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

The Ferapontov Belozersky Nativity Monastery is a monastery of the Vologda diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church located in the village of Ferapontovo, Vologda Oblast, about 119 km north-west of Vologda.

This is one of the oldest monasteries in the Russian North founded in the late 14th century. The monastery has survived to our time in the buildings of the 14th-17th centuries and in the wall paintings of the famous icon painter Dionysius. In 2000, this monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Ferapontov Monastery on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful old Russian monastery

Tags: churches · Vologda oblast

Veliky Ustyug is a town with a population of about 31 thousand people located in the north-east of Vologda Oblast in the north of the European part of Russia, about 446 km from Vologda.

First mentioned in 1212, it is one of the oldest Russian towns with a rich cultural heritage. There are 28 preserved churches of the 17th-18th centuries in Veliky Ustyug. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

picturesque old Russian town

Tags: Vologda oblast

Even though Russia is no longer led by kings and queens, its royal sites can give other European monarchies a run for their money. The country has its fair share of royal cultural sites.

Are you wondering where to start? Here are several royal places that you can tour.

magnificent royal palaces

Tags: Saint Petersburg city

The Galsky Estate is a picturesque noble estate built in the provincial classicism style on the bank of the Sheksna River in the early 19th century. This monument of history and culture of federal significance is located in the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast.

In addition to the main sky-blue house, all the household buildings have also been preserved here. The museum offers interactive excursions, classes on painting, clay modeling, and making folk dolls. The equestrian section is open to children and adults. The Galsky Estate on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

magnificent noble estate

Tags: Cherepovets city · museum · Vologda oblast

The Holy Protection (Pokrovsky) Convent of the Russian Orthodox Church is located on the right bank of the Kamenka River in the northern part of Suzdal, a town-reserve in the north of Vladimir Oblast included in the famous tourist route Golden Ring of Russia.

Founded in 1364, it was formed in its present appearance in the 16th century, when the convent was turned into a place of imprisonment of representatives of aristocratic families who were tonsured as nuns. In the 16th-17th centuries, it was one of the largest convents in the country. Pokrovsky Convent on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexandr Lipilin.

beautiful convent

Tags: Suzdal city · Vladimir oblast

Russia can be one of your dream destinations if you know how to make your way safely around places in the country. It can be the opposite if you are uninformed or unprepared for the risks of navigating through unfamiliar territories. Petty crimes, con jobs, and scams targeting tourists are common not just in Russia, but also in many tourist destinations around the world. The best way to avoid them is to be informed, vigilant, and smart about how you interact with the locals and use foreign services and amenities.

Whether it’s your first time or nth time visiting Russia, we’ll share here some useful tips that will make your tour around Russia safer and more exciting.

safe travel in Russia

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If you are looking for something different but unique and are not satisfied by the traditional offer of tourist destinations, try looking eastward for a moment. We are not talking about the Far East but just east of Europe and a little further than better-known destinations like Venice or Berlin. We invite you to visit Russia and discover interesting facts about Russia that make this country so special.

Today, Russian tourism is on a rise for a variety of reasons, including great food, cultural heritage, and beautiful cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. Traveling is supposed to be about exploring new things or meeting new people and this country is a tourist gem waiting to be discovered.

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