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Places where every cultured person dreams of visiting.
Experts from the world's largest travel site TripAdvisor have compiled a rating of 25 cultural sites that have been most highly rated by tourists from around the globe.
In general, if you have not yet decided on your vacation plans, in this review website you can find some great ideas. For the next 25 vacations.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located on the territory of modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called the "city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", sometimes called the "lost city of the Incas". Some archaeologists believe that this city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded the territory of the Inca empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
2. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the six largest mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.
3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.
4. Mesquita, Cordoba, Spain
Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by the Visigothic church, and in 785 Mesquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated with the hajj to Mecca, which is obligatory for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian church.
5. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy
The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can see ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, defend the mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.
6. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever created, with a history of almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal building is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.
7. Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The "highlight" of Bayon is the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from a height on the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and in the heyday of the state - on the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers have survived.
8. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, has become the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. Spas-on-Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the splendor of its domes and interiors, but also with an unusual history that has given rise to many legends and conjectures. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, I. Grinevitsky, a Narodnaya Volya member, mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.
9. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
10. Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia
In 1979, UNESCO added the Old Town of Dubrovnik to the World Heritage List, including a large part of the ancient walls of the city. They surround the city on all four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. These defensive stone walls have protected their citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.
11. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the highest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptural images of mythical and real animals : golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, the Shwedagon Pagoda became in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the giant temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed with gold from top to bottom.
12. Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington DC
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple, made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president, seated in an armchair. Its height is 5.79 meters.
13. Ancient City of Petra, Petra / Wadi Musa, Jordan
In the heart of Jordan, in the valley of Wadi Musa, deep in the sandy mountains, is the amazing city of ancient Petra. Initially, Petra was a temporary home for the nomadic tribes of the Nabataeans. From several fortified rocky caves, it gradually grew into a large fortress city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow gorge of the Siq, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who welcome guests to their land.
14. Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China
In no other section of the Great Wall of China has restoration work been carried out as well as in the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a real architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu is translated from Chinese as "a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields." Among all sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.
15. Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk, Turkey
The largest and best preserved ancient city on the shores of the Aegean Sea and the second largest after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androclus, the son of the ruler of Athens Codras, who, on the advice of the oracle, arrived in these places to lay the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, beloved of Androclus.
16. Alhambra, Spain
Alhambra (Arabic Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is an ancient palace and fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name comes from the "red flame of torches" that illuminated the long-term construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.
17. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a panoramic view of the monument opens.
18. Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
According to the annals, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main rival and opponent of Florence, "called on their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than their neighbors." So between 1215 and 1263, the Duomo of Siena was founded on the site of the old temple according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.
19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy
The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nashente (Duomo), the pearl of Italian Gothic, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can safely be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers rise above the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many parts of the city.
20. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although initially Antonio Gaudi had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work, he led this project. Gaudí built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.
25. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Its architect was the Dane Jorn Utzon. Having designed the original roofs, somewhat reminiscent of shells, he made Sydney a magnificent gift - a symbol of the city. Today, every tourist, planning to visit Australia, must include an excursion to the majestic opera house in the program of his trip.
As often happens, we judge this or that city only by its main sights. However, any city, like any person, the more you get to know it, the more it opens up with new, unexpected facets. Below are 10 must-see places in Moscow. They are very interesting for understanding the many-sided image of the capital.
Planetarium
The restored planetarium is of great interest to both adults and children. Anyone will find something to do here. There is a stereo cinema, as well as a small star hall, where there are dynamic chairs. The planetarium boasts the largest dome-screen in Europe, which displays pictures of the starry sky. There are 2 halls
Lunarium, where you can learn in a playful way about the refraction of light, gravity, the creation of black holes, craters, etc. Everything can be twisted, twisted, shaken, touched. At the Astroplatform you will be told a lot of interesting things about the moon, the starry sky, and time zones.
The planetarium is located on the street. Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya at 5, building 1. Walking distance from Krasnopresnenskaya or Barrikadnaya metro station. Opening hours - 9–21 (on weekends until 22).
A ticket costs from 80 to 600 rubles.
Ostankino Tower
It has long been a real symbol of the capital. Now there is a great opportunity to visit not only its open (at a height of 340 m) and closed (at a height of 337 m) viewing platforms, but also to be in a museum, and then have lunch in a restaurant right under the clouds.
Sightseeing tours are held daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
The viewing radius in good clear weather is 60 km. The TV tower itself, 540 meters high, weighs 55,000 tons. Do you know that the Ostankino TV tower is an image of a ten-petalled inverted lily?
The tower is allowed only with an identity document. Tickets can be purchased before the start of the session after registration.
Address: st. Akademika Koroleva, 15, building 2. From VDNKh or Alekseevskaya metro station by any trolleybus.
Observation deck Moscow-City
Now it is not necessary to go abroad to see skyscrapers. Moscow has its own. They have become her permanent attraction.
The Moscow-City project can certainly be called the most ambitious and expensive long-term construction in Russia. Many are still debating about its expediency and its appearance, which distorts the historical appearance of the capital. However, Moscow is so diverse that the high-tech architectural cacophony has become its modern feature.
Moscow can now be seen in all its glory from a bird's eye view. One of the observation platforms is located on the 58th floor of the Empire Tower. From here you can clearly see Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov, Ostankino TV tower, White House, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, etc.
From the Delovoy Tsentr or Vystavochnaya metro station, you need to go to the Afimall City shopping and entertainment center, go up to the 2nd floor and walk to the southern entrance of the Empire tower. Tickets are sold at the Reception Desk.
Apothecary garden
It is located on Prospekt Mira, house 26, building 1 and is the oldest botanical garden in Russia. We can say with confidence about it: it is the most informative, well-groomed, conveniently located, photogenic and cozy.
It was founded by Peter I for the cultivation of medicinal plants in 1706, and in 1805 it was bought by Moscow State University. Of course, he experienced different times together with the country, but he always fulfilled a noble mission: he talked about the world of plants on Earth.
Summer always reigns in his greenhouses. It is especially pleasant to visit them on frosty winter days. In the Palm Greenhouse you can see a large collection of orchids from around the world. They grow among huge bananas, age-old palms and tropical vines. 1500 species of succulents will not leave anyone indifferent. Moreover, now some plants can even be touched.
Museum "House on the Embankment"
It is the only museum of its kind in the country and one of the few of its kind in the world. The atmosphere of the 30s is recreated here. 20th century based on materials from the history of the house and its inhabitants - photographs, interior items, books, personal items and documents.
The decision to build a house was made in 1927 due to the fact that in Moscow there was not enough housing for responsible party workers. In 1931, the first residents were party leaders, scientists, old Bolsheviks, Heroes
Soviet Union and Socialist Labor, famous writers, heroes of the war in Spain, etc. Among the residents of the house in different years were Alliluyeva, Aroseva, Demyan Bedny, Zhukov, Kosygin, Lepeshinskaya, Rykov, Tukhachevsky, Khrushchev and others.
The house was built in the style of late constructivism according to the project of B. Iofan, who conceived it in red, like the Kremlin. But due to lack of funds, the house was built gray. In total, it has 24 entrances, 12 floors and 505 apartments.
The museum is small in area and occupies one apartment. Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 6.30 pm, Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, weekends from 11 am to 6 pm.
Get to the stop. "Drummer Cinema" from m. Polyanka, Library. Lenin or Oktyabrskaya on any trolleybus. Address: st. Serafimovich, house 2, entrance 1.
Museum "Lights of Moscow"
There is another interesting place in Armenian lane, 3-5, building 1, which is worth a visit - this is the Moscow Lights Museum. It is hidden in a cozy park. Ring the intercom and go down to the basement. You will be given a remote control and an interesting program about the museum. The remote control is needed in order to turn on and off the fancy lanterns-exhibits, thereby creating the atmosphere of bygone times.
Once on the second floor, you will see the recreated life of apartments from different times and lighting fixtures. The museum is small but informative. The inspection fee is a symbolic 30-130 rubles. Works from 11 to 18.
You can get there on foot from metro station Lubyanka, Kuznetsky Most or Kitay-gorod.
Museum of Musical Culture named after M.I. Glinka
This museum has no analogues in the world and is a true treasure trove of musical culture monuments. Here you can find musical editions, and literary manuscripts, and studies on the history of culture, and rare books. The museum keeps letters, autographs, documents related to the work of Russian and foreign musical figures.
The museum is especially proud of its unique collection of musical instruments from the peoples of the world, including string instruments-masterpieces of Stradivari, the Amati and Guarneri families.
Located on st. Fadeeva, 4. From the Mayakovskaya and Novoslobodskaya metro stations - to the troll. 3, 47 to the stop. Museum of Musical Culture, troll. "B" or 10 to the stop. "Vorotnikovsky Lane".
Peredelkino
Peredelkino is such a unique place that you can enjoy nature and landscapes, admire the beauty of Orthodox churches in the residence of the Patriarch and plunge into the literary world. You need to get here for the whole day.
The village is located 5 km from the Moscow Ring Road in the south-west of Moscow. You can get there by train.
The writer's town with its museums of Pasternak, Chukovsky, Okudzhava is a materialized history of Soviet literature.
Restaurant "In the Dark?!"
This restaurant is for those who like to visit original places. Dinner will be held in pitch darkness, and blind waiters will serve. The restaurant was founded by an ophthalmologist to help the blind find their place in life.
The sighted and the blind change places here. The restaurant has 4 halls, but the main one is dark. You must first choose one of 5 sets worth 2,000 rubles for dinner: blue (fish), red (meat), yellow (Japanese), green (vegetarian), or white (assorted).
Then you leave things in the safe. Dinner in complete darkness will take you 2 hours. They say that people in the dark behave the same way - they get to know each other more willingly, speak louder and joke more often. In the dark, hearing, smell, touch, and taste become more acute.
From m. Novoslobodskaya or Dostoevskaya to the street. October, 2/4.
Savvinskoye Compound
Few Muscovites know about its existence, because it is hidden from the eyes of passers-by, while being in the very center. Passing along Tverskaya, be sure to look into the arch of house number 6.
Before you opens a beautiful monument of architecture, which was built in 1907 by the architect Kuznetsov in a fabulous Russian style with decorative elements of Baroque and Art Nouveau. Compound - profitable house of the Savvinsky monastery. I wonder what it's up to
1937 was located directly on Tverskaya. In 1938-40. the houses on the even side of the street were to be relocated to the north. Many buildings were ruthlessly demolished, but the Savvinsky Metochion was lucky - with the help of a special technology developed by engineer Handel, it was moved deep into the quarter to a new foundation. It's hard to imagine, but the building weighing 23,000 tons was moved on the night of November 4, 1939. Moreover, what is absolutely surprising - without the resettlement of its residents.
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 triumphant monument to the successful completion of Russia's struggle for access to the Baltic Sea. The monument of world architecture and palace and park art includes a palace and park ensemble of the 18th-19th 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)
From the annals it is known 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 defensive structures. 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 also included the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni Temple, the Kungur Cave, the Solovetsky Archipelago, the Curonian Spit, the Valley of Geysers, the cable-stayed bridges in Vladivostok and other attractions.
We present the most beautiful places of our country, which should be seen not only by every photographer and traveler, but also by every inhabitant of our vast Russia. Read our material and you will see: we all have something to be proud of!
Natural parks, reserves
Lena Pillars, Yakutia
The Lena Pillars is a natural park in Russia, located on the banks of the Lena River in the Khangalassky ulus of Yakutia, 104 km from the city of Pokrovsk. The complex of vertically elongated rocks stretching for many kilometers, bizarrely piled up along the banks of the Lena, a deep valley cutting through the Prilenskoye plateau, never ceases to attract photographers and travelers. The pillars reach the highest density between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary.
The height of the rock formations reaches 100 meters. Scientists believe that the formation of rocks began 560-540 million years ago, and the formation of the Lena Pillars as a form of relief - about 400 thousand years ago.
The Lena Pillars Nature Park was organized on the basis of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) dated August 16, 1994 No. 837 and the government decree dated February 10, 1995 and is subordinate to the regional Ministry of Nature Protection. The area of the park is 485 thousand hectares, the park consists of two branches - "Pillars" and "Sinsky".
Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka
The Valley of Geysers, one of the largest geyser fields in the world and the only one in Eurasia, is located in Kamchatka in the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Volcanoes of Kamchatka natural complex.
The valley is a deep canyon of the Geysernaya River, on the sides of which, on an area of about 6 square meters. km there are numerous outlets of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, thermal sites, waterfalls and lakes. On this territory, there is an abnormally high biodiversity and a high contrast of natural conditions and microclimate. The ecosystem of the Valley of Geysers is unique for the whole country. The reserve regime operates on the territory of the valley.
Since 1992, helicopter excursions have been organized here, under an agreement with the reserve, there is a strict system of rules for organizing excursions in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. In 2008, according to the voting results, the Valley of Geysers was included in the list of seven wonders of Russia.
Weathering pillars, Komi Republic
Pillars of weathering (Mansi blockheads) is a geological monument located in the Troitsko-Pechora region of the Komi Republic on the territory of the Pechoro-Ilychsky reserve on Mount Man-Pupu-ner (“Small mountain of idols” translated from the Mansi language), in the interfluve of the Ichotlyaga and Pechora rivers . There are many legends associated with this extraordinary place. Pillars are considered one of the seven wonders of Russia.
Weathering Pillars are located quite far from inhabited places. Getting to them is already a feat in a sense. For this, by the way, you need to get a pass from the administration of the reserve. From the side of the Sverdlovsk region and the Perm Territory there is a walking route, from the side of the Komi Republic - automobile, water and foot routes.
About 200 million years ago, there were high mountains in the place of stone pillars. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the mountains, and first of all the weak rocks. Hard sericite-quartzite shales were less destroyed and survived to this day, while soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and carried by water and wind into relief depressions.
One pillar, 34 m high, stands somewhat apart from the others. Six others lined up at the edge of the cliff. The pillars have bizarre outlines and, depending on the place of inspection, either resemble the figure of a huge man, or the head of a horse or a ram. Indeed, this place is ideal for a photographer's fantasy! In the past, the Mansi deified the grandiose stone sculptures, worshiped them, but climbing the Manpupuner was considered the greatest sin.
Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad Region
The Curonian Spit is a sandy spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It is a narrow and long strip of saber-shaped land separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea and stretching from the city of Zelenogradsk in the Kaliningrad region to the city of Klaipeda (Smiltyne) (Lithuania). The name of the spit comes from the name of the ancient tribes of the Curonians, who lived here before the colonization of Prussia by the Germans.
Length - 98 kilometers, width ranges from 400 meters (near the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (near Cape Bulviko, just north of Nida).
The Curonian Spit is a unique natural and anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic significance: the Curonian Spit is the largest sand body, which, along with the Hel and Vistula, is part of the Baltic complex of sand spits, which has no analogues in the world. The high level of biological diversity due to the combination of different landscapes - from desert (dunes) to tundra (raised swamp) - gives an idea of important and long-term ecological and biological processes in evolution.
The most significant element of the relief of the spit is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3 - 1 km wide, partly approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m). Due to its geographic location and northeast-southwest orientation, it serves as a corridor for migratory birds of many species flying from the northwestern regions of Russia, Finland and the Baltic countries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe. Every year, in spring and autumn, 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, most of which stop here for rest and feeding.
Favorable climatic conditions allow you to relax on the Curonian Spit from May to November. In 2000, the Curonian Spit was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Nature reserve "Stolby". Krasnoyarsk region
The reserve is located on the northwestern spurs of the Eastern Sayan, bordering on the Central Siberian Plateau. The natural boundaries of the protected area are the right tributaries of the river. Yenisei: in the northeast - the Bazaikha river, in the south and southwest - the Mana and Bolshaya Slizneva rivers. From the northeast, the territory borders on the city of Krasnoyarsk, the border of the reserve can be reached by bus. The reserve was founded in 1925 on the initiative of the city residents to preserve natural complexes around the picturesque syenite remnants - "pillars". At present, its area is 47,219 hectares. Submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
lakes
Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia
It is unlikely that Baikal needs any descriptions, but still ... Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet, the largest natural reservoir of fresh water. The lake and coastal areas are distinguished by a unique diversity of flora and fauna. Locals and many in Russia traditionally call Baikal the sea.
The value of the maximum depth of the lake - 1642 m - was established in 1983 by L. G. Kolotilo and A. I. Sulimov during hydrographic work. The average depth of the lake is also very high - 744.4 m. In addition to Baikal, only two lakes on Earth have a depth of more than 1000 meters: Tanganyika (1470 m) and the Caspian Sea (1025 m). One of the visiting cards of Russia, a place that you need to see with your own eyes at least once in your life!
Lake Seliger, Tver and Novgorod regions
Another place that needs no introduction. By the way, Seliger has another name - Ostashkovskoye Lake, after the name of the city of Ostashkov standing on the lake shore. The area of the lake is 260 sq. km, including about 38 sq. km. km falls on the islands (there are more than 160 of them on Seliger). The largest among them is the island of Khachin. The area of the entire pool is 2275 sq. km.
Seliger receives 110 tributaries. The largest are the rivers Krapivenka, Soroga and Seremukha. Only one river Selizharovka flows from it. The lake lies at an altitude of 205 meters above sea level and is of glacial origin. This explains its peculiar shape - it is not a lake in the usual sense, but rather a chain of lakes stretching from north to south for 100 km and interconnected by short narrow channels. The coastline with a length of more than 500 km is notable for its indentation - capes overgrown with forests, deep picturesque bays protruding into the land, various in shape of the island.
The water in Seliger is clear, transparency reaches 5 meters. On the shores of the southern part of Lake Seliger are the city of Ostashkov and the estate "New Yeltsy".
Lake Kezenoy-am, Chechen Republic
Kezenoy-am is a lake on the border of the Vedeno region of the Chechen Republic and the Botlikh region of Dagestan. This is the largest and deepest lake in the North Caucasus, located at an altitude of more than 1800 meters above sea level. The surface of the lake is 2.4 sq. km.
The depth of the lake reaches 74 m. The length of the lake from north to south is 2 kilometers, and from west to east - 2.7 kilometers. The maximum width is 735 meters. The length of the coastline is 10 kilometers.
Lake Baskunchak
Akhtubinsky district, Astrakhan region
Baskunchak is a salt lake with an area of about 115 sq. km in the Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region, about 270 km north of the Caspian Sea, and 53 km east of the Volga. Lake Baskunchak is part of a unique natural complex, which includes Mount Bolshoye Bogdo. In 1997, the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky natural complex was declared a reserve (Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky reserve), where a special environmental regime was established on an area of 53.7 thousand hectares.
On the coast of the lake there are deposits of medicinal clays. In June-August, tourists come to the lake to swim in brine and take mud baths. There is no need to talk about the beauty of these places. There are no less photographers than those wishing to improve their health.
Jack London Lake, Magadan Region
Located in the upper reaches of the Kolyma River in the Yagodninsky district of the Magadan region, lies among the mountains, at an altitude of 803 meters, the length of the lake in the northwest direction is 10 kilometers, the depth is 50 meters.
There are many small lakes around Jack London Lake. The most prominent in size are the lakes Mechta, Anemone, Gray Gull, Invisible, Neighboring, Kudinovskie lakes. One of the most beautiful and exotic lakes in the Far East. Old-timers say that the lake got its name thanks to an unusual find made by the “discoverers”. When the lake was discovered, on the shore, the researchers found Jack London's book "Martin Eden".
Lake Elton, Volgograd Region
Elton is a salty drainless self-sustaining lake in the Pallasovsky district of the Volgograd region, located near the border with Kazakhstan. It is considered the largest mineral lake in Europe and one of the most mineralized in the world. They say that the name of the lake comes from the Mongolian word "Altyn-Nor" - "gold mine".
The area of the lake is 152 sq. km. Until 1882, salt was mined on the Elton, in 1910 the medical sanatorium "Elton" was founded on its shore (moved to a new location in 1945). In 2001, the lake and the surrounding areas of virgin steppes (106 thousand hectares) became part of the State Institution "Natural Park" Elton "".
Blue Lakes. Cherek-Balkar Gorge, Kabardino-Balkaria
A group of five karst lakes in the Cherek region of Kabardino-Balkaria is located at the foot of a rocky ridge, from where the Cherek-Balkar gorge begins. Located at the entrance to the gorge, Blue Lake is a unique natural phenomenon, interesting not only for Kabardino-Balkaria, but also on a national scale. Lower Blue Lake has several names: Chirik-kel (balk.) - rotten (stinking) lake; Sherej-ana (kab.) - mother of Cherek; Psykhurei (kab.) - round water (lake), natural artesian well.
The uniqueness of the Lower Blue Lake lies in the fact that with a relatively small surface (only 235 × 130 m), its depth reaches 258 meters. The water temperature on the surface in winter and summer is about +9 degrees. Not a single stream or river flows into the lake, but about 70 million liters flow out daily. At the same time, the level of the lake is unchanged, which is explained by powerful underwater sources. The blue color of the water is due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide and the refraction of light rays in a deep pool.
The nature here is quite picturesque: green hills, dense beech forests on steep slopes, and in the distance, in a blue haze, peaks sparkling in the sun. Closer to Babugent, the greenery becomes brighter, juicier. Near the village of Babugent there is a fork in the road. At the beginning of the road to the lake, there is a cave in the rock, in which traces of an ancient site of the 5th-10th centuries AD were found. Now many bats settle there, and sometimes, in bad weather, shepherds with flocks of sheep hide.
Seydozero, Kola Peninsula, Murmansk region
Lake in the Lovozero tundra on the Kola Peninsula. "Seid" in translation from the Sami language means "sacred". The lake is located at an altitude of 189 m above sea level. The length of Seydozero is 8 km, the width is from 1.5 to 2.5 km.
According to a number of science fiction writers and ufologists, one of the alleged places of existence of the Hyperborean civilization. Seekers of the unknown have been exploring these places since 1922.
Lake (reservoir) Zyuratkul. Chelyabinsk region
Zyuratkul is located in the Satkinsky district of the Chelyabinsk region on the territory of the national park of the same name. One of the highest (724 m above sea level) reservoirs of the Southern Urals. The reservoir is surrounded by mountain ranges covered with dark coniferous forests. To the southwest is the Nurgush ridge - the highest ridge in the Chelyabinsk region. The main river that feeds the reservoir is the Bolshoi Kyl. Near the source of the Satka River and the dam is the small village of Zyuratkul, connected by bus with the city of Satka.
Previously, Zyuratkul was a natural lake. Now - a reservoir formed by a dam built on the Big Satka. A giant geoglyph was found near the lake. About forty stone tools made of quartzite were also found. The stone chipping technique makes it possible to date the tools to the Neolithic and Eneolithic (VI-III millennium BC). Researchers are still inclined towards the Copper-Stone Age (IV-III millennium BC). It is noted that at that time there were practically no forests in the Southern Urals (they appeared only 2,500 years ago), so the figure was easy to build and then view from a neighboring ridge until it was covered with a layer of soil.
Until the winter of 2012, another popular attraction was located on the shores of Lake Zyuratkul - Kitova Pier, which was also called the "Ural Disneyland". But in the fall of 2012, by a court decision, it was demolished.
Mountains and volcanoes
Elbrus, Kabardino-Balkaria
Elbrus is a stratovolcano located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Elbrus is located north of the Greater Caucasus Range and is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, often Elbrus is also called the highest European mountain peak, thereby referring it to the list of "Seven Peaks".
The height of the western peak is 5642 m, the eastern one is 5621 m. The gorges of Adylsu, Shkheldy, Adyrsu, Donguz-Orun and Ushba massifs are very popular among climbers and mountain tourists. Elbrus is the most popular ski resort in Russia. The total area of Elbrus glaciers is 134.5 sq. km. The most famous of them are: Big and Small Azau, Terskol.
Altai mountains
The Altai Mountains represent a complex system of the highest ranges in Siberia, separated by deep river valleys and vast intramountain and intermountain basins. The mountain system at the junction of the borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan. It is divided into Southern Altai (Southwestern), Southeastern Altai and Eastern Altai, Central Altai, Northern and Northeastern Altai, Northwestern Altai.
The Altai, Katunsky nature reserves and the Ukok plateau together form the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Altai - Golden Mountains". Thousands of tourists come to Altai. This is a favorite place for photo tours and independent trips.
Plateau "Divnogorie", Liskinsky district, Voronezh region
"Divnogorye" - a hill and a museum-reserve in the Liskinsky district of the Voronezh region of Russia. It is located 10 km west of the district center on the right bank of the Don River and 80 km south of Voronezh. The museum was founded here in 1988, and in 1991 it received the status of a museum-reserve. Currently, the museum-reserve is one of the most popular and most recognizable sights of the Voronezh region. Every season, from May to October, it is visited by more than 60 thousand tourists.
The area of the museum-reserve is more than 11 sq. km. The maximum height of the plateau above sea level reaches 181 meters, relative - 103 meters (the mouth of the Quiet Pine River at the confluence with the Don, which flows at the foot of the plateau, is located at an altitude of 78 m above sea level).
Dombay-Ulgen, Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Dombay-Ulgen is the peak of the western part of the Dividing Range of the Greater Caucasus (on the border of Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic). Dombay-Ulgen is the highest peak of Abkhazia, located east of the village of Dombay, has three peaks: western (4036 m), main (4046 m) and eastern (3950 m).
A steep ridge extends from the main peak to the north, ending in a lowering - the "Dombay saddle". From the Dombai saddle, there is a classic route (category 3B) going up, accessible for climbing in one day with a descent to the camp.
Putorana Plateau, Krasnoyarsk Territory
The Putorana Plateau is a mountain range located in the northwest of the Central Siberian Plateau. In the north and west, the plateau breaks off with a steep ledge (800 m or more), while the southern and eastern parts are characterized by gentle slopes. The maximum height of the plateau is 1701 m, among the highest peaks are the Kamen (1701 m), Holokit (1542 m), Kotuyskaya (1510 m) mountains. In the north, the Putorana Plateau borders on the Taimyr Peninsula. The name Putorana, translated from Evenki, means "lakes with steep banks."
The area of the plateau is 250 thousand square kilometers, which is comparable to the territory of Great Britain. On the territory of the plateau is the Putoransky State Natural Reserve, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Marble canyon Ruskeala, Republic of Karelia, Ruskeala village
Mountain Park "Ruskeala" is a tourist complex located in the Sortavalsky district of the Republic of Karelia, near the village of Ruskeala. The main object of the complex is a former marble quarry filled with groundwater.
The quarries, discovered by pastor Alopeus, began to be developed at the beginning of the reign of Catherine II. The first developments were led by Captain Kozhin, who was advised by Italian experts. Today, the length of the quarry from north to south is 460 meters, the width is up to 100 meters. The distance from the highest point of the quarry wall to its bottom is over 50 meters. The transparency of water reaches 15-18 meters.
Ruskeala marble was used in the construction of the most beautiful and significant buildings in St. Petersburg and its palace suburbs. St. Isaac's Cathedral was lined with it, the floors of the Kazan Cathedral were laid out, the window sills of the Hermitage were made, the windows of the Marble Palace and the facade of the Mikhailovsky Castle were framed, as well as the underground halls of the Primorskaya and Ladozhskaya stations of the St. Petersburg metro. In 2010, a significant part of the filming of the film "The Dark World" took place in Ruskeala.
Eastern and Western Sayans. Eastern Siberia
Eastern and Western Sayans - a common name for two mountain systems in southern Siberia. They distinguish the Western Sayan (length 650 km, height up to 3971 m - Mount Mongun-Taiga, which is the top of the ridge of the same name - the highest peak in Eastern Siberia, however, more often this ridge is not classified as the Sayan, but is distinguished into a separate mountain system - the mountains of Tuva), consisting from leveled and peaked ridges, on which there is no glaciation, separated by intermountain basins, and the Eastern Sayan (length about 1000 km, height up to 3491 m - Mount Munku-Sardyk) with typical mid-mountain ridges bearing glaciers. The rivers belong to the Yenisei basin. Mountain taiga prevails on the slopes, turning into mountain tundra.
The Western Sayan in the southwestern part borders on Altai. Its main ridge is the Dividing Sayan Range with the highest point - Mount Kyzyl-Taiga (3121 m). The ridges of the Western Sayan are characterized by steep slopes, indented relief, and vast areas of stone placers. The height of the ridges in the west does not exceed 2500-3000 m, in the east it decreases to 2000 m.
The Eastern Sayan stretches almost at right angles to the Western. Its ridges form a system of “white mountains” (Manskoye, Kanskoye) and “squirrels”, which got their name because of the snow on the peaks that does not melt all year round. In the central part, in the upper reaches of the Kazyr and Kizir rivers, several ridges form a "knot" with the highest point - Grandiose Peak (2982 m). In the southeast there are the highest and hardest-to-reach ridges - Big Sayan, Tunkinskiye Goltsy, Kitoyskiye Goltsy, Kropotkin. The highest point of the Eastern Sayan - Munku-Sardyk (3491 m) is located in the ridge of the same name. Between the Sayan ridges there are more than a dozen basins of various sizes and depths, the most famous of which is the Abakan-Minusinsk basin, known for its archaeological sites. It is worth noting a large number of waterfalls.
Almost everywhere in the Sayans, dark coniferous taiga spruce-cedar-fir forests prevail, rising in the western and central parts to altitudes of 1500–1800 m and more; light deciduous-cedar forests form the upper boundary of the forest at altitudes of 2000–2500 m. The fauna is as rich as the flora. The largest city located in the Sayans is Krasnoyarsk.
Mountains of Shikhany. Republic of Bashkortostan
Shikhany - isolated hills in the Bashkir Cis-Urals, consisting of four single mountains: Tratau, Shakhtau, Yuraktau and Kushtau, which form a narrow chain stretched along the Belaya River for 20 km. Shikhany are located near the cities of Sterlitamak and Ishimbay. They are unique monuments of nature - the remains of a barrier reef formed in the warm sea of the early Permian period. The imprints of ancient plants and animals have been preserved in the stones of which these shikhans are made.
The highest shihan is Tratau (or Toratau). Its height is 402 meters above sea level, and its relative height is 280 meters. At its foot, the ruins of a women's prison, one of the islands of the Gulag archipelago, have been preserved. Shikhan Tratau flaunts on the coat of arms of the city of Ishimbay, is a symbol of the Ishimbay region of Bashkiria. In the past, this mountain was considered sacred.
Volcano Krenitsyn. Sakhalin Region, Onekotan Island
An active volcano on the Onekotan Island of the Great Kuril Ridge. The largest two-tiered "volcano within a volcano" in the world is located in the southern part of Onekotan Island. The height of the volcano is 1324 m.
The volcanic cone rises in the form of an island inside Lake Koltsevoe lying at an altitude of 400 m (diameter about 7 km). The lake is surrounded by somma - the walls of the more ancient Tao-Rusyr caldera (heights 540–920 m with a base diameter of 16–17 km).
Only one historical eruption is known, which happened in 1952.
Volcano Tyatya, Kuril Islands
An active volcano on the Kunashir Island of the Great Kuril Ridge, on the territory of the Kuril Reserve. In geographical terms, Tyatya is a stratovolcano of the somma-vesuvius type ("volcano in a volcano"). The height reaches 1819 m (the highest point of Kunashir; in 1977 and subsequent years, the southeastern part of the edge of the summit crater collapsed and most of the material collapsed inside the northeastern crater. As a result, the total height of the volcano decreased by about 30-50 meters and is currently probably less than 1800 meters above sea level).
The height of the somma is 1485 m, it has a regular truncated cone with a diameter of 15–18 km at the base and up to 2.5 km at the annular ridge. The foot slopes of the volcano are decorated with coniferous-broad-leaved forests with bamboo and thickets of stone birch and elfin cedar. In the forests at the foot you can often meet a bear. The path to the volcano is difficult, but most tourists get to the volcano from Yuzhno-Kurilsk.
caves
Orda cave, Perm region
Orda Cave is located on the southwestern outskirts of the village of Orda in the Perm Territory, on the left bank of the Kungur River. Consists of "dry" and underwater parts. The length of the dry part is 300 meters, underwater - 4600 meters. To date, the Ordinskaya cave is the longest flooded cave in Russia. In addition, part of the cave is the longest siphon in the CIS - 935 meters.
The cave is ranked 21st among the longest gypsum caves in the world. Famous photographer Viktor Lyagushkin dedicated a whole photo project to Orda Cave.
Kungur cave, Perm region
This is one of the most popular attractions in Siberia and the Urals, a natural monument of all-Russian significance. The cave is located in the Perm Territory, on the right bank of the Sylva River on the outskirts of the city of Kungur in the village of Filippovka, 100 km from Perm.
A unique geological monument - one of the largest karst caves in the European part of Russia, the seventh longest gypsum cave in the world. The length of the cave is about 5700 m, of which 1.5 km is equipped for tourists. The average air temperature in the center of the cave is +5 °C, the relative humidity in the center of the cave is 100%. The Kungur cave contains 58 grottoes, 70 lakes, 146 t. "organ pipes" (the highest - in the Etheric grotto, 22 m) - high shafts, reaching almost to the surface.
Architecture
Leaning tower of Nevyansk. Sverdlovsk region, city of Nevyansk
Not everyone knows that we in Russia have our own kind of Leaning Tower of Pisa - an inclined tower in the center of Nevyansk, built in the first half of the 18th century by order of Akinfiy Demidov.
The height of the tower is 57.5 meters, the base is a square with a side of 9.5 m. The deviation of the tower from the vertical is about 1.85 m, and the greatest slope is observed at the lower tier (3 ° 16 "). The exact date of construction of the tower is unknown, different sources give dates ranging from 1721 to 1745.
The tower is a massive quadrangle with 3 octagonal tiers built on top. Inside the tower is divided into several levels - floors.
The purpose of the first floor is not exactly established. Demidov's office was located on the second floor, and during the Soviet era there was a prison in it. On the third floor there was a laboratory: traces of silver and gold were found in the soot taken from the chimneys of furnaces. According to one version, Demidov minted counterfeit money here. According to another, here Demidov, secretly from the state treasury, smelted silver and gold, which was mined in his mines in Altai.
Even higher is the so-called "auditory room". Its peculiarity is that standing in one corner of the room, you can clearly hear what they say in the opposite corner. The effect observed in the room is associated with the special shape of the ceiling - it is vaulted and at the same time slightly flattened.
On the seventh and eighth floors there are chiming chimes created by the English watchmaker Richard Phelps in 1730. The tower is completed by a roof and a metal spire with a weather vane hoisted on it, made of perforated iron, in which the noble coat of arms of the Demidovs is engraved.
There is a legend saying that the tower tilted due to the flooding of the cellars with all the workers who minted counterfeit money. By Decree of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR No. 1327 of August 30, 1960, the tower was included in the list of historical monuments to be protected as monuments of national importance.
Ivolginsky datsan. Republic of Buryatia, the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga
Ivolginsky datsan is a large Buddhist monastic complex, the center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia, which is the largest Buddhist community in Buryatia. One of the brightest monuments of Russian history and architecture. Located in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, 36 km from the center of Ulan-Ude.
The swallow nest. Republic of Crimea
Among all the sights of Crimea, it is not easy to choose one thing. But we decided to stop at one of the most inspiring places. The Swallow's Nest is a monument of architecture and history, located on a sheer 40-meter Aurora cliff of Cape Ai-Todor in the village of Gaspra (Yalta City Council).
The structure resembles a medieval knight's castle like the Belem tower or the Miramare villa near Trieste. The first wooden building on this site was erected for a retired Russian general after the Russian-Turkish war of 1877–1878; it can be seen on the canvases of famous marine painters: I. K. Aivazovsky, L. F. Lagorio, A. P. Bogolyubov, and also in photographs of the time.
The second owner of this amazing dacha was the court physician A. K. Tobin. There is also very little information about him. After his death, the house was owned by a widow for some time, who sold the plot to the Moscow merchant Rakhmanina. She demolished the old building, and soon a wooden castle appeared, which she called "Swallow's Nest".
The Swallow's Nest got its present form thanks to the oil industrialist Baron Steingel, who liked to relax in the Crimea. Steingel bought a summer cottage on the Aurora Rock and decided to build a romantic castle there, which resembles medieval buildings on the banks of the Rhine. The project for the new house was commissioned from engineer and sculptor Leonid Sherwood, son of architect Vladimir Sherwood, author of the Historical Museum on Red Square in Moscow.
At the beginning of World War I, the estate was bought by the Moscow merchant P. Shelaputin, who opened a restaurant in the castle. In the 1930s, there was a reading room of the local Rest House, but the premises were recognized as emergency and closed.
In 1927, the Swallow's Nest was damaged during a strong earthquake. It was not until 1967–1968 that repairs were made. In addition to the monolithic slab, the entire structure was surrounded by anti-seismic belts. The tower, increased in height, acquired more decorative effect thanks to four spiers. In 2013, cracks were found in the foundation slab, and in the autumn the visit was suspended for design work on the reconstruction - strengthening the rock.
And 6 more amazing places:
Chara Sands, Trans-Baikal Territory
Chara Sands is a tract in the Kalarsky district of the Trans-Baikal Territory, which is a sandy massif about 10 km by 5 km in size. The Chara sands are located in the basin of the same name, in the foothills of the Kodar ridge, 9 kilometers from the village of Chara, between the valleys of the Chara, Middle Sakukan and Upper Sakukan rivers. The massif is a geological monument of nature of the geomorphological type of federal rank.
BAM station Novaya Chara is 10 kilometers away. The massif is elongated from the southwest to the northeast and occupies an area of about 50 sq. km. There are no such large massifs of free-flowing moving sands in any basin of Transbaikalia. The Chara sands are outwardly similar to the deserts of Central Asia. The vegetation is slightly different from the taiga: there are areas with larch, dwarf birch and moisture-loving dwarf pine. In the northeastern part of the tract there are two small lakes - Alyonushka and Tayozhnoye.
Avacha Bay, Kamchatka Territory
Avacha Bay is a large non-freezing bay of the Pacific Ocean near the south-east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, it is the main transport "gateway" of the Kamchatka Territory. The main advantage of the bay is that it is one of the largest bays in the world: it can accommodate any ship in the world!
The length of the bay is 24 kilometers, the width at the entrance is 3 kilometers, the total area of the water surface is 215 sq. km. Depth up to 26 meters. The Avacha and Paratunka rivers flow into the bay. The cities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Vilyuchinsk are located along the shores of the bay. The bay is the main base of the Russian Pacific Fleet in Kamchatka.
A kind of symbol of the bay and its attraction are the Three Brothers rocks, located at the exit to the open Avacha Bay.
Commander Islands. Aleutsky District, Kamchatka Territory
Commander Islands - an archipelago of four islands in the southwestern part of the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean, administratively part of the Aleutsky District of the Kamchatka Territory of Russia. The islands are named after the navigator Commander Vitus Bering, who discovered them in 1741. On the largest of them - Bering Island - there is a grave of a navigator. Commander Islands - a place of mixing of Russian and Aleutian cultures. They have great potential for the development of northern tourism.
Patomsky crater. Irkutsk region
Patomsky crater - a cone of crushed limestone blocks on the slope of a mountain in the Patomsky Highlands in the Irkutsk region. Discovered in 1949 by geologist Vadim Viktorovich Kolpakov. Among the local population it is called the "Nest of the Fiery Eagle", also known as the "Kolpakov's Cone", "Dzhebulda Crater", "Yavaldinsky Crater".
This is a geological object unique in its characteristics, which is a ring structure of the central type with a bulk cone composed of limestone and other rocks. The Patom crater was formed over a long period of time about 500 years ago.
The diameter of the crater along the ridge is 76 m. The cone is crowned with a flat top, which is an annular shaft. In the center of the funnel there is a hill up to 12 m high. The total volume of the cone is estimated at 230-250 thousand cubic meters, the mass is about a million tons.
Agura waterfalls. City of Sochi, Krasnodar Territory
Cascade of waterfalls located on the Agura River in the Khostinsky district of Sochi. The distance from the Black Sea coast is 4 km. Further up the river - the Middle waterfall, then the Upper.
The Lower Agur waterfall is the first and most interesting of the three large waterfalls on the Agura River. It consists of two cascades: the lower one is 18 m high and the upper one is 12 m high. Under it is a wide and deep pool of blue water. From the Devil's hole canyon to the Lower waterfall is approximately 1.5 km. Behind the first waterfall, a series of stairs and rises lead up through 500 m to the Middle Agur waterfall - 23 meters, and then to the Upper - 21 meters waterfall. Near the Upper waterfall, to the left of the path, there are rocks called Eagles.
Vasyugan swamps. Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions
Some of the largest swamps in the world are located in Western Siberia, between the Ob and Irtysh rivers, on the territory of the Vasyugan plain, which is mostly within the Tomsk region, and in small parts - the Novosibirsk and Omsk regions and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.
The swamp area is 53 thousand square meters. km (for comparison: the area of Switzerland is 41 thousand sq. km), the length from west to east is 573 km, from north to south - 320 km.
Vasyugan swamps arose about 10 thousand years ago and have been constantly increasing since then - 75% of their modern area was swamped less than 500 years ago. Marshes are the main source of fresh water in the region (water reserves - 400 cubic km), there are about 800 thousand small lakes, many rivers originate from swamps, in particular: Ava, Bakchar, Big Yugan, Vasyugan, Demyanka, etc. d.
Vasyugan swamps are home to numerous local fauna, including rare ones. Of the rare species of animals in the swamps, in particular, reindeer, golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, osprey, gray shrike, peregrine falcon live. Squirrels, elks, sables, wood grouses, white partridges, hazel grouses, black grouses are present in significant quantities, mink, otter, wolverine are in smaller quantities. The flora also includes rare and endangered plant species and plant communities. Cranberries, blueberries, and cloudberries are widely distributed among wild plants.
Now the fauna and flora of the swamps is under threat due to the development of the territory during the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas fields.
In preparing the article, materials from Wikipedia were used.
Happy travels!
Russia is a great and diverse country, its expanses amaze the imagination. Everything is here: from amazing architectural monuments to all kinds of natural attractions, stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean. What can you see in Russia, what are the most interesting and unusual places that attract tourists from all over the world?
Moscow and St. Petersburg, Siberia, the Far East, the Volga region, the Krasnodar Territory, the Russian North, the Caucasus and the Urals are the most famous regions where the most famous are concentrated.
A selection of the best objects in Russia will help you get to know the history and culture of the country that ranks first in the world in terms of territory.
Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is perhaps the main attraction of Moscow. This architectural and artistic ensemble is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The unique museum complex includes museum-cathedrals, the Patriarch's Chambers of the 17th century, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Armory Chamber - a treasury museum.
The Kremlin museums present unique exhibits. Among them are royal carriages, icons, weapons and armor, state regalia and much more. On the territory of the Kremlin is the residence of the President of Russia.
Visiting the Moscow Kremlin paid, ticket price 500 RUB, children under 16 years old - free of charge.
If you stay in the city for more than a day, you should take care of accommodation for the night. .
Red Square
Red Square is located in the very center of Moscow and is the heart of Russia. There are unique sights here. What is the Lenin Mausoleum with a solemn guard, Execution Ground, Kazan Cathedral.
The square is the main venue for ceremonial parades. This is one of the main attractions of Moscow.
Photo source: raskalov_vit.livejournal.com.
The territory of the square is not intended for the passage of cars, it is a pedestrian zone.
Tretyakov Gallery
The most famous art museum in Moscow is the Tretyakov Gallery. The museum's collection includes more than 100 thousand works of art. Here is the largest collection of Russian fine art in the world. The museum was founded in 1856 by the merchant P. M. Tretyakov. The facade of the museum building was made according to the sketches of the artist Vasnetsov.
Entrance ticket: 400 RUB.
Kizhi Island
The open-air museum-reserve Kizhi is one of the most visited attractions in Russia. 89 unique monuments of wooden architecture are collected here: old houses, chapels, mills, churches, barns and other buildings.
The most famous building of the museum is the Church of the Transfiguration, built in 1714. Its height is 37 meters, it is decorated with 22 domes of different sizes, descending to the ground. And all this construction is made without a single nail.
Kizhi Pogost is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The island is located on Lake Onega, 68 km from the capital of Karelia, the city of Petrozavodsk.
Photo source: nice-places.com.
Motor ships run to the island, the cost of a two-way trip is 2750 RUB, departure from Petrozavodsk.
Saint Sophie Cathedral
Hagia Sophia in Novgorod is rightfully considered the most outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture. He is only a few years younger than Sophia of Kyiv, it was she who served as the prototype of the Novgorod shrine. The construction of the temple was carried out by Prince Vladimir of Novgorod, the son of Yaroslav the Wise.
The cross of the central dome of the cathedral is crowned with the figure of a dove - a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and while he is there, the city is under his protection.
Photo source: dic.academic.ru.
The cathedral is located on the territory of the Novgorod Kremlin, temple entrance free.
Saint Isaac's Cathedral
The museum-monument St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg is one of the best cathedrals in Europe, and is also one of the main attractions of Russia.
Well-known masters of the middle of the 19th century worked on the interior decoration of the cathedral, among them Karl Bryullov, Fedor Bruni, Vasily Shebuev, Ivan Vitali. Mosaic paintings are of particular interest, there are about 60 of them. Stained-glass windows are no less beautiful - their area is about 28.5 sq.m.
It is possible to climb the colonnade of the dome of the cathedral, from a height of 43 meters a beautiful view of the city opens up.
Photo source: kvartirka.com.
Complex ticket to the cathedral and to the colonnade - 400 RUB.
For an overnight stay in St. Petersburg, you can use.
curonian spit
The Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the Baltic coast. The nature of the spit is diverse and unique, there are deserts and meadows covered with moss and lichen, pine and deciduous forests, swamps and moving dunes.
Photo source: amigo-tours.ru.
The length of the spit is 98 km, the width varies from 400 to 3800 meters.
One-time pass to visit the park: 250 RUB.
Museum-Reserve "Peterhof"
Another unique attraction of St. Petersburg. The Peterhof State Museum-Reserve is a palace complex with fountains, gardens and parks. The amazingly beautiful palace and park complex is most famous for its fountains, there are more than 150 of them.
The complex consists of the Upper Garden, the Palace and the Lower Park. One of the main attractions is the Grand Cascade, in the center of which is the figure of Samson tearing apart the mouth of a lion.
Another decoration of the park - White Nights, they last from mid-May to almost mid-July. The museum is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also recognized as one of the wonders of Russia.
Photo source: tonkosti.ru.
Peterhof is located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, 30 km from St. Petersburg.
Museum fees: from 70 to 520 RUB.
Kazan Kremlin
The Kazan Kremlin is the main attraction of Kazan. On the territory of the museum-reserve, Tatar and Russian architecture coexist - this is the Annunciation Cathedral and the main mosque of Kazan Kul Shalif, the Governor's House and the leaning Syuyumbike tower.
The Kremlin is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Photo source: gelio.livejournal.com.
Entrance to the Kremlin free. The fee is taken only for visiting museums: from 150 to 250 RUB.
There are a lot of accommodation options in Kazan. .
Sochi Arboretum
The Sochi arboretum is a monument of gardening art; it contains a unique collection of subtropical plants brought from different parts of the world. The rose garden is especially popular.
The park has a cable car, you can look at all this splendor from a bird's eye view. In 2012, the park celebrated its 120th anniversary.
Photo source: foto.glavbukh.ru.
Entrance ticket: 250 RUB.
teletskoye lake
The amazing beauty of Lake Teletskoye is the pearl of Altai. This is one of the deepest lakes on the planet with the purest water, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Photo source: rossija.info.
Local people consider the lake sacred. The incredible beauty of these places is fascinating, the waterfalls are especially interesting - the most visited is Korbu, its height is 12.5 meters. The entire right bank is part of the Altai Reserve.
Arch Steller
The Steller Arch is a unique natural monument of the Kamchatka Territory. It is a symbol of the Commander Biosphere Reserve, located on the Pacific Ocean between the bays of Poludennaya and Gladkovskaya. The height of the arch is 20.6 m, formed as a result of natural rock erosion.
Photo source: photokamchatka.ru.
It is named after its discoverer, traveler Georg Wilhelm Steller.
Novgorod detinets
The Novgorod Kremlin (Detinets) is the oldest Kremlin in Russia, its age has exceeded 970 years. He entered the list of the best sights of Russia.
On the territory of the Kremlin there is the most ancient temple in Russia - St. Sophia Cathedral, the Vladychnaya (Faceted) Chamber, a monument to the 1000th anniversary of Russia, the Church of St. Andrew Stratilates and other buildings. The total area of the Kremlin is 12.1 hectares.
Photo source: etotam.com.
The Novgorod Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Entrance ticket price: 190 RUB.
Kungur ice cave
The Kungur ice cave is the largest karst cave in Russia, it ranks seventh in the ranking of the longest gypsum caves in the world. Its length is 5600 meters, there are up to fifty grottoes, more than 60 lakes.
The air temperature in some grottoes does not rise above zero degrees. The approximate age of the cave is 10-12 thousand years, located in the Urals in the Perm region. The length of the route equipped for tourists is 1500 meters.
Photo source: russia.ksio.ru.
The cost of entrance tickets: from 600 to 1000 RUB.
Dombay
Dombay is one of the oldest ski resorts in Russia. It is located at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range at an altitude of 1620 meters in the valley.
Photo source: a-tours.com.
Beautiful nature and well-developed infrastructure attract many tourists, the season lasts from November to May.
boxwood waterfalls
Picturesque Boxwood waterfalls attract many tourists every year. There are waterfalls on the East Dagomys River surrounded by relict forests. The river flows through the gorge, forming waterfalls-cascades. Near each of them there are deepenings with the purest water in which you can swim.
Photo source: openarium.ru.
The highest waterfalls reach a height of 5 meters. There are waterfalls a few kilometers from Sochi, near the village of Baranovka.
Diamond quarry "Mir"
One of the world's largest diamond quarry "Mir" is located in Yakutia. A giant funnel 525 meters deep is literally mesmerizing, the quarry is especially impressive from a bird's eye view.
Photo source: free-eyes.com.
For more than 50 years, diamonds have been mined here, the largest was found in 1981 - 324.5 carats. In 2001, the development was stopped, and the quarry was mothballed.
Krasnoyarsk pillars
The nature reserve "Krasnoyarsk pillars" is located in the spurs of the Eastern Sayan on the right bank of the Yenisei. Local rocks resemble pillars, they are narrow and high: from 60 to 600 m. In total, there are about a hundred pillars made of gray-pink granite, most of them have their own names.
Photo source: feelek.livejournal.com.
Approximate age of the pillars: from 450 to 600 million years.
Elbrus
Mount Elbrus is the most famous and highest peak in Russia. Its height is 5642 meters, it is part of the Caucasus Range.
You can get to the top by cable car up to the level of 2950 meters, from here you can see an amazing panorama of the Caucasus.
Photo source: outdoorukraine.com.
This is a great place for lovers of skiing, there are slopes of various levels of difficulty.
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