Red Square, with dominant landmarks
of St. Basil's Cathedral & walls of the
Kremlin
of St. Basil's Cathedral & walls of the
Kremlin
"Why the onion domes? 1) Symbolic
candles, 2) reminiscent of Turkey, 3) the
snow rolls off" - Lana, Moscow tourguide
candles, 2) reminiscent of Turkey, 3) the
snow rolls off" - Lana, Moscow tourguide
Stalin had plans to destroy St. Basil's &
other churches located inside the Kremlin,
but "WW II got in the way of his plans"
other churches located inside the Kremlin,
but "WW II got in the way of his plans"
Inside Moscow metro subway station.
The best of the 140 stations are
lavishly designed and decorated.
The best of the 140 stations are
lavishly designed and decorated.
This station depicts idealized Soviet
society (ironically called Socialist
Realism) - the stoic soldier...
society (ironically called Socialist
Realism) - the stoic soldier...
Built in the Communist years, the
artwork glorifies Soviet history and
power
artwork glorifies Soviet history and
power
and the happy collective farmer.
Old Arbat photo essay: prototypical
Russian folks at midday on this famous
pedestrian walkway
Russian folks at midday on this famous
pedestrian walkway
Another example of a stylish
young Russian woman
young Russian woman
We sat at a cafe and took pictures as people passed by. Young Russian women: stylish. Young Russian men: still Cro-Magnon.
Could these be henchmen for the Russian Mafia?
No comment
We loved this woman's proud stride
through the street artists and vendors
of Old Arbat
through the street artists and vendors
of Old Arbat
Bargaining at the farmer's market on
Old Arbat street
Old Arbat street
Note the long queue behind this little
babushka
babushka
We happened to see a small
demonstration in Red Square
demanding a return to Communism
demonstration in Red Square
demanding a return to Communism
We got a kick out of seeing a young &
uninterested skateboarder near this
Karl Marx statue
uninterested skateboarder near this
Karl Marx statue
This McDonald's is steps away from
Red Square & the Kremlin. We had
to eat here!
Red Square & the Kremlin. We had
to eat here!
The Moscow Circus is very traditional,
quaint & utterly charming
quaint & utterly charming
Some treasures from the Armory Museum -
artifacts from the lifestyles of the rich and
famous czars
artifacts from the lifestyles of the rich and
famous czars
Various czarist crowns & scepters on
display at the Armory inside the Kremlin
display at the Armory inside the Kremlin
One of several majestic Orthodox
Cathedrals inside the Kremlin walls.
They were primarily used for royal
events - coronations, weddings,
baptisms, and funerals.
Cathedrals inside the Kremlin walls.
They were primarily used for royal
events - coronations, weddings,
baptisms, and funerals.
Novodevichy Convent, founded in 1524,
often used as a prison for trouble-making
female nobles including Peter the Great's
half-sister Sofia & his first wife Eudokia.
Khrushchev is buried here.
often used as a prison for trouble-making
female nobles including Peter the Great's
half-sister Sofia & his first wife Eudokia.
Khrushchev is buried here.
Lenin Square, Smolensk. A week-end
pedestrian playground. Many Soviet
emblems remain on display throughout
Russia.
pedestrian playground. Many Soviet
emblems remain on display throughout
Russia.
Gene searched this remembrance wall
in the Katyn forest for a similar name to
Kusmiak. 5,000 Polish POW Officers
were massacred here by the Russian
NKVD. Gorbachev admitted to it 40
years after the fact.
in the Katyn forest for a similar name to
Kusmiak. 5,000 Polish POW Officers
were massacred here by the Russian
NKVD. Gorbachev admitted to it 40
years after the fact.