Russia, land of the tsars. The name brings to mind beautiful onion domes and ancient Byzantine, Baroque and Gothic architecture. Shrouded in mystery for many years during the era of the Soviet Union, very few people from outside of the iron curtain were able to visit and enjoy this fascinating land and its rich history. Today, visitors from around the globe come to experience the culture and beauty of Russia.

Of all the sights in Russia, one of the most beautiful is the city of St. Petersburg. Although it is a young city by European standards, just over 300 years old, it has a rich and fascinating history. St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great who dubbed it his “Window to the West.” Also known as the Venice of the North, St. Petersburg is built on a series of small islands that span the delta of the Neva River and are connected by hundreds of bridges.

St. Petersburg is home to some of the finest museums in the world, most notably the State Hermitage Museum. Renowned for having one of the most extensive collections of masterpieces and treasures from around the world, the Hermitage houses more than three million items in its inventory, many on display within the magnificent Winter Palace. The museum itself is a spectacular collection of exquisitely appointed staterooms and stunning architecture rivaling the works contained within. The Hermitage is a must-see when visiting St. Petersburg.

Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in Europe. A fascinating mixture of beautiful ancient architecture and the drab remnants of the Soviet era, Moscow today is a vibrant city boasting some of the most expensive real estate in the world.

Sight-seeing in Moscow is unique as most popular attractions are in close proximity to Red Square and the Kremlin, the massive fortress that is the seat of Russian government. For nearly 1,000 years the Kremlin has been a symbol of the strength of Russia and home to its rulers.

Among the best known landmarks in Moscow is the exquisite St. Basil’s Cathedral, best known for its red brick facade, colorful domes and unique architecture. St. Basil’s was built by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the 1552 Russian capture of Kazan and victory over the Mongols. The interior walls are adorned with intricate designs painted throughout and a beautiful iconostasis dating to the 16th century. St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on Red Square.

Bio: Albert blogs about an array of subjects. He commonly blogs about cars on http://www.cashfortrucks.com a very reputable company.

Thanks to davidgordillo for the photo from Flickr!