Rybinsk, first mentioned in 1071, is the second largest city in Yaroslavl Oblast located on the banks of the Volga River, about 87 km northwest of Yaroslavl and 313 km north of Moscow.

During the time of the Russian Empire, it was the country’s largest grain trading center. After the construction of the Rybinsk Hydroelectric Power Station in the 1930s, the Rybinsk Reservoir located to the north-west of the city, became the largest artificial reservoir in the world of its time. Photos by: Roman Smirnov.

fly over the center of Rybinsk

Tags: Rybinsk city · Yaroslavl oblast

Sviyazhsk is a historic town with a population of about 240 people located on an island at the confluence of the Sviyaga and the Volga rivers in the Republic of Tatarstan, about 58 km south-west of Kazan.

Founded as a fortress in 1551, it became the base of Russian troops during the siege of Kazan, the capital of the Kazan Khanate, in 1552. Sviyazhsk became the first Orthodox town in the Middle Volga region, the center of the Christianization of the peoples of the Volga region. Sviyazhsk on Google Maps. Photos by: Alexander Butenko.

Sviyazhsk River Station.

a very picturesque town

Tags: Kazan city · Tatarstan Republic

Russia has quite a history when it comes to gambling. The biggest country in the world initially experienced a ban in the 1920s under the Soviet Union. It wasn’t until 1989 that the country opened its first gambling place in Moscow.

During this time, poker became quite popular with slot machines being brought into hotels. The casino business grew to about 50 casinos by 2002 in Moscow. However, in 2009 the situation changed entirely after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin authorized a wide-scale ban on the practice leaving only 4 designated legalized areas.

The minister went further to ban online gambling completely. Gambling sites have been blocked further by internet service providers.

So, gambling in Russia is a very tricky topic, as things have remained the same nowadays. What’s worse is that the gambling scene in Russia might stay like this in the unforeseeable future.

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The Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo is an Orthodox church located in Basmanny District of Moscow (Spartakovskaya Street, 15). It was built by the architect Evgraf Tyurin in 1835-1845. In the area of the cathedral, there was previously the village of Yelokhovo, which became part of Moscow in the 18th century.

The cathedral was constructed in the late Empire style with a dome rotunda in the center, with some features imitating the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The height of the cathedral is 56 meters, area – 1,164 square meters, capacity – 3,000 people. Today, it is one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in Moscow. The Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo on Google Maps. Photos by: Vladimir Dar.

magnificent church

Tags: Moscow city

Rozhdestvenskaya is a stanitsa (a Cossack village) with a population of about 2,800 people located in Stavropol Krai in Southern Russia, about 35 km northwest of Stavropol. This settlement, founded in 1797, was named after the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The main architectural attraction of Rozhdestvenskaya is the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1873) – one of the few preserved monuments of wooden architecture in the region, a cultural heritage site of regional importance. Rozhdestvenskaya on Google Maps. Photos by: Fedor Lashkov.

beautiful wooden church

Tags: churches · Stavropol krai

Cheboksary (Shupashkar in the Chuvash language) is a city in Russia with a population of about half a million people standing on the bank of the Volga River, the capital of the Chuvash Republic.

Located about 671 km east of Moscow, it is one of the cleanest and most comfortable cities in Russia. Photos by: Kirill Zdorov.

Dawn in the historic center of Cheboksary. The sign says: “Cheboksary – the pearl of Russia!”

fly over Cheboksary

Tags: Cheboksary city · Chuvashia Republic

Happy New Year! May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness comes through your door!

Shrovetide (1920) by Boris Kustodiev.

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Russia is one of the most attractive recent destinations. The country fascinates millions of visitors with its epic landscapes, world-class museums, and diverse society. Planning a trip to this unknown country of contrasts is exciting and cannot be underestimated to enjoy a successful trip.

Touring in Russia can be easy and fascinating, if you know some things every visitor should know to avoid misunderstandings. Tourism in Russia is well developed, and if you buy all-inclusive Russia tour packages, you will be given all the necessary information by your travel agent. On the other hand, if you decide to go independently, you need to prepare for your trip carefully.

how to explore Russia

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Russia is one of the finest countries in the world to visit. No matter where you go, you will always receive a warm welcome and plenty to see. With such a rich history and culture, you are not going to be short of cities to visit. Here are some you don’t want to miss.

Moscow

The capital of Russia is a beautiful city with a rich history. There are plenty of places which are likely to catch your interest here but the most impressive sight is always going to be the Red Square. The Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral sit at opposite ends while the department store GUM runs along one side.

One attraction of Moscow you can’t miss is the beautiful metro stations. A guided tour of some of the most beautiful stations should be something you can’t miss.

explore Russian cities

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Yoshkar-Ola, one of the cultural centers of the Finno-Ugric peoples, is a city with a population of about 283 thousand people located about 50 km north of the Volga River and 862 km east of Moscow, the capital of the Republic of Mari El.

The Malaya Kokshaga River flows through the city and divides it into two almost equal parts. Yoshkar-Ola is traditionally considered one of the greenest cities in Russia. Photos by: Kirill Zdorov.

fly over Yoshkar-Ola

Tags: Mari El Republic · Yoshkar-Ola city