Togliatti is a city in the Samara region, located on the left bank of the Volga River, directly opposite the picturesque Zhigulevsky mountains. Its history dates back to the 18th century. Then it was a guard fortress, which was intended for the resettlement of baptized Kalmyks and the defense of Russian lands from the invasion of nomadic peoples. Subsequently, Togliatti has grown greatly and today it is a large industrial, economic and transport city in Russia.
The AvtoVAZ plant located here brought particular fame to this Volga city. But besides this, there are many interesting sights that it makes sense to visit during your stay in Togliatti. The richest in heritage and monuments is the central district of the city. In its very heart, on Freedom Square, you can see the Obelisk of Glory and the Eternal Flame, which burns in honor of Togliatti residents who died on the fields of the Great Patriotic War. This is just an ideal place for a quiet pastime and walking in Tolyatti. Nearby is the Central Square, where you can see the memorial complex, erected in honor of the builders of the city. In addition, there is a belfry and a sculpture of Nikolai the Ugodnik. Go for a walk in the city park, which is located right in front of the Central Square. On one of its alleys, you can see a sculptural composition called "The Grieving Angel", which is dedicated to the victims of repression. It is a square with granite panels around the perimeter. At one of its sides stands the figure of a seated angel, cast in bronze. In his hands is a book where it is written "Time to collect stones." There are several churches in Togliatti, the largest of which is the Transfiguration Cathedral. It was opened in 2002, at the same time more than three thousand believers can be within its walls. The right hand of St. John the Baptist is kept here - one of the most revered Christian shrines. During the day, the sparkling of its golden domes can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. In the dark, the facade is illuminated by searchlights, which is why even at night you can see how a white-stone bulk rises majestically over the sleeping Togliatti. The peculiarity of this temple is that it was not built according to Orthodox canons. The proportions in it, indeed, are not observed. However, this fact does not detract from its merits at all. The cathedral attracts not only pilgrims, but also connoisseurs of architecture. The Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is the oldest church in the city, is also worth visiting. It is located in the Fedorovka microdistrict and was built with the money of the landowner Bakhmetyev at the end of the 19th century. In addition, in Fedorovka you can look at the Intercession Cathedral and the Varvara Church. On the Volga coast, there is an observation deck, which offers picturesque views of the city's surroundings. There is also an equestrian statue of the founder of Stavropol-on-Volga, this is how Togliatti was originally called, - statesman and historian Vasily Tatishchev. This is a kind of visiting card of the city. This monument is often depicted on city postcards and local travel cards. There is also a monument on the streets of Togliatti that evokes special feelings. This is the so-called "Monument of Devotion". It can be found at the intersection of Lev Yashin Street and South Highway. He represents a dog that is waiting for its owner. This is a kind of Togliatti analogue of the Hachiko monument. Wedding corteges often stop at this monument. Its prototype was a dog named Verny, who for seven years lived on the side of the Southern Highway, exactly in the place where its owners died in a car accident. After his death, the townspeople decided to erect a monument to their faithful dog. It would be a crime to visit Togliatti and not visit the AvtoVAZ museum. It is located in close proximity to the plant itself. The exposition of this museum will tell about the variety of products of the popular automotive company. Among the exhibits are sewing machines, a submarine, helicopters, diesel locomotives, radars, tanks, cars and even a ballistic missile.
