What Сan I See Almost in Every Russian City?

There is one place of interest which is available for tourists almost in all Russian cities of the European (western) part of Russia. It is a Military Park.

Russia has been through many wars. Monument of war can be found anywhere. For example, there is a huge Tzar Cannon (Царь-пушка) on the Red Squaire in Moscow (see picture of the right). Or a gigantic statue of 85 meters (almost 280 feet) in Volgograd, called The Motherland Calls (Родина-мать зовет) (picture on the left).

Major events that are fresh in peoples' memory are those related to the WWII when many Russian cities became a place of Nazis' occupation. That is why a large number of Russian cities have their own Military park, which is usually called a Victory Park (Парк победы) dedicated to Russia's (USSR's) victory in the WWII. Among such cities are Kazan, Kirov, Lipetsk, Omsk, Saratov, Tver', Tolyatti, Saint-Petersburg, Moscow and many more.

The purpose of a Victory park is to remind people about their history and to commemorate the heroic deeds of Russian warriors in wars of the 20th and 21st century. However, for tourists such parks are also a great attraction because they serve as a great example of Russian ammunition, armor and military power. Among the exponents exhibited in the Victory park, one can see Russian tanks, airplanes, helicopters, military trains and even ships since the time of WWII. The parks are always open for public. The admission to any Russian Military Park is free, and tourists and visitors are allowed to take pictures.

In the center of the park there is usually a big Eternal Flame that never goes out and is a symbol of great feats of Russian soldiers, who died in wars. On the 9th of May – the Victory Day in Russia – official ceremonies are held at this place in every city and lots of flowers are laid around the Flame by the visitors.

Here is an interesting picture of a tourist taken in a Russian Military Park. The picture contains reference to the so-called "tank man" picture taken during a well-known historical event of Chinese protests on Tiananmen Square.