←Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith

Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith

Photo of route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”
18 points5 km4 hours

This route introduces the difficult fate of Syzran's religious buildings. Before the revolution the town had 22 churches, two monasteries, and a theological school. Five old churches have survived to this day, forming a kind of Triangle of Faith. Learn more with Susanin's route.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras
  • 🏰🕵️‍♂️ Discover a legend

Route points (18)

  1. Tourist Center — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Tourist Center

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  2. Spasskaya Tower of the Syzran Kremlin — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Spasskaya Tower of the Syzran Kremlin

    🕵️ Urban legend · 🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  3. Kozlovsky Monument — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Kozlovsky Monument

    🗿 Monument

  4. Memorial Complex — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Memorial Complex

    🗿 Sculptures

  5. Church of the Nativity of Christ — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Church of the Nativity of Christ

    🕍 Place of worship

  6. Syzranka River — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Syzranka River

    🔭 Viewpoint

  7. View of the Krymza. Kremlin Embankment — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    View of the Krymza. Kremlin Embankment

    🔭 Viewpoint

  8. Panorama of the Zakrymza Side — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Panorama of the Zakrymza Side

    🔭 Viewpoint

  9. Kazan Cathedral — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Kazan Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship

  10. Cannons at the Local History Museum — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Cannons at the Local History Museum

    🏛️ Museum · 🕵️ Urban legend

  11. Bridge over the Krymza — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Bridge over the Krymza

    🌉 Bridge

  12. Elijah Church — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Elijah Church

    🕍 Place of worship

  13. Old Pharmacy Building — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Old Pharmacy Building

    🕵️ Urban legend

  14. Monastery Embankment from Above — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Monastery Embankment from Above

    🔭 Viewpoint · 🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

  15. Ascension Monastery — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Ascension Monastery

    🕍 Place of worship

  16. Church of the Ascension — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Church of the Ascension

    🕍 Place of worship

  17. Feodorovskaya Church — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Feodorovskaya Church

    🕍 Place of worship

  18. Monastery Embankment from Below — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

    Monastery Embankment from Below

    🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

Bridge over the Krymza in Syzran

Point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

Bridge over the Krymza — point on route “Orthodox Syzran, or the Triangle of Faith”

Point 11

Bridge over the Krymza

🌉 Bridge

The Bridge of Many Names

The bridge over the Krymza has had various names: Ilyinsky, Krasny (“red”), and even Matny (“the cussing bridge”). Let's try to figure out where these names came from.

Historical Background

The Ilyinskaya Sloboda was originally linked to the center of town by a low wooden bridge that was often flooded in the spring high water, so the only way to reach the other bank was by boat. That is why, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a new, high stone bridge was built for horse-drawn traffic. People called it krasny, which in old Russian meant “beautiful.” A footbridge ran parallel to the Ilyinsky Bridge, but it was eventually torn down. The bridge was repaired several times. In Soviet times the people of Syzran privately called it the “cussing bridge.” This was because the work here was often done by “fifteen-dayers,” people serving up to 15 days of administrative arrest for minor offenses. At such times the bridge rang with the “thickest,” choicest swearing, and young girls were better off not strolling there. In March 2000 the bridge was closed for reconstruction, during which it was completely renovated and put in order. And the red railings installed not long ago fully entitle the Ilyinsky Bridge to be called “Krasny” to this day.

Ilyinskaya Embankment

To the right of the bridge, the Krymza embankment is being landscaped. This stretch may come to be called the Ilyinskaya Embankment. It is conceived as the “backstage” of the historic center. Plans call for a light wooden promenade with spaces for outdoor exercise and educational activities, as well as a summer cinema.