”. There is a plaque next to him that tells his story. Also in this part of the alley you will find the chapel of Alexander Nevsky.

After you cross Lenin Avenue, the walking part of the Alley of Heroes begins: there you can see stars overhead at night, and snowflakes in winter. Closer to the Central Embankment, you will again come across cultural heritage sites. One of the main elements of the ensemble are steles with the names of 127 heroes of the Soviet Union who defended this land.

Alley of Heroes at different times of the year

In spring, tulips, chestnuts, sakura bloom here, flags redden and birds sing. As it good weather, you can see schoolchildren who are on duty at the mass grave and the Eternal Flame.

In winter, walking along the Alley of Heroes, you will come across one of the city’s main trees. It is placed on the dividing strip of Lenin Avenue.

In October there is a beautiful golden autumn.