The Catherine Palace is a former imperial palace located in the town of Pushkin (former Tsarskoye Selo), about 25 km from St. Petersburg. This summer residence of the Russian tsars is one of the largest palaces in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.

Construction of the building was started in 1717 by the order of Russian Empress Catherine I. It is an example of the late Baroque. Photos by deletant

beautiful architecture and interiors

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

July 12, 2014, Novosibirsk, the third largest city in Russia and the capital city of Siberia, encountered an unexpected whim of nature.

After one of the hottest days of the year, when the temperature reached 37 degrees Celsius above zero, the city was suddenly hit by a heavy hailstorm. Unique footage of this hailstorm was captured on the city beach.

terrible hailstorm and you are on the beach

Tags: Novosibirsk city

In the fifties, Semyon Osipovich Friedland, Soviet photographer and journalist, made a lot of high-quality color photographs in all parts of the Soviet Union.

Thanks to his work, we can now see people’s life in the USSR after World War II. Of course these photos are staged but nevertheless quite interesting from a historical perspective.

Soviet historical photos

Tags: Soviet past

Russia will write off $ 32 billion, which the Republic of Cuba owes Russia on loans granted during the Soviet period.

The total amount of the Cuban debt is about $ 35.2 billion. 90% of the debt ($ 32 billion) will be written off and the remaining 10% will be repaid over 10 years.

some interesting details

Tags: No tags

Summer doesn’t come to Kamchatka every year, but this year it has happened and we can enjoy this beautiful view. Photo by Igor Shpilenok

Tags: Kamchatka krai · landscapes

Cosmodrome “Vostochny” is being built in the Far East of Russia in Amur region, near the village of Uglegorsk. The total territory reserved to the needs of the cosmodrome is 1035 square km.

The first launch is scheduled for the end of 2015, the first launch of manned spacecraft – in 2018. The total cost of the project is about $ 9 billion. Several new photos from the construction site taken two days ago (June 1, 2014) by Dmitry Rogozin.

future of Russian space program

Tags: Amur oblast

An exciting walk to the far corners of the mountainous Ingushetia. You can see the unique symbiosis of majestic nature and ancient watchtowers.

Unfortunately, the North Caucasus region remains unsafe because of high level of terrorist activity, that’s why tourist trips there are very risky. Luckily, there are still people who can visit these beautiful places and take some pictures. Photos by Timur Agirov

amazing scenery

Tags: Ingushetia Republic · landscapes

Trinity Church, built in 1827-1832, is located near Pyatino village (western edge of Ulyanovsk region). Previously, next to the church, there was a manor of noble family of Annenkov.

The church is rapidly decaying; domes and columns in the interior are crumbling. It looks like nobody cares about preserving it. Pyatino landscape is definitely one of the most fascinating Russian landscapes. Photos by av_otus

abandoned beauty

Tags: Abandoned · churches · Ulyanovsk oblast

Volgograd speed tram (Metrotram) is a transport system with 22 stations carrying about 10 million passengers annually.

7.1 km long section is built under the city center. Volgograd city speed tram is one of the most interesting tram routes in the world. Photo by parovoz.com

unique tram in action

Tags: Volgograd city

This is absolutely insane video with a flight around the Kremlin and other objects in the center of Moscow.

Surprisingly, the quadcopter was not shot down and the pilot was not detained. Apparently, no one expected such courage and foolishness.

Tags: Moscow city