Many people are familiar with Russia's most visible landmarks, particularly those in Moscow: the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral. Yet these are only three of Russia's architectural, cultural, and historical treasures. With this book, discover the rich heritage of Russia's fortresses, palaces, cathedrals, museums, monasteries, and cities. From the era of the Kievan Rus in the 9th century, the Tatars in the 13th and 14th centuries, to the 16th through 18th centuries, the time of the Tsars and of Imperial Russia, Russia's treasures predating the 20th century are examples of sheer elegance. The Grand Palace of Peterhof and the Peterhof Fountains, for example, in St. Petersburg, embody the Tsars' appreciation for Classicism, while Trinity Cathedral, in the Sergiyev Posad monastery, dating to the 14th century, shows reverence for the Orthodox Church in shining onion domes.
Russia's 20th-century treasures are towering examples of beauty on an awe-inspiring scale. The vast stretches of the All-Russian Exhibition Center, for example, and the "seven sisters" skyscrapers illustrate the Soviet ideals of beauty. The book's journey begins in Moscow, where these 20th-century structures are balanced by an array of cathedrals, churches, and monasteries. Beyond Moscow, the Golden Ring (the circle of culturally and artistically significant churches, monasteries, and towns) expands on Russian traditions and architectural heritage. In addition, the treasures of St Petersburg are fully catalogued here, as well as those in other parts of the country. From start to finish, this is a book to savor, as you discover the true range and depth of Russia's riches.