Samara, park named after Yuri Gagarin: a grim legend

Yuri Gagarin Park is considered one of the best parks in Samara. A large area, lots of greenery, rides and cafes, there is an artificial canal with water and a small lake in which swans live in the warm season. In the summer in the park during the day, and at night, too, is full of visitors. There are appointments, picnics, and just relax. In the autumn, the park is transformed, its atmosphere is changing - everything becomes dreary and depressive. Perhaps the overall atmosphere of the park is influenced by the legends associated with it.

The park officially opened in 1976. It is located on the territory of the former cottages of NKVD employees, which were used by the owners in the 1920s and 1940s. At that time it was the outskirts of the city, a place almost not visited by citizens, therefore it was overgrown with many legends. For example, it is believed that at the dachas of the Chekists buried the shot enemies of the people. According to one version, a little more than three and a half thousand people were buried in park land. They were buried in mass graves of 30-40 people, and an oak tree was planted over each grave. But no official excavations were carried out, there are no documents, but there are only memories of an 80-year-old grandfather who walked through the park and roughly indicated the places of burials. But, nevertheless, a monument to the victims of political repression was installed.