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 17 th 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 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 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 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 Trinity