In Soviet times, the myth that Russia (the Russian Empire) before 1917 was a backward peasant country without a strong industry and technology became widespread. However, the situation was not so straightforward, and here is one example.

March 19, 1906, by the decree of Emperor Nicholas II, the Navy of the Russian Empire received a new kind of force – military submarines. By 1916, the Russian Navy had 55 submarines.

Submarine of “AG” class on one of the stocks of the Baltic plant

unique photos of the first submarines

Tags: Russian Empire

Scenic view of the Pskov Krom (Kremlin) – the historical and architectural center of one of the oldest cities in Russia. Today, Pskov is the administrative center of Pskov region and an important tourist center of the north-west Russia.

Pskov was first mentioned in chronicles in 903 AD. Prior to the beginning of the 18th century, Pskov was one of the largest cities in Russia and Europe, one of the most important defense and commercial centers of the country. Photo by Victor Peryakin

Tags: Pskov 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

Moscow Kremlin 1800 is a project of recreating Moscow city fortress buildings of the early 19th century. It is based on various paintings depicting the architecture of the Kremlin made by artists of the time.

From a historical point of view, these images are closest to how the Kremlin looked like in 1805. Pictures by Moscow Kremlin 1800

Moscow Kremlin in the past

Tags: Moscow city

Rostov Kremlin (1670-1683), currently the State Museum-Reserve, is one of the most amazing cultural and architectural objects of Russian heritage. Photo by Alexey Skalin

Tags: churches · Yaroslavl oblast

Leningrad (present Saint Petersburg) pioneers after the announcement of the alarm. 1937. Photographer Viktor Bulla.

There is something sinister and prophetic in this photo. Over the next years, they had a lot to go through and probably only a few survived.

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

Interesting set of photos of Yuri Gagarin – the first man in space. During his life and after death, Yuri Gagarin was shown as the ideal man, the symbol of communism.

But who was he in real life? These rare photos are from the life of the man by the name of Yuri Gagarin.

Physical exercise. Summer 1963.

more unique photos

Tags: Soviet past

Lutheran church in Gross Engelau was built in the 14th century during the reign of power and financial prosperity of the Teutonic Order. Lutheran church tower was often used as an observation post during military conflicts.

In 1807, the Russian officers observed the battle of Friedland from it. In August 1914, Gross Engelau was again in the thick of things, the tower was used by the military again.

Photo of the church before 1945

the details of what happened

Tags: churches · Kaliningrad oblast

The second part of unique high quality historic photos showing various troops of the land army of the Russian Empire.

The first part of the Russian Imperial Army photos

more unique photos

Tags: Russian Empire

The Russian Imperial Army was the land army of the Russian Empire. Since the second half of the 19th century, the army was formed on the basis of conscription.

The entire male population was subject to compulsory military service from the age of 21. The term of active service in the land army was 6 years, in the Navy – 7 years.

more historical photos

Tags: Russian Empire