"Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad)- Rodina... " a Volgograd Travel Page by bobs12

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One of the tallest concrete monuments in the world

Big woman with a sword

No trip to Volgograd could be complete without going to see 'Rodina Mat' otherwise known as 'Mamaev Kurgan', aka 'Zhenshina s mechom' (woman with a sword- stress on the -om)

If you hear Russians talking about a big Soviet statue of a woman with a ball, don't be too confused. They're talking about Rodina Mat (mother of Russia), it just so happens that 'ball' and 'sword' sound the same in russian when declined into the instrumental.

Okay, enough of the grammar lesson- enjoy the picture.

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Woman crying

Woman crying

On your way up to Rodina Mat, you have to stop and take a look at this statue. You can walk right up to it, but you have to cross some stepping stones in a pool.

The statue is of a woman holding a dying soldier, and the look of pain and pity captured in her face is quite moving.

I'll have to update this when I find out the proper name for this statue- maybe sommeone will remind me?

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Changing the guard at the Eternal Flame

On the way up...

On the way up the hill to Rodina Mat, you should go through the tunnel opening into the hillside. Inside is a cavernous monument to the battle. Its walls inside are covered with the names of people who died in the battle. A very humbling experience and worth the trip to Volgograd in itself.