Saransk

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City in Mordovia, Russia

title: "Saransk" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["saransk", "populated-places-established-in-1641", "17th-century-establishments-in-russia", "1641-establishments-in-russia", "cities-and-towns-in-mordovia", "saransky-uyezd"] description: "City in Mordovia, Russia" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saransk" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary City in Mordovia, Russia ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox Russian inhabited locality"]

Field	Value
en_name	Saransk
ru_name	Саранск
loc_name1	Саранск ошсь
loc_lang1	Moksha
loc_name2	Саран
loc_lang2	Erzya
image_skyline	{{Photomontage
photo1a	St. Theodore Ushakov Cathedral.jpgСобор Фёдора Ушакова
photo2a	МГУ им. Огарёва.jpgПлощадь Тысячелетия и МГУ имени Н. П. Огарёва
photo2b	Saran osh DSC08760.jpgКраеведческий музей
photo3a	Театр в Саранске.JPGМузыкальный театр имени И. М. Яушева
photo3b	Leninskiy rayon, Saransk, Respublika Mordoviya, Russia - panoramio (7).jpgЖелезнодорожный вокзал
spacing	1
color_border	white
color	white
size	280
foot_montage	Clockwise from top: Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov, Regional museum, Saransk I railway station, Opera and Ballet Theatre of Saransk, Millennium square and main building Mordovian State University
coordinates
map_label_position	left
image_coa	Coat of Arms of Saransk.svg
image_flag	Flag of Saransk.svg
pushpin_map	Russia Mordovia#European Russia#Europe
holiday	June 12
federal_subject	Republic of Mordovia
federal_subject_ref
adm_city_jur	city of republic significance of Saransk
adm_city_jur_ref
adm_ctr_of	city of republic significance of Saransk
adm_ctr_of_ref
capital_of	Republic of Mordovia
capital_of_ref
inhabloc_cat	City
inhabloc_cat_ref
urban_okrug_jur	Saransk Urban Okrug
urban_okrug_jur_ref
mun_admctr_of	Saransk Urban Okrug
mun_admctr_of_ref
leader_title
leader_title_ref
leader_name	Pyotr Tultayev
leader_name_ref
representative_body	Council of Deputies
area_km2	383
area_km2_ref
pop_2010census	297415
pop_2010census_rank	64th
pop_2010census_ref
established_date	1641
established_date_ref
current_cat_date	1780
current_cat_date_ref
postal_codes	430000–430013, 430015–430019, 430021, 430023–430025, 430027, 430028, 430030–430034, 430700, 430899, 430950, 995300
dialing_codes	8342
dialing_codes_ref
website	http://www.adm-saransk.ru/
::

|en_name=Saransk |ru_name=Саранск |loc_name1=Саранск ошсь |loc_lang1=Moksha |loc_name2=Саран |loc_lang2=Erzya |image_skyline={{Photomontage | photo1a = St. Theodore Ushakov Cathedral.jpgСобор Фёдора Ушакова | photo2a = МГУ им. Огарёва.jpgПлощадь Тысячелетия и МГУ имени Н. П. Огарёва | photo2b = Saran osh DSC08760.jpgКраеведческий музей | photo3a = Театр в Саранске.JPGМузыкальный театр имени И. М. Яушева | photo3b = Leninskiy rayon, Saransk, Respublika Mordoviya, Russia - panoramio (7).jpgЖелезнодорожный вокзал | spacing = 1 | color_border = white | color = white | size = 280 | foot_montage = Clockwise from top: Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov, Regional museum, Saransk I railway station, Opera and Ballet Theatre of Saransk, Millennium square and main building Mordovian State University |coordinates = |map_label_position=left |image_coa=Coat of Arms of Saransk.svg |image_flag=Flag of Saransk.svg |pushpin_map=Russia Mordovia#European Russia#Europe |holiday=June 12 |federal_subject=Republic of Mordovia |federal_subject_ref= |adm_city_jur=city of republic significance of Saransk |adm_city_jur_ref= |adm_ctr_of=city of republic significance of Saransk |adm_ctr_of_ref= |capital_of=Republic of Mordovia |capital_of_ref= |inhabloc_cat=City |inhabloc_cat_ref= |urban_okrug_jur=Saransk Urban Okrug |urban_okrug_jur_ref= |mun_admctr_of=Saransk Urban Okrug |mun_admctr_of_ref= |leader_title= |leader_title_ref= |leader_name=Pyotr Tultayev |leader_name_ref= |representative_body=Council of Deputies |area_km2=383 |area_km2_ref= |pop_2010census=297415 |pop_2010census_rank=64th |pop_2010census_ref= |established_date=1641 |established_date_ref= |current_cat_date=1780 |current_cat_date_ref= |postal_codes=430000–430013, 430015–430019, 430021, 430023–430025, 430027, 430028, 430030–430034, 430700, 430899, 430950, 995300 |dialing_codes=8342 |dialing_codes_ref= |website=http://www.adm-saransk.ru/

Saransk (, ) is the capital city of Mordovia, Russia, as well as its financial and economic centre. It is located in the Volga basin at the confluence of the Saranka and Insar Rivers, about 630 km east of Moscow. Saransk was one of the host cities of the official tournament of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Saransk_station_1893.jpg" caption="The first station, built in 1893"] ::

The Russian fortress Atemar, founded in 1641, took its name from a nearby Mordvin village; at the time the fortress stood on the southeastern frontier of the Tsardom of Russia. The current name, "Saransk", refers to the city's situation on the Saranka river. Soon after its founding, the city became an important trade centre for nearby Erzya villagers. After 1708 Saransk was assigned to Azov Province, and later to the Kazan Governorate. In 1780 the settlement was granted town status and was again transferred, this time to the Penza Governorate, which was previously called the Penza Namestnichestvo, but was renamed to Penza Governorate by Paul I in 1796. On 11 October 1797, the Penza Governorate was divided into several governorates, one of which was the Simbirsk Governorate, which was composed of the Saransk and Insar uezds. By the ukaz of Alexander I, the Penza Governorate was re-established and now was divided into 10 uezds.

In 1928 Saransk was the administrative centre of the newly established Mordvin National Okrug, which became the Mordovian Autonomous Oblast in 1930. In 1941 Saransk was near the front line in the Battle of Moscow, but was never reached by the Wehrmacht. Soviet planners reconstructed the old city centre in the 1960s and 1970s, adding wide streets and planning the construction of massive residential areas.

In 2016 a monument was erected to those shot in the prisons of Saransk during the Great Terror.

Administrative and municipal status

Saransk is the capital of the Mordovian republic. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is, together with three work settlements (Lukhovka, Nikolayevka, and Yalga) and thirteen rural localities, incorporated as the city of republic significance of Saransk—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, the city of republic significance of Saransk is incorporated as Saransk Urban Okrug.

Geography

The city is located in the Volga basin at the confluence of the Saranka and Insar Rivers, about 630 kilometers (390 mi) east of Moscow.

Climate

Saransk has a relatively chilly version of the humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) with warm but not hot summers and cold winters, that averages well below freezing for five months of the year. Transition periods are extremely short and only April and October are between 0 C and 10 C in mean temperatures.

Industry

Industrial activity in Saransk includes the production of electrical cables, chemical production, textile manufacturing, food processing, machine building, and metallurgy. The city has two thermal power stations. The city has the confectionery plant Lamzur.

The most notable industrial enterprises include the Lisma Electrical Factory which employs nearly 12,000 people; the Biokhimik pharmaceutical facility; Rezinotekhnika, a rubber products manufacturer; cable manufacturer Saranskkabel; and Elektrovypryamitel, which manufactures electronic components and, on a small scale, television sets.

Demographics

Saransk is by far the largest city in Mordovia and accounts for 34.3% of the total population of the republic (as of the 2002 Census). Ethnic Russians form the majority of the population (about 85%), and Russian, rather than any of the two co-official Mordvinic languages, is the common language of communication in the city. As with many provincial capitals in Russia, the population of Saransk decreased after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, primarily as a result of economic migration to larger cities, made especially attractive by the downsizing, or outright collapse, of many smaller, regional, industrial enterprises. The population started to grow again in 2009. Population:

Culture and religion

The Saransk Regional Museum is dedicated primarily to the history of the city, while the Mordovian Museum of Visual Arts has a collection of works by the Russian masters Stepan Erzia and Fedot Sychkov.

The city is home to the Mordovian State University (founded in 1957) as well as several technical colleges.

Saransk has three Orthodox churches and also a small Lutheran church (Finnish Lutheran Church), which was opened in 2005. There are also three mosques. The main cathedral in Saransk is the Cathedral of St. Theodore Ushakov, the construction of which was completed in 2006.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Театр_в_Саранске.JPG" caption="Musical theatre named after I. M. Yaushev]]Mordovia Yaushev State Music Theater in Saransk, the capital of [[Mordovia]]. It was founded in 1932 by Moscow Academy of [http://www.maly.ru/ Maly Theatre] . Initially the theatre performed Russian classics, translated into the Mordovian languages, but later they began to adapt the [[drama]] works of national authors for the stage."] ::

Saransk has several theatres, including:

The State Russian Drama Theatre, opened on 25 August 1932 and initially called the Mordovian National Theatre
The Opera and Ballet Theater, opened on 9 September 2011
The State Puppet Theater of the Republic of Mordovia
The Mordovia National Drama Theatre, opened in 1932 by the Moscow Academy of Maly Theatre

Sport

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/MordoviaArenaStadium.jpg" caption="The [[Mordovia Arena]] hosted [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] games"] ::

Saransk is a major sports center of the Volga region. The city has several large sports facilities, such as the Republican Palace of Sports, Ice Palace, Mordovia Sports Complex, Leonid Arkaev Gymnastics Center, various sports and fitness clubs and gyms. The city territory accommodates two large stadiums: Start and Mordovia Arena.

Mordovia has extensive experience as a host to federal and international sporting events. In 2012, Saransk hosted the IAAF World Race Walking Cup, while the city's FC Mordovia Saransk played three seasons in the Russian Premier League against the country's leading football clubs.

In 2016, Mordovia was named the most athletic region in the country. The number of locals engaged in regular sports activities is growing and is as of today at 36%. There are over 2100 sports facilities in Saransk. Those include:

Mordovia Arena stadium. A stadium that hosted the group matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Athletics Sports School for Olympic Reserve
Mordovia Sports Complex
Ice Palace of the Republic of Mordovia
Palace of Sports
Olimp Sports Complex
Formula S Sports and Entertainment Complex
Mordovia Tennis Center
Skiing and Biathlon Complex of the Republic of Mordovia
Start Stadium
Palace of Water Sports
Saransk Stadium

From 16 to 28 June 2018, Saransk hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Mordovia Arena hosted four group stage matches.

Cityscape and architecture

The city has a large number of buildings remaining from the 17th and 18th centuries; however, many parts of the town are dominated by Soviet era apartment blocks, dating mainly from the 1960s, similar to other provincial towns which expanded rapidly due to fast industrialization. These buildings are nearing the end of their service life and are in need of serious repair and, in many cases, replacement. Industrial enterprises are mainly located to the north of the town center. The eastern part of Saransk, located east of the Insar River, is Posop. An interesting detail is the Soviet era military base, belonging to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is located along the railway lines and serves of a time when Saransk was, effectively, a closed city. Another city landmark is the Saransk TV Tower – a 180-meter-tall guyed tubular steel mast built in 1961. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Павшим_в_боях.jpg" caption="Monument of Eternal Glory in memory of fallen soldiers"] ::

As in any other city, Saransk has many monuments. These are some of them:

Monument to Sts. Cyril and Methodius
Monument to Patriarch Nikon
Monument to Pugachev
The Monument of Eternal glory
Monument to Pushkin
Monument to Polezhaev
Monument to Heroes-stratonauts
Monument of The Plane
Family Monument

The Family Monument is one of the most noteworthy monuments in Saransk. It lies in the center of the city, near the Cathedral of St. Feodor Ushakov, at the crossroads of Sovietskaya and the Democraticheskaya streets. It was opened in 2008, which was declared the Year of Family in Russia. The author of the monument is sculptor Nikolai Filatov. This monument is a symbol of absolute family values, the true foundation of society. The sculpture depicts a life-size large family; the husband with a little child on his shoulders, his pregnant wife, the mother of the children and two more children, holding on to their parents.

Transportation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Saransk_trolleybus.jpg" caption="[[Trolleybus]] on Pobedy Street in Saransk"] ::

The municipal transit system of Saransk consists primarily of a network of bus and trolleybus lines.

Saransk I railway station is a station on the Kuybyshev Railway. The city has additional stations serving regional railways to Ruzayevka and Krasny Uzel. Formerly, Saransk was also served by two daily Penza–Nizhny Novgorod passenger trains, carrying passengers from nearby villages mainly to either Ruzayevka junction station and Penza or to Arzamas and Nizhny Novgorod.

There is a daily direct train service with Moscow.

The city is served by the small Saransk Airport (IATA: SKX, ICAO: UWPS) southeast of downtown. It is served primarily by small regional carriers; the most common aircraft is the An-24. There are scheduled flights to and from Moscow's Domodedovo airport on weekdays. Saransk is also home to the Lyambir airforce base.

Airport

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Saransk_airport.jpg" caption="[[Saransk Airport"] ::

Saransk is serviced by one international federal airport, the Saransk Airport (IATA: SKX, ICAO: UWPS). In January 2017, the airport was closed for renovation until the end of the year, as Saransk was chosen to serve as a host city to matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After the renovation, the Airport's runway has been reinforced with asphalt concrete. The airport was expanded with a new permanent terminal with a passenger capacity of 300 people per hour for domestic flights (600 people per hour during the 2018 FIFA World Cup) and a temporary terminal for international flights with a passenger capacity of 360 people per hour. The airport has been cleared to service Boeing 737 CL\NG and Airbus A-319\320\321. In 2018, the airport received its first scheduled flight after the renovation. The international terminal of the Saransk Airport can be reached by car, public transport, or taxi.

Bus service

The airport is linked to the city center by bus No.29. Time of departure from the airport: 07.50; 09.30; 11.20; 12.50; 17.45; 19.45; 23.10. During the game days of the FIFA World Cup, public transportation services for fans will be free of charge. Official shuttles will be running the route from the airport to the Fan Fest venue (Ice Palace).

Private vehicles

The new terminal has two parking lots. Subject to space availability, a free parking area can be used.

City transport

The city of Saransk is serviced by trolleybuses, buses and taxi buses. Trolleybus transportation has existed in the city since 1966 and provides a reliable link to all districts of Saransk. In preparation of the city to the FIFA World Cup, Saransk has upgraded its park of municipal buses and trolleybuses. Taxi buses are operated by private transportation service providers using Russia-made PAZ and GAZ and foreign-made buses. Waiting intervals for some bus routes is 2–3 minutes (during rush hours).

Automobile transport

In preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Saransk has been linked to the airport by a new road; the construction of a new road junction providing access to the airport is currently in progress. The length of the new road to the airport is 3.5 km. The road was partially reconstructed and partially built anew. The total length of the road around Saransk is 17.5 km. The road has two lanes and includes three road junctions, five bridges and four overpasses. The road was built to reduce the traffic in the city center and link the federal highway to regional roads.

Education

Kiryukov Music College is located in Saransk.

International relations

Saransk is twinned with:

Bulgaria Botevgrad, Bulgaria
Poland Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland
Poland Sieradz, Poland
Belarus Kalinkavichy, Belarus

Notable people

Aleksei Artyomov (born 1983), retired professional football player
Mikhail Bakhtin (1895–1975), philosopher, lived and taught in Saransk between 1949 and 1969. A monument to Bakhtin was unveiled in 2015 in the city.
Gérard Depardieu (born 1948), actor, registered as a resident of Saransk since February 2013
Dmitri Samarkin (born 1980), former professional footballer
Artem Surkov (born 1993), wrestler
Mike Varshavski (born 1989), Russian-American doctor and YouTube personality

References

Notes

Citations

Sources

References

"Официальный сайт Администрации городского округа Саранск".
"Саранск — столица Мордовии". Администрация городского округа Саранск.
{{ru-pop-ref. 2010Census
Chief secretary of the [[Governing Senate]] I. K. Kirillov. (1726). "Flourishing State of the All-Russian Nation (Цветущее состояние Всероссийского государства)".
V. N. Kuklin. (1983). "Biography of Saransk Roads (Биографии саранских улиц)". Mordovian Book Publishing.
"Телефонный код Саранска (8342) - правила набора номера с мобильных и стационарных телефонов".
"ПЕНЗЕНСКАЯ ГУБЕРНИЯ — информация на портале Энциклопедия Всемирная история".
https://en.mapofmemory.org/13-06
Constitution of the Republic of Mordovia, Article 109
Law #7-Z
Law #114-Z
"Saransk, Mordovia, Russia Climate Summary". Weatherbase.
"Saransk, Mordovia, Russia Temperature Averages". Weatherbase.
[http://saransk-2018.com Official website]
"Авиалинии Мордовии - Саранский международный аэропорт.".
"Городской транспорт — Саранск - городской сайт".
"ЧМ-2018: Какие дороги построили к мундиалю в Саранске".
"Официальный сайт Администрации городского округа Саранск".
Amos, Howard. (February 24, 2013). "Gérard Depardieu registered as Russian resident amid tax row with France".

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