Kizhi is an island in the northern part of Lake Onega in the south of the Republic of Karelia. It is known primarily for the exposition of the historical, architectural and ethnographic museum-reserve “Kizhi” located here, including the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Most of the buildings are monuments of architecture, a lot of them were moved for exposition from other villages of this region. Kizhi Island on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

snow-covered monuments of wooden architecture

Tags: churches · Karelia Republic · Petrozavodsk city

Naryan-Mar (meaning “Red town” in the Nenets language) is a town in Russia with a population of about 25 thousand people, the administrative center and the only town in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

It is located in the Arctic Circle, in the lower reaches of the Pechora River, 110 km from the Barents Sea. The distance from Moscow to Naryan-Mar is about 1,500 km, from Arkhangelsk – 660 km. The nearest railway station – Usinsk – is located at a distance of 350 km. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

aerial view of Naryan-Mar

Tags: Naryan-Mar city · Nenets okrug

The Republic of North Ossetia – Alania is a federal subject of the Russian Federation located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus. The city of Vladikavkaz is the capital of the republic.

Foothill and mountainous areas occupy almost half of the territory of the republic, about 3,850 square kilometers. Majestic mountains covered with coniferous and deciduous forests, picturesque gorges, alpine meadows, glaciers, numerous mineral springs make a vacation in North Ossetia – Alania unforgettable. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

magnificent mountain scenery

Tags: North Ossetia Republic · Vladikavkaz city

The Chara Sands is a sandy massif located in the north of Zabaykalsky Krai, a geological natural monument of federal significance. It is surrounded by larch taiga and swamps and stretches from southwest to northeast for 9 km.

Sands form ridges, dunes and chains of dunes. The length of several dunes is 150-170 m, the height – up to 80 m. The Chara Sands are outwardly similar to the deserts of Central Asia. The Chara Sands on Google Maps. Photos by: Slava Stepanov.

snow and sand

Tags: Chita city · Zabaikalsky krai

Derbent is a city located on the shores of the Caspian Sea in the Republic of Dagestan in southern Russia. It is located in the most strategically vulnerable place of the Caspian Gates, where the Greater Caucasus Mountains come closest to the sea, leaving only a narrow 3-km strip of plain.

The Derbent fortress was part of a large defensive system constructed to protect the peoples of Transcaucasia and Western Asia from the invasions of nomads from the north. The system included the walls, the citadel of Naryn-Kala, sea walls, and the Dag Bara Mountain Wall. Naryn-Kala Citadel on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

one of the oldest fortresses in Russia

Tags: Dagestan Republic · Derbent city

Russia is full of surprises and adventures, as you can enjoy yourself in the Russian province or visit the remarkable monuments in the Russian capital Moscow. Traveling to Russia for the first time may seem like a crazy adventure for tourists, but there are many things you need to keep in mind before visiting this beautiful country.

The country is not scary at all if you keep in mind these important things. This way you are going to enjoy your trip and come back with memories. Read below to know more.

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The Republic of Ingushetia is located on the northern slopes of the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Range (in its central part) and on the adjoining small ranges of Tersky, Sunzhensky and Skalisty.

The length of this region from north to south is 144 km, from west to east – 72 km. In the northern districts the relief is steppe, in the south – it is mountainous consisting of ridges separated by valleys and gorges. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful mountainous region

Tags: Ingushetia Republic

In the 11th-12th centuries, Egikal was one of the largest settlements of medieval Ingushetia located on the northern slopes of the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

Today, on this territory there is a picturesque architectural complex “Egikal”, which includes, in addition to military and watchtowers, residential towers that belonged to old clans, as well as structures of a religious cult. Egikal on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful old towers

Tags: Ingushetia Republic

Russia is a beautiful country, stretching over a massive length of northern Asia and Eastern Europe. It became an independent state on the 12th of June, 1990. Natural beauty and glamour in Russia are unmatched. Russia has various gorgeous cities, towns and villages. Here are a few of Russia’s most beautiful towns.

beautiful old towns of Russia

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Ivangorod is a town with a population of about 9.5 thousand people located in the very west of Leningrad Oblast in the northwest of Russia. It stands on the right (eastern) bank of the Narva River opposite the Estonian city of Narva and is part of the Russian state border area (entry only with passes, foreign passports, or with local registration).

The Ivangorod fortress was built on the right bank of the Narva in the summer of 1492. It was named after Ivan III Vasilievich, who reigned at that time. The purpose of the construction of the fortress was to protect the Novgorod land of the Tsardom of Russia from its western neighbors.

picturesque old castle

Tags: Leningrad oblast