Northern European Russia
Climbing the 288 steps of St Sofia’s Cathedral's separate 78.5m-high, gold-topped bell tower offers breathtaking views down upon the cathedral’s grand…
Must-see attractions in Northern European Russia
Northern European Russia
Sweeping views from this sturdy 1778 bell tower justify the somewhat claustrophobic climb from the main grassy square. Enter through a hobbit-sized door…
Prospekt Chumbarova-Luchinskogo
Northern European Russia
Arkhangelsk's appealing pedestrian street is lined with a a few surviving traditional timber houses that are in the process of being restored, cosy cafes,…
Northern European Russia
Historically important, the 1809 Vvedenskaya Church stored the hidden chattels of the Russian royals during Napoleon’s 1812 attack on Moscow. Now the…
Northern European Russia
Just outside the kremlin enclosure, the amply domed 1776 Resurrection Cathedral adds photogenic foreground to kremlin views. It also houses an art gallery…
Northern European Russia
Given the first hint of warm summer weather, Arkhangelskians emerge to stroll this broad promenade and loiter in any of its many seasonal beer-and…
Northern European Russia
This 1751 church on the city's main grassy square has an impressively Gothic bulk with unusual octagonal windows and distinctive double domes on long…
Northern European Russia
A long walk down a dusty road towards the southwestern end of town, this 1819 church has a small collection of local crafts, costumes and icons, plus…
Rozhdenstva Bogoroditsy Church
Northern European Russia
The active 1680 Rozhdenstva Bogoroditsy Church is elegant despite the discordant red-green metallic gleam of its multiple domes. A stylistic effect? No,…
Northern European Russia
For a great picnic site, stroll about 20 minutes north of the Transfiguration Monastery to the quaint, heptagonal bell tower of Nikolski Skete.
Northern European Russia
Bereginya displays and sells a range of folk crafts and organises all manner of masterclasses – from making clay toys to traditional weaving.
Northern European Russia
Contains exhibits detailing the history of the monastery, including the ruins of monks' cells dating from the 16th century.
Church of the Entry into Jerusalem
Northern European Russia
Totma's most striking church, with six onion domes and a partially-restored interior. Dates from 1774.
Northern European Russia
The disused 1692 Annunciation Church catches your eye with its unusually intricate window mouldings.
Northern European Russia
Artwork by AA Borisov, dedicated to the Arctic scenery of Novaya Zemlya and settlement of the north.
Northern European Russia
This tiny but magnificently mural-covered church dates from 1601.
Northern European Russia
At this expensive-yet-low-budget theme park of sorts, visitors have to run the gauntlet of determinedly cheerful storybook characters and talking animals…
Northern European Russia
A good central starting point for exploring the town’s historic centre is Ded Moroz’s part-time ‘residence’ where the Russian Santa shows up from early…
Northern European Russia
On a fine summer's day, scores of strolling families, rollerbladers and cyclists take to the Lake Onega promenade – an appealing park area scattered…
Northern European Russia
The circular pl Lenina is the original heart of neoclassical Petrozavodsk, skirted by matching semicircular buildings built in 1784. In its centre is a…
Northern European Russia
Unveiled to protests and arrests in 2005, a youthful statue of Yury Andropov commemorates the USSR’s 1982–84 supremo and chief of Petrozavodsk’s Komsomol …
Northern European Russia
This ramshackle 19th century church stands on the edge of Lake Lekshmo, and was used as a warehouse in the Soviet era. Today it is only used for services…
Northern European Russia
Ever wondered why you never got that bike for Christmas? You were probably sending your Santa letters to the North Pole instead of to this adorable log…
Northern European Russia
One of Vologda's more unusual sights, this bronze monument depicts a dog doing what dogs habitually do when they encounter a lamppost. Although the…
Northern European Russia
A remarkable and somewhat creepy collection of handmade creations by one of Russia’s foremost puppet mistresses. Storybook heroes, mythological creatures…
Northern European Russia
A mini-Lenin near the Church of St John the Baptist (Церковь Иоанна Предтечи, 1710–17), on grand pl Revolyutsii, was reputedly the first ever erected in…
Northern European Russia
In the fine Marfin Mansion, the Lair of Art Gallery hosts occasional mini-concerts, but is most interesting for its furnished interior and large model of…
Northern European Russia
This 18th century church, located with the walls of the Solovetsky Transfiguration Monastery, also acted as a hospital in the tsarist period.
War Victory Monument 1941-1945
Northern European Russia
Memorial consisting of an eternal flame flanked by grim-faced statues of servicemen, honouring the fallen of the Great Patriotic War.
Northern European Russia
Close to the hydrofoil terminal is a jaunty statue of Peter the Great pointing to the spot where Petrozavodsk would be founded.
Northern European Russia
This windswept take on Peter the Great and the unexotic River Terminal building both feature on Russia’s R500 banknotes.
Northern European Russia
One of the oldest factories in Russia, this strikingly grand building first opened for business in 1703.
Northern European Russia
Attractive wooden relic of bygone years. Can only be viewed from the outside, however.
Northern European Russia
If you don't have time to visit the mysterious concentric swirls of stones that cover Bolshoy Zayatsky Island, this accessible, reconstructed example is…
Northern European Russia
Where pr Pobedy and ul Mira meet is a Lenin statue in an odd ‘Hey buddy, wanna buy a watch?’ pose.
![Western Siberian Eagle Owl [Bubo Bubo Sibericus] in full flight](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/531770715_high.jpg?fit=crop&w=360&ar=1%3A1&auto=format&q=75)
