Syzran (Russian: Сызрань, IPA: [ˈsɨzrənʲ]) is the third largest[4] city in Samara Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of Saratov Reservoir of the Volga River.

[10]Founded in 1683 as a fortress, Syzran grew into an important trading center and was granted town status in 1796.

[citation needed] One tower from the 17th-century fortress still stands.

[11] As an administrative division, it is, together with three rural localities, incorporated separately as the city of oblast significance of Syzran—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.

[5] The city's main employers are a large oil refinery owned by Rosneft, OAO Tyazhmash heavy industry machinery metallurgy mechanical turbines related to electricity production (and working with Czech Blansko firm CKD Blansko on some works, like in South America), and the Syzran power station.