"Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad)- Rodina Mat'" Top 5 Page for this destination Volgograd by bobs12


Volgograd Travel Guide: 103 reviews and 163 photos

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.

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?

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.

  • Intro Updated Dec 8, 2003
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Reviews (5)

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  • BillNJ's Profile Photo
    BillNJ Jan 16, 2009 at 10:43 AM Report Abuse

    Interesting page. How safe is Volgograd for a Western tourist?

  • Pablos_new's Profile Photo
    Pablos_new Nov 15, 2006 at 1:06 AM Report Abuse

    One small common mistake on the page. "Pavlov's House" is one in front of Panorama, but fully reconstructed after war. That one - with holes - is a steam mill building, also very famouse, but this is another story.

  • Stalingradtours. Mar 19, 2006 at 4:37 AM Report Abuse

    The building that you attribute to Sgt Pavlov is in fact Grudinin's Mill. Pavlov did not defend this building. Also it is not the only surviving building in Volgograd?

  • bijo69's Profile Photo
    bijo69 May 12, 2005 at 5:43 PM Report Abuse

    Very helpful tips indeed!

  • Michael_D's Profile Photo
    Michael_D Mar 30, 2004 at 9:45 AM Report Abuse

    OK...no getting out near the dam..I got it!..LOL .MIke

  • KonstantinII's Profile Photo
    KonstantinII Feb 6, 2004 at 4:11 PM Report Abuse

    Horosho tips on Volvograd (or should I say Otlichno!) ;o) My russian is a bit rusty and especially when writen in Latin alphabet. ;o) And about Yugo - visit my page on Serbia http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/61078/4bd/9/

  • yumyum's Profile Photo
    yumyum Jan 14, 2004 at 12:32 PM Report Abuse

    Hope to make it one day too!

bobs12

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