Best Of Russia ~ 4 Palaces, Cathedrals & Churches

St Basils Cathedral Red Square, Moscow, Russia

Russia's most famous architectural creation, St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, rises with its multi-colored

onion domes near the Moscow River.

This small but charming Cathedral was built in the 17th century on the north

side of the square near the Resurrection Gate. It was built to

commemorate the repulsion of Polish invaders, and in honor of the Virgin of

Kazan icon.

Great Kremlin Palace, Moscow, Russia

commissioned by Czar Nicholas I in 1837 and built over a 12-year period to replace a dilapidated palace that had been on the same site. Living quarters were on the first

floor. It is used today for official diplomatic and government receptions.

The Terem Palace is yet another palace among the three extravagant structures inside the Kremlin walls, but it was the first to be built. This was the residence of the Czars

until the Imperial Court relocated to St. Petersburg in 1712. This palace is barely visible from inside the Kremlin walls, and is currently inaccessible to tourists.

Terem Palace, Kremlin,

Moscow, Russia

The Alexander Palace

St Basils Cathedral Red Square, Moscow, Russia

Here is another view of this marvelous church. More

accurately called the Cathedral of the

Intercession, it was built in the 1550s with a series of

adjoining chapels to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s capture of the

Mongol stronghold of Kazan.

The popular name of St. Basil's derives from

veneration of the prophet of that same name who

foretold the Moscow fire of

1547.

The view is 'inspiring' from the St. Basil's side of Red Square.

Kremlin towers rise on the left, along the Kremlin wall, and the

Russian Revival architecture of the Russian History Museum

(center)and Resurrection Gate

(right) complete the scene.

Red Square View Red Square, Moscow, Russia

The Winter Palace

Winter Palace, main staircase

The Catherine Palace

Cameo Room Catherine's Palace St. Petersburg, Russia

This is a glorious room design, built around the cameo relief images on the wall

Banquet Room Catherine's Palace

St. Petersburg, Russia Paintings of wild game cover the wall, and the table is set for the Czarina's banquet.

Ball Room, Catherine Palace

Peterhof Palace Fountains Peterhof, Russia

This is the "backyard" of the Peterhof palace on the Baltic's Gulf of Finland. If your backyard does not look like this, you need to do some extra landscaping work, just as Peter the Great did, along with his dozens of

gardeners.

Peter was inspired to build Peterhof by his visit to the royal palace and gardens of Versailles, France. It seems that Peter was not outdone by the French monarchs. Peterhof is as splendid and opulent as any palace on

earth.

Dressing Room Peterhof

St. Petersburg, Russia

In the darkened living spaces of the Hermitage (which was the Winter

Palace of the Czars in St. Petersburg before and

after it became a museum), reveals the opulent lifestyle of the

Royal family.

Banquet Room 2 Peterhof Peterhof, Russia

Yes, this is yet another banquet room, with a doorway to another chamber beyond. This one is

decorated in a classic style, with a blazing chandelier and painted ceiling border over a parquet

floor. Another commonplace touch throughout Peterhof is a painted porcelain fireplace to take the

chill off of those -60 degrees below Fahrenheit Winter nights. The Baltic does not always moderate

the weather in this far northern climate.

Game Room Peterhof, Russia

This room in Peterhof is decorated as a game room, with the grooved table in the center to hold captured chess pieces.

Kizhi Wooden Churches

Kizhi, Russia

Two adjoining churches on Kizhi Island are

superimposed in this shot. The one that was constructed

entirely of wood, but without nails, is in the right rear

of the image.

Kizhi Church Sky Blend Kizhi Island, Russia

This is the famous Church of the Intercession constructed entirely

without nails, and before the invention of super glue.

…..a perfect marriage of sky and

church…………….

Church of Spilled Blood St. Petersburg, Russia

Czar Nicolas I was assassinated on the site of this church, which was built

to commemorate his life. Nicolas I was one of the few Czars who was

reform-minded and even interested in creating a constitutional monarchy.

His untimely death may have delayed meaningful reforms for nearly 100

years, through the years of anarchy and protest, through the October

1917 revolution and two disastrous world wars, and finally decades of oppression and economic malaise

under communist rule, to the time the Soviet Union finally collapsed. In the most recent elections, the communist party garnered only 13% of the votes.

Neither forgotten, nor gone.

Little Chapel Kizhi Island Kizhi Island, Russia

This rustic little wooden chapel is on the far side of

the island from the more famous wooden churches.

Dmitry on the Blood Uglich, Russia

Alas, poor Dmitry, beloved youngest son of Ivan the Terrible, had to die on this spot at age 9 in the 16th Century. Boris Godunov, in his failed attempt

to seize power, had Dmitry killed. But a church erected in Dmitry's honor has been here at Uglich ever since. Ivan the Terrible used Ugligh as his base of

operations in his battles against the Golden Horde. Dmitry's death ushered in

the Romanov dynasty, which was to rule Russia until 1917.

Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral

St. Petersburg, Russia Constructed on Zayachy Island in

the Neva River between 1712-1733 within a compound for the Czars, this cathedral was within

the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Assumption cathedral. It is not known when the present building was erected, mid-16th century being the most likely date. Lower parts of the cathedral walls are dated to the 12th century. The

ponderous bell-tower was constructed mostly in the 17th century. Its bells are among the largest and most famous in Russia; each has its own name. The largest bell, cast in 1688, weighs

some 32000 kilograms. It is named Sysoi to honour the metropolitan's father.

Smolny Cathedral, Saint-Petersburg

Built in mid-18th century, this cathedral is one of the most beautiful

landmarks in Saint-Petersburg. Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli (a Russian architect of Italian origin)

wanted to combine baroque style with typical Russian "onion" domes.

Shrine to Nicholas II

Classic Siberian cottage

The Alexander Nevsky cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral built in 1900.

Trinity