There are about 400,000 various historical and cultural monuments in Smolensk oblast of Russia. The territories of the region also played an important role in Russian military history. Unfortunately a lot of the architectural monuments are abandoned and if nothing changes they will be lost forever in near future. Photos by Denis Frantsouzov.

(more…)

Tags: Abandoned · churches · landscapes · smolensk oblast

Rostov is one of the oldest cities in Russia located in Yaroslavl oblast. It is a part of famous tourist route Golden Ring of Russia. The town was first mentioned in the year of 862. Rostov is often called Rostov the Great (Rostov Veliky) to distinguish it from Rostov-on-Don city.

(more…)

Tags: Yaroslavl oblast

Moscow Palace of Soviets is one of the most famous unfinished architectural projects in history. The huge (the biggest and tallest in the world) building would have become the symbol of the victory of socialism, the symbol of a new country and new Moscow. This project is still amazing in our day.

(more…)

Tags: Moscow city

Kurba is an old Russian village of Yaroslavl oblast situated 20 km southwest of Yaroslavl on the open high place on the right bank of the river Kurbitsy. The main attraction of the village is the Church of Kazan Mother of God Icon.

(more…)

Tags: Abandoned · churches · Yaroslavl oblast

Tutaev is one of the towns of famous “Golden Ring” of Russia located in Yaroslavl oblast. The churches of Tutaev are picturesquely scattered on the hilly banks of the Volga and attract numerous tourists and architecture lovers from all over the world. The following nice winter views of Tutaev churches were taken by Petr Ushanov.

(more…)

Tags: churches · Yaroslavl oblast

Wooden сhurch of St. Prophet Elisha is located in a deserted village Yakovlevskaya of Podporozhsky area (Leningrad oblast) on the shore of Lake Sidozero. The church built in 1899 and closed in 1939 is being in significant disrepair now. The photos were taken by roving-wiretrap.

(more…)

Tags: churches · Leningrad oblast

The Church of the Transfiguration located in the village of Krasnoye (Staritskiy district, Tverskaya oblast) is one of the rarest in the region pseudo-Gothic buildings of the 18th century.

(more…)

Tags: churches · Tver oblast

The Church of Vladimir Icon of Mother of God located in the village of Bykovo (Moskovskaya oblast) was built in 1789. White stone church constructed in Russian Gothic style has no worthy counterparts in the church architecture of Moscow region, and, perhaps, in the church architecture of Russia in general.

By the side of the street on which the church is standing, in the depths of the old park, Bykovo mansion is located. The current building of the estate was built in 1856. The photos were captured by Denis Frantsouzov.

(more…)

Tags: churches · Moskovskaya oblast

Holy Trinity Ipatievsky Monastery is Orthodox monastery of the Russian Church. The monastery played significant role in Russian history of 16th and 17th centuries. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1432.

The monastery is located in Kostroma, at the confluence of Kostroma and Volga rivers. It is situated relatively far from the central part of the city (about 30 minutes walk). Near the monastery there is a bridge across the river offering a good view. The photos were captured by Petr Ushanov.

(more…)

Tags: Kostroma city · monastery

Vyborg is a city in Russia, administrative center of Vyborg municipal district of Leningrad oblast. The city is located about 120 km from the historic center of St. Petersburg and 27 km from the border with Finland.

Vyborg, founded in the Middle Ages by Swedes, is among the historical cities of Russia. Until 1940 it was the second largest city in Finland. Vyborg has over 300 different monuments: architectural, historical, sculptures, archaeological, landscape art. The photos were captured by Andrey Rumyantsev.

(more…)

Tags: Leningrad oblast