Purpose. Big physical lecture-hall plays important role in the life of the Saratov State University, founded in 1909. Possessing good acoustics, capacity, thoughtfulness of various details, magnificent interior, it has become the center for conducting scientific events of the highest rank. The purpose of the article is to talk about outstanding events (two scientific congresses) held in the walls of the hall, which had a significant impact on the development and organization of subsequent scientific research in Russia and the world. Methods.