Millionnaya Street was once the name of the Saratov embankment, renamed in 1962 in honor of the first manned flights to near-earth orbit. Now it proudly bears the name of the Cosmonauts Embankment and invariably pleases with its well-groomed appearance and wonderful landscapes opening up.
Along the Volga river …
A couple of centuries ago, the embankment in Saratov in its present form, of course, did not exist. The ironic name Millionnaya Street, stretching along the Volga, was given because of the poorest people living here and the port loaders. The shore was buried in mud, and in its sheds numerous cargoes awaited loading onto steamers.
Only at the beginning of the twentieth century, the city duma raised the issue of improving the embankment, but could not find the funds to implement the plans. The first already Soviet projects were also not accepted. Only after the end of the Great Patriotic War did Saratov residents receive the first equipped slopes to the river and wooden stairs.
Capital construction of the embankment in Saratov began at the end of the 50s of the last century, and all able-bodied residents of the city took part in it.
The grandmother who was not
The modern Saratov embankment stretches for one and a half kilometers from Babushkin Vzvoz to the automobile bridge across the river. Babushkin Vzvoz is a street with its own history. It appeared on the map of the city in the 18th century and was named after the surname of the merchant who had a courtyard on it. In the 60s of the last century Vzvoz was successfully "renamed" and received the name of the revolutionary Ivan Babushkin. The plates had to be changed and "Babushkin Vzvoz" became known as "Vzvoz named after Babushkin". Time returned the street to its former name, and its main attraction was the Teremok city puppet theater. You can get here by trolleybuses N4 and N2A.
There are so many golden lights
There are no special attractions on the Saratov embankment, except for the stunning views of the Volga. It is paved with paving slabs and serves as a meeting place for the townspeople. Here you can see fans of roller skating and joggers, and pleasure boats and small boats leave from the river station to the neighboring Volga towns.
At the intersection of Babushkinoy Vzvoz with the Cosmonauts Embankment, a Monument to the Lovers has been erected. It was opened in 2000 on the eve of the 410th anniversary of the city. The monument boasts a mysterious legend of its appearance, which Saratov residents willingly tell guests.
