Travel to Russia

Russian State Library (Rossiiskaia Gosudarstvennaia Biblioteka)

Still world wide known under its formerly Soviet name the Lenin Library, founded at the end of the 18th century from the collection of the Rumiantsev public museum. It houses a fine selection of antique manuscripts and books including one of the earliest Russian examples of the handwritten book, the 'Gospel of the Archangel'. It holds more than 42 million items in 247 languages, in size second only to the US Library of Congress. The library is open to everyone above 18 years of age, though you will need to apply for a pass, for which you will need a passport and evidence of visa registration.

Victory Park (Park Pobedy)

Moscow almost surrender to the Nazi war machine, and Russia as a whole suffered immeasurably during World War II, known to Russians as the 'Great Fatherland War'. This park is an ample demonstration of the place of those events in the national consciousness here. There are plenty of fountains, a memorial church and a tall angel-crowned obelisk by controversial city-sponsored artist Tsereteli. In the western section of the park you will find the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War. A fine educational attraction that you can't pass by.

Dvortsovaia Ploshchad'

Lined by the imperious Winter Palace and the sweeping majesty of the General Staff building, this square is one of the world's most impressive inner-city expanses. Like Red Square in Moscow, this open area has been a witness to the turmoil in Russian history. In 1905, the square played host to Bloody Sunday, when confused palace guards opened fire on peaceful demonstrators. During the Revolution of October 1917, the alleged "storming" of the Winter Palace was launched from the square , I do apologize for the small tiny picture, but I swear I didn't find another one, I will ask my family to send me one  and I will re-post it, you can't miss this espectacular bulding.

Prachechnyi Most

This bridge is located where Palace and Kutuzov embankments cross at the source of the Fontanka river. Built in the 1760s and it is one of the city's first stone bridges. The granite-covered bridge is one of the most important elements along the Neva's showcase embankments. Granite steps lead down from the bridge to the pavements. The bridge's humpedness is due to the softening up of the embankments while they were being built. The wooden pile supports were well past their sell-by date when they finally got replaced at the start of the 20th century but repairs didn't affect the bridge's historical appearance.