Volgograd is one of the largest cities of the Russian Federation, located in its European part, in which more than a million people live. Moreover, over the course of his history, he managed to change more than one name.
Volgograd is a city that has played a significant role in the history of the country. Today, this metropolis, with more than 1 million people, is part of the Volga region of the Russian Federation.
Tsaritsyn
Until 1589, the village located on the site of today's Volgograd, in fact, was a small village. However, after Russia managed to conquer the Astrakhan Khanate in the second half of the 16th century, trade with the Caspian territories began to develop actively in the region, and there was a need to organize protection of the emerging trade route so that merchants carrying goods or money could feel relatively safe.
To this end, the local governor Grigory Zasekin at the end of the XVI century founded several small fortresses, including Tsaritsyn, Samara and Saratov. In particular, the first mention of a fortress called Tsaritsyn dates back to 1589. Since then, this year is considered the official date of the founding of Volgograd, and from it he counts his age.
Stalingrad
The city was renamed on April 10, 1925: instead of the former name Tsaritsyn, it became known as Stalingrad. Of course, the new name was given to him in honor of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, who since 1922 served as Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
Nevertheless, over the next few years, Stalingrad did not stand out with any significant features compared to other Soviet cities. Real world fame came to him after the famous Battle of Stalingrad took place on the city territory in 1942. During this battle, which began on August 23, 1942 and finally ended only on February 2, 1943 with the surrender of the Sixth Army of the Wehrmacht, the Soviet army was able to turn the tide of World War II in its favor. In memory of this battle in 1967, the famous memorial complex on Mamaev Kurgan was erected, which includes the world-famous monument "Motherland".
