Green Belt of Glory Saint Petersburg
A vast memorial complex on Mamayev Kurgan, honoring the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad with towering statues and poignant tributes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
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Green Belt of Glory Saint Petersburg
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vast memorial complex on Mamayev Kurgan, honoring the pivotal Battle of Stalingrad with towering statues and poignant tributes.
"This place is tremendous and memorable. It reflects every single bit of grief and sorrow."
🚶♀️ Uphill or Downhill?
Choose your approach: climb 200 steps from the base for an epic ascent, or start at the top and descend.
📸 Morning Light is Best
Visit in the morning for optimal lighting on the statue and complex for your photos.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Motherland Calls Statue
Mamayev Kurgan
An awe-inspiring 85-meter statue, one of the world's tallest, symbolizing a fierce call to arms.
Eternal Flame and Hall of Glory
Mamayev Kurgan
A moving tribute with music and an eternal flame, reflecting the immense grief and sacrifice.
Gerhardt's Mill
Central Volgograd
A preserved, bombed-out mill, a stark reminder of the brutal urban warfare of the Battle of Stalingrad.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand the Scale of Remembrance
Timing is Key for Impact
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Uphill or Downhill?
Choose your approach: climb 200 steps from the base for an epic ascent, or start at the top and descend.
📸 Morning Light is Best
Visit in the morning for optimal lighting on the statue and complex for your photos.
🎶 Moving Music & Flame
Experience the emotional impact of the eternal flame accompanied by music in the Hall of Glory.
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Dedicate at least 3 hours to explore the entire memorial complex and its many monuments.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Uphill or Downhill?
Choose your approach: climb 200 steps from the base for an epic ascent, or start at the top and descend.
📸 Morning Light is Best
Visit in the morning for optimal lighting on the statue and complex for your photos.
🎶 Moving Music & Flame
Experience the emotional impact of the eternal flame accompanied by music in the Hall of Glory.
⏳ Allow Plenty of Time
Dedicate at least 3 hours to explore the entire memorial complex and its many monuments.
🏛️ Free to Explore
The entire Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex is free to visit. :moneywithwings:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently describe Mamayev Kurgan as a breathtaking and deeply moving experience, a magnificent tribute to the sacrifices made during the Battle of Stalingrad. The sheer scale of the Motherland Calls statue and the solemnity of the Eternal Flame are frequently highlighted as profoundly impactful. While not a place for lighthearted fun, its historical significance and visual grandeur make it a highly recommended and memorable destination.
"Simply breathtaking !
The 85m statue of the Motherland is surreal, the eternal flame with the music is really moving and the statues are marvelous !
This complex is a magnificent tribute to the more than 1 million Soviet people that died to liberate the city of Stalingrad, then leading to the liberation of Europe !"
Xavier
"This place is tremendous and memorable. It reflects every single bit of grief and sorrow. Not a place for fun at all though it's just breathtaking. Highly recommended to visit it during the dark hours, it's very well illuminated"
Alex Dmitriev
"Mamayev Kurgan is a hill in Volgograd named after Mamaya, famous Tatar khan who was buried here (Kurgan is a resting place in Tatar).
In more recent history this hill (among many other sites around) is famous for one of the most important battles in WWII, which changed the course of it in Europe.
There are several things to explore here, and I'll list them here and explain in a separate review. Count on at least 3 hours for a visit.
You can reach Mamayev Kurgan in 2 ways, depending if you want a more relaxed or more impressive approach.
More impressive is taking a taxi or speed tram that will take you to the hill foot, close to the Volga river, and then climb 200 steps (200 days lasted the battle). Climbing them the statue becomes bigger and bigger and you visit other monuments along the way - reflection pool, huge stone reliefs, Eternal flame and Hall of Glory,....Beware, this requires 200 steps uphill climb plus spaces in between them.
More relaxed means taking a taxi which will take you to the top of the hill where's the Motherland Calls statue, seeing it first and then descending downhill and seeing other attractions in the opposite way.
The complex is totally free to visit, and I suggest coming in the morning, as the sun is shining at the statue and whole complex then, so you will have better light on your pics. We were late afternoon and the sun was behind the statue."
Dejan Braki
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach Mamayev Kurgan by taxi or a speed tram to the base of the hill, or a taxi directly to the top near the Motherland Calls statue. The climb from the base involves 200 steps, symbolizing the 200 days of the battle.
While specific parking details can vary, taxis are a convenient option to reach either the base or the summit of Mamayev Kurgan.
Public transport options like buses and trams are available in Volgograd, but for direct access to Mamayev Kurgan, taxis or speed trams are often recommended for ease and efficiency.
For a more dramatic experience, start at the base and climb the 200 steps, encountering monuments along the way. For a more relaxed visit, take a taxi to the top and descend.
The site is extensive. While the main statue is accessible from the top, the full experience involves many steps and uneven terrain. Consider starting at the top if mobility is a concern.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the entire Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex is free to visit. :moneywithwings:
The memorial complex is generally open 24/7, allowing for visits at any time. However, the visitor experience, especially for photography, is best during daylight or illuminated evening hours.
Yes, guided tours are available and highly recommended for a deeper understanding of the historical significance of the Battle of Stalingrad and the memorial.
There is no entrance fee to view the Motherland Calls statue or the surrounding memorial complex. It is a free public space. :moneywithwings:
Yes, Mamayev Kurgan is accessible on holidays. It's a significant site for remembrance, and visits are common on commemorative dates.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Mamayev Kurgan features the towering Motherland Calls statue, the Eternal Flame, the Hall of Glory, various stone reliefs, and numerous other monuments commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad.
It's recommended to allocate at least 3 hours to fully explore the vast memorial complex and appreciate its historical significance.
The 200 steps leading up to the Motherland Calls statue symbolize the 200 days that the Battle of Stalingrad lasted, representing the immense duration and struggle of the conflict.
Yes, Mamayev Kurgan offers dramatic photographic opportunities, especially with the towering statue and poignant memorials. Morning light is ideal for clear shots.
The atmosphere is deeply solemn and moving, reflecting the immense sacrifice and sorrow of the Battle of Stalingrad. It's a place of remembrance, not for lighthearted activities.
📸 📸 Photography
The best time for photography is in the morning when the sun illuminates the Motherland Calls statue and the complex, providing good lighting. Evenings offer a dramatic, illuminated view.
Key photo spots include the base of the Motherland Calls statue, the Eternal Flame, the various relief sculptures, and panoramic views from different points on the hill. +1
Drone usage is typically restricted at sensitive historical and memorial sites. It's advisable to check local regulations before attempting to fly a drone.
A camera with good low-light capabilities and a wide-angle lens would be beneficial for capturing the scale of the statue and the expansive memorial.
Generally, photography is allowed throughout the memorial complex. However, always be respectful of the solemn nature of the site.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🏛️ History Enthusiasts
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Battle of Stalingrad: A Turning Point
Mamayev Kurgan, the dominant height overlooking Volgograd (then Stalingrad), was a strategically crucial point of contention. Control of this hill was fiercely contested, with immense loss of life on both sides. The memorial complex today stands as a powerful testament to the immense sacrifice made by Soviet soldiers and civilians to defend their homeland.
Visiting Mamayev Kurgan offers a tangible connection to this pivotal moment. The preserved ruins of Gerhardt's Mill also serve as a stark reminder of the urban warfare that characterized the battle, adding another layer of historical context to the experience.
Exploring the Mamayev Kurgan Memorial Complex
As you move through the complex, you'll encounter various poignant monuments. The Reflection Pool offers a moment of quiet contemplation, while the stone reliefs depict scenes of heroism and suffering. The Eternal Flame burns in the Hall of Glory, accompanied by moving music, creating an atmosphere of profound remembrance.
The Motherland Calls statue, an 85-meter-tall figure of a woman with a raised sword, is the centerpiece. Its sheer scale is breathtaking and serves as a powerful symbol of defiance and victory.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit