Saratov

Saratov
Саратов
Top upper left: Pokrovskaya Church (Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos) in Saratov, Top lower left: Saratov Administration Office Top right: Saratov Conservatory, Middle left: Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary, Middle right: Schmidt Mill, Bottom: A twilight view of Saratov Engels Bridge and the Volga
Interactive map of Saratov
Saratov
Location of Saratov
Saratov
Saratov (European Russia)
Saratov
Saratov (Europe)
Coordinates: 51°31′48″N 46°02′06″E / 51.53°N 46.035°E / 51.53; 46.035
CountryRussia
Federal subjectSaratov Oblast
Foundedca. 1590
City status since1708
Government
 • BodyCity Duma
 • HeadMikhail Isayev
Elevation
50 m (160 ft)
Population
 • Total
837,900
 • Estimate 
(2025)
886,165 (+5.8%)
 • Rank16th in 2010
 • Subordinated tocity of oblast significance of Saratov
 • Capital ofSaratov Oblast, Saratovsky District
 • Urban okrugSaratov Urban Okrug
 • Capital ofSaratov Urban Okrug, Saratovsky Municipal District
Time zoneUTC+4 (MSK+1 )
Postal codes
410000–410005, 410007–410010, 410012, 410015, 410017–410019, 410022, 410023, 410025, 410028–410031, 410033–410042, 410047–410056, 410059, 410060, 410062–410065, 410068, 410069, 410071, 410074, 410076, 410078, 410080, 410082, 410086, 410700, 410880, 410890, 410899, 410960–410965, 410999
Dialing code+7 8452
OKTMO ID63701000001
Websitewww.saratovmer.ru

Saratov (UK: /səˈrɑːtɒf/ sə-RAH-tof, US: /-təf/ -⁠təf; Russian: Саратов, pronounced [sɐˈratəf] ) is the largest city and administrative center of Saratov Oblast, Russia, and a major port on the Volga River. As of the 2021 Census, Saratov had a population of 901,361, making it the 17th-largest city in Russia by population. Saratov is 389 kilometres (242 mi) north of Volgograd, 442 kilometres (275 mi) south of Samara, and 858 kilometres (533 mi) southeast of Moscow.

The city stands near the site of Uvek, a city of the Golden Horde. Tsar Feodor I of Russia likely developed Saratov as a fortress to secure Russia's southeastern border. Saratov developed as a shipping port along the Volga and was historically important to the Volga Germans, who settled in large numbers in the city before they were expelled before and during World War II.

Saratov is home to a number of cultural and educational institutions, including the Saratov Drama Theater, Saratov Conservatory, Radishchev Art Museum, Saratov State Technical University, and Saratov State University.