SIMBIRSK - RUSSIA

The fortress on the high right bank of the Volga was built in 1648 to anchor the Muscovite Zasechnaya Cherta (frontier defense line) against the Tatars. The garrison held the place for a month against the rebel army led by Stenka Razin. In the next century the town remained loyal to Catherine II during the Pugachev rebellion. But after that its military importance ended. Several famous Russians lived here, among them the historian, Karamzin, and the writer, Goncharov. It was the home of Alexander Kerensky, but that is not mentioned. Rather the town was remaned for its most famous native son, Vladimir Ulyanov - V. Lenin. Nothing remains of the late medieval period or indeed much pre-revolution but there are many monuments and memorials to Lenin and some also to Goncharov. Our visit was during a 350 year anniversary celebration. The local historians are deeply dispointed that practically nothing remains of that history, thanks to the systematic destruction by the Communists.

Here are a few of the photos we took during the visit in 1998. However, the photos of the fascinating wax museum display on the Romanov family are at wax museum.

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Impressive Soviet construction regional office, but the former cathedral was wiped out totally. This area is on top the bluff overlooking the Volga. In tsarist times the cathedral here must have been quite impressive when seen from the Volga for miles around.

View of the Volga from the bluff on which Simbirsk fortress was located, now part of a city park. The Volga is so wide because of the dam further downstream.

Stairway leading to second floor of the local museum, which houses a fine collection of art. It was also the location of a traveling wax museum of figures from the Romanov Dynasty. The curators graciously allowed us to take many photos, which are seen at a separate web section.

The Goncherov mansion now part of the local museum.

View of the Volga from the high bluff at Simbirsk - our fine cruise ship, the Boris Chalipin, is waiting our return. The picture is dark due to a very heavy rain storm which managed to soak us before we got back to the ship.

This is the home of V. Lenin (Ulyanov) now a museum. The fine modern civic auditorium- museum complex is built completely around the preserved house. Interesting enough, the local guides managed to totally ignore this structure while explaining everything about the museum and auditorium as well as rest of the town.

One of the few pre-revolutionary buildings preserved in downtown Simbirsk, and that is because it was the locale of an early Bolshivik party meeting during the build up to the revolution.

Interesting decoration on a pre-revolutionary building in downtown.

One of several large signs hanging from wires across the main street in Simbirsk as part of the 350 year celebration. This one is Alexei Mikhailovich, Russian tsar 1645-1676, second tsar of the Romanov Dynasty, son of Mikail Feodorovich and father of emperor Peter I.

Another of the large poster signs in downtown Simbirsk. This one is to Nicholas I (Nikolai Pavlovich) Russian emperor 1825 - 1855, third son of Emperor Paul I, younger brother of emperor Alexander I, father of emperor Alexander II. I guess the public now needs to be reminded of their Russian history after so many years of its being ignored.

Two of the local ladies who greeted our ship at the river dock.

One of the beautiful local children who met our ship and put on a fine singing performance welcoming the group.

Two more local children who provided a rousing welcome.

With much singing the locals are presenting bread and salt as part of the traditional welcome.

Three local ladies who greeted our ship.