Western European Russia
Flax production developed from the Middle Ages as one of Smolensk’s main industries, as the moderate climate sustained soil ideal for growing the plant…
Must-see attractions in Russia
Western European Russia
This gallery is usually housed in Catherine the Great's 1775 Road Palace (which is being very slowly restored), but for now you'll find the collection in…
Northern European Russia
Dating from the 17th century, the view from Veronica’s Veil Chapel offers wonderful panoramas right across Kizhi. Walk west across the island from Yamaka…
Western European Russia
Amid a quaint neighbourhood of old wooden houses with carved eaves and window frames, west of the market on ul Bragina, you’ll find Tver’s oldest building…
St Petersburg
Opera buffs will want to visit this house–museum where the great singer Fyodor Chaliapin (1873–1938) lived before fleeing the Soviet Union in 1922. The…
Western European Russia
This museum is split across two adjacent houses: one is set up to display the life of wealthy merchants; the other (across the street in a crumbling…
Western European Russia
Housed in a sweet blue-and-white 19th-century building, this surprisingly diverse museum is worth visiting. Among the miscellany, you'll find a room of…
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Petropavlovsk's largest and most impressive church is this golden-domed stunner, which sits on an outcrop from where it is visible from all over the city…
Western European Russia
On the grounds of a 12th-century monastery, this gallery houses a noteworthy selection of paintings and sculptures by artists who spent time in Staraya…
Gaivoron Biological Research Centre
Russian Far East
The Far East is all about its Amur tigers, and you can see a couple here at the Russian Academy of Sciences biological research reserve, run by Dr Victor…
Russian Far East
This iconic and rather aggressive looking statue is Tynda's most obvious sight. It's dedicated to the massive human effort (both voluntary and not) needed…
Vladivostok
If you’re a bit of a car (or Soviet) nerd, the Antique Automobile Museum is an absolute classic. A room full of Sovietmobiles (motorcycles too) from the…
Northern European Russia
Vologda’s oldest museum (1885) is a compact late-17th-century stone house that belonged to the Gutman traders who hosted Tsar Peter I during his March…
Western European Russia
This park has a summertime Ferris wheel, a concert stage, amusement rides and a statue of writer Ivan Bunin. Next to the main entrance is the antique red…
Northern European Russia
The sparklingly modern Lace Museum, across the square from the kremlin, patches together some great examples of this archetypal Vologda craft, with…
Northern European Russia
Those interested in the Kalevala epic poem will want to pay their respects to the kantele-plucking statue of Karelian rune singer Petri Shemeikka that…
Northern European Russia
On the eastern side of the main kremlin courtyard, Muppet-style wooden dolls, lacquered wood items and embroidery briefly grab your attention before the…
Young Defenders of the Motherland Museum
Western European Russia
This small museum tells the tragic stories of the children and teenagers who fought against fascism during the ferocious battles of WWII. There's a photo…
Vladivostok
Of Vladivostok's multiple, numbered defensive forts, No 7 (14km north of the centre) gets our vote. It has 1.5km of tunnels, pretty much untouched since…
Moscow
Founded by artists who were banned during the Soviet era, this gallery space includes 10 exhibit halls showing the work of top contemporary artists, as…
St Petersburg
Opened in 2005, K-Gallery houses one of the largest private collections of Russian artwork in the city. The two-floor space features a changing array of…
Western European Russia
Kursk's 'Arc de Triomphe' dominates the northern entrance to the city. The soaring arch is surrounded by military paraphernalia including tanks and heavy…
Western European Russia
The oldest monastery complex in Tver Oblast still bustles with religious activity; visitors and pilgrims are welcome. The adjoining museum has exhibits on…
St Petersburg
Since 1848, the portico of the New Hermitage has been supported by 10 muscular giants cut from grey granite in the workshop of sculptor Alexander…
Western European Russia
This quaint, bright-blue building contains an exquisite collection of Yelets lacework displayed in elegant surrounds. The 2nd floor has a collection of…
Northern European Russia
Around 3km northwest of the village, the botanical garden enjoys a special microclimate – monks have grown vegetables and hothouse fruits here for…
Western European Russia
This gorgeous mustard-coloured building is home to a range of different galleries over two floors, covering natural and local history. Displays include…
St Petersburg
This charming footbridge is suspended by cables emerging from the mouths of golden-winged griffins. The name comes from the Assignment Bank (now a further…
Western European Russia
Local wags have it that the writer – celebrated here in a huge statue of him walking – was on his way to the vodka factory that was once housed in the…
Vladivostok
This gorgeous tsarist-era building in the centre of Vladivostok is the latest big cultural institution to open a Far Eastern campus. Once complete, the…
Moscow
The 40-tonne Tsar Cannon was cast in 1586 by the blacksmith Ivan Chokhov for Fyodor I, whose portrait is on the barrel. Shot has never sullied its 89cm…
Northern European Russia
Climbing the 288 steps of St Sofia’s Cathedral's separate 78.5m-high, gold-topped bell tower offers breathtaking views down upon the cathedral’s grand…
Western European Russia
A stroll around this modern glass-ceilinged food market is a good way to while away some time. Check out spices, fresh produce, Russian cakes, dairy and…
IN Kramskoy Regional Fine Arts Museum
Western European Russia
Reached through a passage leading into a courtyard, this excellent regional arts museum offers up a solid collection of Russian painting and sculpture,…
St Petersburg
This small two-room gallery is a fine spot to check out up-and-coming artists from St Petersburg, Kazakhstan, Belarus and beyond. Call or visit the…
Northern European Russia
Sweeping views from this sturdy 1778 bell tower justify the somewhat claustrophobic climb from the main grassy square. Enter through a hobbit-sized door…
St Petersburg
If you visit just one cemetery in St Petersburg, make it this one, a lush and peaceful stretch of walled-in greenery where you can contemplate some of…
All-Russian Museum of History and Ethnography
Western European Russia
Worthwhile museum covering the history of the region with some great dioramas of a living room and a picnic in a forest. Other displays include frescoes,…
Prospekt Chumbarova-Luchinskogo
Northern European Russia
Arkhangelsk's appealing pedestrian street is lined with a a few surviving traditional timber houses that are in the process of being restored, cosy cafes,…
Western Siberia
Built in 1887 for the 300th anniversary of the founding of Tobolsk, the Gubernsky Museum has displays on the history of Tobolsk, a hugely impressive and…
