The inner and international tourism in Russia has improved since the Soviet years. The place is popular for having 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Aside from these sites, the country also features cultural and natural attractions. Below is the list and brief descriptions of the top 10 tourist spots in Russia.
Moscow Kremlin
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Moscow Kremlin is located at the heart of the City of Moscow. This site is a fortified complex that has a historic value. It provides an overview of the other tourist destinations in the city like the Red Square and Saint Basil’s Cathedral.
Red Square
One of the most popular city square in Moscow, the Red Square is surrounded by attractive sites including the Lenin’s Mausoleum and the Kazan Cathedral. At the spot, people can find the famous statue of Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, which is made from bronze.
Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
Located at Saint Petersburg, the Saint Isaac’s Cathedral is the tallest church in the country with a height of 101.5 meters. Inside this tourist spot, people can find paintings created by Carlo Brullo. Outside the cathedral, guests can see the Bronze Horseman sculpture.
Mamayev Kurgan
Also called The Motherland Calls, Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd is a memorial complex built to commemorate the Battle of Stalingrad. The remains of Vasily Chuikov lies at the complex. The site provides a nice view of the Volga river.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace in Saint Petersburg promotes Baroque architecture. This place was constructed for Tsar Peter the Great. It has an extant central heating system as well as a porcelain ductwork. Inside the Summer Palace, people can find beautiful ornamental paintings.
The State Russian Museum
Found within the premises of Mikhailovski Palace in Saint Petersburg, the State Russian Museum features different collections of artworks and artifacts that are important to the history of the country. Some of the buildings assigned to the museum include the Rastrelliesque Stroganov Palace and the Saint Michael’s Castle.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
One of the most famous attractions in Saint Petersburg, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood features Neoclassical and Baroque architecture. The place is popular for featuring 7500 square meters of mosaics. The church features a shrine for Alexander II of Russia.
The Tretyakov Gallery
The Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow features Russian fine art deposits. Some of the artworks inside the gallery are Socialist Realism sculptures and Peter the Great statue. Examples of exhibits featured at the gallery include the Thetokos of Vladimir.
State Hermitage Museum
Found at Saint Petersburg, the State Hermitage Museum is one of the world’s oldest museums. The collections inside the museum include the Egyptian antiquities, prehistoric artifacts as well as French and German fine art. The place also features paintings and sculptures including the Knight’s Hall.
Bolshoi Theater
One of the historic theaters in Russia, the Bolshoi Theater plays home to one of the greatest and oldest ballet companies in the world, the Bolshoi Ballet. Some of the attractions in the theater include the Beethoven Hall and the Petrovsky Theater.
By spending some time at these destinations, foreigners can have a glimpse of the culture of Russians. These sites are open to public daily. To avoid delays, it is best to make prior arrangements with the administrators of these sites.
