Moscow - Astrakhan

St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow. This colorful cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, was built between 1555 and 1561.

Novodevichiy Convent is one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow. It was unofficial center of the opposition to the Romanov's family, and remained virtually intact since 17th century. Beyond the five-golden-domed structure, housing the Our Lady of Smolensk icon, the central point of the original convent, there are a number of churches on the grounds: Transfiguration, Holy Virgin, St. Amvrosi, and the Refectory. Novodevichiy Covent was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 2004.

The Moscow Subway was constructed to streamline the city's transportation as well as to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet system. The subway is a work of art with tunnels dedicated to historic events and terminals that make passengers feel like they have arrived in a palace. On top of its cultural value, Moscow's subway carries three million passengers each day and spans the entire city. It also serves as a nuclear shelter in times of war.

Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past.
Of special interest is the magnificent 13th-century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Elijah the Prophet, situated in the town’s central square. The frescoes on the walls and vaulting inside the church constitute a veritable museum of old Russian paintings.

The town of Goritsy is home to the historic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397. During the Time of Trouble, Polish invaders stormed the monastery in attempt to purge Russia of its remaining nobles. Unsuccessful, they were forced out by the renewed Russian forces. You will visit the monastery of St. Cyril-on-the-White-Lake and a museum of icons.

Nizhny Novgorod was one of the newly founded towns that escaped Mongol devastation on account of its insignificance. The city, similarly to Moscow and Tver, attracted refugees from other cities pillaged by the Mongols and expanded rapidly during the period of the "Mongol yoke" that lasted for a little over 100 years. Moscovy incorporated the city in 1392 and soon thereafter the Tatars of Kazan burnt it down (1408). It took over one century to construct an enormous redbrick castle here which was soon of use when the Tatars tried to burn it again in 1520 and 1536. Today, just like 500 years ago, Nizhniy is one of the main commercial centers of Russia.

Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan which is often called the “Pearl of the Central Volga region”. Numerous masterpieces of architecture – the unique “Leaning Tower of Princess Suumbike” – an analog of the Pisa Tower, the Kremlin, Moslem Mosques and minarets, magnificent Orthodox churches and cathedrals make this city a special attraction for the tourists.

 Ivan the Terrible built what we now know as Saratov on the northernmost colony of the former Greek Empire. In the 19th century Saratov saw an influx of German immigrants who suffered relocation to Siberia and Kazakhstan when WWII erupted. It subsequently became a center of aircraft production during the Cold War and also produced one of Russia’s proudest citizens: Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

Volgograd (former Stalingrad) is famous for the battle that unfolded here during the World War II. German forces attempted to cut off the Russian armies and their industrial production from their fuel supplies. To that end, they needed to take Stalingrad, situated on the western bank of the Volga River. Hitler sent his best armies and generals, including famous marshal Von Paulus to command the siege. The Battle of Stalingrad lasted for almost one year. The heroic defense of the city enabled the Russian army to prepare a counter attack and to surround the invading forces. This was a serious loss from which Hitler forces were never able to fully recover. This was not the victory for the allies yet, but it was in Stalingrad that the tide of war turned against the Germans. Volgograd has a giant memorial Rodina Mat (Motherland) commemorating those who fought and died here.

St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow. This colorful cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, was built between 1555 and 1561.

Novodevichiy Convent is one of the oldest monasteries in Moscow. It was unofficial center of the opposition to the Romanov's family, and remained virtually intact since 17th century. Beyond the five-golden-domed structure, housing the Our Lady of Smolensk icon, the central point of the original convent, there are a number of churches on the grounds: Transfiguration, Holy Virgin, St. Amvrosi, and the Refectory. Novodevichiy Covent was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 2004.

The Moscow Subway was constructed to streamline the city's transportation as well as to celebrate the accomplishments of the Soviet system. The subway is a work of art with tunnels dedicated to historic events and terminals that make passengers feel like they have arrived in a palace. On top of its cultural value, Moscow's subway carries three million passengers each day and spans the entire city. It also serves as a nuclear shelter in times of war.

Stretching for 18 miles on both banks of the Volga, Yaroslavl is an important Volga port with a population of 600,000. It was founded in the 11th century by Prince Yaroslav the Wise and today retains many noteworthy monuments of its colorful past.
Of special interest is the magnificent 13th-century Spassky Monastery ensemble, a group of majestic 17th century cathedrals, an elegant rotunda and remnants of an ancient trading center. Loveliest of all is the Church of Elijah the Prophet, situated in the town’s central square. The frescoes on the walls and vaulting inside the church constitute a veritable museum of old Russian paintings.

The town of Goritsy is home to the historic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, built in 1397. During the Time of Trouble, Polish invaders stormed the monastery in attempt to purge Russia of its remaining nobles. Unsuccessful, they were forced out by the renewed Russian forces. You will visit the monastery of St. Cyril-on-the-White-Lake and a museum of icons.

Nizhny Novgorod was one of the newly founded towns that escaped Mongol devastation on account of its insignificance. The city, similarly to Moscow and Tver, attracted refugees from other cities pillaged by the Mongols and expanded rapidly during the period of the "Mongol yoke" that lasted for a little over 100 years. Moscovy incorporated the city in 1392 and soon thereafter the Tatars of Kazan burnt it down (1408). It took over one century to construct an enormous redbrick castle here which was soon of use when the Tatars tried to burn it again in 1520 and 1536. Today, just like 500 years ago, Nizhniy is one of the main commercial centers of Russia.

Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan which is often called the “Pearl of the Central Volga region”. Numerous masterpieces of architecture – the unique “Leaning Tower of Princess Suumbike” – an analog of the Pisa Tower, the Kremlin, Moslem Mosques and minarets, magnificent Orthodox churches and cathedrals make this city a special attraction for the tourists.

 Ivan the Terrible built what we now know as Saratov on the northernmost colony of the former Greek Empire. In the 19th century Saratov saw an influx of German immigrants who suffered relocation to Siberia and Kazakhstan when WWII erupted. It subsequently became a center of aircraft production during the Cold War and also produced one of Russia’s proudest citizens: Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space.

Volgograd (former Stalingrad) is famous for the battle that unfolded here during the World War II. German forces attempted to cut off the Russian armies and their industrial production from their fuel supplies. To that end, they needed to take Stalingrad, situated on the western bank of the Volga River. Hitler sent his best armies and generals, including famous marshal Von Paulus to command the siege. The Battle of Stalingrad lasted for almost one year. The heroic defense of the city enabled the Russian army to prepare a counter attack and to surround the invading forces. This was a serious loss from which Hitler forces were never able to fully recover. This was not the victory for the allies yet, but it was in Stalingrad that the tide of war turned against the Germans. Volgograd has a giant memorial Rodina Mat (Motherland) commemorating those who fought and died here.