Western European Russia
Named after an early Pskov prince (also known as Daumantas, who ruled the independent city between 1266 and 1299), the preserved foundations of a dozen or…
Must-see attractions in Western European Russia
St Alexey of Akatov Women’s Monastery
Western European Russia
This out-of-the-way restored nunnery, founded in 1674, is near the river on lovely grounds, which include a tiny graveyard surrounded by colourful,…
Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady
Veliky Novgorod
Legend has it that St Anthony took just three days to sail down Europe’s rivers from Italy to Novgorod on a rock in 1106. You can view the supposed…
Western European Russia
This attractive, working church overlooking the Pskova River was built in 1494 and includes a separately standing five-column belfry – its open gables and…
In the World of Fairytales Museum
Western European Russia
One for the kids, where they've smashed the boring don't-touch rules. It's a small creative space with activities and interactive exhibits based on…
Western European Russia
Inside this cottage, the birthplace of writer and dramatist Leonid Andreev, there is a beautiful piano and examples of Andreev’s art and photography: he…
Western European Russia
This jewel-box of a church stands near a cluster of photogenic late-17th- and early-18th-century wooden houses. Follow the road from the church to the…
Western European Russia
This museum houses displays of local archaeological finds and explanations, in Russian, of the town’s rich history. The museum website has information on…
Western European Russia
Successful Soviet composer Tikhon Khrennikov grew up and first studied music in this rust-red wooden house. Original furniture, photos and artefacts are…
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign
Veliky Novgorod
While the outside of this 17th-century Moscow-style complex has seen better days, the interior is festooned with frescoes painted by masters from Kostroma…
Western European Russia
Built during the early 1900s, this inventive piece of religious architecture has distinctly modernist, art nouveau flair, with an exotically tiled…
Western European Russia
This witch-hatted tower offers incredible city views from its fourth tier; a small museum (open 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday; admission R80) on the 3rd…
Western European Russia
This local museum is housed in the bell tower of the handsome Trinity Cathedral. Apart from local insights, the place offers superb views of the lake and…
Veliky Novgorod
Novgorod boasts status as a City of Military Glory and has the museum to prove it. Wax statues and bas-reliefs tell the stories of the city's heroism from…
Western European Russia
Inside the City Park of Culture & Rest you'll find this statue dedicated to the famous writer Turgenev, who was born in Oryol in 1818.
Western European Russia
Constructed in 1955, the exterior of this building is decorated with busts of famous writers and thinkers, including Lenin and Marx on the corner - now…
Western European Russia
This handsome little neoclassical building hosts temporary Dostoevsky-centric exhibitions, as well as exhibitions of Russian artists, and events dedicated…
Western European Russia
At 50m tall and with a 90m diameter, this is the tallest tower of Pskov's 15th- to 16th-century Outer Town in the kremlin complex.
Western European Russia
Contains playful woodworks by Smolensk Oblast native Sergei Konenkov, otherwise known as the 'Russian Rodin'. The museum also has works by other noted…
Western European Russia
Kursk's small regional museum houses exhibits on the area’s natural, artistic and archaeological history, but its focus on wartime Kursk is what draws…
Veliky Novgorod
A strong provincial collection of paintings by 18th- and 19th-century Russian artists, as well as temporary shows. The 3rd floor features Novgorod artists.
Western European Russia
This bookshop only sells Russian-language titles, but if you don't read Russian it's still a worthwhile stop to admire the beautiful blue baroque building.
Western European Russia
Perched on a hill near the Borisoglebsky Monastery, this sky-blue-domed beauty has a stunningly decorated interior.
Western European Russia
This attractive large green-domed church, a short walk east of pl Lenina, boasts a colourful fresco-covered interior that hosts regular choral services.
Western European Russia
Much restoration work has been done on this charming, pink-walled convent, which also runs a small orphanage for girls. Donations are welcome.
Western European Russia
This giant Lenin statue looms large over Tula's central square (pl Lenina) with its brutal architecture of the old Soviet city.
Western European Russia
Displays permanent exhibits on Peter the Great and the history of the region from before the Bronze Age up to the Soviet era.
Western European Russia
With obvious Byzantine influences, this red-brick 12th-century chapel (1146) is the oldest in the city and a local icon.
Western European Russia
Not essential viewing but hosts some good temporary exhibitions and has displays on regional history and archaeology.
Veliky Novgorod
This tiny church in the former Zverin Monastery grounds has colourful frescoes that form a religious calendar.
Western European Russia
By the western fortress walls, this high earth rampart was built by the Poles who captured Smolensk in 1611.
Western European Russia
Ardent historians may want to check out this small but intensive museum dedicated to the local WWII effort.
Monument to the Heroes of 1812
Western European Russia
This Smolensk monument pays tribute to those who fought against Napoleon's armies in 1812.
Western European Russia
The eternal flame memorial is located in the Lopatinsky Gardens.
Monument to the 1812 Defenders
Western European Russia
This 26m-high cast-iron monument sits in Lopatinsky Gardens.
Western European Russia
The Korolevsky Bastion overlooks the Spartak Stadium, which is just outside the fortress walls.
Western European Russia
Situated at the corner of ul Sovetskaya and pr Tverskoy is this pretty church built in 1624.
![Western Siberian Eagle Owl [Bubo Bubo Sibericus] in full flight](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/531770715_high.jpg?auto=format&fit=crop&w=360&ar=1:1&q=75)
