Internet restrictions and censorship have continued to pose challenges for individuals in various parts of the world, making the need for secure and unrestricted Internet access increasingly crucial. In countries like Russia, where internet freedom is curtailed by government regulations, such as the recent restriction imposition on 81 European publications due to an EU sanction onion some Russian outlets, leveraging the innovative features of a virtual private network (VPN) has emerged as a viable solution for individuals seeking to browse the web freely and securely.

Though some people may resort to private browsing with features like Google Chrome’s Incognito mode, InPrivate Browsing of Microsoft Edge, Safari’s Private Browsing, Opera’s inbuilt private tabs, and Firefox’s Private Browsing, it may not be the ultimate solution, as your ISP, hackers, government agencies, and other third parties can still monitor your browsing history if they access your IP address. Therefore, you will still need the innovative features of the VPN to browse freely while in Russia, even if you have a classic VPN.

Why people travel to Russia

People travel to Russia for various reasons; however, a crucial reason is for vacationing since Russia has some important places that will leave memorable experiences for a traveler; the places you can visit while in Russia include:

1. Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow

The Red Square and Kremlin in Moscow are iconic historical and cultural landmarks in Russia. The Red Square is a central square in Moscow, surrounded by significant buildings such as St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin Mausoleum, Armory Chamber, the GUM, and the State Historical Museum. The Kremlin is a fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, serving as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. It includes palaces, cathedrals, and towers and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, founded in 1764, is, unarguably, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, having a vast collection of art and cultural artifacts, displaying works by world famous artists such as Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, El Greko, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

The museum is housed in a complex of historic buildings, including the Winter Palace, and is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts.

3. Lake Baikal

Are you looking to see the world’s deepest and oldest freshwater lake? Search no more!

Visit Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. Incidentally, it is also the largest freshwater lake by volume, containing approximately 20% of the world’s unfrozen surface freshwater.

The lake is considered one of the cleanest and most pristine bodies of water, home to a unique and diverse ecosystem, including many species found nowhere else on Earth.

4. Catherine Palace in Pushkin

Catherine Palace, located in Pushkin, Russia, is a magnificent royal palace known for its opulent Baroque architecture and striking blue façade. The palace was the summer residence of the Russian tsars, and it is renowned for its exquisite interior, including the grand ballroom and the world-famous Amber Room.

We just gave you the tip of the iceberg! Russia has many incredible attractions; just pack your bag, hop onto a plane, and enjoy your vacation.

Each destination has its unique history, architecture, and cultural significance, making Russia a diverse and fascinating country; however, you must be security conscious while exploring these exquisite places with the mindset that Russia may restrict the content and websites you need to enjoy your travel.

A VPN serves as a secure tunnel between a user’s device and the internet, enabling an individual to browse freely while in Russia by encrypting the user’s data and routing it through a remote server, thereby masking the user’s IP address and providing anonymity and security. Leveraging a VPN, visitors and residents can browse freely in Russia, bypassing government censorship and accessing restricted content while ensuring their online activities remain private and secure.

One crucial innovative feature of a VPN is geo-locational obfuscation, allowing users to access content unavailable in a specific region. In the case of Russia, where online content is often subject to government restrictions, a VPN enables users to circumvent these limitations and access a broader range of online content. By connecting to a VPN server in a different country, users can bypass geo-blocks and access websites, streaming services, and other online content restricted in Russia.

Moreover, the innovative split tunneling 2.0 feature enables users to selectively pass non-sensitive traffic through the internet while routing sensitive traffic through the VPN encryption tunnel. This feature can be handy for individuals in Russia who may need to access both local and international content simultaneously.

By deploying the split tunneling 2.0 feature, users can maintain access to local services and websites while benefiting from the security and privacy offered by the VPN for their international internet activity. Also, by customizing some internet traffic to access the encrypted tunnel and others to access the internet directly, users can reduce bandwidth usage, increase internet speed, and eliminate ISP throttling.

In addition to bypassing censorship and geo-restrictions, VPNs offer robust security features that are instrumental in safeguarding user data and privacy. Features such as AI-powered threat detection enhance real-time analysis of behavior and patterns, proactively identifying and neutralizing potential cyber threats as a paradigm shift in cybersecurity practices.

AI-powered threat detection works perfectly with military-grade encryption, kill switch functionality, and DNS leak protection as essential components of a VPN’s security infrastructure to provide users in Russia with a secure and private browsing experience. In an environment like Russia, where online surveillance and privacy infringements are prevalent, the innovative security features of a VPN are paramount in ensuring that individuals in the country can browse the web without compromising their data and privacy.

Furthermore, some VPN providers offer innovative features such as multi-hop, cascading, or double VPN, designed to conceal VPN traffic by routing it through multiple servers in various locations, creating a complex web and making your internet traffic indistinguishable from regular internet traffic. This feature is valuable for users in Russia, where strict regulations, especially after the “Cold War” era, and surveillance mechanisms are in place to monitor and control internet activity.

It is important to note that while leveraging the innovative features of a VPN can enable individuals to browse freely while in Russia, it is essential to do due diligence and select a tried and trusted VPN provider. A reliable VPN provider with a good rating from customer review platforms, an unblemished commitment to user privacy and security, and a strict no-logs policy is crucial in ensuring that users can trust their VPN to deliver the promised benefits without compromising their privacy or security.

Additionally, it is advisable to choose a VPN provider that offers a wide selection of servers in various locations, including those outside of Russia, to maximize accessibility and bypass restrictions effectively.

Conclusion

The innovative features of a VPN offer a valuable opportunity for vacationers in Russia to browse the internet freely while safeguarding their privacy and security. Leveraging the ability to geo-locational obfuscation, multi-hop, cascading, or double VPN, AI-powered threat detection, and split tunneling 2.0, users can freely and confidently navigate the online landscape.

As internet regulations and censorship continue to evolve, the role of VPNs in promoting internet freedom remains indispensable, offering visitors who wish to visit Russia and enjoy the country’s memorable sights and cuisine the means to exercise their digital rights and access the open web without compromise.

by Tatiana Claudy

“What a musical city Petersburg is, in comparison to Moscow! For some time, I begin to love Petersburg more and more,” confessed Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a great Russian composer. [1] Although he never lived there permanently, many important events in his life happened in this city. Today I am taking you on a journey to follow his footsteps in St. Petersburg, the former capital of the Russian Empire and my hometown.

Music was Tchaikovsky’s passion from his childhood: “He found such delight in playing that it was frequently necessary to drag him by force from the instrument [piano].” [2] Yet, the parents wanted him to be a lawyer. Thus, our journey’s first stop is at the big yellow building at the Fontanka River Embankment which housed in the 19th century the Imperial School of Jurisprudence. A diligent student of mandatory classes, young Pyotr also took piano lessons and was especially good at improvisation. Nevertheless, nobody recognized his genius. “His talent still attracted attention, but none of his friends thought seriously about the fame of the future composer.” [3] Moreover, his piano teacher claimed that Pyotr had no gift for music. Only the best friend, Aleksey Apukhtin (a future poet), foresaw the heyday of his talent. Later Apukhtin dedicated this poetry to Pyotr:

“I’m proud that I guessed the spark divine in you,
Back then it only faintly twinkled,
But now glows with so mighty light!” [4]

After the graduation, Tchaikovsky began his legal career at the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Empire. Yet he dreamed of becoming a musician. When the Russian Music Society opened classes in the Mikhailovsky Palace, 31-years old Tchaikovsky seized an opportunity: “I have enrolled in the freshly inaugurated Conservatory . . . Regardless of whether I become a famous composer or a poor teacher, my conscience will then be calm, and I won’t have the disagreeable right to grumble at Fate.” [5] In this building another facet of his talent – conducting the orchestra – has been revealed. A contemporary recalled, “Extraordinary delicate and shy, he conducted with a cheerful … a slightly playful smile. His gestures were smooth … And still he splendidly controlled the orchestra and choir.” [6] Later, when Tchaikovsky became one of the world’s most celebrated conductors, he conducted the orchestra on the opening night of the Carnegie Hall in New York.

We continue our journey to visit the Museum of Theater and Music in the downtown, near the Nevsky Prospect. Here visitors can listen to rare recordings of Tchaikovsky’s music, for instance, his numerous romances – lyric pieces for both a voice and an instrument. He composed about 100 romances using lyrics of various poets, including his friend Aleksey Apukhtin. Visitors can also enjoy a wonderful display of costumes for his first ballet, “The Swan Lake.” The composer believed that “the beauty of life is that it is made up of alternating joy and sorrow, of the struggle between good and evil, of light and shade.” [7] No wonder that he liked the libretto (based on a German medieval legend): Prince Siegfried fall in love with Odette, turned into a swan by Rothbart, an evil sorcerer; Rothbart tricked Prince into the marriage proposal to his daughter, Odile (the Black Swan), who resembles Odette; finally, Prince conquered Rothbart to liberate his beloved Odette. Though it is not clear what lake inspired the composer for this masterpiece, it could be the swan lake near the town of Fussen (Germany).

Now let’s look at the exhibit dedicated to Tchaikovsky’s last ballet, “The Nutcracker”: in the display case there is the clavier with the composer’s inscriptions. While listening to this fascinating music, it is difficult to imagine how hard was this composition for Tchaikovsky. He even disliked the libretto based on the fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the King of the Mice” by E. T. A. Hoffmann. Tchaikovsky complained, “While composing the ballet, I noticed my inspiration was tailing off.” [8] To complicate the matter, Marius Petipa, the choreographer, posed a challenge to Tchaikovsky: create for the Sugar Plum Fairy the music that would sound like drops of water from the fountain. The composer went on his tour in America, still trying to work on the ballet. On his way back, in Paris, he saw a new musical instrument, the celesta, which resembled a little piano and sounded like bells. This was the perfect instrument to play the music of the Sugar Plum Fairy! Tchaikovsky asked his publisher to buy the celesta and admonished him, “No one besides myself should hear the sounds of this wonderful instrument before it’s played in my works, where it will be used for the first time … Besides this, the Celesta will play a large role in my new ballet.” [9]

Now we will go to the Theater Square to look at the Maryinsky Theater where “The Nutcracker” was performed for the first time on December 18, 1892. There were rumors in the city that the composer prepared a surprise for the public. When the Sugar Plum Fairy appeared on the stage and began her dance, the audience was stunned by an unknown instrument’s celestial sounds, as though little glass balls dropped on a crystal plate. Such was a glorious debut of the celesta in the ballet. Tchaikovsky, a great admirer of Russian folk tunes, included the Russian dance in the ballet. To describe through music such dwellers of the Kingdom of Sweets as chocolate, coffee, and tea, he created dances based on traditional Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese tunes respectively. The opening night was a great success – even Emperor Alexander III was very pleased and complimented the composer. Regardless of some harsh critique, “The Nutcracker” became a sensation in the musical life of the capital.

Looking forward to future accomplishments, 53-old Tchaikovsky shared with friends, “I feel I shall live a long time.” [10] But six days later the whole country was shocked by his sudden death from cholera. Emperor Alexander III payed for the composer’ funeral which was “so grand and magnificent as only tsars in Russia have been buried.” [11] Tchaikovsky was buried at the most well-known cemetery of St. Petersburg – the Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. The tombstone includes the bust of the composer and figures of two angels: one holds the Orthodox cross, and another weeps over the open book of music. I visited this cemetery many times, in different seasons, and always saw fresh flowers at the tombstone of Tchaikovsky. Truly, the great composer continues to live in hearts of people inspired and enlighten by his music.

My short journey is completed. While following the footsteps of Tchaikovsky, I learn more about him and his music which contributed to making St. Petersburg the cultural capital of Russia. I hope that this journey enriched your knowledge about this great composer and inspired you to visit this splendid musical city!

Footnotes:

[1] Correspondence with Nadezhda von Meck (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[2] The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky by Modest Chaikovskii

[3] V. N. Gerard. Tchaikovsky at the Imperial School of Jurisprudence (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[4] Aleksey Apukhtin. To Tchaikovsky (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[5] Correspondence with Aleksandra Davydova. Letter 63

[6] Shteinberg L. P. Memorable meetings (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[7] Correspondence with Nadezhda von Meck

[8] Correspondence with Modest Tchaikovsky. Letter 4425

[9] Correspondence with Pyotr Jurgenson. Letter 4459

[10] The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky by Modest Chaikovskii

[11] Bukinik M. E. October 25, 18293 (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

If You Go:

Visas for Russia – (Most foreigners need visas to visit Russia.)

St. Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music

The Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery (The cemetery is located across the subway station Alexander Nevsky Square. Adult tickets cost $7 per person. Tchaikovsky’s tombstone is in the 19th century Necropolis.)

Recommended Theaters Performing Tchaikovsky’s ballets and operas:

• Maryinsky Theatre
• Mikhailovsky Theatre

Recommended Concert Halls Performing Tchaikovsky’s music:

• The Grand Hall of the Saint-Petersburg Philharmonia
• St. Petersburg State Academic Capella

To Learn More about Tchaikovsky:

• The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky by Modest Chaikovskii
• Tchaikovsky (1970) – a Russian movie with English subtitles

About the author:

Tatiana Claudy, originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, lives with her family in the USA. Her passions include writing, traveling, and making photos of fascinating places. As a freelance writer, Tatiana had written for various printed and online publications. Her travel articles had been published on Go Overseas, Matador Network, and My Itchy Travel Feet websites.

All photos by Tatiana Claudy:

1. Imperial School of Jurisprudence
2. Mikhailovsky Palace
3. Clavier for “The Nutcracker” Ballet
4. Costumes for “The Swan Lake” Ballet
5. Maryinsky Theater
6. Tombstone of Tchaikovsky at the Tikhvin Cemetery

by Angela Lapham

I predict May might be a good time to visit Moscow. Not too touristy, not too cold and…

1 May is May Day. International Workers’ Day was a big deal in Soviet Russia. Would it be in today’s Russia?

&

9 May is Victory Day, the day Germany surrendered to the Allies in WWII. Moscow holds a huge military parade in commemoration.

May Day

As soon as we arrive, we see Victory Day decorations all over the city. Whether anything is planned for May Day, however, remains a mystery. We knew there were big parades in Communist times, but all we can find about the upcoming May Day is an online reference to the parade that took place two years prior. This mentions a midday start. What could we do but head for Red Square and hope for the best?

Oh no! Loads of people are walking away from the city waving Russian flags. Have we missed it?

No one appears to be dismantling the fence barrier though. In fact, people, including police, are standing alongside it. Is more planned?

The crowd keeps growing.

An hour later we’re glad we stuck around.

 The parade isn’t inside Red Square but in front of it. Nevertheless, just like the Soviet-era, it’s big, red, and full of Lenin and hammer & sickle flags. Marchers are all ages, though predominantly older – presumably carrying the tradition on from their youth.

What’s new is that they also clutch banners calling for revolution and an end to government corruption. Some get so passionate they come right up to the fence we’re standing behind to vocalize their demands. I’m comforted to see the police tolerating it all.

The parade concludes with marchers and onlookers gathering in front of a temporary stage, fittingly parked beside Karl Marx’s statue – now a platform for roaring speeches and the Communist anthem ‘The Internationale.’ There’s even an operatically-trained choir to lead.

On the ground lie blankets from which the more enterprising communists hawk antique Soviet-era brooches, illustrated children’s books on Lenin, and other reasonably priced, authentic souvenirs. Curious to see how the day had been covered on the news, that night we watch ‘Russia Today,’ the Russian international news channel. We discover that the crowd we’d seen leaving the city that morning had also been at a May Day parade: a pro-government, nationalist celebration of workers’ rights at Red Square. Notably, the first May Day parade held at Red Square since 1992 took place in 2014 – the year Russia took over Crimea. Likewise, it wasn’t until 1996 that the Victory Day parade came to be held annually, and 2008 that it included military vehicles. Before then, Victory Day parades only occurred in 1965, 1985 and 1990.

Victory Day

If Putin’s aim was to bring people together under what was arguably Russia’s greatest achievement – the winning of WWII for the allies – it worked! Millions are out. Many are wearing military fashions and the orange and black striped St Georges ribbon, which in 1769 became the highest military decoration of Imperial Russia. They carry red carnations to give out to veterans and lay at memorials, as well as these great professionally made signs displaying photos and short bios of family members that served. Much more informative than our practice of simply wearing their medals! Children dress in khaki uniform; toddlers pedal around in toy tanks.

Throughout the city, concerts entertain and projectors show war footage. Many pay their respects at the war memorial at Park Pobedy (pobedy meaning victory) and the co-located Museum of the Great Patriotic War, which offers free entry today. In the museum, people are keenly engaging with the exhibits, school choirs are busy warming hearts, and men are having their photos taken with Stalin’s statue.

As for the Victory Day parade itself…

We didn’t secure a position early enough to see it on the day. Not that we minded – it was still great to be amongst it. Plus, we’d already seen it. Twice! Attending full-scale rehearsals on the 3rd and 6th. While these also attract crowds, they’re not so well attended as to obscure your view.

Each rehearsal requires the city center to be completely blocked off. Tanks, missile systems, armored and combat vehicles are all lined up ready to go, remaining stationary for 1-2 hours during which time you can take photos. Surreal. Wait until you see them powering down the street! The strong scent of kerosene in the air…the thunder of engines…

The grand finale is the jets overhead: red, white and blue smoke trailing behind them resembling the stripes of the Russian flag. That gets the previously austere, silent crowd clapping and cheering!

Whether or not you’re against killing machines forming the centerpiece of a parade, if you enjoy travelling as a sort of journalism, you’ll be eternally grateful for that first week and a half in May.

27 April to 9 May also sees the staging of the annual A Cappella Festival. Walking through the city, we’re treated to many free performances, both traditional and modern.

 If You Go:

Moscow is awash with free/extraordinarily cheap activities, all of which provide fascinating insights into Russian culture, history and society.

City Bus or Car Tour to Incredible Moscow

Lenin

See the embalmed leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and first leader of the USSR. (NOTE: the mausoleum closes late April and doesn’t reopen until just after mid-May. Usual opening hours are 10am-1pm Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun).

Metro

Spend hours admiring the world’s most beautiful metro stations, for less than $1:

Though not as extravagant as the Soviet-era stations, new stations, i.e. Dostoevskaya, continue to be works of art.

Get a good overview of Moscow by riding the entire circle of the new Central Circle line linking all its outer suburbs. This Western European-style train will cost you less than $1 (including a metro transfer!).

Parks

Hang out in some of Moscow’s ninety six stunning parks where you’ll enjoy free concerts from purpose-built stages, fountains choreographed to classical music, statues of famous Russians, and art exhibition spaces. Gorky Park is a must.

Russian State Library (one of the five great libraries of the world).

Enjoy statues of Russian writers and Soviet citizens, and a front door sign that still reads ‘CCCP Lenin Library.’

Wander through old-fashioned reading rooms, each with their own specialized collection and typically a painting of Lenin on the wall (Open Mon to Sat 9am to 8pm EXCEPT the last Monday of the month).

Perhaps because Russians are the second biggest readers in the world (after China), Moscow also has an unusually high number of large and lively bookshops. At the very least, go for the atmosphere!

Private Moscow Walking Tour: Life in the Soviet Times

Panoramic view

Look out over Moscow from the observation deck of the 7th Floor of the Central Children’s Store (Lubyanka Square, near Red Square). Historic buildings within view are described in English. Enter through the excellent free museum showcasing toys sold in the Soviet-era.

The world’s largest mechanical clock also resides here, as does a ‘Lego store’ filled with Lego constructions of the Kremlin, Bolshoi Theatre, and Russian countryside.

Museums

State Central Museum of Contemporary Russian History

GULAG History Museum

Art Deco Museum

Tsarist-era luxury Shopping

GUM (Red Square). Built in the 19th century, this elegant arcade of shops was a department store during Soviet times.

Yeliseyevsky Gastronom (Tverskaya Street). Architecturally beautiful gourmet supermarket.

Gastronomic tour in Moscow

Soviet Exhibition grounds & Cosmonaut Memorial

Take the metro to Station VDNKh (acronym for ‘Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy’). In Soviet times, the 130m squared grounds hosted more than 300 national and international exhibitions a year. Now largely a recreation space, on weekends its people-watching heaven.

The colossal size of the grounds, numerous tall Corinthian-columned pavilions – several of which carry the names of countries of the former USSR, and glistening gold Friendship of Nations fountain fill me with the kind of excitement I imagine a child gets when they see Disneyland for the first time. Pavillions ‘Belarus’ and ‘Armenia’ continue to sell their nation’s produce, and Armenia has a fancy but inexpensive restaurant. The giant statue of ‘Worker and Kolkhoz Woman’, sculpted for the 1937 International Trade Show in Paris can be seen over 1 km away.

Next door you can marvel at the similarly extraordinary 107m high ‘Lenin and the workers’ cosmonaut memorial. The cosmonaut museum underneath is also worth visiting (Open 10-7pm every day EXCEPT Mon. Thurs until 9pm).

Amazing Tour to Mosquarium Space Museum of Cosmonautics and VDKH in Moscow Russia

About the author:

Angela is a Melbourne-based librarian and history graduate fascinated with Eastern Europe and different cultures and histories in general. Every few years it’s time to take off to Europe for another lengthy adventure.

Photos by Angela Lapham

by Tatiana Claudy 

Is there a place that can compete with Versailles – and maybe win this competition? I believe it is Peterhof (“Peter’s yard” in Dutch) in Russia. Tsar Peter the Great, after visiting Versailles, was inspired to construct a similar park in Russia. He chose Peterhof which is situated about 30 km from Saint Petersburg and near the Gulf of Finland. To create a unique ensemble of parks, gardens, palaces, pavilions, and fountains, Tsar Peter invited Alexander Le Blond from France. Peterhof was initially designed as a summer residence of Peter the Great, but later was turned by Catherine the Great into one of the most famous royal summer residences in Europe.

On a warm summer day I arrived to Peterhof by bus and entered the gates near the Grand Palace, “The Russian Versailles,” designed in the Petrine Baroque style. Immediately I heard the noise of water – and a minute later I stood in awe of the Grand Cascade. Being one of the world’s largest fountains, the Grand Cascade consists of 75 fountains, 255 gilded bronze sculptures, two grottoes, and three waterfall stairs. Its design was inspired by a fountain erected near Chвteau de Marly in France. Tsar Peter, being proud of his park near the sea, ordered to build a canal from the Gulf of Finland to the Grand Palace. Thus, the terrace in front of the Grand Palace is the best spot to admire the Grand Cascade and the panorama of the Gulf of Finland. I think that Fyodor Tyutchev (Russian poet) gave one of the best descriptions of this exceptional place:

The Nature feasts beside the sea,
The fountains splash among the flowers,
The garden breathes dreamy calm. [1]

While I was admiring this view, I thought about the harmony between the nature and the art of numerous sculptors, architects, and gardeners. “Peterhof seemed to be born from the foam of the sea, as if brought to life by the command of a powerful sea king,” wrote Alexandre Benois (Russian artist). [2] I remembered his words as I saw how water drops created a mist around fountains whose forceful streams foamed and roared.

The heart of the Grand Cascade is the celebrated Samson fountain – Samson tears the lion’s mouth from which a single stream of water rises up to 21 meters. These sculptures are installed on the massive stone pedestal decorated with eight dolphins. Samson defeating the lion is an allegory of Russia’s victory over Sweden. Gilded sculptures of Samson and the lion look so naturally in the center of the Grand Cascade that it is impossible to imagine here anything else. However, Tsar Peter wanted next to his new summer residence a fountain with a sculpture of Hercules defeating the Lernaean Hydra. After Tsar Peter’s death, the Samson fountain was constructed according to the design of Carlo Rossi, an Italian architect.

I descended the stairs to enter the Lower Park and observe the Samson fountain from a different angle. There were crowds of people making photos of the Grand Cascade, so I had to squeeze into a spot from which I could have a better view at the fountain. I noticed several men and women dressed in costumes of Tsar Peter’s era – they were royalty impersonators who offered tourists to take their photos in the company of a “tsar” or a “tsarina.” Sure enough, these “royalties” enhanced the charm of this place!

As I walked through the Lower Park, I could not stop admiring abundance of flowers. Petunias, marigolds, roses, fuchsias, and begonias were planted to create picturesque patterns on the lawns, while pyramidal trimmed little trees strengthened the likeness of this park to Versailles. Tsar Peter himself chose trees (e.g., maples and tilias) for this park and even ordered some of them abroad, for instance, apple trees from Prussia.

My next stop was at the Roman fountains which resemble two fountains in Rome (on the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Peter). Each of these gorgeous 10 meter tall twin-fountains consists of two flat stone bowls. Streams of water rise up, then fall on surfaces of upper and lower bowls, and finally flow into the pool at the fountain’s base. Due to this design, the Roman fountains look like being covered by the shimmering veil of water.

Gavriil Derzhavin, whom contemporaries called “the greatest living Russian poet of the 18th century,” described Peterhof as a place “where art and nature have a competition.” [3] No doubts, the Roman fountains and their lawns proved the truthfulness of these words!

Across the Roman fountains I observed another jewel of Peterhof – the Chess Mount Cascade consisting of four slopes designed like huge chessboards. This cascade, created on a natural slope, is also called the Dragon Mountain because three dragons guard the entrance in the upper grotto. Streams of water run out of the mouths of dragons, slide along the four slopes, and finally fall like a curtain to close the lower grotto’s entrance. By the sides of the Chess Mount Cascade there are two stairways decorated by ten marble sculptures representing ancient Roman gods. Additionally, like all statues in Peterhof, these sculptures also symbolize Russia’s prosperity and sea victories.

The square between the Roman fountains and the Chess Mount Cascade is the biggest in the park. From here depart little trains that visitors, tired from long walks, can use to have a 30-minutes long tour on the wheels. Yet I continued my journey on foot through the capital of fountains in the direction of the Gulf of Finland.

Now I approached my final destination – the Monplaisir Palace (“my pleasure” in French): Tsar Peter himself made drawings for its layout, and several architects, including Alexander Le Blond, implemented his vision. To reach the palace, I walked through a lovely garden adorned by fountains and statues. The gardeners made a little masterpiece of trimmed bushes and flowerbeds. By the way, Tsar Peter also drew the plan of this garden and chose its plants. The Monplaisir Palace, one-story long red building, does not produce an impression of the Russian Emperor’s dwelling place. However, it was the favorite palace of Tsar Peter who chose this building’s location, a few yards from the Gulf of Finland, to be able to arrive here by boat. The palace’s design is simple: two galleries adjoin the central part covered with a hipped roof. Yet this building is a fine example of architecture of the first quarter of the 18th century. No wonder that Gavriil Derzhavin praised the Monplaisir Palace in these lines:

To learn about Eden – come and see
Tsar Peter’s charming house by the sea!” [4]

Tsar Peter opened in the Monplaisir Palace the first Russian picture gallery: he bought a collection of European paintings and used them to beautify his cherished mansion. Many rooms in the palace are also embellished with tapestries, glass and porcelain dishes, and Dutch porcelain tile. Tsar Peter often visited the Monplaisir Palace to meet with foreign ambassadors or have official assemblies of his court. According to French ambassador Kampredon, “The rooms in Monplaisir are small, but very comfortable.” [5]

My favorite room in the palace was the Chinese Lacquer Cabinet. Unfortunately, visitors are only allowed to pass through the cabinet, without stopping there; so, I observed details of its dйcor from an adjoining room. The most important element in the cabinet’s interior decoration is eleven vertical black lacquer panels depicting scenes from the life of Chinese people. Additionally, the room is ornamented by 129 gilded shelves of different sizes and shapes (e.g. shells or leaves).

Another fascinating room, in my view, was the kitchen decorated with 3,000 pieces of tile, and each piece of tile had a picture: a landscape, seascape, or flower. The kitchen dishwasher received running water coming through the pipe from one of the fountains in front of the palace; later used water was disposed (also through pipes) into the Gulf of Finland. Such kitchen was very modern for the beginning of the 18th century!

I left the palace and walked around it to come to the sea terrace. As everywhere in the parks of Peterhof, there are marble sculptures, flowers, trees, and trimmed bushes. I leaned on the white balustrade to admire the view of Saint Petersburg in the distance, the fly of seagulls, and running waves of the Gulf of Finland. After observing for a while this vast sea surface, I had an amazing feeling of peace and freedom. No wonder that Tsar Peter loved this place!

Before leaving this fantastic park, I looked back at the Grand Cascade and remembered words of Russian poet Pyotr Vyazemsky:

While Peterhof tells ancient stories,
It still remains forever young!” [6]

I hope that you enjoyed this little journey with me. Sure, there is much more to see in Peterhof because I limited my walk only to one park and one palace. So, put Peterhof on your travel list and come to discover more wonders of the world’s capital of fountains!

 Footnotes:

[1] Poets about Peterhof. Fyodor Tyutchev (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[2] The Lower Park of Peterhof. (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[3] Poets about Peterhof. Gavriil Derzhavin (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[4] Poets about Peterhof. Gavriil Derzhavin (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[5] Palaces of Peter I. Monplaisir (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[6] Poets about Peterhof. Prince Pyotr Vyazemsky (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

If You Go:

Visas for Russia (Most foreigners need visas to visit Russia.)

How to Get to Peterhof

Visiting Peterhof

Peterhof

Monplaisir

Peterhof Fountain Parks and Grand Cascade Grottos Tour

About the author:

Tatiana Claudy lives in Indiana, but she is originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia. She loves to travel and write about her journeys. Her travel articles have been published on Go Overseas and My Itchy Travel Feet sites.

Tour of Pushkin Catherine Palace and Peterhof Grand Palace (Visas Included)

All photos by Tatiana Claudy

The Grand Cascade with the Samson fountain
The Roman fountains
The Chess Mount Cascade
The Monplaisir Palace and the Monplaisir Park
The Chinese Lacquer cabinet in the Monplaisir Palace
The view at the Gulf of Finland from the Monplaisir Palace’s terrace

Private Half Day Excursion to Peterhof Palace from St Petersburg

by Tatiana Claudy

“Saint Petersburg is a window through which Russia looks at Europe,” stated Francesco Algarotti, a Venetian poet. [1] Fyodor Dostoyevsky called this city “the most intentional town” because Peter the Great, the Russian monarch, ordered it to be built on a swampy terrain in the delta of the Neva River to guard Russia from its adversaries – Swedish King Karl XII and his mighty navy. [2] The time will come when for its richness, splendor, and sophistication the city will be called “the Northern Palmyra,” and numerous visitors will admire grandeur of the capital of the Russian Empire. Yet sometimes the city’s first buildings, constructed the 18th century, are overshadowed by more magnificent palaces of the 19th century. Today I am going to visit these first buildings – the architectural marvels and silent witnesses of the early history of the city.

The foundation of Saint Petersburg is enveloped in legends. According to one, on May 16, 1703, Tsar Peter surveyed the Hair Island and pronounced: “Here the city will be built!” Suddenly an eagle flew above his head, and this has been considered a good omen. According to another legend, at first wooden gates have been constructed, and an eagle descended on them. Tsar Peter took the eagle in his hands and walked through the gates of his newly-founded city.

The first building of the new city was Peter the Great’s cabin put up by soldiers in three days on the banks of the Neva River. This construction does not resemble a royal residence – it is a one-story wooden house built from square beams, painted red and designed to imitate a brick wall, according to a Dutch architectural style. Its four-slope green roof has been originally decorated with a wooden model of a mortar to show that the house belonged to a military man. I visited this palace, one of the smallest in the world (12 meters long, 5,5 meters wide, and 2,72 meters high), and was amazed to see the humble dwelling of a Russian tsar. The cabin itself is off-limits for tourists, but they can peek through barred windows to see two main rooms – Tsar Peter’s study and the dining room.

In the center of the study, there is a massive oak table with a carved chess-board (Tsar Peter loved to play chess and checkers). On the table, there is a pipe belonged to the tsar, a brass candleholder for three candles, a brass inc-pot, and a map. On the wall, we can see Peter the Great’s portrait representing him at the time when he started to build a new capital. Another interesting object is the chair made from pear-tree wood by Peter the Great who was a skilful carpenter. The cabin has no heating because it was designed as a summer dwelling. Tsar Peter lived there for several weeks before his departure for the Northern War and, upon his return, a stone palace was built for him (Winter Palace). To protect the cabin from the elements, a case has been constructed around it. Today, inside this case, tourists can see not only the cabin, but also “the grand-father” of the Russian navy – a wooden boat made by Tsar Peter. The cabin was not only the first house and first palace erected in the new city – it became one of the first Russian museums when Peter the Great signed an order to preserve it for the posterity.

While the original building of Tsar Peter’s Winter Palace does not exist anymore, his Summer Palace has been restored and turned into a museum. In 1710, Domenico Trezzini (an Italian architect) created this royal residence according to the Petrine Baroque architectural style. This two-story building resembles a Dutch nobility house of the 18th century –windows are divided into squares and outer walls are adorned by 29 bas-reliefs with allegoric scenes glorifying the Russian navy and its victories. The palace stands on the bank of the Fountanka River, and guests of the tsar arrived by boats. The royal family lived here from May till October. The palace’s collection includes many genuine items, for instance, Tsar Peter’s watch with a compass and the quilt made by his wife, Catherine (future Empress Catherine I). I believe that the most interesting room is Tsar Peter’s workshop: being skilful in14 trades, he daily worked with a turning lather. The workshop was Tsar Peter’s favorite room, and only selected people had an honor to meet with the tsar there. The Summer Palace is located in one of the most romantic places of Saint Petersburg, the Summer Garden, designed to resemble the Versailles and decorated with marble sculptures, fountains, flower beds, and pavilions.

Now I am going to the Basil Island to visit the first stone building of Saint Petersburg, the Menshikov Palace, designed by Francesco Fontana (an Italian architect) according to the traditions of the Petrine Baroque style. This three-story mansion was the residence of Prince Menshikov –a close friend of Peter the Great and first governor of Saint Petersburg. Since Tsar Peter did not have his own official residence, he often used the Menshikov Palace (especially the Assembly Hall) to celebrate royal weddings (the wedding of his son Prince Aleksey and the wedding of his niece Princess Anna, the future Russian Empress Anna Ioanovna) and meet with foreign ambassadors. Above all, Peter the Great used this palace to persistently promote European culture during parties called “assembles.” Since 1718, under Tsar Peter’s order, assemblies were obligatory for nobility, including noble women for whom assemblies became first opportunities to leave their homes and attend social gatherings. At assemblies, participants demonstrated their skills in European manners, dancing, music, and the art of conversation. Here is a description of a ceremonial dance at an assembly: “Along the entire length of the ballroom, to the sound of the most melancholy music, ladies and gentlemen stood in two rows facing each other; the gentlemen bowed low; the ladies curtsied even lower, first to the front, then to the right, then to the left, to the front again, to the right again and so on.” [3]

This palace, decorated with tapestries, Chinese lacquer cabinets, and marble sculptures, was also one of the richest in Europe in the 18th century. It took me about two hours to see its numerous rooms.

In my opinion, the most fascinating are four rooms whose walls and ceilings are completely decorated with Dutch porcelain tile (about 28,000 pieces). These rooms are unique and can be seen only in the Menshikov Palace. Dutch porcelain tile was very expensive: even in Holland, where it has been produced, this tile was used to decorate only panels. Yet in the Menshikov Palace there are even several stoves decorated with Dutch tile. Peter the Great was very pleased with the luxury of the Menshikov Palace because he considered this building and its interiors to be a proof that new Russia was in no way inferior to any European country.

As many monarchs of the 18th century, Peter the Great was interested in curious objects and collected them. In 1718, he ordered that if anybody finds unusual stones or bones, old inscriptions on stones, and other ancient and extraordinary items, this person had to take findings to the city’s commandant. To keep these exhibits, Tsar Peter founded the first museum of natural history and culture, Kunstkamera (German “art chamber”). There is a legend about how Peter the Great had chosen the location for the future museum: he noticed an unusually growing tree and decided to build on this place a museum of curious objects. The building is the oldest edifice in the world constructed especially to house a museum collection: designed according to the Petrine Baroque style, it has in the middle the tower decorated with a sphere. To attract people to the museum, Tsar Peter ordered to give every visitor a glass of wine and a free cup of coffee (a new and exotic drink in Russia in the 18th century). At those times, the museum has been one of the best in Europe, with free entrance for everybody. Today the museum is one of the most interesting in Saint Petersburg: tourists can see not only Tsar Peter’s collection, but other unique objects, for instance, the collection of artifacts brought by Miklouho-Maclay, Russian explorer, from New Guinea.

Tsar Peter has dedicated his life to transforming old Russia and opening new horizons for Russian people. In his letter to Anne, Queen of England, he wrote: “I do not labor to wring out Russia from Russia, but to strengthen and uplift it in itself.” [4] Alexander Pushkin, the great Russian poet, wrote about Tsar Peter’s vision:

Here a great city will be wrought…
Here, by the new for them sea-paths,
Ships of all flags will come to us –
And on all seas our great feast opens.[5]

I hope that my today’s historical journey will help visitors to learn more about the early history and first buildings of Saint Petersburg – “the window to Europe.”

Footnotes:

[1] Serov V. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Idiomatic Words and Expressions. Letter “O.”  (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[2] Dostoyevsky, F.M. Notes from the Underground. Part I, chapter II. Project Gutenberg.

[3] Pushkin A. S. The Negro of Peter the Great.

[4] Miller O. F. On Attitudes of Russian Literature to Peter the Great. (Russian Edition). (translation by Tatiana Claudy)

[5]Pushkin A. S. The Bronze Horseman. Poetry Lovers Page

If You Go:

Visas for Russia – Most foreigners need visas to visit Russia.)

The Cabin of Peter the Great (Petrovskaya Embankment, 6. Metro station — Gorkovskaya. Adult ticket $4)

The Summer Palace of Peter the Great – (The palace is currently closed for reconstruction.)

Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (the Kunstkamera) (Universitetskaya Embankment, 3. Adult ticket $6)

The Menshikov Palace (Universitetskaya Embankment, 15. Adult ticket $6)

About the author:
Tatiana Claudy is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, but she lives with her family in the USA. Her passions include literature, art, music, languages, and photography. During her travels she loves to explore historical sites and take literary journeys. She is a freelance writer and an aspiring mystery writer.

All photos by Tatiana Claudy

1. The Kunstkamera
2. The Cabin of Peter the Great
3. The Study of Peter the Great in the Cabin
4. The Summer Palace of Peter the Great
5. The Menshikov Palace
6. The Sea Study

by Tatiana Claudy 

“The most theoretical and intentional town on the whole terrestrial globe,” wrote Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky about St. Petersburg, Russia, where he lived for about 30 years and had written his most famous novel, Crime and Punishment. [1] Despite his dislike of the city, he became the symbol of literary St. Petersburg and created his own city, “Dostoyevsky’s Petersburg,” occupied by characters of his novels and novellas.

Born in Moscow in a nobleman’s family, Dostoyevsky came to St. Petersburg in 1839 to study as a cadet of the Main Engineering School opened in a former royal residence, the Mikhailovsky Castle (or the Engineers’ Castle). Dostoyevsky was not excited about his future career in engineering, which his father chose for him. According to a supervisor from the Engineering School, young Fyodor was more passionate about literature than about science or entertainment: “In the dead of night we could see F. M. at the table, sitting and working.” [2] Dostoyevsky was definitely not in his elements either in the Engineering School or in the city’s center where the school was located. No wonder that some of his characters shared the writer’s detest for the imperial capital! For instance, the protagonist of Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov, observing a magnificent view of palaces and cathedrals, “always marveled at a vague and mysterious emotion it roused in him. It left him strangely cold.” [3]

I visited the Engineers’ Castle, which has been restored as a royal residence and turned into a museum, but nothing there reminded of a cadet Dostoyevsky. Although he graduated from the school as a military engineer, he soon resigned to dedicate himself to writing. Nevertheless, the training received by Dostoyevsky in the Engineering School influenced significantly his literary work: he was obsessed with precise details and populated buildings in his neighborhoods with his fictional characters. The writer’s emphasis on particulars helped me to discover a part of “Dostoyevsky’s Petersburg” – places described in Crime and Punishment.

Crime and Punishment Locations

The novel’s opening gave me the address of Raskolnikov’s house: “On an exceptionally hot evening early in July a young man came out of the garret in which he lodged in S. Place…” [4] Although Dostoyevsky often used only first letters of names of streets and bridges, after his death his widow Anna deciphered these letters, providing references to real places. Thanks to her, I know that I need to go to Stolyarny Lane in the neighborhood of the Sennaya Square.

I found Raskolnikov’s house, a big yellow apartment building, on the corner of Stolyarny Lane, 5, and Grazhdanskaya Street, 19. This rectangular structure with an inner yard has been built according to a typical architectural design of the 19th century: since the land was expensive, architects had to create the biggest possible house to occupy the lot. In 1970s, after remodeling, this “high, five-storied house” described by Dostoyevsky was turned into a four-storied one. [5] However, there is still the loft where Raskolnikov rented a room: “It was a tiny cupboard of a room about six paces in length … and it was so low-pitched that a man of more than average height … felt every moment that he would knock his head against the ceiling.” [6] The entrance to the house is locked to prevent tourists and literary journeys’ lovers, like myself, from disturbing the tenants.

As I walked around the house, I saw the commemorative high relief of Dostoyevsky and the plaque with the inscription: “Raskolnikov’s House. The tragic lives of people of this neighborhood of Petersburg served for Dostoyevsky as a foundation of his passionate sermon of goodness for the entire humanity.” [7] There is an interesting tradition in St. Petersburg: on the first Saturday of July (events described in Crime and Punishment happened in the beginning of July), Dostoyevsky’s enthusiasts gather in this neighborhood to celebrate Dostoyevsky Day. Many bring flowers to place at the bottom of this relief, but some put here … axes, because Raskolnikov used an axe as his murder weapon. (Another reason for tenants of this house to keep the entrance door locked!)

After having found the house of the murderer, I need to find the house of his victim, an old woman, a notorious pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna. The book presented her dwelling place as “a huge house which on one side looked on to the canal, and on the other into the street.” [8] The building fitting this description is located on the Griboedov Canal Quay, 104: one long side stretches along the Griboedov Canal, another – along Srednyaya Podyacheskaya Street, and the short side looks into Rimsky-Korsakov Street. Dostoyevsky gave another key for locating the old woman’s house – the number of steps that Raskolnikov made while walking there: “He had not far to go; he knew indeed how many steps it was from the gate of his lodging house: exactly seven hundred and thirty.” [9] Dostoyevsky, as a military engineer, was used to measuring distances in steps, and, knowing his obsession with precise details, we can presume that the writer gave us the correct number of steps.

The old woman’s house is a yellow apartment building which resembles Raskolnikov’s house. The old pawnbroker lived on the 4th story, and her windows looked into the inner yard. Today the entrance to the house and the yard are off limits for tourists, so I only could walk around the building. The house is protected by the government because a playwright Griboedov (whose name is given to the canal) lived here, and there is a memorial plaque dedicated to him. Yet for the majority of Russian literature’s admirers, this building is, first of all, the crime scene of a well-known fictional murder. Raskolnikov explain the reason for his crime: “I wanted to become a Napoleon, that is why I killed her.” [10]. After murdering the old woman, his intended victim, he killed her sister Lizaveta, his incidental victim, and this double murder tormented profoundly Raskolnikov’s mind and soul: “Did I murder the old woman? I murdered myself, not her!” [11]

I continued my literary journey to the Sennaya Square, another important place described by Dostoyevsky: in the novel’s beginning, here Raskolnikov learned when the old woman would be home alone and decided to use this opportunity to carry out his murder plan; at the novel’s end, here Raskolnikov tried to confess his crime publicly: “He knelt down in the middle of the square, bowed down to the earth and kissed that filthy earth.” [12].

Now I had to take the subway to reach the Dostoyevsky Museum located on Kuznechny Lane, 5. Dostoyevsky rented twice apartments in this building: in 1846, at the beginning of his literary career, and in 1878, three years before his death. The main attraction of the museum is Dostoyevsky’s cabinet where he had written his novel Karamazov Brothers. On the massive desk there is an issue of the magazine, Russky Vestnik, with an extract from Karamazov Brothers, Dostoyevsky’s letters, and one of his favorite novels, Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin. Everything on the table is at the particular place because the writer “paid a great attention to this pedantic order” [13]. There are two candlesticks with candles because Dostoyevsky disliked table lamps and preferred to write by candlelight. Since the writer worked a lot, being constantly in dire need for money because of his gambling problem, he often slept in his cabinet on the sofa. Above the sofa there is a reproduction of Dostoyevsky’s favorite picture, “The Sistine Madonna” by Raphael, presented by Sofia Tolstoy (Leo Tolstoy’s wife). Anna, Dostoyevsky’s widow, wrote: “How many times, during the last year of Fyodor Mikhailovich’s life, I found him standing in front of this great picture in such a deep adoration that he did not hear how I had entered.” [14] On February 9, 1881, Dostoyevsky died on the sofa in his cabinet.

Dostoyevsky was buried at one of the most famous cemeteries of St. Petersburg – the Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. The tombstone consists of the Orthodox cross and Dostoyevsky’s bust placed on two books. The cross is adorned by a garland of thorns symbolizing the writer’s sacrifices and hardships. The bust bears a resemblance to the writer because Dostoyevsky’s death mask was used for its creation. Two books, representing two parts of the Bible, symbolize his devotion to the Russian Orthodox Church; additionally, books symbolize his literary career. The tombstone’s inscription in Old Church Slavonic language is a quote from John 12:24: “…unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” This tomb is one of the most visited, and it is often adorned with fresh flowers.

My one day literary journey in Dostoyevsky’s footsteps was completed. I learned more about another, no so glamorous, side of my home city – and I wish that more visitors would deepen their experience here by discovering “Dostoyevsky’s Petersburg!”

Footnotes:

[1] Dostoyevsky, F.M. Notes from the Underground. part I, chapter II. Project Gutenberg.
[2] Lurie, L. Petersburg of Dostoyevsky (Russian Edition). p.105. Sent-Petersburg: BXV-Petersburg, 2017. (translation by Tatiana Claudy)
[3] Dostoyevsky, F.M. Crime and Punishment. part II, chapter II. Project Gutenberg.
[4] Ibid., part I, chapter I.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid., part I, chapter III.
[7] Translation of the inscription by Tatiana Claudy
[8] Dostoyevsky, F.M. Crime and Punishment. part I, chapter I. Project Gutenberg.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid., part V, chapter IV
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid., part VI, chapter VIII
[13] Lurie, L. Petersburg of Dostoyevsky (Russian Edition). p. 335. Sent-Petersburg: BXV-Petersburg, 2017. (translation by Tatiana Claudy)
[14] Ibid.

If You Go:

Visas for Russia (Most foreigners need visas to visit Russia.)

The Mikhailovsky Castle (the Engineers’ Castle) is located on Sadovaya Street, 2. Adult tickets cost $5.50 per person.

The House of Old Lady Pawnbroker – The house is located on the Griboedov Canal Quay, 104. The easiest way to find it: get out at the subway station Nevsky Prospect, cross the Nevsky Prospect, and walk along the right side of the canal.

The F. M. Dostoyevsky Museum – The museum is located on Kuznechny Lane, 5, near subway stations Vladimirskaya and Dostoyevskaya. Adult tickets cost $5.50 per person. You can make photos but without using a flash.

The Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery – The cemetery is located across the subway station Alexander Nevsky Square. Adult tickets cost $7 per person. Visitors receive tickets to visit two cemeteries – the 18th century Necropolis and the 19th century Necropolis. Dostoyevsky’s tombstone is in the 19th century Necropolis, to the right from the entrance.

About the author:
Tatiana Claudy is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia, but she lives with her family in the USA. Her passions include literature, art, music, languages, and photography. During her travels she loves to explore historical sites and take literary journeys. She is a freelance writer and an aspiring mystery writer.

All photos by Tatiana Claudy:
The Engineers’ Castle
The House of Raskolnikov
The Commemorative Plaque at the Corner of Raskolnikov’s House
The House of the Old Woman
Dostoyevsky’s Cabinet in His Last Apartment
Dostoyevsky’s Tombstone at the Tikhvin Cemetery at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery

by William Taylor 

Russia is a multi-cultural nation with traditions and historical sites that are to die for. The nation’s culture and history started from the East Slavs, their peculiar way of life and pagan beliefs, and it goes all the way to Eastern Europe and the influences of the Finno-Ugric tribes. In 1453, after Constantinople’s fall, Russia has somehow managed to remain the world’s largest Orthodox nation. At one point in history, the country was deeply influenced by Western Europe’s culture and traditions. Things took a sudden turn in the 20th century, when the Soviet Union and its Communist ideology kicked in.

Nowadays, Russia’s cultural heritage is the 7th in the Nation Brands Index. Because of a rather late involvement in international tourism and modern globalization, the country has preserved most its historical sites and cultural aspects intact. Here are some famous historical sites you cannot miss out on your trip to the magnificent Russian territory.

THE SOLOVETSKY ISLANDS

The stunning Solovetsky Islands are positioned in the White Sea, and the archipelago is made of 6 major islands with over 100 small ones. The destination is a place with an exquisite historical background and cultural ambiance. There’s an imposing monastery in the area that was formed in the 15th century by the Sabbatius, German and Zosima monks. Another hundred years later, it became a powerful Russian symbol. After hosting disgraced noblemen and exiles, the monastery was closed down in 1920 when it turned into a labor camp for the region’s political prisoners. Throughout the Second World War, the site became a Northern Fleet naval school, and in 1950 it was named the Solovetsky Islands Museum Reserve. The Monastery is one of the most notable Russian Orthodox place in Northern Russia.

KIZHI

Kizhi is an open-air museum that prides with an extraordinary architecture. The site is the jewel of Karelia; a place of sheer beauty that grew out of the banks of Lake Onega. The harmonious masterpiece was erected by the nameless artisans of the 18th century. The Great Transfiguration Church in the area highlights 20 domes in the shape of an onion, and it was built without using any nails. According to the legend, the carpenter in charge used a single axe to build the church; and then threw it into the lake to mark the completion of the greatest edifice that he has ever built.

KOMI FORESTS

Europe’s largest and wildest tract of forests is located in the Russian region of Komi, nearby the lush Ural Mountains. The area spans over 3 million hectares, and it is surrounded by the thickest taiga. The virgin forests are not your average travel spot. Avid mountaineers and courageous adventurers will find this place truly inspiring. The habitat in the area is quite unique; packed with endangered animal species and stunning birds, Komi is split into 2 reserves – Yugyd Va and Pechora-Ilychsky. The latter reserve is well-known for the mysterious stone idols that were formed by the mountain rock’s erosion to the Manpupuner Plateau.

YAROSLAVL

Famous for its architecture and overall layout, Yaroslavl is a remarkable historical center in Russia. It dates back to the 18th century and it had quite an impact on the country’s history during Catherine the Great’s reign. Bordered by the Volga and Kotorosl rivers, this unique historic city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a surreal vibe and breathtaking scenery. The milestone of Yaroslavl is the Church of Elijah the Prophet; an emerald-domed edifice that will instantly grab your attention. There numerous theaters in the area too, as well as a circus, planetarium and a philharmonic.

KAZAN

Another fascinating historical site in Russia is Kazan, Tatarstan’s main capital and Russia’s symbol of peaceful coexistence between the Islamic and Christian cultures. The Kremlin of Kazan is the city’s main attraction and most important historical site. It is positioned in the city center and it prides with two monuments – a Muslim monument and an Orthodox monument. From the Soyembike Tower tourists can admire Kazan’s skyline. The mosques and other churches surrounding the city compliment the landscape and make this place a truly exquisite historical site to check out while exploring the Russian territory.

If You Go:

Uncover Russia’s internal beauty and explore its hidden historical sites. Get to know more about its culture and background, and let its people amaze your senses with their fascinating customs and traditions.

About the author:
William Taylor is a traveling freak from his teenage and has traveled many destinations around the world. He also loves writing about his traveling experiences and sharing about the places he has explored. He writes for a site www.baltictravelcompany.com which is Specialists in Baltic holidays, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and the Nordics.

Photo credit:
Solovetsky Islands byАлексей Задонский / CC BY-SA

Suddenly it appeared … the fairy wishing well which held the Russian currency we had been looking for! My companion had greatly wanted Russian coins for his grandson’s collection back in Canada. We had been thwarted at every turn. The banks and exchange kiosks were all closed on Sunday. But just as suddenly as the coins had now appeared, a policeman now also appeared, watching as my companion quickly reached forward to exchange American currency for Russian currency from the wishing well. I held my breath, imagining my companion being dragged off to the police station. However, in his hand were the coins he had wanted for his grandson’s collection and, if anything, had given much more than he took.

It was a very strange feeling I had never experienced before. We were in a new country with no local currency nor any way to get any. We had just emerged from a short strip mall of small shops with the same problem facing all of us in the group. So my companion and I finally had to become content to just meander the pathways of the park with no intention of purchase.

Besides this experience with the fairy wishing well, a few other memorable times are remembered. The pool and fountain housed a single gorgeous pink water lily. A simple foot bridge with a gentle brook below it was graciously set against the afternoon sun and the waters of the Black Sea. We had a great time admiring a portrait artist’s work in the park and befriending a father and his child with our smiles and nods of acknowledgement.

It was a quiet, peaceful time without anything of great consequence happening other than the policeman encounter at the fairy wishing well. It was a simple restful time with local Russian folk and I felt renewed as others before me had probably also felt. And above all, I felt I had set foot in Russia, the homeland of my great grand-parents.

Designed in l898 this park was originally established for the pleasure of Russia’s Tsars who would enjoy extended vacations in Sochi. The subtropical climate of Sochi, on the Black Sea, is the furthest area south in Russia.

It is favourable climate — April to November — with summer — July and August — being around l8 degrees in temperature. The warmest sea temperature for swimming is in July and August at 26 degrees. Many subtropical plants flourish—magnolia, eucalyptuses, palm trees, oleanders, rhododendrons, azaleas and yuccas. Citrus such as tangerine and lemon also grow here.

Today both locals and tourists spend extended times in Riviera Park to enjoy nature. One of the favourite areas of the park is the ‘Glade of Friendship’ or ‘Friendship Alley’ established in l960. It is mainly a magnolia grove which was planted by a Sochi-born cosmonaut to promote peaceful space exploration. There is also a botanical garden next to the park which contains trees and shrubs from around the world.

Vendor side stalls, artist’s displays, games, amusement park rides, art galleries, sports facilities, a cinema, numerous cafes, statues, a pool with a fountain and the Green Theatre, a venue for outdoor music performances fill the park. A pedestrian bridge connects the harbour to the park.

If You Go:

♦ Sochi, Russia on Wikitravel
♦ Visa: Not necessary by cruise ship or ferry; otherwise visa necessary which takes several months.
♦ By Air: Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as flights from Vienna and Istanbul.
♦ By Water: Ferry from Trabzon, Turkey, three to five hours May-Oct. twice a week; from Batumi, Georgia, 4.5 hrs., daily
♦ By Train: 2.5 hrs. from Moscow
♦ By Car: Through Ukraine and Turkey, 1660 km from Moscow

Private Arrival Transfer: Sochi Airport to Sochi Arrival Hotel

All photographs by Mara Baudais:
The fairy wishing well holding Russian coins
The footbridge from the harbour to the park
Entrance to amusement section
Clam & Clock – Statue

About the author:
Mara Baudais writes creative non-fiction, travel articles, philosophical essays, memoirs and poetry. These are mainly based on traveling and/or a deeply insightful experience. Besides extensively traveling in Europe, she has visited North Africa, Thailand, Israel, Turkey, China, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Sri Lanka post-tsunami, Guatemala, Canada (coast to coast), local areas of the B.C. coast and the Yukon. Recently was a six month trip from Great Britain to the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea countries. The most recent trip was to Russia with a river cruise, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sergiev Posad, a medieval pilgrimage town. An upcoming trip is a four month trip to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Sochi, Russia

by Mara Baudais

I had walked for two hours—alone with the sounds of an approaching storm.

Thunder, then lightning flashed above the forest. Light rain fell, then more. My group, all passengers from my ship that had docked at Sochi, had quickly scampered ahead at the first crack of thunder. Somehow, suddenly it had happened…I was on my own, on increasingly slippery granite, limestone steps, roots and uneven chunks of clay.

I had both a knee and ankle support on an already compromised left leg. As well, I was still recuperating from a very bad case of bronchitis and rib inflammation started by two wasp stings. However, I had resolved to take this tour unless I was bed-ridden, not knowing how difficult this trail was really going to be. I was eager to set foot in Russia since I had Russian great- grandparents who had emigrated to Canada.

It had become impossible for me to keep up with this very mobile group. At first I found it quite amusing to see the guide on the steps with her wobbly spiked red heels. After the third trip to see if I was still alive, she never returned to me again. That was not quite so funny! I was alone somewhere in this Reserve with a storm brewing and the dusk increasing.

Half way, (according to a Russian sign) I knew there was nothing else to do but go forward. I had to shuffle my feet to keep upright as it was so slippery, other times hanging onto guard rails. I looked for moss, leaves and gravel for traction. I climbed innumerable rock steps, my breathing heavy, my chest and ribs aching. My fever returned. With every uneven step my ankle and knee were jarred. I was conscious of not falling. I had no choice but to keep going.

Then, it appeared–what I had come to see–a corridor of ancient limestone and shale, ten million years old, right angling into the next section. They appeared as elongated dominoes thrust from the Black Sea floor through eons of upheaval as the mountains formed. Pieces of fossilized plant and crustacean life had found their resting place far from the sea bed.

I gently touched the fossils, lingering as long as I could with thunder, lightning and gentle rain as my companions. I fingered the ancient layers, marvelling that at one point in prehistory these same crustaceans below my fingers were once part of a sea. I tried to capture the eternity they held. I now knew being alone was a gift with which to experience this ancient place and I was so grateful for this solitary time.

I remember that moment. There was a closer flash of lightning, an ominous loud roll of thunder. Deepening twilight was quickly creeping towards me soon to cover treacherous steps. The moist smell of decaying vegetation and spores from ferns enveloped me.

I passed a cat, white with orange stripes, curled into a mossy tree root. It had found its home. I still needed to find mine. I came face to face with a wire fence at the end of a path. I retraced my steps for about five minutes, getting back on the main path. I did not want to think about making such a mistake again in the dark.

I carried on, into darkness now. Surely it couldn’t be much further. Where was the rest of the group? I passed a lone statute of a leopard as if leaping. My steps quickened. Why was this statue here? I later learnt that this area is home to the Persian Snow Leopard, an endangered species.

A few more minutes of walking I came to a mountain hut lit by a porch lantern. My group was sipping tea and looking at simple souvenirs, mainly icons of saints. I bought one in thanks for my safety. I was the only one who bought one. Then, one of the group handed me a cup of steaming tea and said, “Wow, you must have had quite an adventure out there on your own!” I smiled and said, “Yes, an adventure of a lifetime! I wouldn’t have missed one step of it!”

The city of Sochi sits at the eastern end of the Black Sea at Russia’s furthest area south. It is known as the ‘Summer Capital of Russia’ and also the ‘Black Sea Pearl’. Four million visitors arrive annually. In a subtropical area, it has been a favourite resort since the Tzars. The Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, north of Sochi, is part of the Caucasus Mountains, with 3000 km2 of unique and diverse flora and fauna.

Human habitation goes back 500,000 years and there are undisturbed remnants of 150 prehistoric villages. The area was a prince’s hunting reserve called ‘Kuban Chase’ in the l880s. In 1906 the area was returned to settlers. In 1924 the area was referred to as the Kavkazskiy Reserve. In 1999 it became a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, 120 km east to west and 50 km north to south.

The Reserve is at the west edge of the Caucasus backed by the Black Sea. This sea played an enormous part in the unique geology of the area—with karst limestone formations—of many forms. The glaciated landscape ranges from 250 to 3000 metres in height. There is a diversity of ecosystems containing sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. Ancient geological formations range from crystalline rocks, ancient glacial forms, caves, limestone ranges of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Precambrian to Paleozoic periods are represented by mountain peaks, valleys, 130 high altitude lakes, mountain bogs, 60 remnant glaciers and moraines. There are 130 caves, one being 15 km, the longest in all of Russia. Landscapes are generally Mediterranean mountain forest and meadow.

Inhabiting this area are 384 species of vertebrates. There are 60 mammal species including wolf, bear, lynx, wild boar, deer, chamois and reintroduced European bison which are globally endangered. There are 246 species of birds, some endangered as well as l5 species of reptiles, 7 of amphibians, 12 kinds of fishes and 2500 recorded insect species from a projected total of 5000.

This area has been home to the Persian Snow Leopard, another threatened species. It was chosen as one of the mascots for the 2014 Olympic Games. In 2009, a Persian Snow Leopard Reintroduction Centre was established. Two male leopards from Turkmenistan and two females from Persia are in the Centre and their offspring will be released into the Reserve. In 2012 a pair of leopards from Portugal’s zoo was also brought to the Reserve and in 2013 they had a litter, the first Persian Snow Leopard cubs born in Russia in 50 years. They will be released when independent.

Only wild animals graze here and huge areas of undisturbed forests are unique in Europe covering 60% of the Reserve. There are beech, oak, maple, hornbeam, chestnut, Nordmann Fir, (thought to be the tallest European tree) a unique form of English Yew, pine, spruce and European Box. One third of the total plant life is found only here. Ten percent of the plant life is a relic of an ancient time period.

The yew-box tree-grove through which most visitors hike, the sub-tropical part, contain plants preserved without change for many millennium. More than 200 kinds of herbal and 70 kinds of wood plants live here.

If You Go:

♦ Sochi National Park
♦ Visa: Not necessary by cruise ship or ferry; otherwise visa is necessary, which takes several months.
♦ By Air: Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as flights from Vienna and Istanbul.
♦ By Water: Ferry from Trabzon, Turkey, 3.5 hours,May to Oct. twice a week; from Batumi, Georgia, 4.5 hours, daily.
♦ By Train: 2.5 hours from Moscow.
♦ By Car: Through Ukraine and Turkey, 1660 km from Moscow.

Private Arrival Transfer: Sochi Airport to Sochi Arrival Hotel

A Must Watch:
Caucasus-Caucasian Biosphere Reserve with Sergey Karpukhin’s Photography. Fabulous photography and music.


All photographs by Mara Baudais:
Snow Leopard statue
Knarled growths of old trees
First part of the path
To the right of photo, descending onto lower path
Beautiful but dangerous area of steps and pathway
Stratified limestone
Forest and ferns

About the author:
Mara Baudais writes creative non-fiction, travel articles, philosophical essays, memoirs and poetry. These are mainly based on traveling and/or a deeply insightful experience. Besides extensively traveling in Europe, she has visited North Africa, Thailand, Israel, Turkey, China, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, Sri Lanka post-tsunami, Guatemala, Canada (coast to coast), local areas of the B.C. coast and the Yukon. Recently was a six month trip from Great Britain to the eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea countries. The most recent trip was to Russia with a river cruise, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sergiev Posad, a medieval pilgrimage town.

by Adam Bennett

As I stared into the thick bulletproof glass separating me from the legendary dogmatic Russian leader I was surprised to see he was still looking his best. During the first few weeks after his death in 1924 Lenin was embalmed and set on display in Red Square. This enabled over ¾ million Russian citizens to pay their respects to the man who liberated them from the former socially destructive Tsar dynasty in the early 20th century.

Born Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov, he became known as Lenin whilst in exile in Siberia during the early years of his political career. Some say he took his name from a nearby lake or from his middle name Ilich. Resting in a grand red granite mausoleum, Lenin’s cyrillic name is set atop the entrance echoing a turbulent Soviet and Russian past.

I arrived in Red Square on a blisteringly cold January morning and was instantly taken aback at the incredible sight of St. Basil’s cathedral, the Kremlin and Lenin’s Mausoleum. Red Square’s infamous red brick and cobbled stone have seen witness to public executions, Soviet parades and rock concerts. Even though at the time I only had a hazy knowledge of Russian history, Red Square is a truly spectacular sight and a historical attraction I had always wanted to visit.

As I joined a long queue of weary tourists I struck up a conversation with a fellow Englishman who was visiting Lenin for the second time. He explained to me that during his first visit he queued for well over two hours before arriving at the airport style security checks only to be turned away because he still had a mobile phone in his pocket. Thankfully, entrance to the mausoleum is free, however visitors should be mindful to store any cameras, mobile phones or bags at the cloakroom nearby to the mausoleum.

Luckily, I only queued for half an hour before reaching the security barriers. The sullen faces of the soldiers manning security gave the impression that this was one of the more menial tasks given to a Russian soldier and it lead me to conclude that they did not want to be there.

To keep the mausoleum from getting overcrowded the soldiers let groups of around 12 visitors through the security barriers at 10-minute intervals. As I was going through the security checks one soldier stared point blank at me before saying something in frustrated Russian and scanning me with a flashing handheld device. He gestured for me to continue through the security barrier and I joined a small group of visitors being herded down a granite path. As we reached the entrance it became apparent that the mausoleum was much larger than it had first appeared.

The atmosphere was tense and by this time all visitors had taken their hats off apart from me. This was much to the annoyance of one soldier who angrily motioned for me to remove my hat immediately. Now accompanied by two armed guards, we descended down three dark flights of stairs until we reached the crypt.

The crypt was dimly lit and five heavily armed guards stationed in different corners of the room watched us intently as we entered. Lenin, complete in his replica 1920’s style suit (the original was replaced in 2003) and trademark white spotted tie he almost looked peacefully asleep behind the glass. His head rests on a velvet pillow with his arms by his side and the embalmed communist leader could have been mistaken for a wax model at Madame Tussauds. I learnt afterwards that both the temperature and lighting within the tomb are meticulously monitored to ensure that Lenin’s body will continue to be seen by millions of people in the years to come.

As we came out of the mausoleum into the cold Russian air we were guided along a series of gravestones and busts of some of Russia’s most famous figures including Josef Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky and Mikhail Kalinin. There is also a plaque dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

For any traveler visiting Moscow and Red Square Lenin’s mausoleum is a definite must see especially for those who have an interest in Russian history. An experience that you won’t forget in a hurry. Vladimir ‘Lenin’ Ulyanov revolutionised Russia and is one of the most charismatic figures of the early 20th century.

Tour to The Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow Russia

If You Go:

♦ Leave cameras at home! Whilst there is a cloakroom facility next to the mausoleum, it is expensive and you definitely won’t be allowed inside with any digital technology.
♦ Arrive early! There will always be a queue to visit Lenin. On weekends and peak times queues can last up to four hours. Just because you’re in the queue it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed entry either. It’s all up to the guard’s digression.
♦ Check the opening times! Lenin’s mausoleum is never open on a Monday but is open from 10am – 1pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Photo credits:
Lenin’s Tomb by Rosie Hayes from Pixabay
Portrait of Lenin by Wwamirhosseinww / CC BY-SA
Lenin monument by Ferran Cornellà / CC BY-SA

About the author:
Fuelled by his love of travelling and being on the road, Adam Bennett has written some unique and compelling articles from his experiences across the globe. From visiting dogmatic political figures in Red Square to recounting stories of touring and busking throughout Europe. Adam Bennett gives a delectable insight into the world of nomadic travelling.