Penza Region has a rich history that accounts for its old traditions and original lifestyle. The region’s draw is Tarkhany, the country estate and birthplace of one of the greatest Russian poets Mikhail Lermontov. This and the scenic slopes over rivers Sura and Penza make the region worth exploring.

Penza is the homeland of many Russian writers, poets, and other honored people famous all over Russia: Lermontov, Kuprin, Belinsky, and many others.

Penza is, perhaps, one of Russia’s most historic and fascinating cities. It is a charming and relaxing town in the midst of some beautiful countryside and may offer a variety of historic and cultural sights to explore. Other cities of the region are at best worth a one-day trip. Nevertheless, they preserve the atmosphere of ancient provincial towns and are proud of their cultural heritage of the past centuries.

People

As the region borders the Republic of Mordovia, and the Ryazan, Saratov, Tambov, and Ulyanovsk Regions, its ethnic composition is rather diverse. Ethnic Russians account for 86% of Penza’s population. Others groups include Mordvinians - 5.7%, Tatars - 5.4%, and Ukrainians - approximately 1%.