Which country has a famous natural landmark. The most impressive unesco natural monuments

Nature creates amazing and delightful places. Their beauty can attract the attention of tourists no less than interesting man-made sights. We will tell you about such creations of nature in this top 10 natural sights of Russia.

10 Oymyakonskaya valley

9 Orda cave

8 Kungur Ice Cave

7 Putorana Plateau

6 Altai mountains

5 Lena Pillars

4 Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka

3 Manpupuner

1 Lake Baikal

How many attractions do you think are located in the largest country on the planet? We think that no one will give the exact number, because there are so many amazingly beautiful and unique places in Russia!

This country is rich in both natural and man-made sights, will surprise you with both historical buildings and cultural traditions. In Russia, you can find both incredibly beautiful wooden temples and picturesque corners created by nature for a pleasant stay.

Of course, most tourists begin their acquaintance with Russia precisely from and where the tourist infrastructure is especially well developed. However, today tours, for example, along the lakes of Karelia, to Baikal and Altai, are becoming more and more popular.

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What to see in Russia?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.

1. Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed

Probably the most famous Russian temple, bright and unusual, a real visiting card not only of Moscow, but of the whole country. St. Basil's Cathedral is remarkable not only for its location right on Red Square, but also for its history, architecture, original decoration and a collection of icons and church values.

2. Moscow Kremlin and Red Square

The Kremlin is not just an amazing historical structure, but also a symbol of Russian power. You can talk about everything that can be seen in the vastness of Red Square and the Kremlin for a very long time, this object still remains the subject of study by scientists and creates more and more legends. Of course, to visit Russia and not visit its heart will be a huge omission!

3. Lake Baikal

Every schoolchild knows that Baikal is distinguished by the greatest depth on the planet. But to say that this is simply the deepest lake means not to note the amazing atmosphere and beauty of this place. Be sure to appreciate the cleanliness blue ice Lake Baikal, its amazingly tasty fish and just take a break from the bustle of the city alone with nature.

4. Valley of geysers in Kamchatka

This valley looks like it was transferred from another planet. This is the largest territory with geysers in the world and the only one in all of Eurasia! If you want to see one of the Seven Wonders of Russia, go on a helicopter tour, which is conducted in accordance with strict rules and only under the supervision of a guide.

5. The architectural ensemble of Kizhi

This amazing creation is located on the island on Lake Onega and is unique in its kind. An openwork church built, just imagine, without a single nail, exclusively with an ax, a bell tower, a beautiful fence and the unique flavor of the Kizhi ensemble leave no one indifferent.

6. Kazan Kremlin

This is not just a historical object of cultural heritage, but a museum-reserve, the only center of Tatar culture and traditions on the planet. The Kazan Kremlin has been perfectly preserved, retaining its unique features and appearance. This Tatar fortress is located in the very center, so you will definitely not pass by.

7. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

The Kremlin in Novgorod, built in the 16th century, surprises with its impregnable walls with narrow loopholes, blank towers stretching for several levels, and fortifications. The Archangel Michael Cathedral is also located here. Until now, the Kremlin remains cultural and administrative center city, there are two museums and the Center for Contemporary Art.

8. Golden ring of Russia

Of course, the ring is symbolic, uniting eight ancient Russian cities. The Golden Circle routes have become very popular weekend tours, during which you can see the most interesting places, etc. Monasteries, churches, original souvenirs and just beautiful nature will make your trip along the Golden Ring memorable and interesting.

9. Church of the Intercession on the Nerl

A masterpiece of world architecture, an elegant building that stands in a meadow, in the place where the Nerl River joins the Klyazma. This architectural monument is confidently called the most lyrical, unusual and beautiful. The temple, secluded on the banks of the river, harmoniously blended into the surrounding nature, seems to be an integral part of it.

10. State Tretyakov Gallery

The largest Russian museum, which has collected a lot of masterpieces by domestic masters and not only. Starting with a private collection, today the Tretyakov Gallery is known all over the world and is a federal museum. You can wander through the halls of this gallery for hours, and many paintings deserve a separate story, they are so important for world culture.

11. Hermitage

This St. Petersburg museum in 2014 magnificently celebrated its 250th anniversary, it is one of the most extensive collections of artistic masterpieces on the planet. The Hermitage collection contains over 3 million exhibits, including not only paintings, but also sculptures, numismatics, archaeological artifacts, as well as objects of applied art.

12. Bolshoi Theater

One of the most important, significant opera and ballet theaters on the planet. The Bolshoi Theater, which not so long ago "survived" a large-scale reconstruction, is located in the center of Moscow and attracts not only theatergoers, but also those who would just like to get acquainted with its features and magnificent decoration. We warn you that it will not be easy to get tickets for the Bolshoi Theater premiere, and the price may surprise provincials unpleasantly.

13. Peterhof

Luxurious, truly royal residence near St. Petersburg, was founded by Peter the Great, famous for its parks and fountains, magnificent decoration The great palace and pavilions. The system of cascades and fountains of Peterhof is the largest in the world! Moreover, all the fountains are decorated in the same style, with numerous sculptures.

14. Old Arbat Street

The most famous street in Moscow, praised by poets, writers and artists. Now Arbat is the most tourist street in the capital, closed to cars and famous for its souvenir shops, shops, street musicians and artists. It is nice to sit in a cafe here, just walk along the street that has retained its historical charm.

15. Mamaev Kurgan and the sculpture "Motherland Calls"

Mamaev Kurgan during the Great Patriotic War played a very big strategic importance, became the site of bloody battles. Now there is a memorial complex, the most notable part of which is the statue of the Motherland Calls. The complex has become the most visited in Russia, due to its location it is clearly visible from a distance of tens of kilometers.

16. Cable-stayed bridges in Vladivostok

The need to build bridges that should connect the different parts scattered along the banks of the Golden Horn has been talked about for more than a hundred years. However, this large-scale project, which changed the face of the city, was only implemented in 2012. Now Vladivostok is decorated with two of the largest cable-stayed bridges country, and the bridge to the Russian island with the longest span on the planet is included in the Guinness Book of Records.

17. Weathering pillars - Manpupuner

The Manpupuner Plateau is located in the northern part of the Urals and is famous for its weathering pillars - massive stone sculptures created by nature. Now it is a nature reserve that can only be visited with a special permit. The height of individual pillars reaches 42 meters; this place was important in the religious beliefs of the Mansi.

18. Kungurskaya cave

This is the pearl of the Urals - an ice cave, which is considered the first in beauty of all the gypsum caves on the planet. Today Kungurskaya cave, located in the eponymous old town, is the only one in the country specially equipped for excursions. You can walk between frozen "sculptures" of ice and stone, visit the restaurant at the entrance and stay right at the local hotel.

19. Volcanoes of Kamchatka

It is noteworthy that the inhabitants of Kamchatka are not afraid of their volcanoes. They are not very active, decorating the landscape with their dark silhouettes. Which of the volcanoes in Kamchatka is the most beautiful? This can be argued for a very long time! Usually called Kronotsky, Koryaksky and Klyuchevsky volcanoes, which have become real symbols of the region, as the highest.

20. Lena Pillars

This natural park is located in Yakutia, on the Lena River. Tours on a motor ship along the majestic, simply striking in their size and unusual appearance, pillars created by nature are very popular. In general, the complex consists of two separate areas, covering a total area of ​​about 81 thousand hectares.

21. Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

This is already a landmark, if you can call it the largest man-made hydroelectric power plant in the country. They built the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station for a very long time, faced with such difficulties as cracks in the dam. In 2009, a major accident occurred at the station; it was only possible to restore it in the fall of 2014.

22. Kul Sharif Mosque

According to legend, after Russian troops took Kazan in the 16th century, the mosque was burned to the ground, and Kul Sharif himself, a warrior and prophet of Muhammad, was killed. However, the outlines of that mosque remained, which simply amazed the conquerors. As a result, Ivan the Terrible repeated them in the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed. The mosque in Kazan was re-built and reopened in 2005 and has now become a decoration of the entire city.

23. Shikhans in Bashkiria

This is the highest rock mass in the entire Upper Urals, three mountains, which appear to be the warriors defending this region - Kush-Tau, Tra-Tau and Yurak-Tau, three brothers of Shihan. The fourth mountain was almost completely used in the extraction of raw materials for the plant in Sterlitamak. Shikhans in Bashkiria are known for their wonderful nature and amazing geology - they are from coral reefs, because the Ural Sea once raged here.

24. Elbrus

The highest mountain in Russia. And if we take into account the fact that there is still no clear border between Europe and Asia, then on the entire European territory. Of course, not everyone will be able to climb its 5642 meters, but the surroundings of Elbrus still enjoy the glory of one of the most beautiful regions of Russia, with its ancient history and special atmosphere.

25. Trans-Siberian Railway

The Transsib is the longest railway line on the planet. This highway stretches for 9298 kilometers! Almost across the country. The Transsib connects the European part of Russia with Siberia and the Far Eastern regions, plays a huge role in the history and economy of the country. The construction of the Transsibnachal dates back to 1891, so now the authorities intend to reconstruct the highway.

26. Golden Mountains of Altai

On this site of the vast expanses of Russia, steppes and tundra, semi-deserts and mountains, pristine lakes and amazing caves, fast rivers and alpine meadows are combined. In the Golden Mountains of Altai, cedar forests have been preserved, it is here that the highest mountain in Siberia - Belukha, the Altai pearl - Teletskoye Lake and a lot of interesting things are located.

27. Krasnoyarsk Nature Reserve Stolby

Just a few kilometers from the outskirts is the Stolby reserve, which was founded back in 1925. The main feature of the reserve is cliff-cliffs that rise above the taiga, surprising with their variety of shapes and colors, as well as sizes - up to 100 meters. The nature of the Stolby reserve is very beautiful and diverse, which attracts tourists.

28. Wrangel Island

One of the most inaccessible reserves not only in Russia, but throughout the world, is located in the Arctic and is primarily known as a favorite place for polar bears, whose females breed their cubs here. In winter, Wrangel Island is very deserted, but in summer, on a polar day, you can come to admire the untouched nature Arctic.

29. Cruiser Aurora

There is no point in describing the most famous Russian ship. Everyone who studied in the Soviet school knows perfectly well the song dedicated to him, and the history, and participation in the 1917 revolution. Now it is a cruiser-museum, which has now left the "eternal dock" and went to the shipyard for a major overhaul. To the pier of the Northern capital "Aurora" should return in 2016.

30. Pole of cold Oymyakon

Yakutia is the coldest of all inhabited regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It was the settlement of Oymyakon that was recognized as the coldest place - the temperature here dropped to minus 71.2 degrees! In honor of this, a memorial sign, the so-called "Pole of Cold", was erected. At the same time, even at minus 50 degrees, local residents hear the "whisper of the stars", a noise that looks more like wind or falling grains. In fact, it freezes a person's breath.

Sights of the world are a huge number of popular and little-known ancient and modern, man-made and natural sites history, culture, architecture, archeology, scattered in various centers of the dead and now existing civilizations On the Earth.

How to choose and see the most famous sights of the world? Here you need to be guided, first of all, by your own taste, knowledge of the history and culture of mankind. Here are just some of the sights that have played a significant role in the history of their region and the whole world.

China landmarks

It is a symbol of China, which is included in famous list UNESCO. People who love China and its history must visit this gigantic creation of human hands. This defensive structure was built during different dynasties and for many centuries. In addition to protection, in some areas the Wall was used and is used as a road.

The Great Wall of China was erected to protect against the raids of the Mongols and other barbarian tribes from the north even before our era. Its main part was built during the Qin dynasty. It has a length of about 21 thousand km and is perfectly visible from space. Even today, its fortifications are extremely difficult to overcome.

Forbidden City

it ancient part Beijing, one of its main attractions. Here was located official residence Chinese emperors, his family, confidants and servants lived. All others could not enter this huge palace complex on pain of death. Today Forbidden City simply referred to as Gugun or Former Palace.

The Forbidden City began to be built at the beginning of the 15th century, and was built in 15 years. A significant part of the rich interior decoration of his palaces has survived to this day. In 1924, the last Chinese emperor was deposed, and the Forbidden City was opened to all Chinese and travelers. Today it is a state museum.

Summer palace

In this palace, the Chinese emperor and his family rested in the summer. Summer Palace built relatively recently - in the 18th century, but in the middle of the next century it was burned to the ground by the French and Russian troops who conquered Beijing. Later, Empress Dowager Qixi restored this architectural masterpiece.

Like all Chinese landmarks, the Summer Palace has its own gigantic specimens. For example, the Long Corridor (more than 700 meters), passing through which paintings and sculptures can give an impression of the history, mythology, and literature of this amazing country.

This is another giant Chinese landmark. After the death of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in the city of Siam, several thousand statues of his soldiers with real weapons in their hands, horses and chariots made of baked terracotta clay were buried near the tomb.

This amazing burial was discovered only in the seventies of the last century. It has become another a man-made miracle the era of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, except the Great Wall of china and the Grand Canal, testifying to the greatness of China and its ancient history.

Temple of the Jade Buddha

This landmark is a visiting card of the second Chinese capital, Shanghai. As you know, Confucianism and Buddhism prevail in China. This Shanghai temple is famous for the Buddha statue made from solid jade. Buddha sits with closed eyes and meditates.

It is interesting that this is a functioning Buddhist temple; monks live in the monastery next to it. And at the same time it is a museum that sells tickets. And to look at the meditating jade Buddha, you still need to pay extra. But the monks never let tourists into their meditations.

Actually, Mao is also a great Chinese emperor, only red. And after his death, it was the imperial honors that were given to him. In Beijing, on Tiananmen Square, everyone can visit the Mao Mausoleum. This is one of the famous landmarks in China, telling about the history of this country in the XX century.

As in a Pushkin fairy tale, Mao rests in a crystal coffin on the first floor of his Mausoleum, and on the second floor there is an exposition dedicated to the history of the Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party.

Egypt landmarks

Great Egyptian pyramids at Giza

No less great and ancient history has Egypt. The three pyramids of the times of the Old Kingdom continue to amaze tourists from all over the world with their gigantic size. As you know, they can also be seen from space.

In these pyramids were buried three pharaohs who ruled Ancient Egypt as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. If desired, tourists can go down inside the pyramid and see the Heavenly boat, on which the pharaoh, after death, must travel through the sky, heading to his Egyptian gods.

Most of the tombs of the ancient pharaohs have been plundered over the past centuries and millennia. And in Luxor in the middle of the last century, in the Valley of the Kings, the whole tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, who ruled in the New Kingdom and died at a very young age, was found.

Since then, this tomb has been overgrown with many legends and falsifications. That there is only the famous, thanks to Hollywood, "curse of Tutankhamun" and the announcement of the Egyptologists who discovered it scammers. However, today it is the most popular attraction in Egypt and adored by tourists.

Mount Moses

And this is the main attraction of Sinai. In accordance with the Old Testament, the Jews are convinced that the elder of their kind, the Prophet Moses, received the Tablets on this very mountain, in which God gave his commandments to mankind.

Today there is a belief that anyone who climbs this mountain at sunrise and asks for mercy from God will receive absolution from all sins from him. There you can also visit the monastery of St. Catherine, which has existed since Byzantine times.

Sights of italy

Colosseum - the most famous amphitheater Ancient rome, well preserved to our times. He was saved even in the Middle Ages, when everything non-Christian was considered a product of Satan. Its construction began at the very beginning of the new era, after the death of Nero and the accession to the throne of Emperor Flavius.

Compiling a list of the main attractions in Russia is not an easy task. After all, as possible from the stunning variety of natural, architectural and cultural monuments countries to choose 25, 50 or even a hundred of the most worthwhile? But we will still try to make such a list.

In this article you will find information about the main sights of Russia, with photos, names and descriptions. See how amazing and versatile the largest country on the planet is by area!

The most important sights of Russia: the problem of choice

Russia, due to its colossal area, has a huge excursion and tourist potential. And this potential has not yet been fully explored by the Russians themselves. There is absolutely everything here: deepest lakes, the highest Mountain peaks, arctic deserts, geysers, volcanoes, waterfalls, caves ... In addition, Russia is a state with an incredible architectural and cultural heritage.

The lists of the main sights of Russia are very different from each other. And this is not at all surprising, given the enormous amount of monuments, places and objects from which you have to choose! Each author has his own vision of which sights of Russia are the most important and most interesting.

26 sites on the territory of the Russian Federation are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List: including 16 names - according to cultural criteria, and 10 - according to natural ones. Moreover, four objects were recognized by the organization " natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and value ”.

Thus, the main natural attractions of Russia (according to UNESCO) are the volcanoes of Kamchatka, the virgin forests of Komi, Lake Baikal, as well as the Putorana plateau with a full set of pristine arctic and subarctic landscapes. Overall, the country ranks ninth in the world in terms of the total number of World Heritage sites.

The main sights of Russia: photos with names (TOP-25)

How many unique and beautiful places within the most large country the world? It is almost impossible to answer this question. It is very difficult to count all the most important sights of Russia. It is even more difficult to rank them according to their importance and value.

Below we have compiled a list of 25 main attractions in Russia. Photos with descriptions of all these objects can be found further in our article. We will also try to explain why exactly they made it to our list.

Foreign tourists, as a rule, begin their acquaintance with Russia by visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg. But many of them forget to "look" into no less interesting and distinctive cities- Suzdal, Vladimir, Vologda or Kostroma. Even fewer tourists go to Altai, Kamchatka, Karelia ... Compiling the list of the main attractions of Russia, we tried to maximize the geography of the country, including objects from different regions.

So, our list includes the following objects:

1. Moscow Kremlin.
2. Lake Baikal.
3. Trans-Siberian Railway.
4. Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka.
5. Mountain Elbrus.
6. Hermitage Museum.
7. Peterhof.
8. Kizhi churchyard.
9. Memorial "Motherland" on the Mamayev Kurgan.
10. Gerhardt's mill in Volgograd.
11. Lena Pillars.
12. Man-Pupu-Ner plateau.
13. Fortress "Nut".
14. Palace Bridge in St. Petersburg.
15. Curonian Spit.
16. Derbent fortress.
17. Diamond quarry "Mir".
18. Ruskeala marble canyon.
19. Amber Museum in Kaliningrad.
20. Mosque "Heart of Chechnya".
21. The village of Oymyakon.
22. Leaning Tower of Nevyansk.
23. Lace Museum in Vologda.
24. Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
25. Moscow subway.

And now we invite you to take a closer look at the main sights of Russia!

Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin, perhaps, can be called the main attraction of Russia. This grand fortress, covering an area of ​​27 hectares in the very center of Moscow, is a kind of symbol of Russian power. It was built at the end of the 15th century. In the immediate vicinity of the Kremlin there is a stunning in its beauty and originality Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, as well as the mausoleum in which the body of the fiery revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Lenin rests.

Lake Baikal

The deepest and cleanest body of water on the planet is located in Russia. This is Lake Baikal. His maximum depth- 1642 meters. The lake contains about 20% of the world's fresh water reserves! But Baikal is famous not only for impressive statistical records. The "Pearl of Siberia" boasts incredibly picturesque shores. In addition, only here (and nowhere else on the planet) can you taste delicious fish - Baikal omul.

Trans-Siberian Railway

The best way to enjoy the views of Lake Baikal is from the windows of a train that goes around the reservoir along the famous Trans-Siberian Railway. This is the longest Railway in the world (9288 km) and one of the main attractions of Russia. In a word, a unique object and priceless engineering and technical monument! Today the Transsib runs Express train No. 002M Moscow - Vladivostok. It covers this impressive distance in 6 days, 7 hours and 10 minutes. Due to the huge duration of the route, the train cars are equipped with refrigerators, electric stoves, showers and other necessary things.

Valley of Geysers

The Far East of Russia is an amazing region, within which a huge number of beautiful and unusual natural monuments are concentrated. One of these is the Valley of Geysers, located in Kamchatka. The largest geyser field in Eurasia has two dozen springs, which from time to time push out jets of boiling water along with clubs of hot steam. Fantastic sight! You can get here only by helicopter and with a guide. Independent "wild" hikes of tourists in the valley are strictly prohibited.

Mountain Elbrus

If we are already talking about natural monuments, then we cannot fail to mention this object as well. Mount Elbrus is undoubtedly considered one of the main attractions of Russia. Photo highest peak the country amazes with its grandeur and severity. But this does not stop thousands of daredevils who want to conquer her. Among them, there are both beginners and very experienced climbers. The absolute height of Elbrus is 5642 meters. Up to the 3800 m mark can be reached by cable car, which greatly simplifies the task.

hermitage Museum

The Hermitage is one of the most famous museums in the world, which just recently celebrated its 250th anniversary. In its collections there are over three million exhibits - paintings, sculptures, fragments of ceramics, jewelry ... Why not! Few people know that the Hermitage began as a private collection of paintings by Catherine II, and access to it was closed to "ordinary mortals" until 1852.

Peterhof

Having examined the expositions of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, it is foolish not to stop by at Peterhof, located only 30 kilometers from the Northern capital. The magnificent royal residence of Peter the Great with a park, magnificent fountains and sculptures has been preserved here. It was built in the middle of the 18th century by the famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.

Kizhi churchyard

Architectural ensemble on the island of Kizhi, on Lake Onega, from afar it resembles a skillful craft made of matches. A rough bell tower, a massive fence and an openwork 22-domed church, built with only one ax - all of this is now under the protection of UNESCO.

Mamaev Kurgan and Motherland

The Battle of Stalingrad is a key page in the history of World War II. A large-scale memorial complex dedicated to this event was opened in Volgograd in 1967. The main object of the memorial is a huge statue of the Motherland Calls, made of 5.5 thousand tons of concrete and 2.4 thousand tons of metal. The total height of the monument is 86 meters. And the sword, which "Motherland-Mother" belligerently holds in his hand, weighs 14 tons.

Gerhardt's mill

In our list of the main attractions of Russia, there are two objects that are directly related to the Great Patriotic War... And both of them are located in the same city - Volgograd. The dilapidated Gerhardt Mill is an old blood-red brick building. During the Battle of Stalingrad, it was disfigured by numerous shelling and bombing. But it survived. They did not restore the mill - they left it as it is, as a reminder of that terrible and merciless war.

Lena Pillars

The Lena Pillars in Yakutia are a unique geological phenomenon, a series of bizarre vertically located rocks stretching for many kilometers along the Lena River. The height of individual "pillars" reaches one hundred meters. Natural monument is far from civilization, but there are two camp sites where travelers can stay overnight.

Man-Pupu-Ner plateau

A plateau with a rather exotic name is located within the Komi Republic. From the Mansi language, it can be translated as: "small mountain of idols." Idols are really present here. But they were not created by man at all, but by nature. These are five pillars of weathering 30-40 meters high. According to legend, these are petrified giants, according to science - the remains of ancient rocky mountains that existed on this place about 400 million years ago.

Fortress "Nut"

Unique and impregnable fortress located on a tiny island on the Neva. It was founded back in 1323 by the Moscow prince Yuri Danilovich. The stronghold is in the shape of an irregular triangle and consists of five towers connected by walls. Fortress "Oreshek" was badly damaged during the Second World War. For 500 days, a handful of Soviet fighters defended it from the Nazi troops, preventing the latter from crossing to the right bank of the Neva and cutting off the so-called road of life.

Palace bridge

Drawbridges and white nights - these are, perhaps, the main associations that arise in a tourist's head when mentioning St. Petersburg. The most popular and most photographed in the Northern capital is the Palace Bridge. Against the background of the spire Peter and Paul Fortress it looks great millet! During the summer navigation period, the Palace Bridge is raised twice a day: at 1:25 am and 3:10 am.

Curonian Spit

A sandy spit, almost a hundred kilometers long, connects two cities - the Russian Zelenogradsk and the Lithuanian Klaipeda. it real museum natural areas under open air! Driving along the spit, you can see various landscapes: meadows, swamps, birch groves, pine forests and even deserts. Coming to Curonian Spit, all tourists will certainly visit two sites - the famous Efa dune and the so-called Dancing Forest.

Derbent fortress

Derbent is one of the oldest settlements in the world. The first mention of it dates back to the sixth century BC. In 2003, the historic part of the city was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Derbent fortress is just a fragment of a grandiose defensive system that in ancient times protected the peoples of the Transcaucasus from northern nomads.

Diamond quarry "Mir"

Right on the outskirts of the city of Mirny (Yakutia), there is a giant funnel with perfectly round outlines. This is the type of a spent quarry for the extraction of diamonds. The deposit of the most valuable stone was discovered here in 1955. The city of Mirny itself soon grew up next to the quarry. The dimensions of the funnel are impressive: the diameter of the "hole" is 1200 meters, and its depth is 525 meters.

Ruskeala marble canyon

Another fantastic man-made object is located in natural park Ruskeala in Karelia. Once upon a time, marble was actively mined here: the valley of the Tohmayoka River was densely dotted with a system of quarries and adits. When the extraction of stone stopped, the quarries very quickly filled with water, turning into incredibly picturesque lakes with marble shores. An interesting fact: many historical buildings and churches of St. Petersburg are faced with local marble.

Amber Museum

About 90% of the world's amber production is in Russia, in particular in the Kaliningrad region. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a museum of the "sun stone" in Kaliningrad. It is located in the city center, in a circular fortress tower from the 19th century. The total area of ​​the museum halls is impressive - 1000 square meters. Here you can see various samples of amber, interesting inclusions, paintings, boxes, dishes, watches and other products made from this stone.

"Heart of Chechnya"

One of the most beautiful and largest mosques in the world is located in the city of Grozny. It is located on the banks of the Sunzha River, surrounded by colorful fountains. It becomes incredibly beautiful here in the dark, when the night lights are turned on. The Heart of Chechnya Mosque was built in 2008. The highlight of the mosque is 36 magnificent chandeliers. The largest of them repeats in shape the main Islamic shrine of the Kaaba from Mecca. All these chandeliers took about three kilograms of gold and over a million Swarovski crystals to create.

Oymyakon village

Do you complain about winter cold and severe frosts? Say thank you that you do not live in Oymyakon! This small village in Yakutia is called the "pole of cold". In the winter months, the air temperature here is kept within 40-50 degrees. With a minus sign, of course. Although in summer the air can warm up to +30 Celsius. The severity of the local climate is explained by several factors: location in the polar latitudes, considerable distance from the ocean and a rather high absolute height (740 meters above sea level). The officially registered minimum air temperature in Oymyakon is -69.6 degrees.

Nevyansk tower

Own " Leaning tower of pisa”Is also available in Russia. It is located in the city of Nevyansk Sverdlovsk region... The Nevyansk tower was built in 1732. Its height is 57 meters, and the deviation from the vertical is almost two meters. It is not known exactly why and when exactly the tower tilted.

Lace Museum

The expositions of the museum tell about the history of the development of the traditional art craft of Vologda - lace making. Here you will find items dating back to the 17th century. In 2015, the Lace Museum in Vologda entered the top ten best museums Russia.

Trinity-Sergius Lavra

The largest Orthodox monastery in Russia is located in Sergiev Posad. The year of its foundation is 1337th. For a long time, the monastery was a stronghold of the Moscow rulers in the struggle against the Tatar-Mongols. The architectural ensemble of the Lavra took shape over four centuries. The best architects of the country took part in its creation.

Moscow subway

The final attraction on our list is the Moscow Metro, one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. Tours on the metro are very popular among foreign tourists. The Moscow Metro is a real museum of art! Many stations amaze with splendor and richness of interior decoration.

Finally…

In this article, we have listed all the main sights of Russia. Of course, our list does not claim to be completely objective and accurate. Each of the readers, undoubtedly, will be able to add to this list and several of their objects. And he will be absolutely right!

Rock Sail

Close to the beach resort village Praskoveevka in Krasnodar Territory there is an interesting monument, the creator of which is nature itself. It is a layer of sandstone standing vertically on the seashore with a height of more than 30 m and a width of about 20 m.How exactly did it happen that this rock stands in splendid isolation on the coast, it is not completely clear: whether it broke off from the coastal rocks and remained in the sand, or it was in the same place. The second version is more popular among geologists. They say the Sail is the only thing left after the softer sandy rocks were washed away by the sea. That is, once the Sail was part of the seabed, and the surface of the water was much higher.

At a height of about 2.5 meters, there is a hole in the Parus, the origin of which is also unclear. Many guidebooks say that it was pierced by arrows of mountain artillery during the Caucasian War. However, this version of the origin of the hole is questioned: S. Vasyukov, who investigated Black sea coast, wrote in 1903 after inspecting the cliff that "... sailors fired at it from the battleship, fired 4 shells, but the wall remained unshakable, although traces of cannonballs are noticeable that never pierced the cliff ...".

Divnogorie

Divnogorie - a reserve and plateau in the Liskinsky district Voronezh region, at the confluence of the Tikhaya Sosna and Don rivers. The land of fabulous chalk mountains, cave churches and picturesque nature... From a geological point of view, the reserve is a chalk sediment on the surface of the earth. The top layer is 15-20% chalk. Below 80 meters - a layer of pure chalk. The locality received its name Divnogorye for the chalk pillars, called by the local population "divas" (from a miracle - a miracle).

The first written evidence is the records of Ignatius Smolyanin, who accompanied Metropolitan Pimen in 1389: "by approaching the Quiet Pine and seeing the pillars of stone are white, marvelously and red stand side by side, as if the stoos are small, white and light green, over the river above Sosnaya." On the territory of the reserve there are chalk cave churches of the 17th century (the Church of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God, the Church of John the Baptist and Divnogorskaya-3), the Mayatskoye settlement of the 9th-10th centuries (the remains medieval fortress and a necropolis) and the Mayatsky pottery complex of the 9th-10th centuries, the Holy Dormition Divnogorsk Monastery (17th century).

Big Divas

The Kostomarovsky Spassky Convent is one of the oldest Russian monasteries, founded even before the official adoption of Christianity in Russia. There is an icon of the Valaam Mother of God.

Blue Lakes

In the Cherek region of Kabardino-Balkaria, there are five unique natural lakes: Nizhnee Goluboe, Secret, Sukhoye and two Upper Goluby. The most interesting is the Lower Lake, located at the northern foot of the Rocky Ridge at an altitude of 1492 m. It is unique that, despite its small size (its area is 2.6 hectares), it has a depth of 258 m (according to other sources, 368). It is the sixth deepest lake in the former USSR. Not a single stream or river flows into the lake, but flows out (into the Cherek River) about 70 million liters every day. Due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, the water has a blue tint. The surface water temperature in winter and summer is 9.3 ° C.

Mount Vottovaara

Until now, an inquisitive researcher can find in the remote taiga corners of Karelia monuments that do not fit into the system of logical representations modern man... One of these monuments is the complex on Vottovaara Mountain. Mount Vottovaara ( highest point Western Karelia - height 417 m) in Karelia superstitious people consider it to be a place of concentration of evil forces and a bridge to another world: ugly trees grow here, fauna is almost absent, the lakes are dead. Its one name among the people is worth something: Death is a mountain.

V last years Death Mountain has become a place of pilgrimage for followers of various mystical directions, who claim that this is a place of concentration of evil forces and a bridge to another world. The peaks are a rocky plateau, in some places covered with trees of bizarre shapes and heights. For example, old, one-hundred- and two-hundred-year-old pines here are no higher than two meters. At the top of Vottovaara, on an area of ​​about six square kilometers, there are about 1600 stones ("Karelian Stonehenge"), laid in a certain mysterious order. A number of large multi-ton stones are set on "legs": several smaller stones.

Some researchers suggest that this is an ancient cult complex. However, in the official science the version about the natural origin of "Stonehenge" prevails. Geologists believe that cracks and faults were formed as a result of a strong earthquake about 9 thousand years ago. The flat planes of the stones are the result of the properties of the local rock - quartzite, the structure of which sets such flat planes during a split.

"Stairway to Heaven"

Weathering pillars of Man-Pupu-Ner

Weathering pillars on the Man-Pupu-Ner plateau in the Komi Republic (Mansi dummies). About 200 million years ago, in place of stone pillars were high mountains... Millennia passed. Rain, snow, wind, frost and heat gradually destroyed the mountains, and especially the weak rocks. Hard sericite-quartzite schists, of which the remnants are composed, were destroyed less and survived to this day, and soft rocks were destroyed by weathering and carried away by water and wind into the relief depressions. In the past, a place of religious worship of the Mansi people. Man-Pupu-Ner in the Mansi language means “ Small mountain idols "

Lake Shaitan and floating islands

One of the most unique lakes in Russia is Lake Shaitan, located 39 km from the city of Urzhum. The lake is of karst origin, with a depth of up to 25 meters. The lake is fed by underground groundwater and atmospheric precipitation. A unique phenomenon is the islands drifting on the lake, on which bushes and small trees grow. Some of the islands can support the weight of several people. Another unique feature of Shaitan Lake is the upward emission of fountains and water columns. The pillars are of different heights (up to 10 m), the emissions are irregular and rapidly fast, it is a great success to see them. Locals argue that emissions occur in winter, leaving thick, bulging, sticking up ice floes.

In the meadow near the lake, there used to be a large two-story wooden house that belonged to the owner of the forest - the landowner and large industrialist Mosolov. Since his serfs cut down the forest without permission, Mosolov ordered the foresters to punish the poachers not with a ruble, but with a bath in Shaitan. The culprit was taken out by boat and allowed to swim to the shore. The felling of the forest stopped immediately - the people were terribly afraid of the lake.

Camel Mountain

Camel Mountain is located in the Orenburg region, 9 km southeast of the Vostochny village on the left bank of the drying Ashchisu stream. It is a quartzite rocky outlier up to 20 meters high. The camel is one of the most original natural sculptures and a kind of symbol of the Orenburg dry-steppe Trans-Urals. For a long time, the wind blew out the soil, and the mountain, made of solid rocks, turned into a twenty-meter block of quartz, reminiscent of a lying camel.

There are many legends about the rock. One of them talks about how one day a camel that came from the desert wanted to measure strength with Ural ridge... Prepared for battle, and froze for centuries.

Kungur cave

The Kungur Ice Cave is one of the largest karst caves in the world and one of the most popular attractions in the Urals. The cave is located in the Perm Territory, on the right bank of the Sylva River on the outskirts of the city of Kungur in the village of Filippovka, (100 km from Perm). The length of the cave is about 5700 m, of which 1.5 km are equipped for tourists. The cave contains about 50 grottoes, 70 lakes, 146 so-called "organ pipes" (the highest one is in the Efirny grotto, 22 m) - high mines reaching almost to the surface.

Coral grotto

Hanging stone blocks in Dante's grotto

Meteoric Grotto

Stone Rat in Caster's Grotto

Organ pipe in the grotto of Friendship of Peoples

Underground lake

Stone mushrooms

Approximately 1.5 km below the confluence of the Chulcha River on the right bank of the Chulyshman in the Altai Republic, the Akkurum tract begins, where stone mushrooms are located - curious landforms formed as a result of selective washing out (scientifically - denudation) of heterogeneous rocks. They look graceful and very unusual. One can only rejoice that this unusual natural phenomenon has survived to our time in all its glory. Unfortunately, these mushrooms continue to decay gradually. They say that during the earthquakes in Altai in 2003, several “hats” fell. There is an opinion among geologists that our grandchildren may not see them anymore.

Chara sands

Charsky sands - tract in the Kalarsky district Chita region, which is a sandy massif about 10 km by 5 km in size. Located in the Chara depression, in the foothills of the Kodar ridge, between the valleys of the Chara, Middle Sakukan and Upper Sakukan rivers. Surrounded by larch taiga and swamps. The length of individual dunes is 150-170 m. The height is up to 80 m.

A desert with sand dunes with an area of ​​100 square kilometers rises to a height of one hundred meters among the marshes. No one can really explain its origin. They say that these are grains of sand weathered from the rocks and carried from the valley of the Middle Sakukan to the plain. But why, then, are the mountains made of sedimentary rocks, and the sand - the purest quartz? There are no analogues of such a desert in the world.

The desert begins with an abrupt transition from pine forest, larch or peat bog to sand. No intermediate zone, no "no man's land" - nature does not recognize neutrality here. You can stand with one foot in the desert and the other in the taiga. In the depressions between the barnacles, there are forested areas - larch forests, dwarf birch forests, even the moisture-loving dwarf cedar. You can see such a surreal landscape as ice on the sand (not necessarily in winter, but also in summer).

On the edges of the desert, streams flow from under the sands in many places. The water is clean.

Chara sands under the snow

Patomsky crater

Patomsky crater in Irkutsk region is a cone-shaped hill, consisting of crushed limestone, up to 180 m in diameter and 40 m in height. At the top is a funnel of either meteorite or volcanic origin. Among the local population it is called the "Nest of the Fire Eagle". The mysterious crater was discovered in 1951 by geologist Vladimir Kolpakov and is still one of the most mysterious natural objects in the world. By size and outward appearance it looks like a lunar crater.

It is still unclear how he appeared on the surface of the earth. There are several dozen hypotheses about its origin. Two main ones are: volcanic origin (but no traces of lava were found) and the trail from a huge meteorite falling to the ground (but the crater does not look like meteorite craters known to science). There are more and more fantastic versions, for example, the result of Tesla's experiment or the place where an alien ship crashed.

Lena Pillars

Lena Pillars is a geological formation and a national natural park of the same name in Russia, on the banks of the Lena River in the Khangalassky ulus of Yakutia, 104 km from the city of Pokrovsk. The Lena Pillars are a complex of vertically elongated rocks stretching for many kilometers, fancifully piling up along the Lena bank, a deep valley cutting through the Prilenskoe plateau. The pillars reach the highest density between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary. Rock formations, the height of which reaches 100 meters, are composed of Cambrian limestones.

The beginning of the formation of rocks that formed this natural monument is usually dated to the Early Cambrian - 560-540 million years ago. The formation of the Lena Pillars as a landform is dated to a much later period - about 400 thousand years ago, that is, a relatively recent geological time.

On the rocks, towering along the banks of the Lena and Sinyaya rivers, numerous rock paintings were found, made with yellow mineral paint by the ancient inhabitants of these places. These are, to varying degrees, preserved stylized images of animals, fragments of inscriptions in ancient Türkic runic writing, rock compositions depicting a person.

Decembrist A. A. Bestuzhev-Marlinsky spoke enthusiastically about the Pillars: "Some kind of holy silence lies on the virgin creation, and the soul merges with wild, but majestic nature."

Cape Column

Cape Stolbchaty on the Kuril island of Kunashir (Sakhalin Region) is a unique geological formation in the form of a solid rock ledge rising on the very coast of the sea with a high sheer wall. The erupted volcanic rocks formed narrow 4, 5 and 6 coal basalt pillars, the so-called columnar units. At the foot of the columnar wall, polished blocks lie in disarray, like sawn-off wood.

Aligned by sea waves the coastal platform creates the illusion of a pavement, and the single pillars preserved from destruction look like the remains of a broken fence. It is surprising that such an ideal composition was created by the chance of nature; it is impossible to believe that the columnar structure was formed by lava flows that once flowed here long ago.

If you look at the "pavement" from above, you will notice that the rock is simultaneously divided not only into columnar units, but also into larger similar segments with even sides.

Valley of Geysers

The Valley of Geysers is one of the largest geyser fields in the world and the only one in Eurasia. Located in Kamchatka in the Kronotsky State Biosphere Reserve. At the confluence of the Geysernaya and Shumnaya rivers, on an area of ​​about 2 square kilometers, there are about 20 large geysers and many springs, periodically emitting fountains of almost boiling water (over 95C) or hot steam. At present, part of the valley is covered with a large landslide.

The valley was discovered only in the spring of 1941. The discovery was made by a young woman-geologist Tatyana Ustinova with an Itelmen guide Anisifor Krupenin. They went up the bed of the Shumnaya River and, entering a narrow passage between the rocks, stopped near the mouth of an unknown tributary. Snow still lay in April. Having somehow settled down on a steep snow-covered slope, the exhausted travelers decided to have a snack. On the opposite bank of the river, there was a rocky area that had melted, over which a light park curled. And suddenly - from this thawed spot, a stream of hot water hit them right! Tatyana Ustinova realized that in front of her was a real geyser - the first one discovered in the USSR.

North Pole of Cold

The North Pole of Cold is located in the Tomtor area of ​​the Oymyakon region (ulus) of Yakutia. Here in 1924 the lowest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere was recorded -71.2 ° C (according to other sources -77.8). Average monthly temperature January is minus 61 degrees Celsius, and on the coldest days it is minus 68. There are no more places in the world where people constantly live and work at such low temperatures.

Temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius occur here almost every January, and in August it can be either plus 30 or minus 15. The Tomtor village annually hosts the Pole of Cold tourist festival, where Santa Claus from Lapland traditionally comes. In March 2004, the residence of Santa Claus was opened here.

"Discovered" the cold pole Sergei Vladimirovich Obruchev, geologist, son of the author of the famous "Sannikov Lands" and "Plutonia" V.A. Obrucheva. While exploring the Indigirka valley and heading towards the Chersky ridge, Obruchev drew attention to a strange noise that accompanied him all the time on the way. “It’s like pouring grain or the wind shaking dry snow off the trees. Wherever you turn, this noise is everywhere, but meanwhile there is no wind and the trees do not move, "he wrote later. Finally the traveler guessed that it was his frozen breath rustling. This characteristic noise appears when the frost is below minus 50 ° С. The Yakuts call it the whisper of the stars.

Local walrus Andrey swims at -50. Fortunately, for this there is a river that does not freeze due to warm springs.