Volgograd

Formerly known as Stalingrad, modern day Volgograd is located on the western bank of the Volga River. A must-visit for WWII history enthusiasts, this city is most famously remembered for the Battle of Stalingrad. It was here in February 1943, that the military campaign between Russian forces and Nazi Germany was finally halted. Today this ‘Hero City,’ has been transformed into a symbol of the Soviets success. Volgograd was rebuilt with broad boulevards, public buildings in the Stalinesque architecture and is the site of The Motherland Calls, an 85-meter high statue located on a hilltop overlooking the Mamayev Kurgan memorial complex.