15 Things Russia Is Famous For

1. Kremlin

One of the most famous Russian citadels is the Moscow Kremlin, simply called the Kremlin. This famous building was founded in the center of the city by the dynasty Rurikids around AD 862. The word Kremlin means “fortress in a city.” This fortified complex contains four cathedrals and five palaces, as well as the Kremlin Wall and Kremlin towers. The Kremlin is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. It is open to the public and actually holds guided tours, whether individually or in groups. Some of the sights to see here are Tsar Cannon, Tsar Bell, and the Armoury Chamber.

Kremlin

Address: Moscow, Russia, 103132

Website: Kremlin

2. The Kingdom of Permafrost

If you’re looking for one of the best attractions in Russia besides its landmarks and major cities, the Kingdom of Permafrost is a great place to visit. This tourist attraction is comprised of an elaborate network of neon-lit tunnels laid out into the permafrost in Yakutsk. Inside are the intricate ice sculptures of the Yakut legends and gods. In simple terms, the Kingdom of Permafrost is an ice cave. If you’re going to Yakutsk during the summer, you must absolutely visit this place. Not only do you get to cool off, but you also get to explore one of the most unique places in Russia.

The Kingdom of Permafrost

Address: 7 км, Ulitsa Gora Chochur Muran, 1, Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia, 677000

3. St. Petersburg

If there’s anything Russia is known for it is its vibrant cities. One of which is Saint Petersburg which is located along the Baltic Sea. It was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and maintains its role as the country’s cultural center, mainly because it is home to Mariinsky Theatre and the State Russian Museum. One of the largest art museums in the world, the Hermitage, is located in the city a well. Saint Petersburg also serves as a significant part of Europe’s scientific, cultural, economic, and tourism industries.

4. Russian literature

One of Russia’s most significant contributions to the world is its literature. Some of the great novelists that the country has produced include the biggest names in literature: Nikolai Gogol, Leo Tolstoy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Anton Chekhov, among others. Two of the most common themes in Russian works are suffering and redemption, which are most distinguished in the works of Dostoevsky. Some other themes that are often depicted in the works of the aforementioned novelists are Christianity and Christian symbolisms.

5. Moscow

Russia’s capital and largest city is Moscow. It was established in 1147 and was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow which is where it derived its name. It is home to various UNESCO World Heritage Sites and its structure is a prominent display of triumphant Russian architecture, the iconic Red Square being the most popular example. Some of the other major attractions in Moscow include the Moscow Kremlin, which is the Russian President’s official residence, and Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

6. Tsar Kolokol Bell

The Tsar Kolokol Bell, also known as the Royal Bell or Tsar Kolokol III, is a bronze bell that is estimated to weigh somewhere between 200 (440,000 pounds) and 216 tons (476,000 pounds) and stands 20.1 feet (6 meters high) with a diameter of 21.6 feet (6.5 meters). For some time in the past, this famous thing in Russia was used as a small temple where people used to enter and exit through the large opening which was created when it shattered. Although the bell has never been rung, some of the locals believe that when the time comes the bell will be miraculously repaired and it will ring on Judgment Day.

Tsar Kolokol Bell

Address: Kreml, Moscow 101000, Russia

Website: Tsar Kolokol Bell

7. Vodka

Although the origin of vodka is still a disputed honor between Russia and Poland, It is safe to say that no country is more closely associated with vodka than Russia. The word vodka is derived from the word ‘voda’ which means water in Russian. In Russia, vodka is undoubtedly the most preferred alcoholic drink. During festivals, an average Russian spends up to USD400 just on alcoholic drinks. The love of vodka in Russia is so deep that it is estimated that nearly 25% of Russians die at the age younger than the age of 55, thanks to the health issues that accompany vodka.

Russian Vodkaroom No. 1

Address: Konnogvardeyskiy Bul'var, 4, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 190000

Website: Russian Vodkaroom No. 1

8. Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is the world’s oldest freshwater lake located in the mountainous Russian region of Siberia, north of the Mongolian border. Apart from being the oldest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal is also considered as the deepest lake in the world. While you are here, one of the things you will love most is the Great Baikal Trail which is a network of hiking paths that surrounds the lake. On the western shoreline of Lake Baikal, you will find the village of Listvyanka, which is a popular tourist destination if you are interested in wintertime ice-skating, summertime wildlife-spotting tours or dog sledding.

Lake Baikal

Address: Siberia, Russia

Website: Lake Baikal

9. The Russian dolls

The Russian dolls famously known as the Matryoshka doll is a set of several wooden dolls designed with decreasing size with the aim of placing one inside another. These wooden stackable dolls are painted to resemble a traditional Russian woman or “babushka,” and over time this famous Russian thing has become a very popular souvenir and even a symbol of the Eastern European country itself. The first Matryoshka doll was designed by Sergey Malyutin and carved by Vasily Zvyozdochkin in 1890, but It was not until 1900 when Matryoshka dolls received global exposure after Mamontov’s wife presented them at the Exposition Universelle world’s fair in Paris, France where the dolls won the bronze medal.

Matryoshka Artboutique

Address: Bol'shoy Prospekt Vasil'yevskogo Ostrova, 83, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 199106

Opening hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm on weekdays

Website: Matryoshka Artboutique

10. The Hermitage

The Hermitage is one of the most famous visitor attraction sites in St. Petersburg and one of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world making it a must-see for all first-time travelers to the city. With over three million artifacts in its collection, both repeat visits and new-comers can only hope to acquire just a taste of the riches that are on offer here, from impressionist masterpieces to fascinating oriental treasures. It is estimated that, in order to view each exhibit on display for just a minute, you will need eleven days. For that reason, it is highly recommended that you should organize to have a guided tour to ensure they have time to catch all the collection’s highlights.

The Hermitage

Address: Palace Square, 2, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 190000

Opening hours: 10:30 am - 6:00 pm daily

Website: The Hermitage

11. Chicken's foot soup (Kholodets)

Kholodets (also known as studen in most parts of Russia) is a traditional jellied meat dish of Russian cuisine. The name Kholodets is derived from the name kholod, which is the Russian word for cold and it is an Important meal during the winter holiday festive. In Russia, Kholodets are classic peasant food which is made with parts of the animal that has the most connective tissue and gelatine. In the United States Kholodets are normally called jello salads and in other parts of the world, it is called gelatine salads. Kholodets or Meat Aspic are, most preferred by the Russians when it is served with horseradish and beet sauce.

Russian Vodkaroom No. 1

Address: Konnogvardeyskiy Bul'var, 4, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia, 190000

Opening hours: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am daily

Website: Russian Vodkaroom No. 1

12. St. Basil Cathedral

The Basil’s Cathedral is an Orthodox church located on the Red Square in Moscow. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1990 by UNESCO, tourists love exploring both its exterior and interior as its architectural style is unique. In front of the church, there is a garden where a bronze statue stands in honor of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky who fought against the Polish invaders between 1598 and 1613. Throughout its history Basil’s Cathedral has been in danger of disappearing on more than one occasion, surviving several fire incidents, Napoleon’s invasion and even a plan by Stalin collaborators to demolish the cathedral. The visit to this cathedral is always complemented with other tourist attractions located in the Red Square which includes the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and GUM department store.

St. Basil Cathedral

Address: Red Square, Moskva, Russia, 109012

Website: St. Basil Cathedral

13. Moscow's underground train system

The Moscow Metro is a delightful paradox; how is one of the largest metro systems in the world also one of the most efficient? The underground transit system is now over 80 years old, and it serves over nine million passengers through more than 200 stations daily. The station was opened in 1935, offering one train line and 13 stations. By 2017, the system ballooned to 229 stations connected by 14 lines, making it the fifth-largest metro system in the world. Most of the architecture and decor which were built decades ago meant to be a showcase for Soviet ideals, artists, and icons. In September 2016, the metro opened a new line called the Central Circle. Central Circle traces a ring around the city center, connecting with every other line. There’s even free wi-fi for every passenger.

Moscow Metro

Address: Krasnogorsk, Lyubertsy, Moscow

Opening hours: 24 hours a day

14. The SkyBridge

If you’re fond of amusement parks, then this adventure park will be a fun visit for you. Constructed in 2014, the Sochi Skybridge is the first major permanent bungee bridge site in Russia with a height exceeding 200 meters (656 Feet). The popular things in Russia has the capability to carry up to 30,000 people at a time and stretches for almost a kilometer over the Krasnaya Polyana valley. And if walking across it isn’t adventurous enough, you can indulge in thrill sport which includes the 207-meter (679 feet) bungee jump, a 69 meter (266 feet) bungee jump, the Megatroll zip line, a 170 meter (557 feet) swing, the Via Ferrata fixed tether mountain hiking trail and the “Mowgli” rope park.

The SkyBridge

Address: Krasnoflotskaya Ulitsa, Kazachiy Brod, Krasnodarskiy kray, Russia, 354386

Opening hours: 10:00 am - 6:45 pm daily

Website: The SkyBridge

15. The coldest inhabited place on earth - Oymyakon

Also known as “The Pole of Cold”, Oymyakon is the coldest inhabited town on Earth. Ironically, Oymyakon actually means “non-freezing water” thanks to the nearby hot spring. The small town of Oymyakon is located in the Republic of Sakha in northeast Russia a two-day drive from the city of Yakutsk and has a population of around 500 citizens. considered as the coldest town on Earth, the temperatures in Oymyakon are normally at an average of around -58° F (-50° C) during the winter months. At the town square, there is a monument commemorates the day in 1924 when the temperature fell to a record 96 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. (-71°C)

Oymyakon

Weather: -39°C, Wind NW at 3 km/h, 73% Humidity

Website: Oymyakon

Discover Russia

With Russia’s incredible shopping malls and amazing monasteries, there are plenty of reasons to visit. If you are traveling to Russia anytime soon, above is a list of some of the things that Russia are famous for, enjoy.