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PALACES AND ESTATES

Lovers of all things beautiful and luxurious shouldnt miss Russias imperial estates and palaces. Far from frugal, the tsars truly went all out when it came to their residences. Hiring the worlds best architects and using literally tons of gold, marble, and semiprecious stones was only the beginning these palaces and estates are truly Russian in size as well. Most were built close to Moscow and St. Petersburg as the tsars’ summer residences and are therefore just a day trip away from the major cities.

Peterhof (Petrodvorets). Nicknamed the Russian Versailles, the elaborate interiors, formal gardens, and beautiful fountains of Peter the Greats summer palace live up to their moniker. This is St. Petersburgs most famous imperial residence, located in the suburbs about 40 minutes away.

Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo). This St. Petersburg palace, with its richly decorated baroque facade, was the favorite residence of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. Its main draw is the turquoise and gold Catherines Palace, home to the sumptuous Amber Room.

Romanov Palace Chambers in Zaryadye. Located in Moscows historic Kitai Gorod neighborhood, this palace-museum gives a taste of the luxurious boyar lifestyle, including period costume, furniture, and household items.

Kuskovo. Pastel pink and neoclassical in style, this estate just outside of Moscow was once the summer residence of the Sheremetyevs, one of Russias wealthiest and most distinguished families. It also houses the celebrated Kuskovo State Ceramics museum.

BALLET

Classical ballet is the only art form that never really went dissident in Russia. The last tsar, Nicholas II, fell for the charms of ballerina Matilda Kshessinskaya, and from then on, through the Communist era and into the Putin years, ballet and especially ballerinas have been beyond criticism and free from oppression. As ballet has continued to thrive under state sponsorship, its become an essential part of any official visit, as much a part of protocol as a trip to the war memorials.

Russian ballet is known for its exquisite blend of expressiveness, technique, and ethereal flair. Visiting ballet professionals envy both coordination and torso, the two strongest elements of Russian ballet training. Russian classical ballet, with its antique poetic charm, has preserved its precious legacy without becoming old-fashioned. New stars, such as the amazing Nikolai Tsiskaridze, inject new life into one of Russia’s oldest and most respected arts.

Swan Lake. See this signature ballet at the Bolshoi (Moscow) or Mariinsky (St. Petersburg) theaters.

Sleeping Beauty. This marvel of 19th-century choreography has been meticulously restored in its original form at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.

The Nutcracker. The Bolshoi, Mariinsky, and other companies perform this Christmas classic year-round.

Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg. Russias most prestigious classical ballet academy is alma mater to Anna Pavlova, George Balanchine, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. It has a wonderful museum.

EXPLORING THE COMMUNIST LEGACY

Attitudes toward Soviet times are complex, with many people of all ages regarding them as the good old days. Soviet themes and symbols are everywhere, from old monuments and inscriptions on buildings to the red star, which is still the symbol of the Russian armed forces.

Gulag Museum, Moscow. The small museum provides a harrowing look into one of Russias most brutal histories. Tens of millions of Soviet citizens were subjected to the harsh life of these labor camps, which played a major role in the USSR’s political oppression.

Lenin’s Mausoleum, Moscow. Vladimir Lenin has lain in state here since his death in 1924.

Museum of the Contemporary History of Russia, Moscow. If you’re a Soviet history buff, you’ll enjoy this museum’s collection of USSR propaganda posters, velvet flags, and socialist workers medals.

The Seven Sisters, Moscow. The seven legendary skyscrapers that dominate Moscow’s skyline were constructed just after World War II by Stalin as a symbol of Soviet power at the beginning of the Cold War.

Russian Political History Museum, St. Petersburg. The museum documents all aspects of the Communist past, from the paraphernalia of spying to propaganda.

All-Russian Exhibition Center, Moscow. This exhibition park, also known by its Russian acronym VDNkH, is the ultimate example of Soviet glorification. The center opened in 1959, with each former Soviet republic building its own pavilion to show off their achievements in agriculture, industrialization, and communization.

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When Catherine the Great ordered her elaborate dinner service from the renowned Imperial Porcelain Manufacturer, porcelain was the exclusive preserve of aristocrats. But since then its become almost every Russians favorite gift.

In addition to porcelain, Russia also has a large number of other folk handicrafts, such as Gzhel ceramics, Palekh boxes, and, of course, the ubiquitous matryoshka nesting dolls.

Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. Arguably the most famous porcelain manufacturer in Russia, this St. Petersburg gem was founded in 1744 and owned for a time by the Romanovs. Its patented and instantly recognizable cobalt-blue pattern lends a distinctly Russian flavor to any event.

Palekh Boxes. These beautiful hand-painted lacquer boxes are handicrafts of the Golden Ring towns. Typically a fairy-tale scene adorns the box top, but images of landscapes, battle scenes, or even poetry can be found. They require about two months to create and the finer details are drawn using a special brush made from a squirrels tail.

Gzhel Ceramics. First manufactured in the village of Gzhel outside Moscow in the 6th century, this famous white-and-blue pottery may be Russia’s oldest folk art.

Matryoshka. Dating from 1890, these nesting dolls are a relatively new Russian handicraft. The largest wooden doll opens to reveal ever-smaller wooden figures inside. They usually depict red-cheeked, brightly dressed peasant women, although matryoshkas can be purchased featuring everyone from Soviet leaders to Star Wars characters.