Natural attractions in this country. Natural attractions of Russia. Yosemite National Park

Republic of Karelia located in the north-west of the Russian Federation between the White and Baltic seas. It borders with Finland in the west, with the Vologda and Leningrad regions in the south, with Arkhangelsk in the east, with Murmansk in the north. The main relief is represented by hilly plains, turning into highlands in the west. The climate is mild with heavy rainfall, varying on the territory of the republic from maritime to continental. Characterized by long, relatively mild winters and short, cool summers. The area of ​​Karelia is 172.4 thousand km², divided into: 16 districts, 2 urban districts; on its territory there are 13 cities and 11 villages. The capital is Petrozavodsk.

Petrozavodsk founded in 1703 by Peter I, who ordered the creation of a cannon foundry at the mouth of the Lososinka River, later named Petrovsky in his honor. The city stretches along the shore of Lake Onega.

The territory of modern Petrozavodsk includes 31 ancient settlements, the oldest of which is 8 thousand years old. Petrozavodsk begins many tourist routes of Karelia. and has the status of a historical city of the Russian Federation.

There are different ways to get to Petrozavodsk:

From Moscow to Petrozavodsk - 1010 km.

• A short road trip along the Moscow – Tver – Valdai – Novgorod – Petrozavodsk highway (9-11 hours on the way).
• There is a regular railway service (travel time - 13-16 hours, departure - from Leningradsky and Kursky railway stations).
• Region Avia regularly operates flights between the cities (travel time - up to 2 hours, departure from Domodedovo, arrival in Besovets).

From St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk – 412 km.

• By car you can travel along the following route: “St. Petersburg – Sortavala – Petrozavodsk” (4-5 hours on the way).
• You can get there by direct train (trip duration - 7-8 hours, departure - from Ladozhsky station).

Let's highlight the most interesting sights of Karelia by type.

Natural attractions

Shore northern land washed by the waves White Sea . Their temperature in summer is 6-15°C; from autumn the sea freezes until June. Quiet lakes give way to stormy rivers, which gives Karelian nature a rare uniqueness. Karelia is a “country of lakes”; there are about 60,000 of them. Lakes Ladoga and Onega are the largest in Europe. Pristine corners of nature have been preserved in the Paanajärvi and Kalevalsky national parks, in the Kandalaksha and Kostomuksha nature reserves. Deserves special mention Kivach Nature Reserve and eponymous waterfall on the Suna River.

Marcial Waters Resort

Year-round resort complex, created in 1719 by Peter I. Used in treatment Gabozero medicinal mud and glandular mineral water. Named “marcial waters” in honor of the god of iron and war, Mars. Located in the Kondopozhsky district, 54 km north of Petrozavodsk.

You can get there from Petrozavodsk: by bus to the stop of the same name or by sanatorium transport, departure from the square near the railway station or by car: in the direction to Shuya, Kondopoga, after the Shuyskaya station, turn left behind the rock with a worship cross (at the turn there is a sign “To Girvas”), pass the village of Tsarevich and Kosalama village, then fork to Konchezero, do not turn off until Marcialnye Vody village).

Worth to visit: the wooden church of the Apostle Peter, the bell tower, the Museum of the History of “Marcial Waters”.

Seids on the Kuzov Islands in the White Sea.

Along the sea route from the port of Kem to the Solovetsky Islands there is Kuzova archipelago. It includes 16 uninhabited domed islets, famous for their unique cult complexes times of the ancient Sami population. About 800 different stone structures have no analogues in the world.

There are no regular flights to the islands. You can get there by boat on your own or with an organized group.

Architectural and cultural-historical sights

People come to Karelia to worship history: Kizhi, Solovetsky architectural and historical ensemble, Valaam archipelago, Voinitsa, Kalevala, petroglyphs, ancient villages. These places are a time capsule, taking travelers into Russia's past.

Kizhi Museum-Reserve

Located under open air on o. Kizhi in Lake Onega, 68 km from Petrozavodsk. It collected 89 monuments of wooden architecture. Worth to visit: the unique Architectural ensemble of the Kizhi churchyard, the 22-domed Church of the Transfiguration, the churches of the resurrection of Lazarus, the Intercession of the Virgin, the chapel of the Archangel Michael, the ancient houses of Oshevnev and Elizarova.

Getting there from Petrozavodsk possible: by river public transport, travel time 1 hour 15 minutes or water taxi (by agreement); by off-road pneumatic all-terrain vehicle - in winter, the journey takes 1.5 hours, or by helicopter from the Peski airport.

Valaam archipelago

A nature reserve located in the north of Lake Ladoga. IN summer time there are short white nights on Valaam. Preserved on the island of Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery - an ancient monastic monastery, considered the spiritual center of Orthodox Rus'. Worth to visit: Assumption Church, Resurrection Skete, Chapel of the Ascension, stable and water supply houses, buildings of the Red and White Sketes.

Get to Valaam Island Possible: by motor ship - travel time 50 minutes, departure – Sortvala or by helicopter from Petrozavodsk. In winter, you can also get there by hovercraft; from Sortavala the travel time is 45 minutes.

From Petrozavodsk to Sortavala you can get there: by bus “Petrozavodsk - Sortavala” or “Petrozavodsk - Lakhdenpokhya” (about 5 hours); by car: through Pryazha along the R-21 highway, 280 km.

Solovetsky Archipelago

Concentrated in the White Sea, it includes 106 islands. The main attractions are located on Bolshoi Solovetsky Island: botanical garden; Spaso-Preobrazhensky Solovetsky Monastery. In the 20s 20th century here was the Solovetsky Special Purpose Camp (SLON), where political prisoners were exiled.

How to get to the Solovetsky Islands:

• From the city of Kem: by motor ship (travel time - 2-4 hours, departure from the pier in the village of Rabocheostrovsk, 12 km from the city of Kem). A train runs from Petrozavodsk to Kem.
• From the city of Belomorsk: on the ship “Sapphire” (travel time up to 4 hours, departure from the pier of the Belomorsk fishing port).
• In winter, Solovki can be reached by plane from Petrozavodsk.

They are drawings engraved on rocks depicting people, boats, scenes of hunting, ritual processions, and wars. They were found at the mouth of the Vyg River on the rocks of small islands 9 km from Belomorsk. Their age is 6000 years, and their number is about two thousand.

Onega petroglyphs

number about 1200 images, often combined into compositions. Scattered in groups on the rocks. Petroglyphs originated in the Neolithic era.

How to get there:

• White Sea petroglyphs are located near villages of Vygostrov and Zolotets village 6-8 km.
• Onega is less accessible: the nearest ones are 4 km from the Kochkovnavolok Peninsula, the distant ones are 17 km from the island of Guryi, Cape Peri Nos. From Water station of Petrozavodsk go to the village of Shala passenger ships, then you will have to rent a boat or walk. The road is in poor condition.

Ancient Karelian villages

These are living monuments of wooden architecture. Their buildings show the world examples of high carpentry skills.

Ancient Vepsian Sheltozero village known since 1543, located 84 km from Petrozavodsk on the shore of Lake Onega. The two-story log house of Melkov from the 19th century has been preserved, in it - Sheltozero Vepsian Ethnographic Museum. Vepsian Folk Choir was founded in 1937.

It is better to get to the villages as part of a tourist group. Interesting tour ancient villages by jeep.

ABOUT Kinerma village mentioned in the chronicles of 1563. Kinerma is located 100 km from Petrozavodsk near Lake Ladoga, 6 km from the village. Vedlozero. Here is the chapel of Our Lady of Smolensk from the 18th century, which is surrounded by an ancient religious spruce grove, peasant huts and “black-style” baths from the 19th century.

The ancient Pomeranian village is located 35 km southeast of Belomorsk. It contains wooden houses and the remains of a saltworks Solovetsky Monastery 16-17 centuries, Church of Peter and Paul 17 century.

Karelia- an amazing land of blue lakes and amazing landscapes, white nights and hundred-year-old fir trees, rich fishing and successful hunting. Republic exclusively rich in spiritual, cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is interesting for antique lovers. Coming to Karelia, you find yourself in another dimension, in another era, where time has stood still and nature has remained unknown, retaining its unique charm.

Are you afraid of extreme relaxation? Read the article about, from it you can get ideas for an interesting adventure. From the material you will learn that rafting is available not only to professional extreme sports enthusiasts, and at this link you can find an article about Norilsk - a city of extremely low temperatures.

Valley of Geysers in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve

Travelers who ask experienced tourists questions about what to visit in Russia that will be remembered by them for its magical natural beauty, receive the answer: “The Valley of Geysers, located in Kamchatka”! This place is considered one of. This volcanic canyon, two kilometers wide and four kilometers long, resembles a fantastic “city” of hundreds of geysers and hot springs. Hundreds of years ago there was a lake here, but under the influence of continuous processes occurring in the volcano, it almost completely disappeared, and fountains of boiling water filled its place. The Valley of Geysers was discovered literally on the eve of the 1941 war. Here, near the Geysernaya River, the Giant Geyser gushes with a fountain. Tourists who come to visit these sights of Russia can watch its work by climbing to a special observation deck on the right bank of the river. In a minute, the Giant throws up 30 tons of hot water, and the water column reaches the height of a nine-story building! Such a grandiose, truly fantastic spectacle is accompanied by a powerful roar. To the west of the Giant lies the Pearl Geyser, hidden at the bottom of a well and covered with geyserite, somewhat reminiscent of natural pearls.

5. Hermitage (St. Petersburg)

Hermitage building

The Winter Palace in St. Petersburg is a real treasure of the country and the northern capital. Its construction began under Peter the Great. This historical monument, looking into the waters of the Neva like a mirror, since the 1920s it has become the most majestic and famous Russian museum - the Hermitage. Its unique collection owes its birth to the Empress Catherine II herself. The royal lady placed her first acquired paintings in the Northern Pavilion in 1764. The random collection of paintings acquired by Catherine consisted of works by Jordaens, Hals and Rembrandt. With this purchase, Catherine began collecting paintings, which almost grew into a collecting mania. The rooms and galleries located in the Small Hermitage were filled with works of art literally in geometric progression. Soon there was simply no room left for paintings. Then the Great Hermitage was built. Soon the empress acquired the library of Denis Diderot, and Diderot himself, as a token of gratitude, helped the empress buy paintings by famous masters. Today the museum houses thousands of works by Poussin, Van Dyck, Rubens, Titian, Raphael and other geniuses who lived in Europe in different centuries. More than five million tourists visit the museum every year.

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6. Mamayev Kurgan (Volgograd)

Sculptures “Stand to the death” and “Motherland” on Mamayev Kurgan

Mamayev Kurgan, a hill rising near the Volga, has long become a memorable place, unfortunately associated with the tragic events of the Patriotic War of 1941-1945. This monument to the memory of the heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad was opened in Volgograd in 1967. The remains of the soldiers who defended Stalingrad are buried on the hill. A statue of the Motherland, 86 meters high, was immediately installed. It can be seen several kilometers away to every traveler arriving in Volgograd. The sword in the hand of the statue weighs a total of 14 tons and reaches a height of 33 meters. The weight of the entire sculpture approaches 1,500 tons. They say that a large SUV can fit in the palm of the statue! Often, city guests going to this landmark of Russia lay at the foot of Mamayev Kurgan and Eternal Flame flowers, honoring the memory of the victims of fascism. Guests of the city, thinking about what to see in Russia and in Volgograd itself, should certainly admire the majestic ceremony of the changing of the guard, which takes place on Mamayev Kurgan every hour, starting from 9 a.m. to 19.00. In addition, travelers who book an excursion here will see weapons from the Second World War - multi-ton tanks and cannons.

7. Kazan Kremlin (Kazan)

View from the Ferris wheel of the Kazan Kremlin ensemble on the left bank of the Kazanka River Fendes

The Kazan Kremlin is the main decoration of the capital of Tatarstan. Its Spasskaya Tower, built in 1562, is the most recognizable building of an ancient architectural structure. Its main “sign” is its watch, and it has its own history. The first clock of the Kazan Kremlin was not a very ordinary mechanism that showed time. Their dial was constantly spinning, but the hand did not move! The modern clock, by which the entire Tatarstan now checks time, was installed only in 1963. Exhibitions, concerts and others are constantly held on the territory of the Kremlin in Kazan. entertainment activities. There are also cozy cafes with national Tatar cuisine. The most recognizable building in the Kremlin is the “leaning” Soyumbike Tower. Tourists looking for what to see in Russia and Kazan related to ancient history countries will definitely pay attention to the Mausoleum of the Kazan Khans. From the observation deck of the Kremlin there is a stunning, majestic view of the modern part of the city: the registry office, new houses, the Arena, the Palace of Farmers and the embankment. Tourists who want to take pictures in armor and shoot with a bow will be able to do this on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin. The main decoration of the historical site is the elegant blue and white Kul Sharif Mosque, which can accommodate more than 2,000 people.

8. State Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow)

Monument to Tretyakov P.M. in front of the Tretyakov Gallery

The Moscow State Tretyakov Gallery, founded in 1856, is a historical heritage of Russia. The gallery's exhibition is located in several buildings. More than 1,500,000 people come here every year to get acquainted with the well-known monuments of Russian art. Currently, the Tretyakov collection covers a large historical period from representatives of ancient Russian painting of the 11th century to the paintings of contemporaries. Every day the gallery is visited by students, elderly people, Muscovites and tourists who come to admire the sights of Russia. Here they admire the most famous works of art created by Ivanov, Shishkin, Vasnetsov, Surikov and other famous Russian artists. These paintings are the generally accepted standard of Russian art. Everyone will find the Mikhail Vrubel Hall here without any mistake. Its dim lighting and dark walls create an atmosphere that encourages a different perception of art. All the works of the artist, who is brilliant and a little strange in his painting style, exudes mystery and fabulousness.

9. Krasnaya Polyana (Sochi)

Sunny day in Krasnaya Polyana

Krasnaya Polyana is a ski resort near Sochi (Adler). There are trails for extreme sports enthusiasts, professionals and amateurs. ski slopes and for beginners. Vacationers who want to photograph nearby sights of Russia and Sochi can climb up to cable car and take some rare shots. Of course, more tourists come to Krasnaya Polyana in the winter season, but even in the summer, even those who decide to go here with kids will definitely find decent entertainment here. The same cable car, operating all year round, will appeal to both adults and their curious children who are already tired of beach holiday and frequent sea bathing. Having taken a lift ticket, you can climb to the highest point located in the mountains and relax in the “Vysota” bar, taking mulled wine for yourself and natural juice for your child. There is also a mountain Olympic village built for the 2014 Olympics. Here you can stay in a hotel of any price category. In summer, you should definitely swim and sunbathe at the resort. local beach, admiring the stunning views around the mountain.

10. Bolshoi Theater (Moscow)

The famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater

The building of the Bolshoi Theater is easily recognized by both avid theatergoers and people who are very far from anything related to art. It seems that the four horses decorating the grandiose architectural structure, will now soar upward. It is believed that the history of this temple of Melpomene began in 1776, when Prince Urusov received permission from Empress Catherine II to open a public theater in Moscow. But the building that Urusov built burned down before the opening, and he decided to sell the enterprise to the Englishman Michael Maddox, a mathematician from Oxford, who was invited to Russia to teach science to Tsarevich Pavel Romanov. And on December 30, 1780, the theater was inaugurated. It featured a hall with 1,000 seats, a spacious stage and a large orchestra pit. The first prima ballerina of the Bolshoi was the Frenchwoman Felicata Gullen-Sor. In 1918, Lenin demanded that the Bolshoi Theater be demolished immediately. He argued that opera is a bourgeois art that requires huge expenses and does not bring benefits. Surprisingly, it was Stalin who changed Lenin’s mind. In 1940, the Soviet government held a competition to give the theater a “Soviet working style.” However, in 2011 the Bolshoi was restored, giving it its original historical appearance and improving acoustics.

Sights of Russia: what else to visit in Russia

13. Architectural ensemble of Kizhi (Petrozavodsk)

Kizhi – a monument of wooden architecture

Any traveler thinking about what to visit in Russia and Karelia chooses a trip to Kizhi. You can get from Petrozavodsk to the architectural ensemble of Kizhi in an hour and a half by boat. Now there is a museum of wooden architecture here. However, it might not have existed if the Spaso-Kizhi churchyard had not arisen here in the 15th century. At that time, a graveyard was not a cemetery, but a unit territorial division. There were 130 villages in Kizhi at that time. First, winter and summer churches were built, which later burned down in a fire. The architectural ensemble, familiar to many today, was built only in the 18th century. Construction began with the nine-domed Church of the Intercession. Its unique iconostasis has been preserved to this day. The most famous landmark of Russia in Kizhi is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Its 22 domes are depicted on numerous Russian souvenirs, dishes, and towels. They say that no nails were used in its construction, but this is not true. In total, the architectural ensemble consists of two churches and a large bell tower with 33 domes, symbolizing the number of years the Savior lived.

14. Novgorod Kremlin ( Velikiy Novgorod)

Towers of the Novgorod Kremlin

Novgorod – oldest city Russia, an ancient craft and trade center, a link connecting Rus' with Europe. The city still invites guests to see its amazing sights. Among them is the Novgorod Kremlin or, as it was originally called, “detinets”. This stone structure Prince Yaroslavl was built on the banks of the Volkhov in the 11th century. It was first mentioned in the chronicles of 1044. But those original buildings have not survived. Later, the Kremlin was rebuilt and expanded several times. Today the length of its walls is close to one and a half kilometers. Now there are 9 towers preserved in the Kremlin. The highest of them is Kokui. Behind the fortress walls there are various architectural monuments. Saint Sophia Cathedral, near which all the townspeople used to gather for a meeting, the Chamber of Facets and the Sofia Belfry, which today attract curious tourists and people interested in the history of Russian architecture and the state as a whole. The territory of the Novgorod Kremlin is a favorite vacation spot for Novgorod residents and guests of the ancient city. Everything here is suitable for relaxation: cafes, playgrounds for children, carved benches. Thematic exhibitions dedicated to various events are regularly organized inside the Kremlin. Russian history. From the observation deck you can take panoramic shots of the city.

15. Kungur Cave (Kungur, Perm region)

Ice kingdom of Kungur cave

Avid travelers looking for the most unusual and even mystical things to see in Russia should definitely go down to Kungur cave. She is beautiful, and great, and truly magical. The first tourists, including kings, came here in the 19th century. Today this place is the most famous Ural miracle. Up to 100,000 people visit it annually. In just a few hours, moving through the cave passages, tourists see winter, autumn, and spring. But there is never summer in the cave. The temperature here does not rise above +5⁰ + 8⁰ C, so even the Urals themselves, who decided to admire the stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes at their leisure, often shiver here from the cold, forgetting to put on a warm jacket and hat before descending. The most beautiful hall of the cave, mesmerizing with its snow-white shine, is the Diamond Grotto, so named because of its many years of icing. Even if the temperature outside is +30⁰ C, snow flowers bloom on the walls of the grotto. Groups of tourists are not allowed to stay here for more than five minutes. The caretakers of the cave protect its microclimate and protect it from melting ice. The length of all the passages of the cave reaches six kilometers, along with fifty loopholes and grottoes, each of which has its own name and amazing story. Many halls are illuminated with multi-colored lights and look like unreal, fantastic palaces.

16. St. Basil's Cathedral (Moscow)

St. Basil's Cathedral or Intercession Cathedral Holy Mother of God on the Red Square

The status of the most recognizable landmark of Moscow, in addition to the well-known Kremlin, should be assigned to St. Basil's Cathedral - even with a fleeting glance, its colorful domes evoke associations with the Russian capital. The origins of the cathedral go back to the 16th century, when, by order of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, a religious building grew up on the site of the ancient Church of the Life-Giving Trinity. The creation of the cathedral was based on the idea of ​​​​Heavenly Jerusalem - the tented bell tower, around which eight chapters are located, resembles an eight-pointed star from above, similar to Bethlehem. And if the façade of the cathedral impresses with its splendor and abundance of flowers, the interior of the inner hall surprises with the simplicity of its decoration. Here, in the twilight, a completely different spirit reigns - the spirit of remembrance and meek prayers. While the first floor is occupied by the main church hall, the second tier houses an ensemble of 9 churches united by galleries.

17. Tsarskoe Selo Museum-Reserve (Pushkin, St. Petersburg)

Catherine Park with the palace in golden autumn in the Tsarskoe Selo museum-reserve in St. Petersburg

The great heritage of the city of Pushkin is the museum – the Tsarskoye Selo nature reserve with its Catherine Palace, which is an excellent example of Russian architecture. The entire complex is an important monument of landscape gardening art of the 18th-20th centuries, which was significantly damaged as a result of the events of the Great Patriotic War, but was later completely restored. The museum complex consists of gardens, parks, small thematic museums and the central site - the Catherine Palace, a magnificent baroque structure in beautiful azure and white tones with an abundance of gilded elements. The splendor of the palace interior is especially evident in its Throne Room, sparkling with gilded decoration and impressive artistic ceiling paintings. The richness and cozy color of the Amber Room, the combination of snow-white walls and gold are impressive Front suite, the grandeur and vastness of the Hermitage pavilion.

18. Golden Ring of Russia (cities of North-Eastern Rus')

Picturesque panoramic view to Suzdal – part of the Golden Ring of Russia
Wooden Church of the Savior in the Kostroma Museum of Wooden Architecture of the Golden Ring of Russia

Famous a tourist route, which turned 50 years old in 2017, has already become a classic of tourism in Russia. It leads through the oldest Russian cities, where every historical place, each museum and cathedral keeps its centuries-old history. All moments of the formation of Old Russian architecture are revealed in the process of traveling through eight Old Russian cities, located on the map so that if you connect them with a single line, it looks like a closed ring - hence the name of the route. Majestic white-stone churches of the 12-13 centuries, medieval tent-roofed buildings, creations of famous architectural schools, interesting exhibits of ancient museums, where wood carvings, products of talented jewelers and lacemakers, enamel painting, lacquer miniatures and much, much more will allow you to see with your own eyes a rich tour "Golden Ring of Russia".

19. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (Nizhny Novgorod)

Chkalov Stairs and St. George Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin in Nizhny Novgorod

At the confluence of the great Russian rivers, the Volga and Oka, a brick fortress rises majestically - a fortification structure of the 16th century. The origins of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin date back to the distant 13th century, when a Russian prince founded a city here and surrounded it with fortifications. And only 3 centuries later an important fortification post made of red brick and white limestone was erected. The total length of the Kremlin walls is about 2 km, these walls have 13 battle towers, and the role of the main gate is played by the Dmitrievskaya Tower, which has become one of the symbols of Nizhny Novgorod. The second important tower is located in the southeastern tip - this is the St. George Tower, next to which there is Minin and Pozharsky Square with a monument to Chkalov, as well as an observation deck from which the huge 560-step Chkalov staircase leads down.

20. Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (1.5 km from Bogolyubov)

The white stone Church of the Intercession on the Nerl on the territory of Bogolyubovsky Meadow, 1.5 km from the village of Bogolyubovo

Another of the monuments of ancient Russian architecture is located in the Russian outback, one and a half kilometers from the village of Bogolyubovo. On a clear day, against the backdrop of a blue sky, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is especially beautiful - the gentle beauty of its facade, the combination of the piercing blue of the domes with its snow-white walls are impressive. The church, which became one of the symbols of Russia, was built in the 12th century in just one summer, not far from the residence of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. It was consecrated in memory of the events that took place in Constantinople in the 10th century during the siege of the city by the Saracens. There is a belief that in those difficult times the inhabitants of the city gathered in churches and prayed for the salvation of the city, and the holy fool Andrew noticed how in the crowd of worshipers, on bended knees, the Mother of God herself offered up her prayers, after which she approached the throne and took off the veil from her head. , extended it over all people and granted salvation.

The cruiser Aurora is a legendary warship moored at the embankment in St. Petersburg

Mentioning the sights of St. Petersburg , One cannot fail to mention one of the most symbolic monuments of the northern capital - the cruiser Aurora. The armored cruiser, created to strengthen the navy in the process of geopolitical rivalry with England, was named after the ancient Roman goddess of the dawn. It was built at the very end of the 19th century and experienced a number of significant events of the 20th century: it took part in the battles of the Japanese War, the First World War, and was involved in the assault Winter Palace and during the defense of Kronstadt. The ship was regularly shelled by enemy artillery, but still survived to this day. Today, there is a museum on board the cruiser dedicated to the ship’s participation in significant historical events, as well as a ship’s temple, restored in post-Soviet times.

22. Manpupuner (Komi Republic)

Manpupuner or Weathering Pillars on the territory of the Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve in the Komi Republic

Amazing natural formations in the form of weathered pillars can be seen in the Troitsko-Pechora region of Komi. Unusual name of these creations - Manpupuner - translated from the Mansi language means “Small Mountain of Idols”. Once upon a time, millions of years ago, this place was dominated by Ural Mountains, but over time, wind and water destroyed the rock. In some places, the stones turned out to be so strong that erosion could not cope with them - this is how a plateau with bizarre rocky pillars, which are also called outcrops, was formed. There are seven such sculptures in total on the plateau; they rise in the middle of the plain, have a height of 30 to 42 meters and an unusual shape, from different angles resembling either the figure of a giant or the head of a horse - in a word, there is room for the imagination to run wild.

23. Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Kamchatka)

Area of ​​the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with the Koryaksky volcano in the background at dawn

Russia is great and vast, and if the sights of central Russia are concentrated in cities adjacent to the capital, and getting to know them does not take much time, then to visit others you will have to travel to the opposite tip of the continent. Thus, it is worth dedicating a separate trip to exploring the beautiful natural creations of the Kamchatka Peninsula - this region is so rich. It abounds with waterfalls, hot springs, beaches and bays, and, of course, the true symbol of Kamchatka is its numerous volcanoes. There are few places on earth where you can find so many volcanoes on so many small area, and with them unique landscapes, so excursions to Kamchatka are, first of all, rafting mountain rivers, climbing dormant volcanoes, skiing from snow-covered slopes, therapeutic swimming in thermal springs, acquaintance with the ancient culture of the indigenous northern peoples and much, much more.

24. Lena Pillars (Yakutia)

Lena pillars on the banks of the Lena River in Yakutia

In the Republic of Yakutia, on the banks of the large Siberian Lena River, there is an amazing stone ridge about 80 kilometers long. The cliffs, in some places reaching a height of 200 meters, were formed from ancient limestones, and their formation began about 500 million years ago. These formations have a bizarre striped “color” and an unusual elongated shape, and today a national park has been created on their territory. Since ancient times, this place was considered sacred - only shamans and elders were allowed to talk with spirits. From a scientific point of view, the pillars are an example of ancient formations of sedimentary rocks - once upon a time there was a sea in their place, and the material for the formation of future rocks was the bone remains of sea inhabitants. Over time, the sea dried up, and weathering processes led to the formation of unusual natural creations.

25. Kul Sharif Mosque (Kazan)

View from the Manege building to the Kul Sharif mosque in the Kazan Kremlin

The main mosque of Tatarstan and the symbol of the entire Tatar people is the Kul Sharif mosque in Kazan - a place of Muslim worship, weddings, photo sessions for tourists, and simply a corner of authentic beauty and peace. It is worth noting that the modern building is not a historical structure; it was erected quite recently on the site of the original Kul Sharif mosque that once existed here. The original structure was destroyed back in the 16th century by the troops of the Russian Tsar Grozny, and only from 1996 to 2005 work began on the active restoration of the mosque at this site, and the opening itself was timed to coincide with the millennium of the Tatar capital. The modern building is built of white marble and has eight high towers - minarets. Inside you can visit prayer halls, an Islamic museum, and especially for foreign visitors there are even special balconies from where you can watch the service.

26. Swallow's Nest (Crimea)

Lock bird home on a cliff above Yalta Bay on the southern coast of Crimea
Amazing aerial view South Bank Crimea with a castle over the abyss on a sunny day

Any quiz on the sights of Crimea is not complete without mentioning perhaps the most famous monument of the peninsula - a magnificent castle literally hanging on the edge of a cliff above the sea. Of course, this is the well-known “Swallow’s Nest” - the smallest castle in the world, located at the tip of the southern Cape Ai-Todor, at an altitude of 40 meters above sea level. The castle itself was built back in 1912 by order of a German baron, who wanted to see a castle in this beautiful place that would remind him of the architectural masterpieces of his distant homeland. During the Soviet years, more than one film was shot in the vicinity of the castle, from the 70s until 2011 there was a restaurant within its walls, and today here you can visit the museum, examine the interior and exterior of the building, and admire the view from the steep cliff.

27. Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station (Yenisei river)

Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station named after P. S. Neporozhniy on the Yenisei River

In addition to the classic attractions, there are others in Russia in their own way. interesting places, clearly demonstrating the enormity of human labor and the genius of engineering. These include the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station dam, a hydraulic structure impressive in scale and complexity. In terms of generated power, this hydroelectric power station ranks first among similar structures in Russia and seventh in the whole world. The dam has a huge height - 245 meters, and blocks the waters of one of the country's greatest rivers - the Yenisei. Not only the size of the hydroelectric power station is impressive - perhaps the most striking sight is the incredible power of the spillway, because in just one second more than 13 thousand cubic meters of water can be discharged through special compartments.

28. Shikhany in Bashkiria (Bashkir Cis-Urals)

Shikhan Tratau is an isolated hill (single mountain) in the Bashkir Cis-Urals

Few people know that in Bashkiria you can find ancient coral reefs that lay at the bottom of the Ural Sea millions of years ago. Shihans are mountains that witnessed natural processes occurring in those ancient times. These unique geological formations were essentially huge coral reefs, which, after the ancient sea dried up, became home to many land plants and animals. In modern times, Shikhany represents a certain benefit for industry - a number of building materials are produced from multi-ton limestone deposits. Therefore on this moment Of the four shihans, in fact, only three remain: Yuraktau, Kushtau and Toratau. H fourth Shikhan Shakhtau, alas, almost all of it went to be processed by a Bashkir industrial enterprise.

29. Elbrus (Caucasus)

Elbrus is the highest peak of Russia in the North Caucasus

The highest peak in Russia is 5,642 meters, and it belongs to the Caucasus Mountains system. This is Mount Elbrus at the junction of two republics - Karachay-Cherkess and Kabardino-Balkarian. The characteristic double-headed shape of Elbrus has made the mountain a unique, recognizable symbol North Caucasus. Today it fascinates and attracts the attention of both climbers seeking to conquer high peaks and travelers who come to the foot to feel all the grandeur and power of the stone giant. An interesting fact is that these two peaks are of volcanic origin - they were formed on a volcanic basis and essentially represent two independent volcanoes. According to existing data, the last eruption here occurred about 2 thousand years ago. The highest is the western peak, the eastern one is 21 meters lower, and the two peaks are separated by a saddle, the height of which is approximately 300 meters lower than the mountain peaks.

30. Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Mirny)

Launch pad Soyuz rockets at the Plesetsk cosmodrome

While exploring the sights of the world, it is worth paying attention to some objects of world significance in Russia - such as the Plesetsk cosmodrome, which played a crucial role in the development of astronautics. For example, until 2018 it ranked first in the world in the number of space launches and launched vehicles. The cosmodrome is located in the Plesetsk district of the Arkhangelsk region and occupies a huge area - more than 1,700 square meters. kilometers. Independent visits are prohibited, and excursion entry into the territory of the cosmodrome is carried out through a checkpoint, where strict control is carried out, due to the secrecy of the objects located here. On the territory you can visit the Historical and Memorial Museum, which is especially interesting for its realistic dioramas demonstrating rocket launches.

31. Trans-Siberian Railway

VL 85-022 with a container train on the Utulik-Slyudyanka section on the coast of Lake Baikal Sorovas

The Great Siberian Road, today called the Trans-Siberian Railway, surpasses all others in scale railway lines peace. The length of the highway is almost 10 thousand kilometers, it passes through 21 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and its main task is to connect the European region of the country, its main (Moscow) and northern capital (St. Petersburg) with the most important Far Eastern and Eastern Siberian cities of Russia. The construction of the great Trans-Siberian Railway began back in 1891, after the emperor issued a decree on the foundation of the “Great Siberian Road”, and lasted for almost a quarter of a century. The starting point of construction was a place near Vladivostok - Kuperovskaya Pad, it was here that Tsarevich Nicholas, future Tsar Nicholas II, personally transported the first wheelbarrow of land to the future road surface.

32. Golden Mountains of Altai (Siberia)

Landscape of the state biosphere nature reserve Golden Mountains of Altai

While the most popular historical attractions are concentrated in the European part of Russia, its Asian part is a land of magnificent, pristine nature, wild spaces with a contrasting climate and sometimes very diverse nature. For example, Central Asia and Siberia are separated by the picturesque natural complex- Golden Mountains of Altai, recognized as a world heritage site. Mountain Altai- a real piggy bank natural resources: on an area of ​​1.64 million hectares there is the Altai Biosphere Reserve, the Katunsky Nature Reserve, natural parks"Belukha" and "Ukok Quiet Zone". There are few places in the world with such contrasting landscapes - all natural Central Asian zones converge in this region: steppes, deserts, forest-steppes, mountain taiga, mixed forests, alpine and subalpine meadows. The pearl of Altai is the deep-water Lake Teletskoye, called the younger brother of Lake Baikal.

Jean & Nathalie

Mentioning attractions Crimean peninsula, one cannot fail to mention the luxurious monument of Crimean Tatar architecture - the Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai. In ancient sources, the palace is mentioned as the Khan's residence, the construction of which was completed by 1551. The main task of the craftsmen who worked on the construction of the palace was to embody in the building the Muslim idea of ​​an earthly paradise, and as a result of their work, not just a palace, but a miniature city grew up, which became the center of the cultural, spiritual and political life of the Crimean Tatar state. In the 20th century, within the walls of the palace was opened National Museum, and since 1979, the palace, as a result of labor-intensive restoration, acquired the role of a monument of Crimean architecture. The palace territory is still rich in greenery and fountains today; all buildings have an authentic façade with characteristic ornate paintings.

34. Naval St. Nicholas Cathedral (Kronstadt)

View from Anchor Square to the Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Kronstadt Florstein

At the very beginning of the 20th century, by decree of Tsar Nicholas II, the largest naval cathedral of the times of the Russian Empire, Nikolsky, was erected in the fortified city of Kronstadt. Today, this beautiful monumental building in the neo-Byzantine style is the main naval temple of the Russian Federation and serves as a branch of the Central Naval Museum. Inside, the temple has a rich decoration with a lot of painted ornaments, an abundance of gilding, where a lot of attention is paid to the maritime theme, because the cathedral was originally conceived as a monument to the dead sailors. In the hall of the temple you can see black memorial plaques made of marble, in the altar there are the same white ones: on the black ones the names of naval officers who died in battle are listed, on the white ones - the names of the clergy who died at sea. In the square of the cathedral there is an old garden in which 32 oak trees were planted by the Russian Tsar and his entourage with his own hands.

Inner hall of Narzan gallery AlixSaz
Interior of the Narzan Gallery in Kislovodsk Laura bera

If we mention the natural attractions of Russia, the presentation will not be complete without such riches that are not just pleasing to the eye, but also have a beneficial effect on human health. A very successful synthesis of useful natural gifts and skillful architectural craftsmanship is the Narzan Gallery, located in the very heart of Kislovodsk. A Narzan spring was discovered here at the beginning of the 18th century, the healing properties of its waters were quickly discovered, and a century later a well was built. During these same years, treatment with Narzan waters also became widespread. So, on the site of the source, by decree of Prince Vorontsov in 1858, a beautiful Gothic structure rose from yellow stone, intended for the relaxation of holidaymakers who drank life-giving water. The luxurious and spacious gallery has retained its original appearance to this day, having undergone only minor changes in the interior.

Photo: 500px.com by Peter BABILOTTE

Even the most avid traveler can always find unexplored places, countries and cultures, because our planet is so diverse. Rice terraces, waterfalls and clear ponds - we have collected for you 30 attractions that everyone should see at least once!

1

Pamukkale, Türkiye

A natural site in the Turkish province of Denizli represents 17 geothermal springs that look extraordinary! The dazzling white terraces are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. And besides, they are open for swimming.

Photo: hermosatoursturkey.com 2

Rice terraces, China

The most famous rice terraces in China, Longji Rice Terraces, are called “Dragon Ridge” due to their unusual shape. They are located near Guilin County and rise 300-1100 meters above the sea. This place takes on its most spectacular appearance in the spring, when the blue sky and sun are reflected in the water.

Photo: mybirdie.ca 3

Temples of Bagan, Myanmar

The ancient city of Bagan in the state of Myanmar today is an archaeological site with pagodas, temples and monasteries. The most famous and beautiful of them are Buddhist temple Damayanji and Ananda. Once I saw this old City, you will remember it forever.

Photo: hotels-myanmar.com 4

Monasteries of Meteora, Greece

The largest complex Monasteries in Greece are striking primarily for their location: they are located on the tops of cliffs reaching a height of 600 meters. The monasteries are a unique attraction, because they were built in 950-970, when there were no roads or equipment and all materials were raised to the rocks by hand.

Photo: lovethesepics.com

Salt Flat of Uyuni, Bolivia

The dry lake in the southern Altiplano desert plain is the largest salt flat in the world. The mirror surface of Uyuni reflects the clouds, which creates an incredible sight!

Photo: hofmag.com 6

Hitachi National Park, Japan

In the park of the Japanese city of Hitatinaka you can admire the beauty of nature at any time of the year, because there are plants that bloom every season.

Photo: yokotatravel.com 7

Ad Deir and Al Khazneh, Jordan

The temples in the city of Petra in Jordan are unique attractions. Back in the 1st century AD. they were completely carved out of rocks.

Photo: owegoo.com 8

Machu Picchu, Peru

The “City Among the Clouds” is considered one of the most mysterious attractions in the world, located at the top mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is believed that the city was created as a sacred mountain refuge by the Inca ruler Pachacutec. It was home to 1,200 people, all of whom mysteriously disappeared from the city in the middle of the 16th century.

Photo: julianrestaurant.com 9

Cave in Algarve, Portugal

Situated on a beach in Portugal's Algarve region, this cave's perforated vault creates an amazing view. Especially when the sun's rays pass through them.

Photo: 500px.com by IURII BURIAK 10

Lencois Maranhenses National Park in Brazil

The national park in the Brazilian state of Maranhão is famous for its sand dunes. It takes on a particularly enchanting appearance during the rainy season, when lagoons form between the dunes.

Photo: aheadcomunicazione.it 11

Moraine Lake, Canada

Glacial Lake is located in Banff National Park at an altitude of 1885 meters. It is completely filled only from mid to late June, fed by the glacier. At this time, the rocky bottom of the lake creates an amazing reflection on the surface.

Photo: wallpaperfolder.com 12

Son Doong Cave, Vietnam

The Vietnamese province of Quang Binh is home to the most big cave in the world - Shondong. It is assumed that its total volume is 38.5 million square meters. There is a river flowing in the cave, and there is also grass and trees.

Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn 13

Tulip fields, Netherlands

Flower fields in the Netherlands occupy vast areas, which is why they look so fabulous. The largest number of tulips bloom from early April to mid-May - it is at this time that you can see an incredible riot of colors!

Photo: kartunlucu.com 14

Mount Roraima, South America

Table Mountain Roraima is located at the junction of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Its main feature is that a large cloud constantly hovers over the mountain.

Photo: feel-planet.com 15

Cave of Crystals, Mexico

At a depth of 300 meters under the city of Naica in Mexico there is a cave of crystals. The largest crystal found here reached a height of 11 meters and had a width of 4 meters. You can stay inside the cave for no longer than 20 minutes, since the temperature in it can rise to 60 degrees.

Photo: tourism-spot.com 16

Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia, ​​China

In the Chinese province of Gansu, the Zhangye Danxia National Geopark is located, the main attraction of which is the colored rocks. Formed by deposits of sandstone and other minerals, they reach a height of several hundred meters.

Photo: travelwithkally.blogspot.com 17

Sea of ​​Stars, Maldives

Thanks to the bioluminescence of millions of living organisms, the beaches on the Maldivian island of Vaadu seem to be covered with stars. The spectacle is simply incredible!

Photo: thousandwonders.net 18

Antelope Canyon, USA

Located in northern Arizona, this canyon gets its name from its incredible coloration, reminiscent of the skin of an antelope. The sunlight breaking through the rocks adds special magic to this place.

Photo: planetden.com 19

Fingal's Cave, UK

The rock-cut cave is located on the Scottish island of Staffa. Its walls are vertical basalt columns up to 20 meters high. The entrance to the cave is too narrow for boats, so you can only get into it on foot along the edge above the water.

Photo: ml.southlive.in 20

Bamboo forest, Japan

The amazingly beautiful natural landmark Sagano Bamboo Forest is located near Kyoto. It is a picturesque alley of tall trees that look very impressive.

Photo: bonappetour.com 21

Spotted Lake, Canada

Spotted Lake near Osoyoos is also called Kliuk. Its water is rich in various minerals and has the highest concentration of magnesium sulfate in the world. Due to this, in the summer, during evaporation, spots of various shapes and colors form on the surface of the lake.

Photo: ppcorn.com 22

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

One of the most famous tourist sites in Argentina is the Perito Moreno glacier, located in national park Los Glaciares. It has an area of ​​250 square kilometers.

Photo: en.wikipedia.org 23

Iguazu Falls, South America

The complex of 270 waterfalls is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are the most visited attraction South America, where up to 2 million visitors come annually.

Photo: tedytravel.com 24

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

The amazing landmark was formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption near Bushmills in Northern Ireland.

Photo: iexplore.com 25

Flathead Lake, USA

The largest lake in the United States is located west of the Mississippi River and is known for its incredibly clear water. Despite the fact that at first glance it seems shallow, in some places the depth of Flathead Lake reaches 113 meters.

Photo: tumblr.com 26

Pongur Falls, Vietnam

The waterfall in the vicinity of the city of Dalat reaches a height of 40 meters and is 100 meters wide. It is considered one of the main attractions of Vietnam - and no wonder, because its beauty is amazing!

Photo: reddit.com 27

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world's largest coral reef stretches 2.5 thousand kilometers along the northeastern coast of Australia. It is the world's largest natural object formed from living organisms. Moreover, it can be seen from space.

Photo: alterra.cc

Guijiang River, China

The river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is one of the most picturesque in China. Transparent water and surrounding nature create a simply amazing atmosphere!

Photo: toonts.com 29

Devils Tower Monolith, USA

Natural monument Devils Tower is located in the state of Wyoming and is a volcanic monolith 386 meters high. It is believed that its age is from 195 to 225 million years.

Photo: npca.org 30

Troll Tongue, Norway

A stone ledge on the Skjeggedal rock, near the Norwegian city of Odda, has a similar name due to its unusual shape: it looks like a large tongue. But in fact, this is a fallen piece of rock, frozen horizontally on its edge.

Photo: earthtrekkers.com

Russia is a great and diverse country, its vastness is amazing. There is everything here: from stunning architectural monuments to all sorts of natural attractions, stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean. What can you see in Russia, what are the most interesting and unusual places that attract tourists from all over the world?

Moscow and St. Petersburg, Siberia, the Dolny East, the Volga region, the Krasnodar Territory, the Russian North, the Caucasus and the Urals are the most famous regions where the most famous ones are concentrated.

A selection of the best sites in Russia will help you get to know the history and culture of the country, which ranks first in the world in terms of territory.

Moscow Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin is perhaps the main attraction of Moscow. This architectural and artistic ensemble is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Unique museum complex includes cathedral museums, the Patriarchal Chambers of the 17th century, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Armory Chamber - a museum-treasury.

The Kremlin museums display unique exhibits. Among them are royal carriages, icons, weapons and armor, state regalia and much more. The residence of the President of Russia is located on the territory of the Kremlin.

Visit to the Moscow Kremlin paid, ticket price 500 RUB, children under 16 years old - free.

If you stay in the city for more than a day, you should take care of overnight accommodation. .

Red Square

Red Square is located in the very center of Moscow and is the heart of Russia. There are unique attractions here. What is the Lenin Mausoleum with a solemn guard, Execution Place, Kazan Cathedral worth.

The square is the main place for ceremonial parades. This is one of the main attractions of Moscow.

Photo source: raskalov_vit.livejournal.com.

The area of ​​the square is not intended for cars, it is a pedestrian zone.

Tretyakov Gallery

The most famous Art Museum Moscow - Tretyakov Gallery. The museum's collection includes more than 100 thousand works of art. Here is the world's largest collection of Russian visual arts. The museum was founded in 1856 by merchant P. M. Tretyakov. The facade of the museum building is made according to the sketches of the artist Vasnetsov.

Entrance ticket: 400 RUB.

Kizhi Island

The open-air Kizhi Museum-Reserve is on the list of the most visited attractions in Russia. 89 unique monuments of wooden architecture are collected here: ancient houses, chapels, mills, churches, barns and other buildings.

The most famous building of the museum is the Church of the Transfiguration, 1714. Its height is 37 meters, it is decorated with 22 domes of different sizes, descending to the ground. And this entire structure was made without a single nail.

Kizhi Pogost is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The island is located on Lake Onega, 68 km from the capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk.

Photo source: nice-places.com.

Motor ships run to the island, the cost of a two-way trip is 2750 RUB, departure from Petrozavodsk.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

The Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod is rightfully considered the most outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture. He is only a few years younger than Sophia of Kyiv, it was she who served as the prototype of the Novgorod shrine. The construction of the temple was carried out by the Novgorod prince Vladimir, the son of Yaroslav the Wise.

The cross of the central dome of the cathedral is crowned with a figure of a dove - a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and while he is there, the city is under his protection.

Photo source: dic.academic.ru.

The cathedral is located on the territory of the Novgorod Kremlin, entrance to the temple free.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

The St. Isaac's Cathedral Museum-Monument in St. Petersburg is one of the best cathedrals in Europe, and is also one of the main attractions of Russia.

Famous masters of the mid-19th century worked on the interior decoration of the cathedral, including Karl Bryullov, Fyodor Bruni, Vasily Shebuev, Ivan Vitali. Of particular interest are the mosaic paintings, there are about 60 of them. The stained glass windows are no less beautiful - their area is about 28.5 sq.m.

It is possible to climb the colonnade of the cathedral dome, from a height of 43 meters it opens beautiful view to the city.

Photo source: kvartirka.com.

Comprehensive ticket to the cathedral and to the colonnade - 400 RUB.

For an overnight stay in St. Petersburg you can use.

Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the Baltic coast. The nature of the spit is diverse and unique; there are deserts and meadows covered with moss and lichen, pine and deciduous forests, swamps and moving dunes.

Photo source: amigo-tours.ru.

The length of the spit is 98 km, the width ranges from 400 to 3800 meters.

One-time pass to visit the park: 250 RUB.

Peterhof Museum-Reserve

Another unique attraction of St. Petersburg. The Peterhof State Museum-Reserve is a palace complex with fountains, gardens and parks. The amazingly beautiful palace and park complex is most famous for its fountains; there are more than 150 of them.

The complex consists of Upper Garden, palace and Lower Park. One of the main attractions is the Grand Cascade, in the center of which is the figure of Samson tearing the jaws of a lion.

Another decoration of the park - White Nights, they last from mid-May to almost mid-July. The museum is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also recognized as one of the wonders of Russia.

Photo source: tonkosti.ru.

Peterhof is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, 30 km from St. Petersburg.

Museum admission fee: from 70 to 520 RUB.

Kazan Kremlin

The Kazan Kremlin is the main attraction of Kazan. On the territory of the museum-reserve, Tatar and Russian architecture coexist - this is the Annunciation Cathedral and the main mosque of Kazan Kul Shalif, the Governor's House and the leaning tower of Syuyumbike.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Photo source: gelio.livejournal.com.

Entrance to the Kremlin territory free. The fee is charged only for visiting museums: from 150 to 250 RUB.

There are a lot of accommodation options in Kazan. .

Sochi Arboretum

The Sochi Arboretum is a monument of landscape gardening art; it houses a unique collection of subtropical plants brought from different parts of the planet. The rose garden is especially popular.

There is a cable car in the park, you can look at all this splendor from a bird's eye view. In 2012, the park celebrated its 120th anniversary.

Photo source: foto.glavbukh.ru.

Admission ticket: 250 RUB.

Lake Teletskoye

The amazingly beautiful Lake Teletskoye is the pearl of Altai. This is one of the deepest lakes on the planet with the purest water and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Photo source: rossija.info.

Local peoples consider the lake sacred. The incredible beauty of these places is mesmerizing; the waterfalls are especially interesting - the most visited is Korbu, its height is 12.5 meters. The entire right bank is part of the Altai Nature Reserve.

Steller Arch

Steller Arch - a unique natural monument Kamchatka region. It is a symbol of the Komandorsky Biosphere Reserve, located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean between Poludennaya and Gladkovskaya bays. The height of the arch is 20.6 m, formed as a result of natural erosion of the rock.

Photo source: photokamchatka.ru.

Named after its discoverer, the traveler Georg Wilhelm Steller.

Novgorod child

The Novgorod Kremlin (Detinets) is the oldest Kremlin in Russia, its age has exceeded 970 years. It was included in the list of the best attractions in Russia.

On the territory of the Kremlin there is the most ancient temple Russia - St. Sophia Cathedral, the Vladychnaya (Faceted) Chamber, the monument to the 1000th anniversary of Russia, the Church of St. Andrew Stratilates and other buildings. The total area of ​​the Kremlin is 12.1 hectares.

Photo source: etotam.com.

The Novgorod Kremlin is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Entry price: 190 RUB.

Kungur Ice Cave

The Kungur Ice Cave is the largest karst cave in Russia; it ranks seventh in the ranking of the longest gypsum caves in the world. Its length is 5600 meters, there are up to fifty grottoes and more than 60 lakes.

The air temperature in some grottoes does not rise above zero degrees. The approximate age of the cave is 10-12 thousand years, located in the Urals in the Perm region. The length of the route equipped for tourists is 1500 meters.

Photo source: russia.ksio.ru.

Price entrance tickets : from 600 to 1000 RUB.

Dombay

Dombay is one of the oldest ski resorts in Russia. It is located at the foot of the Main Caucasus Range at an altitude of 1620 meters in the valley.

Photo source: a-tours.com.

Beautiful nature and enough developed infrastructure attracts many tourists, the season lasts from November to May.

Boxwood Falls

The picturesque Boxwood Falls attract many tourists every year. The waterfalls are located on the Eastern Dagomys River, surrounded by relict forests. The river flows through the gorge, forming cascade waterfalls. Near each of them there are depressions with clear water in which you can swim.

Photo source: openarium.ru.

The highest waterfalls reach a height of 5 meters. The waterfalls are located a few kilometers from Sochi, near the village of Baranovka.

Diamond quarry "Mir"

Yakutia is home to one of the world's largest diamond quarries, Mir. The giant crater, 525 meters deep, is literally mesmerizing, and the quarry is especially impressive from a bird's eye view.

Photo source: free-eyes.com.

Diamonds have been mined here for more than 50 years, the largest was found in 1981 - 324.5 carats. In 2001, development was stopped and the quarry was mothballed.

Krasnoyarsk pillars

The Krasnoyarsk Pillars Nature Reserve is located in the spurs of the Eastern Sayan Mountains on the right bank of the Yenisei. Local rocks resemble pillars; they are narrow and high: from 60 to 600 m. In total, there are about a hundred pillars of gray-pink granite, most of them have their own names.

Photo source: feelek.livejournal.com.

The approximate age of the pillars is from 450 to 600 million years.

Elbrus

Mount Elbrus is the most famous and highest peak in Russia. Its height is 5642 meters and is part of the Caucasus Range.

You can reach the top by cable car to a level of 2950 meters, from here an amazing panorama of the Caucasus opens.

Photo source: outdoorukraine.com.

This is a great place for ski lovers; there are slopes of various difficulty levels.

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If you liked the article, tell your friends;) Sights of Russia created by nature itself!!!

Rock Sail

Close to the beach resort village Praskoveevka in Krasnodar region There is an interesting monument, the creator of which is nature itself. It is a vertical layer of sandstone standing on the seashore, more than 30 m high and about 20 m wide. How exactly it happened that this rock rises in splendid isolation on the coast is not entirely clear: either it broke away from the coastal rocks and remained in the sand, or maybe she was in the same place. Among geologists, the second version is more popular. They say that the Sail is the only thing left after the softer sandy rocks were washed away by the sea. That is, once the Sail was part of the seabed, and the surface of the water was much higher.

At a height of approximately 2.5 meters there is a hole in the Sail, the origin of which is also unclear. Many guidebooks say that it was pierced by mountain artillery shooters during the Caucasian War. However, this version of the origin of the hole is questioned: S. Vasyukov, who examined Black Sea coast, wrote in 1903 after inspecting the rock that “... sailors fired at it from a battleship, fired 4 shells, but the wall remained unshakable, although traces of cannonballs were visible, which did not pierce the cliff anywhere...”.

Divnogorye

Divnogorye - reserve and plateau in the Liskinsky district Voronezh region, at the confluence of the Tikhaya Sosna and Don rivers. The land of fabulous chalk mountains, cave churches and picturesque nature. From a geological point of view, the reserve consists of chalk deposits on the surface of the earth. The top layer consists of 15-20% chalk. Below 80 meters there is a layer of pure chalk. The area received the name Divnogorye for the chalk pillars, called “divas” by the local population (from divo - miracle).

The first written evidence is the records of Ignatius Smolyanin, who accompanied Metropolitan Pimen in 1389: “I sailed to Quiet Pine and saw the pillars of a white stone, marvelously and redly standing side by side, like the pillars were small, white and bright, above the river above Pine.” On the territory of the reserve there are cave chalk churches of the 17th century (Church of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God, Church of John the Baptist and Divnogorskaya-3), Mayatskoye settlement of the 9th-10th centuries (remains medieval fortress and necropolis) and the Mayatsky pottery complex of the 9th-10th centuries, the Holy Dormition Divnogorsk Monastery (17th century).

Big Divas

Kostomarovsky Spassky Convent is one of the oldest Russian monasteries, founded even before the official adoption of Christianity in Rus'. Here is the icon of the Valaam Mother of God.

Blue Lakes

In the Chereksky district of Kabardino-Balkaria there are five unique natural lakes: Nizhneye Goluboe, Sekretnoe, Sukhoe and two Upper Goluboe. The most interesting is the Lower Lake, located at the northern foot of the Rocky Range at an altitude of 1492 m. Unique is the fact that when small size(its area is 2.6 hectares) it has a depth of 258 m (according to other sources, 368). This is the sixth deepest lake in the former USSR. Not a single stream or river flows into the lake, but about 70 million liters flow out (into the Cherek River) every day. Due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, the water has a blue tint. The surface water temperature in winter and summer is 9.3°C.

Mount Vottovaara

Until now, an inquisitive researcher can find monuments in the remote taiga corners of Karelia that do not fit into the system of logical ideas of modern man. One of these monuments is the complex on Mount Vottovaara. Mount Vottovaara (the highest point of western Karelia - height 417 m) in Karelia is considered by superstitious people to be the seat of evil forces and a bridge to another world: ugly trees grow here, there is almost no fauna, the lakes are dead. Its name alone is worth something among the people: Death Mountain.

IN last years Death Mountain has become a place of pilgrimage for followers of various mystical movements, who claim that it is the seat of evil forces and a bridge to another world. The peaks are a rocky plateau, covered in some places with trees weird shape and heights. For example, old, hundred- and two-hundred-year-old pines here are no taller than two meters. At the top of Vottovaara, on an area of ​​approximately six square kilometers, there are about 1,600 stones (“Karelian Stonehenge”), laid out in some mysterious order. A number of large multi-ton stones are placed on “legs”: several smaller stones.

Some researchers suggest that this is an ancient cult complex. However, in official science The prevailing version is about the natural origin of “Stonehenge”. Geologists believe that the cracks and faults were formed as a result of a strong earthquake about 9 thousand years ago. The even planes of the stones are the result of the properties of the local rock - quartzite, the structure of which determines such even planes when split.

"Stairway to Heaven"

Weathering pillars Man-Pupu-Ner

Weathering pillars on the Man-Pupu-Ner plateau in the Komi Republic (Mansi boobies). About 200 million years ago, in place of the stone pillars there were high mountains. Millennia passed. 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. In the past, it was a place of religious worship for the Mansi people. Man-Pupu-Ner in the Mansi language means “Small Mountain of Idols”

Lake Shaitan and floating islands

One of the most unique lakes in Russia, Lake Shaitan, is located 39 km from the city of Urzhum. The lake is of karst origin, depth up to 25 meters. The lake is fed by underground groundwater and precipitation. A unique phenomenon is the islands drifting across the lake, on which bushes and small trees grow. Some of the islands can support the weight of several people. Another unique feature of Shaitan Lake is the upward ejection of fountains and columns of water. The pillars come in different heights (up to 10 m), the emissions are irregular and very fast, and seeing them is a great success. Local residents claim that blowouts also occur in winter, leaving thick ice floes rearing up and sticking up.

In a clearing near the lake there used to be a large two-story wooden house that belonged to the owner of the forest - landowner and large industrialist Mosolov. Since his serfs were cutting down the forest without permission, Mosolov ordered the forest rangers to punish poachers not with a ruble, but with a swim in Shaitan. The culprit was taken out by boat and allowed to swim to the shore. The felling of the forest stopped immediately - the people were terribly afraid of the lake.

Camel Mountain

Camel Mountain is located in the Orenburg region, 9 km southeast of the village of Vostochny on the left bank of the drying Aschisu stream. It is a quartzite rock outcrop up to 20 meters high. The camel is one of the most original natural sculptures and a unique symbol of the Orenburg dry-steppe Trans-Urals. For a long time, the wind blew away the soil, and the mountain, made of hard rock, turned into a twenty-meter quartz block, reminiscent of a lying camel.

There are many legends about the rock. One of them talks about how one day a camel, coming from the desert, wanted to measure his strength with Ural ridge. I got ready for battle and froze for centuries.

Kungur cave

The Kungur Ice Cave is one of the largest karst caves in the world and one of the most popular attractions in the Urals. 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). The length of the cave is about 5700 m, of which 1.5 km is equipped for visits by tourists. The cave contains about 50 grottoes, 70 lakes, 146 so-called “organ pipes” (the highest is in the Ethereal Grotto, 22 m) - high shafts that reach almost to the surface.

Coral Grotto

Hanging stone blocks in Dante's grotto

Meteorny Grotto

Stone Rat in Custer's Grotto

Organ pipe in the Grotto of Friendship of Peoples

underground lake

Stone mushrooms

Approximately 1.5 km below the confluence of the Chulchi River on the right bank of Chulyshman in the Altai Republic, the Akkurum tract begins, where stone mushrooms are located - curious landforms formed as a result of selective washing out (in scientific terms - denudation) of heterogeneous rocks. They look graceful and very unusual. You can only be glad that this is unusual a natural phenomenon has survived to this day in all its glory. Unfortunately, these mushrooms continue to gradually deteriorate. They say that during the earthquakes in Altai in 2003, several “hats” fell. There is an opinion among geologists that our grandchildren may never see them again.

Chara Sands

Charsky Sands is a tract in the Kalarsky district of the Chita region, which is a sandy massif measuring approximately 10 km by 5 km. Located in the Chara Basin, in the foothills of the Kodar ridge, between the valleys of the Chara, Middle Sakukan and Upper Sakukan rivers. Surrounded by larch taiga and swamps. The length of individual dunes is 150-170 m. Height is up to 80 m.

A desert with dunes with an area of ​​100 square kilometers rises to a height of one hundred meters among the swamps. No one can really explain its origin. They say that these are grains of sand eroded from the rocks and carried from the Middle Sakukan valley to the plain. But why then are the mountains made of sedimentary rocks, and the sand is pure quartz? There are no analogues of such a desert in the world.

The desert begins with a sharp transition from forest, larch or peat bog to sand. There is no intermediate zone, no “no man's land” - nature does not recognize neutrality here. You can stand with one foot in the desert and the other in the taiga. In the inter-barchan depressions there are forested areas - larch forests, dwarf birches, even moisture-loving dwarf cedar. You can see such a surreal landscape as ice on the sand (not necessarily in winter, but also in summer).

Along the edges of the desert, streams flow out from under the sand in many places. The water is clean.

Chara sands under the snow

Patomsky crater

The Patomsky crater in the Irkutsk region is a cone-shaped hill consisting of crushed limestone, with a diameter of up to 180 m and a height of 40 m. At the top there is a funnel of either meteorite or volcanic origin. Among the local population it is called the “Nest of the Fire Eagle”. The mysterious crater was discovered in 1951 by geologist Vladimir Kolpakov and is still one of the most mysterious natural objects in the world. It is similar in size and appearance to a lunar crater.

It is still unclear how it appeared on the surface of the earth. There are several dozen hypotheses about its origin. The two main ones are: volcanic origin (but no traces of lava were found) and a trace from a huge meteorite falling to the ground (but the crater is not similar to those known to science meteorite craters). There are more fantastic versions, for example, the result of Tesla’s experiment or the crash site of an alien ship.

Lena pillars

Lena Pillars - geological formation and national monument of the same name natural Park in Russia, on the banks of the Lena River in the Khangalassky ulus of Yakutia, 104 km from the city of Pokrovsk. The Lena Pillars are a complex of vertically elongated rocks stretching for many kilometers, intricately piled up along the bank of the Lena, cutting through the Lena Plateau with a deep valley. The pillars reach their greatest density between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary. The rock formations, whose height reaches up to 100 meters, are composed of Cambrian limestones.

The beginning of the formation of the rocks that formed this natural monument is usually dated to the Early Cambrian - 560-540 million years ago. The formation of the Lena Pillars as a relief form is dated to a much later period - about 400 thousand years ago, that is, relatively recent geological time.

On the rocks rising along the banks of the Lena and Sinaya rivers, numerous rock paintings were discovered, made with yellow mineral paint by the ancient inhabitants of these places. These are stylized images of animals preserved to varying degrees, fragments of inscriptions of ancient Turkic runic writing, rock compositions depicting a person.

Decembrist A. A. Bestuzhev-Marlinsky spoke enthusiastically about the Pillars: “Some kind of holy silence lies on the virgin creation, and the soul merges with the wild but majestic nature.”

Cape Stolbchaty

Cape Stolbchaty on the Kuril Island Kunashir ( Sakhalin region) is a unique geological formation in the form of a solid stone ledge rising on the very shore of the sea like a high sheer wall. The erupted volcanic rocks formed narrow 4-, 5- and 6-carbon basalt columns, the so-called columnar units. At the foot of the columnar wall, polished bars lie in disarray, like sawed-off firewood.

The coastal platform, leveled by sea waves, creates the illusion of a pavement, and the single pillars that have been preserved from destruction look like the remains of a broken fence. It is amazing that such an ideal composition was created by an accident of nature; it is impossible to believe that the columnar structure was formed by lava flows that flowed here once upon a time.

If you look at the “pavement” from above, you will notice that the rock is simultaneously divided not only into columnar sections, but also into larger similar segments with smooth sides.

Valley of Geysers

The Valley of Geysers is one of the largest geyser fields in the world and the only one in Eurasia. Located in Kamchatka in the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve. At the confluence of the Geysernaya and Shumnaya rivers, on an area of ​​about 2 sq. km, there are about 20 large geysers and many springs that periodically emit fountains of almost boiling water (over 95C) or hot steam. Currently, part of the valley is filled with a large landslide.

The valley was discovered only in the spring of 1941. The discovery was made by a young female geologist Tatyana Ustinova with Itelmen guide Anisifor Krupenin. They climbed the bed of the Shumnaya River and, entering a narrow passage between the rocks, stopped not far from the mouth of an unknown tributary. There was still snow in April. Having somehow settled down on a steep snow-covered slope, the exhausted travelers decided to have a snack. On the opposite bank of the river one could see a thawed rocky platform, over which a light park curled. And suddenly - from this thawed area a stream of hot water hit them directly! Tatyana Ustinova realized that in front of her was a real geyser - the first one discovered in the USSR.

North Pole of Cold

The North Pole of Cold is located in the Tomtor area of ​​the Oymyakon region (ulus) of Yakutia. Here in 1924 the lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere was recorded -71.2°C (according to other sources -77.8). The average monthly temperature in January is minus 61 degrees Celsius, and on the coldest days it can reach minus 68. There are no other places in the world where people constantly live and work at such low temperatures.

Temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius occur here almost every January, and in August it can be either plus 30 or minus 15. The Pole of Cold tourist festival is held annually in the village of Tomtor, where Santa Claus from Lapland traditionally comes. In March 2004, the residence of Santa Claus opened here.

The pole of cold was “discovered” by Sergei Vladimirovich Obruchev, geologist, son of the author of the famous “Sannikov Land” and “Plutonia” V.A. Obruchev. While exploring the Indigirka valley and heading towards the Chersky ridge, Obruchev noticed a strange noise that accompanied him all the time along the way. “It’s as if they are pouring grain or the wind is shaking dry snow from the trees. Everywhere you turn, there is this noise everywhere, and yet there is no wind and the trees do not move,” he later wrote. Finally, the traveler realized that it was his frozen breath rustling. This characteristic noise appears at temperatures below minus 50 °C. The Yakuts call it the whisper of the stars.

Local walrus Andrey bathes at -50. Fortunately, for this purpose there is a river that does not freeze due to warm springs.

 

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