Travel to Russia

Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War

When Hitler moved the German forces into Russia in the summer of 1941, the Great Patriotic War began for the Russian people. The part of the country invaded by the Germans was devastated and millions of people killed. This museum is dedicated to keeping the memory of the war alive so nothing like it will ever happen again. The museum organizes thematic tours through the galleries of honour, remembrance and military traditions. The museum owns two lecture halls of 200 and 500 seats with synchronized interpreting, a scientific library, plus an archive and a database of all of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war. Entry is free.

Armenian Apostolic Church of the Resurrection

This church was closed down by Stalin in 1937 but re-opened later during his rule in 1951, at the insistence of the then Armenian Patriarch Vazgen I. The distinct golden dome-and-white walls combination are striking, and the fact that the church central place of worship for Russia's Armenian community gives the interior a distinct air. The famous Lazarev's Chapel (which was constructed in 1815 by the wealthy Moscow Armenian Lazarev family) forms part of the church's buildings. Services are held on Sundays at noon.

Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Putinki

At the very beginning of Malaia Dmitrovka street, stands this magnificent church. It was constructed in 1649-1652 and looks almost as if it were twisted together out of lace. A long time ago, this area was called Putinki (from the word 'put', meaning 'way'). This was because it stands at the juntion of two major roads, one going to Dmitrov and the other to Tver' (Tverskaia ulitsa). This church was the last building in Moscow to employ the tent-roofed architectural style

Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo

This church was built in 1693. It was closed in 1937 and reopened at the beginning of 1989, making it one of the first Moscow churches to be returned to believers in Gorbachev's time. The church is home to the Donskaia icon of the Virgin and fragments of the remains of St. Nicolas. Boris Yeltsin and his wife Naina regularly attended the Easter Day services here. Services are held daily at 8a and 5p. Liturgies on Sundays are at 7a and 10a.

Kuz'minki Park

Many of the large estates in Moscow's suburbs and beyond were once owned by the country's wealthy pre-revolutionary aristocracy. This one was the property of the Golitsyn family. Despite such lofty origins, the park itself suffers from the effects of a major fire in 1915 and decades of Soviet neglect. This does not exactly make it pretty, but the eerie solitude (particularly in winter months) make it a worthwhile escape destination from the city proper. Incidentally, the estate's Egyptian Pavilion now hosts a biological research center.

Hunting and Fishing Museum

The first and only musuem of outdoor sports in Russia was opened in 1988. The museum is located in the Central House of Hunters and Fishers. The main exhibition is called 'Biological Diversity' and consists of stuffed wild animals and birds, such as foxes, beavers, raccoons, pheasants, ducks and other animals. The gallery of hunting arms and equipment illustrates the development of hunting weapons in Russia. There are rifles and other hunting arms from the 19th and 20th centuries on display. Entry is 30RUR ($1) per person. Tours in English are also available.

Church of the Intercession in Fili

Commissioned by one Prince Naryshkin, this two-storied stone cathedral is a unique example of Moscow baroque - red-bricked and golden-domed- the structure is a geometric feast amid drab surroundings. Many of the icons inside were painted in 1693-1694 by the master of the Armoury Museum, K. Zolotarev. The furniture in the lower church was made in the early 19th century. The church was shut down in 1930 and, since 1980, has been a branch of the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art. Services are not held.

Khram "Spasa na Krovi"

This church has numerous stunning cupolas in the "Russian" manner, some of which are multi-colored or constructed like from geometric patterns. It is one of those places you will think only existed in fairy tales . The mosaic interior was created by over 30 artists and covers an area of 7000 square meters. The church was originally built in memory of the assassination of Alexander II.

Petropavlovskaia Krepost'

This is the historic centre of the city. Tsar Peter I built the fortress in just six months in 1703. Situated on the Zaiachii island, the fortress faces the Winter Palace and is one of the city's symbols. The fortress houses an assembly of interesting monuments such as the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Trubetskii prison, Peter's Boathouse and the The Mint. Peter and other Russian Tsars are buried at the cathedral

Peterhof

Of all St Petersburg's attractions, the country estate of Peterhof it might be the place that inspires the more pride among the city's population. Extravagant and bombastic in parts, elegant and relaxed in others, Peterhof's palace and grounds are more than ample testimony to the opulence of Tsarist Russia.