Schilling, Russia, the mother colony, was a village founded on August 14, 1764 by 429 Lutherans from various areas in present day Germany and other European nations. Schilling is located on the 'Bergseite" (hilly side) or west bank of the Volga River, about 56 kilometers (35 miles) south-southwest of Saratov. Maps in the Info/Resources section will show you where this region is located.

The original village later became known as Alt-Schilling or Old-Schilling. Over the period of the next 100 years, six daughter villages or colonies were formed, when land was no longer available for the increasing number of families in Schilling.

Read more about the village of Schilling and its daughter colonies by going to the History web page.

To contact Gary Martens, the village research coordinator for Schilling,
send an email to: