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The
planes leave Moscow airport
Domodedovo
for Saratov every
weekday at 9.20 and 20.30, on weekends only at 20.30.
The fare is 1900 rubles, economy class, and 2900 rubles, business class ($1- 31
rubles). The flight lasts one hour and twenty minutes. From August 2002 there is a fast train from
Domodedovo airport to Moscow, Paveleski Vogzal, where
there is metro station too for all destinations.
The history of Saratov
goes back for four hundred years. The town emerged in
1590 to protect the south-eastern borders of the Moscow
state from nomads and to safeguard the Volga navigation.
Saratov is
supposed to owe its name to the Turkic roots: «sary»
which means «yellow or beautiful» and «tow» /tau/
which stands for «a mountain». Theatre Square is
considered one of the most beautiful in the town.
On the central square of Saratov is a symbol of
Soviet period - Lenin Statue executed in bronze
and a small chapel, the sign of new Russia.
One of
the favourite places of recreation and
sightseeing in Saratov is Kirov, or Nemetskaya,
Avenue which is a traffic-free zone.
With its refaced and repainted buildings it
maintains its character as a picturesque town
street. The finest restaurants, cafes and shops
are situated in this street also. This avenue
stretches for probably 8 blocks and is full of
shopping. Recreation
facilities are also provided in the Lipki town
garden and the Park of Culture and
Rest with its attractions. Museum Square is an
interesting architectural ensemble with the
Trinity Cathedral, a fine
monument of Moscow baroque dating from the 17th
century. A walk
along the well-designed Cosmonauts Embankment
with its modern buildings blending well with the
scenery alongside the river will reward you with
unforgettable impressions of the Volga. Saratov
is a large river port. In summer many liners come
up to its river-boat station and bring passengers
from different parts of the country. Present-day
Saratov is one of the important cultural centers
in Russia. It possesses many museums, a rich
picture gallery, libraries, theatres. On July
26, 1885, a picture gallery was opened to the
public. It was the first open-door exhibition in
provincial Russia. Now it is one of the largest
picture galleries in towns of the Volga area. The
Fine Arts Museum contains more than 15.000
outstanding works of Russian, Soviet and European
art, old furniture, bronzes, tapestries and
porcelains. In the Western European division the
Museum exhibits fine pictures by C.Corot, P.Rubens,
A. Van Dyck and many other eminent artists. Open:
10-18, day off – Monday.
Languages
of excursion: English, German, French. Price 20
rubles ($.80). The permanent exhibits in
the Museum of Local Lore, History and
Economy acquaint visitors with archaeology, history,
ethnography, flora and fauna of the area. Open: Monday,
Tuesday 10-16, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10-17, the day
off – Wednesday. The Park of Victory on the
Sokolovaya Hill and a huge monument with cranes at its
top honour the memory of Saratov
citizens who perished in the Great Patriotic War. The
monument which is 40 meters high can be seen from any
point in the town. You also can enjoy a beautiful
panorama of the town from the Sokolovaya Hill. The
Museum of Victory which is situated here
contains real weapons of Soviet and Russian armies.
Saratov
is a great centre for theatre, opera and ballet.
The
Opera and Ballet Theatre which stages Russian and
world classics, the Drama Theatre, which presents
classical and modern plays, the Theatre for
Young Spectators, the repertory
of which is interesting for children, grown-ups and
adults, are among the most popular. There is also a musical
comedy and a puppet theatre for
children in Saratov. Music
in all its forms has a substantial following. The wide-spread
interest in classical and modern music, jazz is reflected
in large audiences of concerts in the L.V. Sobinov
State Conservatoire and Philarmonia.
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