Samara region

The city features 10 parks and gardens, over 20 parkettes and avenues, and a total of 17 squares, including Kuibyshev Square, which is one of the largest in Europe.

The city’s surviving architectural heritage represents one of the richest and most vibrant ensembles in modern Russia. The dominant architectural styles are the Art Nouveau and Eclecticism of the late 19th - early 20th centuries, as well as the Post-Modernism of the 20th century.

Samara regularly hosts Russian and international festivals, sports competitions and other events. In early July, the outskirts of the regional capital – Mastryukovskiye Lakes – are the annual gathering spot for lovers of bard songs. The festival bears the name of Valery Grushin who was a student of the Kuybyshev Aviation Institute.

Samara boasts roughly three dozen different museums: from the legendary Stalin’s Bunker and Samara Space Museum to smaller private thematic collections.

Samara theater life is vibrant and full. There are several dramatic repertory theatres, Opera and Ballet Theatre. Samara is a regular stop on tours by leading Russian and foreign theatres.

• Samara boasts a high number of original landmarks, from small sculptural forms to larger monuments and memorials, as well as several monuments to technical achievement.
• Samara is a multidenominational city of many faiths. It is home to Russian Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican churches, the Armenian Apostolic Church, mosques, a synagogue and other religious institutions and centres.

The 5,000-seater international interuniversity campus is being built in Samara near the Samara Solidarity Arena stadium. The interuniversity campus will become a point of attraction for talented students not only from the Samara region but also from other regions and foreign countries. Samara University is the key beneficiary of this project: 3,000 seats out of 5,000 are provided for Samara University students.