5 Places to Visit in Russia
Russia,
once the largest and most powerful member of the former USSR, nonetheless
remains a fascinating country to visit. It is a country of contrasts, from
great subtropical beaches to bitterly cold winter regions in the north. The
east may have fewer people, but its lovely cities are among the most popular
places to visit in Russia and can hold their own against the west.
Russia is steeped in
history everywhere a traveller goes, from vicious battles to great classical
music and literature. And almost everywhere visitors can see examples of
magnificent art, not only in museums but also in its churches.
Moscow
As the capital of
Russia, Moscow is the most important city in Russia, but not just for political
reasons alone. This city of more than 12 million is also well known for its
artistic endeavors, including ballet, symphonies and art. Onion-shaped domes of
historic churches fill the skyline. The stately Kremlin
and impressive Red Square, one of the largest squares in the world,
are sights not to be missed, as are statues of Lenin and Stalin,
controversial leaders in the 20th century. Further evidence that Moscow’s past
wasn’t always squeaky clean can be seen in the Gulag and Cold War museums.
Saint Petersburg
Russia’s second largest
city may be known as Leningrad, but most people refer to it by its birth name,
St. Petersburg. Founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great, St. Petersburg was
once the imperial capital of Russia; its name was changed to Leningrad in 1924.
Because of its location on the Neva River, which feeds into the Gulf of Finland
and then into the Baltic Sea, the city is a popular northern cruise destination
and one of the most popular places to visit in Russia. Known as the cultural
capital of Russia, the city boasts one of the finest art collections in the
world at the Hermitage, with churches adding to the city’s magnificent art.
Nevsky Prospekt is the city’s famous shopping and dining street.
Golden Ring
The Golden Ring strings
together several cities outside of Moscow that fill the senses with awe.
Picturesque countrysides filled with cherry orchards, quaint cottages,
onion-shaped domes and iconic churches that contain the country’s oldest art
make this region a special place to visit. One of the oldest regions in Russia,
today it is very popular with Russian tourists who want to experience a bygone
era. The traditional way to view the cities and towns makes a counter clockwise
loop beginning and ending in Moscow: Vladimir, Suzdal, Kostroma, Yaroslavl,
Rostov Velikiy, Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and Sergiev Posad. White stone churches,
monasteries and fortresses are only some of the sights to see.
Kazan
Kazan is sometimes
referred to as the Istanbul of the Volga because it is a city where European
and Asian cultures meet. The capital of Tatarstan is a lovely city where church
tower and minarets fill the skyline. Also known as the third capital of Russia,
after Moscow and St. Petersburg, Kazan residents enjoy one of the highest
standards of living in Russia. Sights to see include the remains of the Kazan
Kremlin that was destroyed by Ivan the Terrible; the Kul-Sharif Mosque, named
after a man killed defending Kazan from Ivan; and Bauman Street, a pedestrian
shopping street.
Irkutsk
The de facto capital of
Eastern Siberia, Irkutsk is
by far the most popular stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway between Moscow and
the east. With Lake Baikal only 45 km away, the city is the best base to
explore the lake’s western shoreline. Travelers who visit historic Irkutsk may
be pleasantly surprised by what they find. Decorated wooden houses stand beside
standard Soviet block apartments, plus wide boulevards with not too much
traffic for a city of more than 500,000 souls. Irkutsk was the site of many
bloody clashes between Russian factions in various revolutions. It also served
as a place of exile for intellectuals, artists and others, which may be why the
city has five universities. Several churches, including Ascension Church, and
geology and history museums call Irkutsk home.
Use XcelTrip to fly to Russia at prices as
low as 0.03277 BTC and make memories that last a lifetime.
Comments
Post a Comment