Russia, the land of caviar, vodka, tsars, and world-class athletes, is a very interesting country because of its rich culture and history. Many people are familiar with the story of the Romanovs, the last royal family of Russia, and the mystery surrounding Grand Duchess Anastasia. Russia is also popular for two of its major cities, namely Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In Moscow, tourists are recommended to visit the Kremlin, Moscow’s historical center and stronghold. Most of Moscow was inside the walls of the Kremlin until the 1500s. It was then converted to the official residence of the tsars. The Kremlin also contains 3 ancient cathedrals, namely the Arhangelskiy, the Uspenskiy, and the Blagovenshenskiy, and these are open to the public. Also inside the Kremlin is the Palace of the President, a white and yellow palace built in the 19th century. Unfortunately, this building is not accessible by tourists. Another main attraction in Moscow is the Novodevichy Cemetery where some renowned Russians are interred. Among the famous buried here are former Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev, authors Anton Chekhov and Nikolai Gogol, and composer Sergei Prokofiev.
If you wish to travel Russia, then another recommended stop is St. Petersburg. The city is most famous for the Palace Square which is bordered by the Winter Palace, the General Staff Building, and the Admiralty and has the Alexander Column in the center. The Winter Palace has a gorgeous façade, classical columns, and figurines that line its roof. Inside the palace are 1,057 rooms and halls filled with incredible art collections, chandeliers, gold, marble, and other elaborate decorations. The General Staff Building has two wings which are separated by a huge archway whose top is decorated with sculptures of a chariot, six horses, and other figures. The Admiralty was primarily built in 1704 (the year St. Petersburg was founded) to be a shipyard and a fortress but was later converted into a naval college. The building has a golden spire for which the Admiralty is famous.
