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Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' remains
an apt description of Russia; most outsiders have only a hazy
idea of its realities. A composite of the extravagant glories
of old Russia and the drab legacies of the Soviet era, it's a
country that both befuddles and beguiles.
This is a land of snow and deadly winters, but also of rivers
that meander across meadows and a midsummer sun that never sets.
Its people, in the words of a Russian proverb, 'love to suffer',
yet they also love to party and can be disarmingly generous and
hospitable.
Moscow
Moscow is the barometer and nucleus of the changes sweeping through
Russia. Nowhere are Russia's contrasts more apparent than here
- ancient monasteries and ultra-modern monoliths stand side by
side, and 'New Russian' millionaires and poverty-stricken pensioners
walk the same streets.
Moscovites now prefer international name brands to monolithic
department stores, and the beautiful churches vandalised or abandoned
during the Soviet era of hardline atheism are being lovingly restored.
But the real flavour of this city is in its nooks and crannies,
each of them unique
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St. Petersburg
St Petersburg has been dubbed the Venice of the North for its
palace-lined waterways. It managed to escape the architectural
incursions of Stalinism and its grandiose relics of tsarist days
are largely intact. Sculpted by islands and the sinuous Neva River,
the city is a vista of geometric elegance.
Within St Petersburg's geometry is a dust-devil of influences
and styles and a bewitching vortex of life's extremes. It's breathtakingly
gorgeous, it's ruefully falling apart; it's viscerally sensual,
it's crude and vulgar; its very essence gets under your skin,
but remains forever outside your grasp.
Major attractions
Kremlin Moscow
Kremlin, Russia's walled fortress which encompasses much of the
country's history, politics and religion. The walls, originally
of white stone were rebuilt in the late 15th century, in their
distinctive red brick. The Kremlin houses 4 Cathedrals, 3 Palaces,
2 Museums and is the official residence of the Country's President.
The Kremlin's Armoury Chamber born in the 16th century has several
imperial workshops and a treasury, was reconstructed in 1806,
and became a museum. In 1851, the architect K.A. Ton specifically
constructed a building for the museum that now contains nine exposition
halls.
Sergiev Posad
Sergiev Posad, an old historical monastery town - one of the
most interesting in the Moscow Region and a part of the famous
Golden Ring. The Holy Trinity - St. Sergius monastery, capital
of the Russian Orthodox Church makes the town so famous.
St. Petersberg
View the dreamy and picturesque Neva river, see the Nevsky prospect
lined with marble palaces of Russian Royalty. Soak in the history
and mystery in the church of the Spilled Blood, the Admirality,
St Isaacs Cathedral, the winter Palace, Menshikov Palace, Alexander
Nevsky Monastery, Russian Museum and the Peter and Paul Fortress
all of which emphasize the city's regal bearing.
Hermitage Museum
Hermitage Museum, one of the world's important museums. A fabulous
collection of nearly three million objects is housed in six buildings.
Peterhof
Peterhof, a former residence of the ancient Tsars. The world-famous
palace, fountain and park ensemble of Peterhof is an outstanding
landmark of Russian artistic culture from the 18-19th centuries.
It is often called the "Capital of Fountains" unique
in the world.
When To Go
July and August are the warmest months and the main holiday
season. If you want to avoid the crowds, try May-June or September-early-October.
In early autumn the leaves are turning and you can pick mushrooms
and berries. Although winter is bitter, theatres open, the vodka
comes out, buildings are warm and the snow is beautiful. Spring
is slushy, muddy and generally horrible. Definitely try to avoid
late Feb, March and early April.
Fast Facts
Full Name
Russian Federation
Capital City
Moscow
Area
17,075,200 sq km
6,592,735 sq miles
Population
144,530,000
Daylight Saving Start
end of March
Daylight Saving End
end of October
Languages
Russian (official)
Russian is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world.
Russian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which is based on Greek.
Religion
Russian Orthodox, Islam, Animist, Jewish, Buddhist
Currency
Ruble (R)
Country Dialing Code
7
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