The Penza Region is located in the centre of the European part of Russia and has borders with the Ulianov, Saratov, Tambov and Ryazan Regions as well as with the Republic of Mordovia.  The administrative centre is the city of Penza which has several attractions including the home of Vsevolod Meyerhold, which is now a museum that attracts theatre-lovers from all over the world.  Penza also has the unique Museum of One Painting which displays just one painting but goes into great depth explaining the painting and the life of the artist.

  The main tourist attraction in the region, however, is the Tarkhany Estate-Reserve where the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov spent his childhood and where he is now buried.  Also found in the region is the Legenda Sculpture Park which is one of the biggest sculpture parks in the world and where a symposium of sculptors is held annually.