Friendship Fountain

In downtown Volgograd there are several streets that run parallel to the Volga River. The "Alley of Heroes" is a walking-street cuts across all of these perpendicularly, and leads strolling pedestrians right through the heart of downtown, from Central Square all the way to the river.

Just before getting to the steps that descend to the flowing Volga, there is an open plaza with a large fountain as the centerpiece. The area around this fountain is a popular "hang-out" spot for people of all ages. Senior citizens can be seen feeding the pigeons nearby, while young families carefully watch their children who are sticking their hands in the water. Groups of teenagers and young adults can be seen standing in groups talking, out-of-town guests will inevitably have their picture made at the fountain, and the area surrounding the fountain seems to have become popular territory for skateboarders to show-off their tricks.

During the summer months, a portable stage is set-up next to the fountain for outdoor band concerts and there are several outdoor cafés just a stone-throw away. This "hub" is a neat place to be. On weekends and evenings when the weather is fair, you could stand in this one location and likely see a cross-section sample of the entire city's population. For a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus, this is a great reminder to pray for all of the people of Volgograd.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." -- John 4:14