Features
As one of the six Solovetsky Islands located in Russia's White Sea, Bolshoi Zayatsky Island features a series of ancient stone labyrinths that are interesting to explore. Labyrinths are considered to be important archaeological monuments, with more than 300 examples found in various locations around the world. The fourteen stone labyrinths on Bolshoi Zayatsky are particularly well preserved and have been documented and speculated about, without any definite conclusions being reached - and so their purpose remains a mystery.
Features
Located on the banks of the Ural River, close to the border of neighboring Kazakhstan, the Russian city of Orenburg is the administrative center of the Orenburg Oblast. The city was established in 1743 by Russian diplomat and administrator Ivan Ivanovich Neplyuyev, who had a prominent position in the service of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. A statue honoring the founder of the city is one of the attractions of Orenburg, along with a number of museums and the picturesque boulevard overlooking the Ural River.
Features
Named in honor of Russian explorers Khariton Laptev and Dmitry Laptev, the Laptev Sea is located between the Taimyr Peninsula, Severnaya Zemlya, the northern coast of Siberia and the New Siberian Islands, with the Arctic Ocean to the north. Known for their Arctic exploration, these two cousins mapped the coastline of the Laptev Sea between 1735 and 1740 – a time when intrepid adventurers explored new territories without the aid of modern navigational tools.
Features
In an effort to break away from the restrictions imposed by Russia's Imperial Academy of Arts, in 1863 a group of fourteen art students decided to leave the Academy and form a society to independently promote art to ordinary people. Named Peredvizhniki, this society and group of artists were also referred to as The Itinerants or The Wanderers, and by 1870 the movement became the Society for Travelling Art Exhibitions, giving people far from the main cities of Russia the opportunity to view Russian art and learn to appreciate it. Between 1871 and 1923, Peredvizhniki staged up to 48 mobile exhibitions in the cities of Moscow and St Petersburg before taking the show on the road and visiting numerous other destinations including Kiev, Kazan, Kharkov, Riga, Oryol and Odessa.
Features
Located in the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous District of Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia, the spectacular Alkhanay National Park was established in 1990, and is the youngest of the national parks of Russia. The park consists of a variety of terrain, from mountainous regions supporting coniferous and birch forests, to the broad steppes of the lower altitudes. The park is well watered by the Ilia River and its many tributaries, with its three main lakes being Krasnoyarovo, Balzino and Alkhanay.
Features
With wide open fields, scenic hills, and lush forests stretching from the banks of the Oka River out to the horizon, the town of Tarusa and its picturesque surroundings has been the inspiration for many poets and artists over the years. This tranquil little town has even been dubbed by artists as the Barbizon of Russia – a reference to the renowned Barbizon art school in the French village of the same name. Visitors to the town, which is located around 130 kilometers from Russia's capital city, Moscow, soon agree that it is an idyllic setting.
Features
In the Russian Far East, which runs along the Kamchatka Peninsula, is a breathtaking protected area named the Kronotsky Nature Reserve. It covers an area of over ten thousand square kilometers and was founded in 1934. What makes this reserve so unique is its numerous natural features, such as a variety of volcanoes, huge mountain ranges, and the only geyser basin in the whole of Russia. Even UNESCO has recognized the magnificence of this reserve and have listed it as a World Heritage Site, drawing more than three thousand visitors each year, as well as scientists.
Features
Saint Basil's Cathedral has survived wars and winters to now celebrate its 450th year of existence. This historical masterpiece is located in the Red Square of Moscow, and was commissioned by Tsar Ivan the Terrible. Construction began in 1555 and was completed in 1561. Due to the historical significance of the cathedral, renovations of approximately $14 million have been done to the structure to keep it in pristine condition. The observance to celebrate this landmark anniversary will continue for fourth months.
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