Ulyanovsk

Ulyanovsk (till 1924 - Simbirsk) - is an administrative center of the Ulyanovsk region. It was founded in 1648 by military man Bogdan Khitrovo as one of the fortified points of defense line, known as the zasechnaya cherta, along the south-east border of Russia. The most developed industries are machine-building and metal-working. The leading enterprises are: "Ulyanovsk automobile plant", "Volzhskie motory", "Avtodetal-service", "Aviastar", "Kontaktor", mechanical and machine-building plants, plant of heavy and unique machines. The main architectural points of interests are: Assembly of noble family (1838-47), Yazykov's House (the beginning of the 19th century), military gymnasia (1877), Public Assembly (1910), Peasant land bank (1911), and others. In 1960-70-s the central part of Ulyanovsk was reconstructed and was created the Lenin memorial zone, which included elements of old Simbirsk (houses, concerning life of Ulyanovs family in the city) and ensemble of Lenin Memorial Center.