Samara (Сама́ра), Russia

Saints Vera, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia Church, Samara
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vera1.jpg
Author: Виктор Андреев


Samara (Russian: Сама́ра) is the administrative capital of Samara Oblast and the sixth largest city in Russia. It is located on the southeastern part of European Russia, at the confluence of the Volga and Samara Rivers. The city covers 465.97 sq km (179.91 sq mi) and has a population of 1.2 million people (2011 estimate). It observes the Moscow Standard Time (UTC+4).

Samara experiences a humid continental climate. The summers are warm while winters are extremely cold. Warmest month is July, when high temperature hits 26°C (76.1°F). July is also the wettest month, registering 64 mm (2.52 in) of rain. Coldest month is January, when the average low drops to -15.9°C (3.4°F). Temperature is below 0°C from November until march.

The history of Samara goes back to 1357, when Alexius, the Metropolitan (archbishop) of Moscow, visited the village and predicted that it would eventually become a great city. This proved true, and Alexius was made the patron saint of Samara. But it did not happen overnight, and for centuries, Samara was just a fortress outpost protecting the easternmost boundaries of Russia.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, Samara
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kiril3.jpg
Author: Виктор Андреев


Samara only grew rapidly towards the late 19th and early 20th century. Its economy was based on the flour milling and related industries, from bread making to brewery and confectionery. The Russian Revolution brought a period of unheaval to Samara, and the city eventually fell to the Red Army in 1918. The city was renamed Kuybyshev, in honor of Bolshevik leader Valerian Kuybyshev, in 1935.

During the Second World War, Kuybyshev was identified as an interim capital of the USSR should Moscow fall to the Nazis. During the war years, the Soviet's military parade was held in its central square. Kuybyshev served as the capital until the summer of 1943, when the Soviet government moved back to Moscow.

Church of Archangel Michael, Samara
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mihail_v.jpg
Author: Виктор Андреев


After the war, Kuybyshev became a closed city, off limits to foreigners, due to its sensitive military industries. This was where the Soviets conducted their space program. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the city was opened to foreigners once more. It also reverted to its historical name Samara.

Visiting Samara

Samara is served by the Kurumoch International Airport (KUF), located 35 km (22 mi) to the north of downtown. It receives flights from Moscow, St Petersburg, Dubai, Frankfurt, Kiev, Prague, Tel Aviv and Yerevan, among others.

Saint Tatyana Church, Samara
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tatyana1.jpg
Author: Vfp15

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