5 interesting places. Blue Lakes. Cherek-Balkarian Gorge, Kabardino-Balkaria. Ivolginsky datsan. Republic of Buryatia, village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga

We present the most beautiful places in our country, which should be seen not only by every photographer and traveler, but also by every resident 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

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. Stretching for many kilometers, the complex of vertically elongated rocks, intricately piled up along the banks of the Lena, cutting through the Prilenskoye Plateau with a deep valley, never ceases to attract photographers and travelers. The pillars reach their greatest 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 landform began about 400 thousand years ago.

Natural Park“Lena Pillars” 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 of 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 - “Stolby” 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 represents deep canyon of the Geysernaya River, on the sides of which an area of ​​about 6 square meters. km there are numerous outlets of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, thermal areas, waterfalls and lakes. In this area there is an abnormally high biodiversity and high contrast natural conditions and microclimate. The ecosystem of the Valley of Geysers is unique throughout the country. The territory of the valley is protected by a reserve regime.

Since 1992, under an agreement with the reserve, helicopter excursions have been organized here, and there is a strict system of rules for organizing excursions in order to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. In 2008, based on voting results, the Valley of Geysers was included in the list of seven wonders of Russia.

Weathering pillars, Komi Republic

Weathering pillars (Mansi logs) are a geological monument located in the Troitsko-Pechora region of the Komi Republic on the territory of the Pechora-Ilychsky Nature Reserve on Mount Man-Pupu-ner (“ Malaya Gora idols" translated from the Mansi language), in the interfluve of the Ichotlyag and Pechora rivers. Many legends are associated with this extraordinary place. The pillars are considered one of the seven wonders of Russia.

The weathering pillars are located quite far from inhabited places. Reaching them is in some sense a feat. To do this, by the way, you need to obtain a pass from the administration of the reserve. From the outside Sverdlovsk region And Perm region There is walking route, from the Komi Republic side - automobile, water and walking routes.

About 200 million years ago, in place of the stone pillars there were high mountains. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the mountains, and especially weak rocks. Hard sericite-quartzite shales were destroyed less and have survived to this day, while soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and carried by water and wind into depressions of the relief.

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, resemble either the figure of a huge man, or the head of a horse or ram. It’s true: this place is ideal for a photographer’s imagination! In past times, the Mansi deified grandiose stone sculptures and worshiped them, but climbing Manpupuner was considered the greatest sin.

Curonian Spit, Kaliningrad region

The Curonian Spit is a sand spit located on the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. It is a narrow and long saber-shaped strip of 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 Curonian tribes who lived here before the colonization of Prussia by the Germans.

The length is 98 kilometers, the width ranges from 400 meters (in the area of ​​​​the village of Lesnoy) to 3.8 kilometers (in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bCape Bulviko, just north of Nida).

The Curonian Spit is a unique natural-anthropogenic landscape and a territory of exceptional aesthetic value: the Curonian Spit is the largest sand body, included, along with the Hel and Vistula, in 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 bog) - provides insight into important and long-term ecological and biological processes in evolution.

The most significant element of the spit's relief is a continuous strip of white sand dunes 0.3 - 1 km wide, some of them approaching the highest in the world (up to 68 m). Thanks to his geographical location and orientation from northeast to southwest, 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 the Middle and Southern Europe. Every year in spring and autumn, from 10 to 20 million birds fly over the spit, a significant part of which stop here to rest and feed.

Favorable climatic conditions allow you to relax on the Curonian Spit from May to November. In 2000, the Curonian Spit was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

Nature reserve "Stolby". Krasnoyarsk region

The reserve is located on the northwestern spurs of the Eastern Sayan Mountains, bordering 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 the city of Krasnoyarsk; the border of the reserve can be reached by bus. The reserve was founded in 1925 on the initiative of city residents to preserve natural complexes around the picturesque syenite outcrops - “pillars”. Currently, 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 most deep 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. Local residents and many in Russia traditionally call Baikal the sea.

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 large - 744.4 m. Besides 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 business cards 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, located on the lake shore. The area of ​​the lake is 260 sq. km, including about 38 sq. km. km there are islands (there are more than 160 of them on Seliger). The largest among them is Khachin Island. The area of ​​the entire pool is 2275 sq. km.

Seliger receives 110 tributaries. The largest are the Krapivenka, Soroga and Seremukha rivers. Only one river, Selizharovka, flows out of 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 concept, but rather a chain of lakes stretching from north to south for 100 km and connected by short narrow channels. The coastline, more than 500 km long, is rugged - forested headlands, deep picturesque bays jutting into the land, and islands of various shapes.

The water in Seliger is clear, transparency reaches 5 meters. On the shore of the southern part of Lake Seliger are the city of Ostashkov and the New Yeltsy estate.

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 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. Length coastline- 10 kilometers.

Lake Baskunchak

Akhtubinsky district, Astrakhan region

Baskunchak - salt Lake, having an area of ​​about 115 sq. km in Akhtubinsky district Astrakhan region, approximately 270 km north of the Caspian Sea, and 53 km east of the Volga. Lake Baskunchak is part of a unique natural complex that includes Mount Big Bogdo. In 1997, the Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky natural complex was declared a nature reserve (Bogdinsko-Baskunchaksky Nature 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 bathe in brine and take mud baths. There is no need to talk about the beauty of these places. There are no fewer photographers here than people who want 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, it lies among the mountains, at an altitude of 803 meters, the length of the lake in the northwest direction is 10 kilometers, depth is 50 meters.

There are many small lakes around Jack London Lake. The most prominent lakes in size are lakes Mechta, Anemone, Gray Chaika, Nevidimka, Neighboring, and Kudinovskie lakes. One of the most beautiful and exotic lakes 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, researchers found Jack London's book "Martin Eden" on the shore.

Lake Elton, Volgograd region

Elton is a salty, endorheic self-sedating lake in the Pallasovsky district Volgograd region, located near the border with Kazakhstan. It is considered the largest in area mineral lake 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” - “golden bottom”.

Lake area - 152 sq. km. Until 1882, salt was mined on Elton; in 1910, the Elton medical sanatorium was founded on its shores (moved to a new location in 1945). In 2001, the lake and the adjacent territories of virgin steppes (106 thousand hectares) became part of Government institution“Natural Park “Eltonsky””.

Blue Lakes. Cherek-Balkarian Gorge, Kabardino-Balkaria

A group of five karst lakes in the Cherek region of Kabardino-Balkaria is located at the foot of the rocky ridge from where the Cherek-Balkarian 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. The Lower Blue Lake has several names: Chirik-kel (bulk) - rotten (smelly) lake; Sherej-ana (kab.) - Cherek’s mother; Psykhurey (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 235x130 m), its depth reaches 258 meters. The surface water temperature 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 every day. The lake level remains 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 the deep pool.

The nature here is quite picturesque: green hills, dense beech forests on steep slopes, and in the distance, in the blue haze, peaks sparkling in the sun. Closer to Babugent the greenery becomes brighter and juicier. Near the village of Babugent there is a fork in the road. At the beginning of the road to the lake in the rock there is a cave in which traces of an ancient parking lots V-X centuries AD. Now many bats live there, and sometimes, in bad weather, shepherds with flocks of sheep take shelter.

Seydozero, Kola Peninsula, Murmansk region

Lake in the Lovozero tundra on the Kola Peninsula. "Seid" translated 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, width is from 1.5 to 2.5 km.

According to a number of science fiction writers and ufologists, one of the supposed places of existence hyperborean civilization. Seekers of the unknown have been exploring these places since 1922.

Lake (reservoir) Zyuratkul. Chelyabinsk region

Zyuratkul is located in Satka district Chelyabinsk region on the territory of the same name national park. One of the highest (724 m above sea level) reservoirs in the Southern Urals. The reservoir is surrounded mountain ranges, covered with dark coniferous forests. To the southwest is the Nurgush ridge, the highest ridge in the Chelyabinsk region. The main river feeding the reservoir is the Bolshoy Kyl. Near the source of the Satka River and the dam there is the small village of Zyuratkul, connected by bus to the city of Satka.

Previously, Zyuratkul was a natural lake. Now it is a reservoir formed by a dam built on Bolshaya Satka. A giant geoglyph was found in the lake area. About forty stone tools made of quartzite were also discovered. The technique of stone chipping makes it possible to date the tools to the Neolithic and Chalcolithic (VI-III millennium BC). Researchers are still inclined to the Copper-Stone Age (IV-III millennium BC). It is noted that at that time Southern Urals There were practically no forests (they appeared only 2,500 years ago), so the figure was easy to construct and then view from the neighboring ridge until it was covered with a layer of soil.

Until the winter of 2012, another popular attraction was located on the shore of Lake Zyuratkul - Whale Pier, which was also called the “Ural Disneyland”. But in the fall of 2012, by court order, 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 Bolshoy Caucasian ridge and is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, Elbrus is often called the highest European mountain peak, thereby including it in the list of “Seven Summits”.

The height of the western peak is 5642 m, the eastern one is 5621 m. The Adylsu, Shkheldy, Adyrsu gorges, the Donguz-Oruna and Ushba massifs are very popular among climbers and mountain tourists. The Elbrus region is the most popular ski resort Russia. The total area of ​​Elbrus glaciers is 134.5 square meters. km. The most famous of them: Big and Small Azau, Terskol.

Altai Mountains

The Altai Mountains represent a complex system of the highest ridges in Siberia, separated by deep river valleys and vast intramountain and intermountain basins. A 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 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.

Divnogorye plateau, Liskinsky district, Voronezh region

“Divnogorye” - a hill and a museum-reserve in the Liskinsky district Voronezh region Russia. It is located 10 km west of the center of the region on the right bank of the Don River and 80 km south of Voronezh. The museum here was founded 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 attractions 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 Tikhaya Sosna 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 - the top of the western part of the Dividing Range Greater Caucasus(on the border of Abkhazia and the Karachay-Cherkess Republic). Dombay-Ulgen is the highest peak in Abkhazia, located east of the village of Dombay, has three peaks: western (4036 m), main (4046 m) and eastern (3950 m).

From main peak A steep ridge extends to the north, ending in a depression - the “Dombay saddle”. From the Dombay saddle there is a classic route (category 3B), which can be climbed in one day with a descent to the camp.

Putorana Plateau, Krasnoyarsk Territory

Putorana Plateau - mountain range, located in the north-west of the Central Siberian Plateau. In the north and west, the plateau ends 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 Mount Kamen (1701 m), Kholokit (1542 m), Kotuyskaya (1510 m). In the north, the Putorana Plateau borders the Taimyr Peninsula. The name Putorana translated from Evenki means “lakes with steep banks.”

The area of ​​the plateau is 250 thousand sq. km, which is comparable to the territory of Great Britain. On the territory of the plateau is the Putorana State nature 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 Sortavala region 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 specialists. 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 side to its bottom is over 50 meters. Water transparency reaches 15-18 meters.

Ruskeala marble was used in the construction of the most beautiful and significant buildings of St. Petersburg and its palace suburbs. It covered St. Isaac's Cathedral, laid out the floors of the Kazan Cathedral, made the window sills of the Hermitage, and framed the windows. Marble Palace and the facade of the Mikhailovsky Castle, as well as the underground halls of the St. Petersburg metro stations “Primorskaya” and “Ladozhskaya”. In 2010, a significant part of the filming of the film “The Dark World” took place in Ruskeala.

Eastern and Western Sayans. Eastern Siberia

The Eastern and Western Sayans are the common name for two mountain systems in southern Siberia. There are Western Sayan (length 650 km, height up to 3971 m - Mount Mongun-Taiga, which is the top of the ridge of the same name - highest peak Eastern Siberia, however, more often this ridge is not classified as the Sayans, but is isolated as a separate mountain system- Tuva Mountains), consisting of leveled and pointed 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. The slopes are dominated by mountain taiga, turning into mountain tundra.

The Western Sayan borders Altai in its southwestern part. Main Ridge its - the Watershed Sayan Range with its highest point - Mount Kyzyl-Taiga (3121 m). The Western Sayan ridges are characterized by steep slopes, rugged terrain, and vast areas of stone placers. The height of the ridges in the west does not exceed 2500-3000 m, to the east it decreases to 2000 m.

The Eastern Sayan stretches almost at right angles to the Western Sayan. Its ridges form a system of “Belogory” (Manskoye, Kanskoye) and “belkov”, 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 - the Grandiozny peak (2982 m). In the southeast are the highest and most inaccessible ranges - the Bolshoy Sayan, Tunkinskie Goltsy, Kitoiskie 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 the large number of waterfalls.

Almost everywhere in the Sayan Mountains, dark coniferous taiga spruce-cedar-fir forests predominate, rising in the western and central parts to heights of 1500–1800 m or more; light deciduous cedar forests form the upper border of the forest at altitudes of 2000–2500 m. Animal world as rich as vegetable. The largest city, located in Sayany - Krasnoyarsk.

Shikhany Mountains. Republic of Bashkortostan

Shikhany are 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. Shihans are located near the cities of Sterlitamak and Ishimbay. They are unique natural monuments - remnants barrier reef, formed in the warm sea of ​​the early Permian period. The stones from which these shikhans are made contain imprints of ancient plants and animals.

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 are the ruins of a women's prison - one of the islands of the Gulag archipelago. 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

Active volcano on Onekotan Bolshoi Island 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 Koltsevoye, which lies at an altitude of 400 m (diameter about 7 km). The lake is surrounded by a somma - the walls of the more ancient Tao-Rusyr caldera (heights 540–920 m with a base diameter of 16–17 km).

There is only one known historical eruption, which occurred in 1952.

Volcano Tyatya, Kuril Islands

An active volcano on the Kunashir Island of the Great Kuril Ridge, on the territory of the Kuril Nature Reserve. To put it simply geographical terms, Tyatya is a stratovolcano of the somma-vesuvius type (“volcano within a volcano”). The height reaches 1819 m ( highest point Kunashir; in 1977 and subsequent years, the southeastern part of the summit crater rim collapsed and most of the material fell into the northeastern crater. As a result, the total height of the volcano has 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 foothills of the volcano are decorated with coniferous-deciduous forests with bamboo and thickets of stone birch and dwarf cedar. In the forests at the foot you can often find a bear. The path to the volcano is difficult, but most tourists get to the volcano from Yuzhno-Kurilsk.

Caves

Orda Cave, Perm region

The Orda Cave is located on the southwestern outskirts of the village of Orda, Perm Territory, on the left bank of the Kungur River. Consists of a “dry” and underwater part. The length of the dry part is 300 meters, the underwater part is 4600 meters. Today, Orda 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 ranks 21st among the longest gypsum caves in the world. Famous photographer Viktor Lyagushkin dedicated an entire photo project to the 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 region, 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 visits by 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%. Kungur cave contains 58 grottoes, 70 lakes, 146 so-called. “organ pipes” (the highest is in the Ethereal Grotto, 22 m) - high shafts reaching almost to the surface.

Architecture

Nevyansk Leaning Tower. Sverdlovsk region, Nevyansk city

Not everyone knows that in Russia we have our own likeness 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, with the greatest inclination 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 precisely established. Demidov's office was located on the second floor, and during Soviet times it was a prison. On the third floor there was a laboratory: traces of silver and gold were found in the soot taken from the chimneys of the 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 at 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 is being said 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 chimes with musical 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 mounted on it, made of milled iron, in which the noble coat of arms of the Demidovs is embossed.

There is a legend that the tower tilted because the basements were flooded with all the workers minting counterfeit money. By Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR No. 1327 of August 30, 1960, the tower was included in the list historical monuments, subject to protection as monuments of national importance.

Ivolginsky datsan. Republic of Buryatia, village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga

Ivolginsky datsan is a large Buddhist monastery complex, the center of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia, which is the largest Buddhist community in Buryatia. One of the most striking monuments of Russian history and architecture. Located in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga, 36 km from the center of Ulan-Ude.

Bird home. Republic of Crimea

Among all the attractions of Crimea, it is not easy to choose just one. But we decided to stop at one of the most inspiring places. bird home- an architectural and historical monument located on the steep 40-meter Aurora rock of Cape Ai-Todor in the village of Gaspra (Yalta City Council).

The structure resembles a medieval one knight's castle like the Belem Tower or Villa Miramare near Trieste. The first wooden structure 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 from that time.

The second owner of this amazing dacha was the court physician A.K. Tobin. There is also very little information left about him. After his death, the house was owned for some time by a widow, 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.”

“Swallow’s Nest” received its current appearance thanks to the oil industrialist Baron Steingel, who loved to vacation in Crimea. Steingel purchased a summer cottage on Aurora Rock and decided to build a romantic castle there, which is reminiscent of medieval buildings on the banks of the Rhine. The design of the new house was commissioned from engineer and sculptor Leonid Sherwood, the son of architect Vladimir Sherwood, author of the Historical Museum on Red Square in Moscow.

At the beginning of the First World War, 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 here at the local holiday home, but the premises were considered unsafe and closed.

In 1927, Swallow's Nest was damaged during a strong earthquake. Only in 1967–1968 were repairs carried out. In addition to the monolithic slab, the entire structure was surrounded by anti-seismic belts. The tower, increased in height, became more decorative thanks to its four spiers. In 2013, cracks were discovered in the foundation slab, and the visit was suspended in the fall to conduct design work for reconstruction - strengthening the rock.

And 6 more amazing places:

Chara Sands, Trans-Baikal Territory

Chara Sands - tract in Kalarsky district Trans-Baikal Territory, which is a sandy massif measuring approximately 10 km by 5 km. 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 natural monument of geomorphological type of federal rank.

BAM station Novaya Chara is 10 kilometers away. The massif stretches from southwest to northeast and covers an area of ​​about 50 sq. km. In no other basin of Transbaikalia are there such large massifs of loose moving sands. Chara sands are similar in appearance to the deserts of Central Asia. The vegetation is slightly different from the taiga: there are areas with larches, dwarf birches and moisture-loving dwarf cedar. In the northeastern part of the tract there are two small lakes- Alyonushka and Tayozhnoe.

Avachinskaya Bay, Kamchatka Territory

Avacha Bay is a large ice-free bay Pacific Ocean off the south-eastern coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, is the main transport “gateway” Kamchatka region. 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, total area 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 unique symbol of the bay and its landmark are the Three Brothers rocks, located at the exit to the open Avacha Bay.

Commander Islands. Aleutsky district, Kamchatka region

Commander Islands - an archipelago of four islands in the southwestern part Bering Sea Pacific Ocean, administratively part of the Aleutian region 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 the navigator’s grave. The Commander Islands are a place of mixture of Russian and Aleutian cultures. They have huge 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 Patom Highlands in Irkutsk region. Discovered in 1949 by geologist Vadim Viktorovich Kolpakov. Among the local population it is called the “Nest of the Fire Eagle”, also known under the names “Kolpakov’s Cone”, “Dzhebuldinsky 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 a ring shaft. In the center of the funnel there is a slide up to 12 m high. The total volume of the cone is estimated at 230–250 thousand cubic meters, weight - about a million tons.

Agur waterfalls. Sochi city, Krasnodar region

A cascade of waterfalls located on the Agura River in the Khostinsky district of Sochi. Distance from the Black Sea coast - 4 km. Further up the river - the Middle Falls, then the Upper.

The Lower Agur Waterfall is the first and most interesting of all 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. Below it is a wide and deep pool of blue water. From the Devil's Hole canyon to the Lower Waterfall it is approximately 1.5 km. Behind the first waterfall, a series of stairs and climbs go up, leading through 500 m to the Middle Agur waterfall - 23 meters, and then to the Upper - 21-meter waterfall. Near the Upper Waterfall, to the left of the path, there are rocks called Eagle Rocks.

Vasyugan swamps. Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions

Some of the largest swamps in the world are located in Western Siberia, in the interfluve of the Ob and Irtysh, on the territory of the Vasyugan Plain, located mostly within the Tomsk region, and in small parts - the Novosibirsk and Omsk regions and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug.

The area of ​​the swamps 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.

The Vasyugan swamps arose about 10 thousand years ago and have been constantly increasing since then - 75% of their current area was swamped less than 500 years ago. Swamps are the main source of fresh water in the region (water reserves are 400 cubic km), there are about 800 thousand small lakes, many rivers originate from swamps, in particular: Ava, Bakchar, Bolshoy Yugan, Vasyugan, Demyanka, etc. d.

The Vasyugan swamps are home to numerous local fauna, including rare ones. Rare species of animals in the swamps include, in particular, reindeer, golden eagles, white-tailed eagle, osprey, gray shrike, and peregrine falcon. There are significant quantities of squirrels, moose, sable, wood grouse, partridges, hazel grouse, black grouse, and in smaller quantities mink, otter, and wolverine. Flora also includes rare and endangered plant species and plant communities. Among wild plants, cranberries, blueberries, and cloudberries are widespread.

Now the animal and vegetable world swamps are under threat due to the development of the territory during the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas fields.

Wikipedia materials were used in preparing the article.

Happy travels!

Many people associate tourism only with foreign countries, and in order to experience something mysterious and mysterious, they go to Peru or Mexico.

However, in Russia there are many unique and outlandish places for which Foreign tourists they come to our country, but we live very close and don’t know about these miracles.

Lena pillars

The most majestic places in Russia are located along the Lena River, in Yakutia, near the Khangalsky ulus, 100 km from the city of Pokrovsk.

These geological formations stretch vertically along the beautiful valley of the Prilensky plateau over a distance of 80 km.

A particularly beautiful place is located between the villages of Petrovkoye and Tit-Ary.

The height of rocky formations made of Cambrian limestone reaches 100 meters. Square natural park is 485 thousand hectares.

In addition to the unique rock formations in the parks, you can see blowing sand-tuculans, a parking lot ancient man, unique permafrost ecosystems.

Fossilized remains of bison, mammoth, and woolly rhinoceros were found in these territories.

Diamond-bearing pipe "Mir"

In Yakutia, on the outskirts of the city of Mirny, there is one of the largest diamond quarries in the world. The quarry has a depth of 525 meters and a diameter of 1.2 kilometers. It is clearly visible even from space.

Mining of diamond-bearing kimberlite ore ceased in June 2001. Currently, an underground mine of the same name is being built on board the quarry to develop the remaining sub-quarry reserves, the extraction of which by open-pit mining is unprofitable. Here you can learn everything about diamond mining and buy diamonds at cost.

Lake Baikal

There are a lot of tourist areas, bases and sanatoriums around the lake. The Bolshaya River passes along the shores of Lake Baikal hiking trail- a system of ecological routes with walking and horseback riding excursions.

The deepest lake on the planet (1642 meters) is located in the southeast of Siberia. The shape resembles a large crescent. The lake is surrounded by mountains or hills. It is very clean and transparent. The composition of the water contains few salts. Therefore, Baikal water can be compared to distilled water.


The area surrounding Baikal is unique in that many species of its plants and animals are present only here. The lake is home to 2,600 species and subspecies of animals, more than half of which are not found anywhere except Baikal. Baikal sturgeon and omul, burbot, taimen, pike, and whitefish are found here.

In winter, when it is very cold, you can see very beautiful natural phenomenon when the ice breaks into large cracks. This phenomenon occurs accompanied by a loud sound reminiscent of thunder.

There are 27 islands on Baikal, the largest is Olkhon Island. It is there that many tourists flock to live in tents, feel the romance, and enjoy the surrounding splendor. The peculiarity of this island is that it has only 48 cloudy days a year.

When you go to Baikal, you can visit natural monuments: Mount Chersky Peak, Cape Burkhan, Shaman Rock, Peschanaya Bay. Be sure to take a train ride along the Circum-Baikal railway, which passes through the most beautiful places, revealing magnificent landscapes from the windows of the cars.

Volcanoes of Kamchatka

More than a thousand volcanoes located in Kamchatka are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, but belong to different geological eras. Among them, 28 are active. Height itself big volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka is 4750 meters above sea level. It is the highest in Eurasia and one of the most active on the peninsula.

Along with volcanoes, the surrounding areas are also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their picturesque landscapes and unique diversity of flora and fauna.

At the foot of the Uzon volcano there is the hottest body of water on Earth. The water temperature in Lake Fumarole is 50 degrees.

Also in the southeast of the peninsula there is the Valley of Geysers - a unique natural complex of 20 large geysers and several hundredexits thermal waters, from which almost boiling water flows and hot streams of steam rise.

The fountains gushing out of the ground reach a height of 40 m. They are located 160 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Saint Petersburg

Historical Center northern capital And palace and park ensembles were included in the list of the World cultural heritage UNESCO.


The UNESCO list includes 36 St. Petersburg sites, uniting about 4,000 outstanding monuments of architecture, history and culture.

Here are just the most significant ones that you must see: the palace and park ensembles of Gatchina, Pavlovsk, Peterhof, Pushkin, Ropsha, Tsarskoe Selo, old part Kronstadt and its forts, the stunningly beautiful Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood on the bank of the Griboyedov Canal, built on the site of the assassination of Alexander II and the majestic St. Isaac's Cathedral - the symbol of St. Petersburg.

One of the most beautiful places The city is considered Elagin Island - an oasis of peace among the bustle of the city.

The Summer Garden is the oldest and beautiful park St. Petersburg with many sculptures and a forged fence, recognized as an independent masterpiece of decorative art.

Due to its geographical location, St. Petersburg has such a phenomenon as “white nights”. At midnight the sun drops below the horizon by only 7°, so the morning and evening dawns converge and light twilight sets in. The period of white nights lasts from late May to mid-July. This event additionally attracts tourists from all over the world.

Kizhi Museum-Reserve

Reserve of Russian wooden architecture.

According to legend, the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, consecrated in 1714, was built with one ax without nails, which the master then threw into the lake.
Built half a century later, the Intercession Church complements the Transfiguration Church, echoes it, reflecting an architectural echo.

If the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord is directed upward, then the nine-domed Church of the Intercession is wide and steep. The ensemble is complemented by a tented bell tower, built in 1863 on the site of the old one.

The Kizhi churchyard, consisting of two multi-domed churches and a bell tower in a single fence, is distinguished by ideal proportions and harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape.

In 1966, at the base architectural ensemble In the Kizhi churchyard, the Kizhi State Historical and Architectural Museum was founded, where chapels, houses and outbuildings were brought from different regions of Karelia.

Divnogorye Landscape Reserve

If you want to relax in an amazingly beautiful place, feel the coolness of the chalk vaults cave churches- come to Divnogorye. This place is considered a protected area.

It is located in the Voronezh region on the right bank of the Don River in the Liskinsky district.


Cretaceous deposits weird shape surround the plateau.

In these rocky natural formations in the 17th century chalk churches were built.

The Church of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God is carved right into the rock. Believers can even hold a service on the occasion of a major church holiday.

In addition to cave churches, there are many ancient archaeological sites: Mayatskoye settlement (remains medieval fortress and necropolis), Mayatsky pottery complex, Holy Dormition Divnogorsk Monastery, amazing Diva pillar mountains.

Nature has created a unique landscape here: more than 250 species of plants grow here, and chalk pillars above the river local residents They themselves called them “divas” - from the word “wonder, miracle”.

Arkaim ancient settlement

Arkaim is one of the most iconic places in the Urals, surrounded by numerous legends and an aura of mystery.

Originated on Earth during construction Egyptian pyramids, it is called a wonder of the world. Scientists believe that the city stands on an unusually strong energetic place on the planet. It’s not for nothing that it is so often visited by shamans, magicians, esotericists and UFOs.

The ancient city is located in the Chelyabinsk region, but getting there more convenient by bus from Yekaterinburg. You will have to live in a tent.

Arkaim is a fortified Bronze Age settlement. The archaeological site dates back to the turn of the third or second millennium BC and consisted of a fortified city, two necropolises and animal pens.

Arkaim burned out as a result of a fire, but something still remained - defensive ditches and walls form two concentric circles, 60 dwellings were attached to them, and in the center there is a free area.The settlement received its name from Mount Arkaim.

Moscow Kremlin and Red Square

From the point in the center of the Moscow map, where the main clock of the country runs and the zero kilometer sign is driven into the ground, the countdown of Russian time and space always begins. The Kremlin is the historical center of Moscow, spiritual and state symbol Russia.
The oldest part of Moscow and the official residence of the President of Russia. Initially, the Kremlin was made of wood; the first fortifications on Borovitsky Hill were destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars in 1238. In 1330 appeared in the Kremlin oldest church Moscow, Cathedral of the Savior on Bor. During the construction of the Grand Kremlin Palace in the 19th century, the cathedral was neatly integrated into its courtyard and is carefully preserved to this day.

In the second half of the 15th century, the Moscow Kremlin was rebuilt by Italian architects, who took the Sforza ducal residence in Milan as a basis. Then the Arkhangelsk, Annunciation and Assumption Cathedrals, the Faceted Chamber and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower appeared. In the 17th century, the Kremlin towers received tiered and hipped roofs, acquiring a modern look.

St. Basil's Cathedral is located on Red Square. According to legend, after the completion of construction, Ivan the Terrible ordered the architect to be blinded so that he could not build anything like that again.

On Red Square there is also the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, necropolis near the Kremlin wall, where prominent people of the USSR are buried, Lobnoye Mesto, monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Upper Trading Rows (GUM), opened in 1883 Historical Museum and Kazan Cathedral.

Man-Pupu-Ner plateau

This unique geological natural monument is located in the Troitsko-Pechora region of Komi.



It is called the Ural Stonehenge for the huge stone pillars scattered across the mountain, reaching 40 meters in height. A hike to this wonder of the world is possible on foot (200 km in 5-6 days of travel) from the Sverdlovsk region, Perm region and the Komi Republic or by helicopter.

About 200 million years ago, there were high mountains in place of the stone pillars. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the mountains, and especially weak rocks. The hard sericite-quartzite shales, from which the remains are composed, were destroyed less and have survived to this day, while the soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and carried by water and wind into depressions of the relief.

One pillar, 34 m high, stands somewhat apart from the others; it resembles a huge bottle turned upside down. Six others lined up at the edge of the cliff. The pillars have bizarre outlines and, depending on the place of inspection, resemble either the figure of a huge man, or the head of a horse or ram. In past times, the Mansi deified grandiose stone sculptures and worshiped them, but climbing Man-pupu-ner was the greatest sin.

In order to fully enjoy the beauty of the capital, it is absolutely not necessary to pay money for it. You can try to get around them all during the May holidays.

Streets, squares

Red Square

Everyone should visit the very heart of Moscow at least once in their life. You don’t have to go into the paid one, but you definitely need to walk along the paving stones, listen to the chimes and sit on the green lawn under the Kremlin wall (or go for a ride on the skating rink, if we are talking about winter). In addition, from here you can look at many other sights with the naked eye: the Spasskaya Tower, St. Basil's Cathedral, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Lobnoye Mesto, Lenin's Mausoleum, GUM, the Historical Museum.

Arbat

Perhaps the second most important place in Moscow. If people go to Red Square to soothe their conscience (I’ve been to Moscow - I’ll have to check it out), then people come here simply for the soul. Walk along a completely pedestrian street with a joyful crowd, watch and listen to local talents, meet lively Hare Krishnas, get your portrait in just a few minutes, buy souvenirs or cheap books, take a photo at the “Tsoi Wall”, go to one of the museums (from the Pushkin House to the recently opened “Point G”), watch a performance at the Vakhtangov Theater or just sit on one of the many summer verandas, or even have a snack at McDonald’s.

China town

Another ancient area of ​​the city. On three of its streets (Nikolskaya, Ilyinka and Varvarka) you can immerse yourself in history: the remains of the Kitai-Gorod wall, the chambers of the Romanov boyars, the Old English Courtyard, Gostiny Dvor, the Exchange, the Iverskaya Chapel, the Church of Barbara the Great Martyr, Epiphany Monastery and many, many other buildings - almost one after another.

Tverskaya street

If you want to look at the capital in all its glory, then you should definitely walk along Tverskaya. You won’t find anything on this street: it’s just a concentration of everything Moscow is like on just 1,600 meters. It goes through the very center - from Manezhnaya to Triumfalnaya Square. Each house here has its own history: the National Hotel, the Central Telegraph, the Moscow City Hall building, the monument to Yuri Dolgoruky, the building of the printing house and editorial office of the Izvestia newspaper, the Eliseevsky store, etc.

Museums

Cultural center "Bulgakov House"

A favorite place for the entire capital’s creative fraternity and simply romantically and fantastically minded youth, especially since it is open every day until 11:00 pm, and on Friday and Saturday until 1 am. Here you can find a permanent exhibition about the life and work of Mikhail Bulgakov, changing exhibitions, a real cat Behemoth, a “Love Mail” box and a wall on which you can leave your review, impression, recognition. If you're lucky, you can get on one of the excursions organized by the cultural center, or just ride a themed tram.

Subway Museum

The People's Museum, nestled in the southern lobby of the Sportivnaya station. His work schedule is not very convenient, but if you do get out there, you can see the internal mechanisms of the capital’s metro, the schedule grid of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line, photographs from the construction of the first tunnels, metro maps, tokens from various years and much more, in including documentaries about the Moscow subway.

Museum "Lights of Moscow"

Perhaps the brightest museum in the city in the truest sense of the word. Under open air and in the vaulted rooms of the ancient chambers you can see ancient oil, kerosene and electric lanterns, a light with a torch, lamps and lamps of various shapes and sizes, outdoor lighting control panels, as well as many photographs with views of the capital.

Estates

Kolomenskoye

It has everything a city dweller needs for summer holiday: romantic benches and sweet almonds - for couples in love, an apple orchard and beautiful view on the river - for creatively minded people, green lawns - for sunbathers, palace ruins and several museums - for those who cannot live a day without " cultural program", the Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the Church of the Ascension - for those for whom it is important to visit holy places.

Tsaritsyno

Another manor where you can find entertainment for the whole day. It is not necessary to enter the palace: entrance is paid, and there is nothing left from the era of Catherine the Second. It is much more interesting to examine all the buildings from the outside, walk along the shaped bridges, find small buildings and architectural decorations hidden in the park, and in the end sit on a bench and admire the musical fountain.


Parks

Gorky Park

The most modern on this moment Moscow park. In his new guise, he was loved by everyone, regardless of generation and belonging to a particular subculture. Older people come here for nostalgia, while young people are delighted with Soviet stylization. Here you can sunbathe, do yoga, run a marathon, play basketball, ride a catamaran, fly in a wind tunnel, learn the secrets of the observatory, visit one of the many exhibitions and, finally, go to a trendy cafe.

VDNH

Rate: 237.5 hectares of area suitable for walking. People come here to roller-skate and bike, eat “those donuts”, watch a movie in a 360-degree panorama, climb a Ferris wheel, take pictures against the backdrop of fountains, visit an exhibition of butterflies (cats, rodents, reptiles - underline as necessary) and buy something necessary (or not so necessary) in one of the pavilions.

Victory Park (also Poklonnaya Hill, Triumphal Arch)

A park that boys really like. Of course, there are numerous devices for lovers of artistic skating and roller skating, and a museum of the Great Patriotic War, and even real tanks, which you can absolutely safely climb on, without fear that anyone will lecture you about it. And also fountains, from which it’s so cool to splash water, and several large ships and submarines, which can also be viewed from a very close distance. However, the girls won’t be bored either: it’s not for nothing that the Newlyweds Alley runs here.

Patriarch's Ponds

A place overgrown with the most big amount secrets, legends and riddles. Those who dream of meeting their Margarita, revealing the secret of Berlioz’s death and getting at least a glimpse of Woland come here. And here you can just sit at the very edge of the pond and feed the ducks with bread. Or take a walk around the sculptures dedicated to Krylov’s works and recite one of the fables (or even all of them!) by heart.

Chistye Prudy

A slightly less mysterious, but no less popular territory among creative personalities. Here poets hold readings, street musicians play their music, and representatives of various exotic subcultures make dates.

Sparrow Hills

If your plans include conquering a girl, then you definitely need to go here. First, climb to the observation deck, eat cotton candy and look at the numerous newlyweds, then take a fun ride on the funicular and hide in one of the cozy forest gazebos.

Temples and churches


Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Chief of Moscow. You can come here as a parishioner or go see the museum - all this will be absolutely free. And also take a walk along the Patriarchal Bridge, take a photo against the backdrop of the huge Peter the Great and the Kremlin, and watch how the newly-made spouses hang heart-shaped locks on the fence, which will be cut down that same night. You should definitely look into the souvenir shop with gingerbread cookies: if you don’t eat, you can at least look at them with complete impunity.

Novodevichy and Danilovsky monasteries

The two largest monastery complexes in Russia (the first is for women, the second is for men) and cemeteries, where a large number of people are buried famous people Russia. This walk is suitable for those who are quite serious about it.

The shops

GUM

Grandiose in the center of Moscow. And even though now only modern shops and boutiques are collected here, it is worth coming here to look at the architectural ideas of three masters: Pomerantsev, Shukhov and Loleit. Pseudo-Russian style, decorative elements in the style of Russian patterns, three longitudinal glass passages... And they also sell inexpensive and tasty ice cream up here.

Eliseevsky

The most luxurious store of the pre-revolutionary era. And even though one of the department stores’ branches has been located here for several years in a row, “ Scarlet Sails“, the local setting and atmosphere allow you to briefly feel like a nobleman of the early 20th century.

Article text updated: 08/06/2018

Last November my wife and I went to independent travel to India. We flew on Aeroflot flights from Yekaterinburg to Delhi with a transfer to Sheremetyevo. We specifically bought tickets in such a way that we had the opportunity to spend a day in Moscow and see the most interesting places capital Cities. Today I will show you the route that I have taken my friends on more than 10 times: Red Square - Cathedral of Christ the Savior - All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNKh). We will see a map of the excursion, find out how to get to the sights and look at photographs.

Self-guided tour route around Moscow and a map of interesting places

As I have already noted, the scheme described below has been tested by me many times in practice: we walked along this route with people of different ages, weights and interests. Therefore, I can say with confidence that it is unlikely that you will be able to see more in one day: either you will be so exhausted that you will not want to go somewhere else, or there simply won’t be enough time if you have several hours at your disposal.

I usually start my tour with a visit to Red Square. Here we see the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral, GUM, Lenin's Mausoleum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden. Then we go on foot to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, from the Patriarchal Bridge in front of which there is a stunning view beautiful view to the Kremlin towers. Here is a monument to Peter I.

By this time, the tourist is already quite hungry, so you can go eat at the small cafe “Pelmeni” not far from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (address: Lenivka St., 6). In about 50% of cases, my fellow travelers no longer find the strength to move on and the excursion ends.

If the desire to see the sights of Moscow has not passed, we go down to the metro and go to the Vorobyovy Gory station, where in half an hour we climb a steep slope to the observation deck. It is located opposite the Lomonosov Moscow State University building. From the marble parapet there is a wonderful panorama of the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow City, the Ostankino Tower, Stalin's skyscrapers (the Ukraine Hotel, the house on Kudrinskaya Square and the Foreign Ministry building), the White House and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the distance.

In November 2016, my wife and I decided to make changes to the Moscow excursion route and instead of Sparrow Hills we went to VDNKh, where we planned to take photos with famous fountain"Friendship of Peoples" and the monument "Worker and Collective Farm Woman".

How to get from Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports to Red Square

Before we talk about our excursion to the sights of Moscow, let's discuss how to get to the center, by which I mean the Kremlin and Red Square. It’s more convenient and easier to go here by metro (I advise you to carefully study the map of the Moscow metro and take it with you on your trip).

To get to Red Square, you need to get off at one of the stations:

  • Revolution Square (blue line).
  • Okhotny Ryad (red line).
  • Library named after Lenin (red).
  • Alexander Garden (blue).
  • Teatralnaya (green route).

If you arrived in Moscow at Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo airports, located at different ends of the capital, then you will get to the center via the green metro line. At the same time, from Sheremetyevo you can get to the Belorusskaya metro station (Belorussky Train Station) by express train "Aeroexpress". I like this option with a train because you can easily calculate the travel time (departs every half hour, the journey takes 35 minutes). But the ticket price is quite high: 420 rubles for a one-way trip. When you are not in a hurry, and are ready to spend a little time in traffic jams for the sake of significant savings, then take minibus No. 949 (cost 75 rubles, operating hours - from 6:45 to 21:45) or bus No. 851 (100 rubles, from 5: 37 to 00:49) and in half an hour you will reach the station " River Station"on the green branch. From here you can get to Teatralnaya without a transfer.

From Domodedovo Airport you can take the Aeroexpress to Paveletskaya (Paveletsky railway station). The journey takes 45 minutes, ticket price is 470 rubles. Economical way– get to Red Square by bus No. 308, which departs from the stop public transport 100 meters from entrance group No. 2 and takes passengers to the Domodedovskaya metro station. Both "Paveletskaya" and "Domodedovskaya" belong to the green line, along which you need to get to the "Teatralnaya" stop.

The third airport is Vnukovo. A quick and expensive option to get from there to the center is by Aeroexpress to the Kievskaya metro station (Kyiv railway station). From here, along the blue line, we go to the “Revolution Square” stop. Cheap way: by bus No. 611 to the Salaryevo station on the red line. It’s probably easier to start the excursion route to interesting places in Moscow by visiting observation deck“Sparrow Hills”, get off at the “University” stop and walk 2.5 kilometers towards the main building of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov.

I would like to say a few words about this way to get to the Kremlin, like a taxi. At Moscow airports, as elsewhere in Russia, you will be met by a bunch of hucksters offering to take you to the center for an inexpensive price. If you don't want to ruin your vacation and risk your life, don't agree. If you have money, go to the official counter and pay the fare in advance. In 2005, I witnessed an unpleasant situation: I lived in the capital for 2 weeks and had to meet a young colleague flying in from Yekaterinburg, with whom I was supposed to go to a meeting. I strictly forbade him to use taxi services, offering to take the metro to the center. At the appointed “hour X” he calls:

— I didn’t find where the Aeroexpress stop in Domodedovo. I'm taking a taxi. The driver promised to give me a ride for a pittance: 100 rubles in total.

- You're crazy? Even in Yekaterinburg, travel from Koltsovo airport to the center costs 350 rubles, but here it’s Moscow!

- Don't worry. Everything is fine. The taxi driver showed the price list - this price is indicated there...

5 minutes later he calls back: “What should I do? The cost is 100 rubles per kilometer...” In general, long negotiations with the scammer and as a result I had to give up my cell phone and add more money to get to the metro...

I myself found myself in a similar situation in Romania, in Bucharest. We got into the car, drove off, and the meter started spinning like crazy. We began to protest. The driver immediately blocked the doors, called “helpers” on the radio... Boarding, driving 200 meters and disembarking cost $10.

Once again: if you want to get to Red Square by taxi, pay at the prepayment counter or order a car in advance, since everyone now has the Internet. For current train schedules to Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo and ticket prices, see the official Aeroexpress website. For ways to get there by bus, see the official websites of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports.

What sights did we see in Moscow in 1 day?

We arrived in the capital on the morning of November 7, 2015. There was no point in going to Red Square, since a parade was held here in the first half of the day. We decided to first go to VDNH (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy, now called the All-Russian Exhibition Center).

As we walked out of the VDNKh metro station, we saw a rocket soaring into the skies. This is the Monument to Space Conquerors, located at the main entrance of the exhibition center.

At the base of the obelisk there is Memorial Museum astronautics. We head towards it, simultaneously admiring the view of the Ostankino TV tower.

We have a lot of time before the evening flight to Delhi, so we decide to look at the museum exhibition. Here, many exhibits are presented to tourists, including satellites and rocket models; you can also see documentary about how humanity conquered space.

In principle, grannies are not allowed to photograph museum exhibits for free. But before I was caught, I managed to take a few spy shots inside.

750 meters from central entrance At VDNKh you can see probably the most famous monument in the CIS - “Worker and Collective Farm Woman”. Of course, we couldn’t miss the chance without taking a photo of him too.

Now you need to take the metro and get to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Usually the answer to the question of how to get to it is as follows: on foot from Red Square through the Alexander Garden, along Mokhovaya Street (in the area of ​​the Lenin Library you need to cross to the other side of the road via an underground passage) and further along Volkhonka Street. The walking time is 30 minutes.

11. Map with a diagram of how to get from Red Square to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Patriarchal Bridge.

But, as mentioned earlier, there was a parade in Moscow on November 7 and it was still useless to go to the Kremlin. We got to this attraction by metro (Kropotkinskaya station, red line). On the north-eastern side of the cathedral there is a small public garden with a monument to Tsar-Liberator Alexander II.

The huge building of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is impressive both with its gigantic size (capacity - 10,000 people, a small regional city can accommodate; height - 103 meters, like a 35-story skyscraper; mural area - 22,000 sq. m.) and decoration.

The cathedral building itself is a cenotaph (a symbolic grave, without burying the remains) of the soldiers of the Russian army who died in the Patriotic War of 1812 and in the Foreign Campaigns of 1797-1806, 1814-1815. Directly opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is the Patriarchal Bridge over the Moscow River. On the other bank you can see the building of the Red October factory, in one of the premises of which there is now a photo gallery named after the Lumiere brothers.

The bridge offers one of the most picturesque and recognizable views of the Moscow Kremlin.

On the other side you can see one of the “Stalin skyscrapers” (maybe Muscovites can tell you what this building is called).

Also, from the Patriarchal Bridge you can see the monument to Peter I by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, so revered by Moscow residents.

Having taken memorable photographs, we decide that the parade has already ended on Red Square and there are fewer people. We go on foot to the Alexander Garden. Along the way, it’s time to eat at the Pelmeni cafe (address: Lenivka St., building 6). The prices here for incredibly tasty Yakut dumplings (with venison) and other delicacies are quite affordable for Moscow.

So, from our list of attractions that can be seen in Moscow, we have already crossed out the Museum of Cosmonautics, All-Russian Exhibition Center-VDNKh, the Worker and Collective Farm Woman monument, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and views from the Patriarchal Bridge. We move to Red Square, along the way taking a photograph of the “remake” - the monument to Patriarch Hermogenes in the Alexander Garden.

The memorial architectural ensemble “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” is also located here. It was opened to mark the 25th anniversary of the defeat of fascist forces near Moscow.

Finally, we arrived at Red Square - the main attraction for millions of tourists in Russia and around the world who came to see Moscow for the first time.

Let me remind you that on November 7, 2015 at 13:00 a solemn procession began here in honor of the 74th anniversary of the 1941 parade on Red Square in Moscow. Therefore, more tourists gathered than ever before, everyone wanted to take pictures against the backdrop of the Kremlin and old military equipment.

By the way, how many times have I been to Moscow, but never had the chance to get to the Mausoleum. For information: opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00.

Another attraction that can be seen on Red Square is St. Basil's Cathedral. Its full name: Cathedral of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, which is on the Moat. It was originally built by order of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the capture of Kazan.

A monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky was placed next to the temple in 1931 (in fact, it was opened in 1818). Before that, he stood in the middle of Red Square.

This is where our strength ended and only one desire remained: to sit down somewhere as soon as possible. In the evening, we didn’t want to risk checking the severity of Moscow traffic jams, so we went to Sheremetyevo by Aeroexpress.

You probably realized that when going on such a long excursion around Moscow, you need to wear comfortable shoes - girls will die in heels. If you find yourself in the capital early and the desire to see interesting places is strong and you have more time, then I can suggest an extended route with sights that I once walked around the capital: from morning to late evening.

  • Bolshoi Theater (Teatralnaya metro station).
  • Kremlin and Red Square.
  • Victory Park and the Battle of Borodino Panorama Museum.
  • Observation deck "Sparrow Hills" near Moscow State University with a view of Moscow City.
  • All-Russian Exhibition Center (VDNKh), where the flower festival took place.

If you live in Moscow for a long time, I recommend going to Tula for the weekend (4 hours by train), where you can see the Tula Kremlin and go to Yasnaya Polyana (the Leo Tolstoy museum-estate). It's absolutely delightful there in the summer: meadows, hundred-year-old oaks, a lake with yellow water lilies. Interesting excursion!

Those tourists who want more comfort and thoughtfulness of their route around the capital can book a tour. For example, check out Sputnic8's offerings.

Even for a short time in Moscow you can have time to appreciate the versatility of the capital’s attractions, and not just complete the minimum program and see postcard places. It is enough to plan the route in advance and decide on priorities: which objects need to be visited in any weather, and which ones to leave for next time.

What to see in Moscow in 1 day

Regardless of the starting point in the capital, the central destination for tourists remains the historical center - Red Square with the Kremlin. At the same time, a quick but thoughtful sightseeing of the square and the nearest architectural ensemble will require at least a couple of hours. In the allotted time, you can take a photo against the backdrop of the Spasskaya Tower and St. Basil's Cathedral, walk around the Kremlin, relax in the Alexander Garden overlooking the Manege, admire churches and cathedrals, historical buildings with museums and, if you're lucky, even look into the Mausoleum. A visit to each of the major museums in the center of the capital requires at least two more hours.

What to see in Moscow in 2 days

Your vacation in Moscow on the second day should be supplemented with a visit to at least two museums from your personal “bucket list”, a contemplative walk through a park-reserve or the oldest botanical garden in the country.

It’s worth visiting Sparrow Hills not only for the observation deck overlooking the Luzhniki Stadium, skyscrapers and the Ostankino TV Tower. At the end of November 2018, the cable car opened and immediately became a new must-see attraction in Moscow.

When choosing an excursion and entertainment route for the second day for children, options are possible depending on the weather: for example, if the temperature is comfortable, you can devote the day to the zoo, in another case, go to Moskvarium, and then supplement the program with relaxation in one of the amusement parks in shopping centers or a water park.

What to see in Moscow in 3 days

A three-day stay in Moscow (as part of the first visit) already gives scope for searching for extraordinary attractions in addition to the basic routes. When choosing which interesting places to see in Moscow, it will be convenient to distribute them by location or type, and come up with themed days.

The classic first day is the center and two or three museums. The second day - relaxation in manor parks away from the noise of central streets, for example, in Kolomenskoye or Izmailovo (with a visit to the new tourist Kremlin), passing shopping and culinary tourism, observation deck in the evening. The third day is a visit to targeted places in the city: for some it is VDNKh or Moscow City, for others it is a classical production at the Bolshoi Theater or a new performance at RAMT, for others it is a park extreme entertainment, huge bookstore, stylish night club, a recently opened exhibition space or a specific cultural event.

The list of places where tourists can go in Moscow is very wide and is not limited to the main attractions for beginners listed in the article. More objects can be found in the full list and search by category (in the blocks below, under the review).

 

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