The most interesting sights of Russia. The most interesting cities in Russia: rating, sights The image is the sights of different cities
Russia - incredible country. This is not even a country, but a whole world in which there is everything - from masterpieces of architecture and a huge number of museums, to a wide variety of natural attractions - mountain lakes, geysers, glaciers and much more. It is incomprehensible to the mind how all this survived throughout the history of the world's largest country, rich in wars and uprisings.
Russians are rather strange people - they are proud of their history, but at the same time they can write a three-letter word on a monument. They are delighted with the nature of their homeland, but they are too lazy to clean up empty bottles after a picnic. Nevertheless, this is a great people with a difficult fate and attitude to life, which no philosophical concept can explain.
Foreigners go to Russia to check whether Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Pushkin wrote the truth about it, and to see with their own eyes Attraction this unique country. Here is a brief tour of the main ones.
1. Trans-Siberian Railway
Part of the world's longest railway, the historical section of the Trans-Siberian Railway stretches from Miass (a city in the Urals) to Vladivostok along the border with China and North Korea. It was it that Tsar Alexander III began to build in 1891, and his son Nicholas II completed what he started. 1916 The length of the oldest part of the Trans-Siberian Railway is more than 7000 km, and the total length of the railway line connecting Moscow with Vladivostok is 9288 km.
Most travelers use the train for an overnight stay, there are first, second and third class beds, the most expensive compartments have separate showers and toilets.
2. Elbrus
Mount Elbrus with a height of 5642 meters belongs to the Caucasus Range, located in southern Russia. Elbrus is included in the Seven Peaks - the highest mountains located on different continents of the planet. This is the most high mountain Russia, and thousands of beginners and experienced climbers come here every year.
Previously, Elbrus was a volcano, but not a single eruption was recorded, so it is believed that it has died out forever. The mark of 3800 meters can be reached by cable car which is very convenient. At an altitude of 4130 meters, the Shelter of the Eleven hotel used to be located, which burned down in 1998, and a new building is currently under construction.
3. Valley of Geysers
The Russian Far East is an amazingly beautiful and unusual place. There are a lot of unique natural attractions here, one of which is the Valley of Geysers on the Kamchatka Peninsula - the second largest geyser field in the world.
The valley was discovered in 1941 by Russian scientist Tatyana Ustinova, and since then many tourists and explorers have come here. The valley is included in the reserve, so there are certain rules for organizing excursions. The most convenient way to get to the Valley is by helicopter, but it is very expensive, so it is better to rent a helicopter with a company.
In 2007, a landslide descended into the Valley, after which it was flooded, but in 2013 a new landslide destroyed the natural dam, and the geysers began to clog again, there were even more of them.
4. Kizhi Island
This is one of the main attractions of the Republic of Karelia, located in the North-West region of Russia, bordering on Finland and washed by the waters White Sea. Since the 13th century, Karelians have been living here - the Finno-Ugric people, who found themselves at the junction of the cultures of the West and the East.
Kizhi Island is a real museum under open sky, nothing like here wooden churches you will not find anywhere else in the world. Especially beautiful is the 37-meter Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior with its 22 domes. The church was founded at the beginning of the 18th century and is entirely built of wood. In addition to it, there are wooden peasant houses, windmills, bell towers and barns. There are very few indigenous local residents, but they carefully preserve their traditions - weave various crafts from birch bark, do embroidery, sew national clothes, knit lace and sing folk songs.
5. Hagia Sophia in Novgorod
The church of incredible beauty is the main temple of Novgorod, a very ancient Russian settlement. The cathedral, in turn, is the oldest surviving church built by the Slavs, the construction of which was completed in 1050. Hagia Sophia is located on the territory of the Novgorod Kremlin, the height of the church is almost 40 meters.
The temple is crowned with five domes; several ancient Orthodox shrines are kept here, for example, the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”, which, according to legend, saved Novgorod from the attack of one of the princes in 1170. His army besieged the city, and when the inhabitants realized that they could not fight back, they began to offer prayers to the Lord. On the third night of the siege, Archbishop John heard a voice commanding him to take this icon out of the cathedral, and he followed the will of God. When one of the arrows of the besiegers hit the icon, Holy Mother of God tears flowed, after which the besieging army threw down their weapons and ran away.
6. Lake Baikal
Traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway and not enjoying the views of Lake Baikal is simply stupid. This ancient lake is the cleanest and deepest fresh water body of the planet. It contains 20% of the world's fresh water reserves, and the depth of the lake reaches 1642 meters.
Baikal was formed about 25 million years ago, and at present it is one of the most famous and beautiful reservoirs in the world. The lake is very large, so many locals call it the sea, and another common nickname is the Pearl of Siberia. If you decide to spend a few days here, you can stay in one of the tourist bases or rent a house, and for a very reasonable fee, and lovers exotic vacation can put up a tent in some picturesque place on the shore.
Please note that the impressions of Lake Baikal will not be complete if you do not try smoked Baikal omul - this is the most delicious fish in the world.
7. Suzdal
The city of Suzdal was previously the capital of one of the principalities of Ancient Russia, and now it is part of the so-called Golden Ring of Russia - ancient cities that have preserved beautiful examples of medieval Russian architecture.
Each city of the Ring is unique in its own way, but Suzdal is just one big architectural masterpiece. There are many beautiful, surprisingly well-preserved cathedrals, churches and entire monasteries, and the famous Suzdal Kremlin is located in the very heart of Suzdal. Unfortunately, its wooden towers were destroyed by fire in the 18th century, but the earthen fortifications and several buildings still exist, so there is something to see.
Suzdal is like a huge open-air museum: walking along the streets, it is easy to imagine that you are in the distant past.
8. Moscow Kremlin
To describe the beauty of the unique buildings and relics of the Moscow Kremlin, there are not enough words even in the great and mighty Russian language. Located in the historical center of the capital of Russia, this architectural ensemble has long been calling card country.
The first wooden fortifications appeared here in the 12th century, and under the Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the Kremlin became white stone - in the most important towers and fortifications, wood was replaced with white stone. By the way, the memory of this has been preserved in the speech of the Russian people - Moscow is still sometimes called “white-stone”, although the Kremlin has long been “repainted” in red: Ivan III the Great (by the way, the grandfather of the first Russian Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible) ordered the best Italian architects, and they rebuilt the residence of the prince, using burnt bricks.
On the territory of 27.5 hectares there are the Palace of Facets (formerly it was the main front hall of the Kremlin), three cathedrals - the Assumption, Arkhangelsk and Annunciation, the Armory, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and many other architectural masterpieces.
The Kremlin museums allow you to plunge headlong into the richest Russian history - it will take a lot of time to go around all the expositions and examine all the exhibits.
The Moscow Kremlin still serves as the residence of the rulers of Russia: reception halls and the president’s official office are located here, and in the Bolshoi Kremlin Palace concerts and various solemn ceremonies are held.
9. Hermitage
The Hermitage in St. Petersburg is the main treasury of Russia, in the literal and figurative sense of the word. In direct - because in the halls and storerooms of the museum there is a huge amount of priceless paintings, jewelry, sculptures and ceramics, which is not there! In a figurative way, because it reflects the culture and history of Russia and the whole world, this is a real book, or rather, a whole collection of works, but instead of a dry description of beautiful masterpieces, you can see them with your own eyes, it’s a pity you can’t touch.
The museum began in 1764 as a collection of paintings by Empress Catherine II the Great, who spent substantial sums to purchase paintings by brilliant European artists. Most of the paintings hung in the halls of the famous Winter Palace(the favorite residence of Russian emperors), which then received the name "Hermitage" (in French it means " secluded place, shelter").
Initially, ordinary people could not admire the masterpieces - the museum was opened to the general public only in 1852. Anyone who has ever been to the Hermitage will remember it for the rest of their lives, because an absolutely incredible atmosphere reigns here, the luxury and magnificence of the halls of the palace will not leave anyone indifferent. Please note that for photo and video shooting you need to purchase a special ticket, and you can only take pictures without a flash.
10. St. Basil's Cathedral
This unusual and amazingly beautiful temple is located in the center of Moscow, on Red Square. You will find a description of the cathedral in any tourist guide, but it is better to see it with your own eyes, because it is impossible to describe it in words. It looks like a huge fire burning in the heart of the Russian capital: when the bright Moscow sun plays on its multi-colored domes, this is an incomparable sight.
The cathedral was erected in 1555-1561 by order of Ivan IV the Terrible. According to legend, after the construction was completed, the cruel Russian Tsar ordered the architects Barma and Postnik to be blinded so that they could no longer build anything equal to this temple in beauty and grandeur. The king achieved his goal - in no corner of the world there is anything like this architectural masterpiece.
11. Red Square
A walk along Red Square is the first thing every foreign tourist should do in the Russian capital. The main milestones in the history of Russia are connected with this place, as evidenced by historical monuments- Place of execution, where the Russian tsars executed troublemakers, criminals and rebels; a monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who led the people's militia at the beginning of the 17th century to drive the Polish occupiers out of Moscow; the mausoleum of V. I. Lenin and much more.
On Red Square, various events dedicated to state holidays and military parades were regularly held (and are being held), from here on November 7, 1941, Soviet soldiers went straight to the front.
By the way, in the old days the word “red” meant “beautiful”, and if you see the square with your own eyes, you will understand why it was called that.
12. Derbent
The unique city of the Russian Republic of Dagestan is not very popular among tourists, but it is worth visiting if only to walk the streets of one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
Derbent is famous for its true Caucasian hospitality and rich cultural traditions. Among the main cultural and historical attractions are the Derbent wall, which is about 1.5 thousand years old, and Naryn-Kala, an ancient fortress that once faithfully served as the defenders of the city. The oldest Muslim temple in Russia, the Juma Mosque, built in 733, is also located here.
Derbent cognac, which is made from Dagestan grapes, is also among the sights of the city. If you happen to get to Derbent, be sure to try it. Now it is the second largest city of Dagestan: the population is about 100 thousand inhabitants, most of which are Lezgins, Azerbaijanis and Tabasarans.
13. Altai Mountains
If you think that the most beautiful mountains on Earth are the Alps, then you have not been to Altai. This is the highest mountain system of Siberia, on its territory the borders of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan converge, and unlike European mountain resorts, here not all the trails have been trampled by ubiquitous tourists.
V Altai mountains ah, powerful and full-flowing Siberian rivers are born - the Ob, Irtysh and Yenisei, and in the stunning beauty of the valleys there are rare animals that you will not find anywhere else. There are many poachers here, with whom the authorities are trying to fight, but so far not very successfully, mainly because the officials themselves have been seen more than once in the extermination of unique representatives of the local fauna.
Since ancient times, original tribes and peoples have lived in Altai, somewhat similar to the Indians: they worship gods in the form of animals and practice pagan rituals.
World of travel
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28.06.15 12:21
Without a shadow of false patriotism, we note: our country occupies such vast territories that one can endlessly extol the charm of its reserved places. Of all the beautiful natural attractions in Russia, it is very difficult to choose the best ones, but we will try.
Siberian pearls
Part of the Altai Mountains, including the Katun and Altai reserves and the Ukok plateau, is called the "Golden Mountains of Altai". Under this name in 1998 they were included in the UNESCO heritage list. Lake Teletskoye and Mount Belukha are one of the many natural attractions of Russia located on this territory. Almost one and a half thousand ridges and glaciers are located in the south of Siberia. Rare animals live here - snow leopard, Altai argali (large wild sheep) and Siberian mountain goats.
The Lena Pillars Reserve Park is another pearl of Siberia, although it is located in the northeast of the territory. As the name implies, these rock formations are located along the beautiful Lena. Besides the fact that these places fascinate any traveler, they also carry valuable information. Sheer "walls" store fossil organisms that lived here during the Cambrian period. A real excursion into the distant past!
The deepest (more than 1640 meters), the cleanest, the oldest - only superlatives are suitable for Baikal. After all, this is indeed one of the most beautiful sights in Russia. 20 percent of the planet's fresh water is what Baikal is. Many of the animals and plants that live in the lake are endemic (which means you won't find them anywhere else on Earth). In total, there are more than 1700 representatives of fauna and flora in Baikal waters (and on its shores). Of course, UNESCO could not but include this miracle in its famous list!
drifting dunes
The amazing beaches and shimmering golden dunes of the Curonian Spit are another Russian jewel. This is a narrow strip of land separating the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It stretches across the Kaliningrad region and rests on the territory of Lithuania. A kind of our "piece of the Baltic." It is the high dunes, reaching 60 meters, that are the main curiosity of this place - because they are constantly drifting.
Hidden in a volcano
There are several beautiful volcanoes in Kamchatka, among them we will highlight the Maly Semyachik stratovolcano. He is unique in his unusual lake, hidden in one of the largest craters. The light green, seemingly fluorescent, glow of this hot pool attracts many travelers - they risk their lives climbing the slopes of the volcano and enjoy the view. The diameter of the Troitsky crater is approximately 700 meters. The color of the lake is due to the high content of sulfur and aluminum.
Among the "Seven Wonders of Russia"
Kronotsky Nature Reserve is the pride of Kamchatka. After all, it has a unique Valley of Geysers, according to a 2008 survey, it entered the "Seven Russian Wonders". Interestingly, this place was discovered quite recently - in 1941. Alas, the number of visitors here is limited (and "wild" tourism has been completely banned since 1967). Convergence debris flow in 2007, it caused serious damage to this natural attraction - after it only half of the 42 geysers remained unscathed, but later some recovered, including the Big Geyser. If you watched the wonderful Soviet film "Sannikov Land", then you can imagine what the Valley of Geysers is - the movie was shot there.
Another lucky object that ended up in the "seven wonders" is Mount Elbrus. This is an inactive volcano, the most high peak Russia (5642 meters). It is located a little north Caucasian ridge and divides Europe and Asia. Hiking in these the most beautiful places very common, every year several groups of climbers ascend the mountain. Are you familiar with Greek myths? Poor Prometheus was chained to one of the Caucasian rocks (for sharing fire with people) - such was the sentence of Zeus. But some believe that titanium took flour precisely on Elbrus.
Land of Ten Thousand Lakes
And again we return to Siberia! One of the most virgin and remote natural sights of Russia is the Putorana Plateau. This basalt "plane" is located on a large elevation. On both sides, the plateau breaks off very steeply, but from the south and east it is quite easy to get to it - along gentle slopes. The plateau covers an area slightly larger than the area of Great Britain. This is also a UNESCO protected site, it is called the land of 10,000 lakes and 1,000 (this is a record for our country) waterfalls.
The largest river in Europe and a unique cave
Of course, we could not do without Mother Volga in our list of beautiful natural attractions in Russia. Beautiful flamingos, majestic pelicans and other rare birds splash in its waters; this is the largest river in Europe. The Volga flows through many major cities central Russia(among them four megacities - "millionaires").
On the border of the Urals and Siberia is one of the largest caves in our country - Kungur. This is also the most beautiful natural landmark of Russia, annually attracting thousands and thousands of tourists to its depths. More than fifty grottoes and seven dozen underground lakes, and also almost 6 thousand kilometers of passages - this is what the Kungur cave is. Ice formations inside it are bizarre, stalactites and stalagmites are charming, there are also so-called "organ pipes" (there are almost one and a half hundred of them).
In this regard, naive questions often arise from the category "Which country is better?", "Which has the most attractions." Naturally, no one will give a clear answer to this question, because everything is relative. Attractions are not only exclusively touristic, but also known only local residents who are in love with their city and see it from a special angle.
Accounting for important objects of cultural, historical and natural heritage is maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). By compiling the World Heritage List, UNESCO seeks to promote and guarantee the preservation of natural, cultural or mixed sites. The highest concentration of attractions due to their proximity in Europe. Most of these interesting places concentrated in the cradle of Western civilization - in. There are many World Heritage Sites and, not surprisingly, over the centuries these two cultures have mixed and influenced each other, and the significance of each of them is undeniable. Not all attractions made the list, many more will be included, and many will never make it, which is why they will not become less valuable. Italy is immediately followed by , and . So if your mind craves cultural food, these countries are a must see for you.
On the other hand, statistics show that it is far from the UN that determines the best of the best. Most travelers in the world consider the country to visit number 1 France. France is the undisputed leader of world tourism, although trips there, as a rule, do not exceed several days in duration. Either a magnificent historical past with expansions and colonization, or the years of prosperity of the monarchs, but something definitely played a decisive role in turning this country into a tourist mecca.
The next place in attendance after the tiny charm of France is occupied by, which, due to their multinationality and many states, have concentrated a great many natural and man-made masterpieces on a vast territory. Following the States in this ranking is China, which is understandable. The ancient oriental culture of the most populous country on the planet is famous all over the world.
Although if we continue the chain of the “most-most” category outside of this rating, it is also worth mentioning that it is so diverse that even in a hundred trips you can’t know it, tourism in which sometimes borders on madness - or in major cities, or hermit, among the wild and stunning nature. Super-saturated leisure during your vacation will also be provided to you in Spain, famous for its festivities. Folk games and customs there are like nationwide flash mobs - wild, special and exciting.
Travel Company Group Travel sincerely wishes you success with the choice of the country for rest. Even given any recommendations, this choice will not be easy. And whatever your decision, we have a thousand and one ways to satisfy it.
Sights of Russian cities
Speaking of Russia, foreigners imagine endless expanses of forests and blue lakes, as well as the most recognizable symbols of the capital - Red Square with the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral.
Of course, pedestrian bus routes in Moscow, the main attractions are not limited: tourists can see more than a dozen cathedrals, get acquainted with the expositions of the Tretyakov Gallery and several museums. With children, they usually visit the Moscow Zoo and one of the city's huge water parks.
People go to St. Petersburg for European architectural beauties: it will take at least a week to have time to see the most famous palace and park ensembles and writers' houses in ancient buildings. Petersburg museums keep huge collections of royal treasures, antiques, culturally significant finds and objects belonging to different eras. A mandatory item on the program is a visit to Peterhof, the most elegant palace and park ensemble in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.
The most famous cultural and historical route is not limited to one city: the sights of the Golden Ring of Russia include entire cities with a long history, where beautiful temples, ancient fortresses-kremlin and other examples of Russian architecture have been preserved. The classic list includes Suzdal, Rostov the Great, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Kostroma, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Ivanovo. However, the thematic route can be safely supplemented with a visit to the cities of Gus-Khrustalny, Uglich, Myshkin, Rybinsk, Kalyazin and some others that are very interesting in terms of history (mentioned in chronicles), architecture and traditional folk crafts.
Architectural sights and rich cultural heritage are one of the main reasons to visit Kazan. The destination is very popular all year round: in winter, walks along the walls
This week, the results of the Russia 10 competition were summed up, the purpose of which is to select the main attractions of the country. The new visual symbols of Russia, chosen by popular vote (almost 225 million votes were taken into account in total), according to the organizers of the competition, are designed to promote the image of Russia as a unique country with a rich cultural and natural heritage.
We present you 10 winners of the competition, selected from over 700 objects.
(Total 10 photos)
1. Lake Baikal (Photo: Gennady Losev)
Baikal is the largest reservoir of high-quality fresh water, the deepest and one of the oldest lakes on Earth. In 2008, Baikal was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Russia.
2. Rostov Kremlin (Photo: Valery Abramov)
The Kremlin was built in the 17th century as the Rostov Metropolis, that is, the residence for Metropolitan Jonah. Therefore, there is nothing formally to call it the Kremlin, the stone walls were quite decorative and should not have served to defend the city. The Kremlin has eleven towers in total. Inside there are several cathedrals, among which the Assumption Cathedral with its four-domed bell tower stands out. The Kremlin also became famous for the fact that it was here that episodes of Gaidai's film "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession" were filmed.
3. Peterhof (Photo: Ilya Shtrom)
Peterhof is a kind of triumphal monument to the successful completion of Russia's struggle for access to Baltic Sea. The monument of world architecture and palace and park art includes palace and park ensemble XVIII-XIX centuries, as well as the world's largest system of fountains and water cascades. The Peterhof Museum-Reserve unites 21 museums, including such unexpected ones as the Imperial Bicycles Museum, the Playing Card Museum and the Collectors Museum.
4. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (Photo: Alexander Sinderev)
It is known from the records that Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich. The defensive fortifications of the city - deep ditches and high ramparts - were originally built of wood and earth. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin became stone in 1515, when it became necessary to strengthen the defense of the city - the main stronghold of the Moscow State against the Kazan Khanate. The new Kremlin was surrounded by a two-kilometer wall with 13 towers. In the 16th century, the fortress was repeatedly besieged by the enemy, but the enemy was never able to capture it.
5. Mamaev Kurgan and the sculpture "The Motherland Calls" (Photo: Anastasia Andreeva)
The memorial to the Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad was opened on Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd in 1967. From the Square of Sorrow, the ascent to the top of the mound begins to the base of the main monument - "The Motherland Calls". Along the serpentine, in the hill, the remains of the soldiers - the defenders of Stalingrad were reburied. The statue by sculptor Vuchetich and engineer Nikitin is made of 5,500 tons of concrete and 2,400 tons of metal structures. The height of the monument is 86 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 53 meters. At the same time, the thickness of the walls of the sculpture is no more than 30 centimeters. The sword in the hand of the Motherland weighs 14 tons and has a length of 33 meters. It is said that a car fits freely in the palm of the statue. In 2008, the statue of the Motherland on Mamaev Kurgan was also recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Russia.
6. Pskov Kremlin - Krom (Photo: Valery Abramov)
Pskov Krom is the largest fortress in Europe. The length of its walls is 9 kilometers, the area is 3 hectares. Krom is located on a narrow cape at the confluence of the Pskov River with the Velikaya River. Now the territory of the Kremlin unites two different parts of the city: Detinets with the Trinity Cathedral, the bell tower, Veche Square and Dovmontov city. The pride of Russian art of the 17th century is the seven-tiered iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral. The most revered shrines of the temple include miraculous icons, an ark with the relics of Pskov saints and Holguin's cross. For many centuries, the threat of an enemy attack constantly hung over the city, which forced the people of Pskov to constantly improve fortifications. The Pskov Kremlin has withstood 26 sieges in its history. The fortress, which was in active military use for almost 1000 years, has come down to us in almost its original form.
7. Mosque named after Akhmat Kadyrov "Heart of Chechnya" (Photo: Timur Agirov)
Mosque "Heart of Chechnya" in Grozny is considered one of the largest, most beautiful and majestic mosques in Europe and the world. It was opened on October 17, 2008 and named after Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov, the first president of the Chechen Republic. The mosque is located on the picturesque bank of the Sunzha River, in the middle of a huge park with a cascade of colored fountains and night lighting. The outer and inner walls of the mosque are finished with marble, and the 36 chandeliers installed in the mosque resemble the three main shrines of Islam with their shapes: 27 chandeliers imitate the Kubbatu-as-Sahra mosque in Jerusalem, 8 are made on the model of the Rovzatu-Nebevi mosque in Medina and the largest, eight-meter chandelier, repeats the shape of the shrine of the Kaaba in Mecca. The creation of a collection of exclusive chandeliers took several tons of bronze, about three kilograms of gold, and more than one million details and Swarovski crystals.
8. Trinity-Sergius Lavra (Photo: Vera Ostroumova)
The Trinity-Sergius Lavra is located in the center of the city of Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region, on the Konchura River. Founded in 1337 by St. Sergius of Radonezh. The earliest building of the monastery is considered to be the white-stone Trinity Cathedral, erected in 1422 on the site of a wooden temple and perpetuating the traditions of Moscow architecture of the 14th-15th centuries. This is a unique historical object, one of the few cathedrals where the iconostasis has been preserved, painted by the greatest icon painters - Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny. The relics of Sergius of Radonezh lie in the Trinity Cathedral, hundreds of parishioners come to bow to them every day. In 1744, the Trinity-Sergius Monastery was awarded the honorary title of Lavra. Today it is a functioning male monastery, the spiritual center of Orthodox Russia. Since 1940, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra has been a state museum-reserve. It is under the protection of UNESCO.
This is a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, which is a particularly valuable object of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia and a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. The basis of the museum collection is the ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost. It consists of two churches and a bell tower of the 18th-19th centuries, surrounded by a single fence - a reconstruction of the traditional churchyard fences. The Church of the Transfiguration, rebuilt after a fire in 1714, was cut down from wood (including 22 domes and a cross), without nails, using an ax and a chisel. The long life of the Kizhi churches is explained by the fact that they were built without the use of a saw - the processing of wood with an ax does not violate its structure, so the churches do not collapse. In 1966, on the basis of the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost, the State Historical and Architectural Museum "Kizhi" was founded, where, in addition to the buildings existing in their original places, a large number of chapels, houses and outbuildings from Zaonezhie and other regions of Karelia were brought.
10. Kolomna Kremlin (Photo: Alexey Ustal)
The Kremlin in Kolomna is one of the most powerful fortresses of the Muscovite state, built in 1525-1531 during the reign of Vasily III. The Kremlin is located at the confluence of the Moscow and Kolomenka rivers. Unfortunately, time did not spare the Kremlin - only a few towers and a couple of fragments of the fortress walls remained from the fortress. Despite this, the Kremlin in our time impresses with its grandeur and power. The most interesting of the seven surviving towers is the Marinkina or Kolomenskaya tower. A legend is connected with this tower: the wife of False Dmitry, Marina Mnishek, was allegedly imprisoned here. At present, the military-historical sports and cultural complex is located on the territory of the Kremlin. Knightly tournaments and games of knights, competitions of fighters, wrestlers and shooters, ancient rites, folk holidays and fairs are held here.
The 30 finalists of the competition also included the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni Buddha, Kungur Cave, Solovetsky Archipelago, Curonian Spit, Valley of Geysers, Cable-stayed bridges in Vladivostok and other attractions.