St. Basil's Cathedral

Located next to the Moscow Kremlin in the Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is an iconic religious and national symbol. Built in the 16th century during the reign of Ivan IV, also called Ivan the Terrible, the cathedral celebrated the Russian victory over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan. The cathedral’s colorful patterned exterior and onion-shaped rooftops highlight the unique architectural style of Russia. Religious murals and colorful flowers painted throughout the corridors of the cathedral make this cultural site one of a kind.

The Kremlin

Located in the center of Russia, the Moscow Kremlin, or the Kremlin, is a fortified complex founded by the Rurik dynasty, also called Rurikids. It began as a wooden fort and soon after evolved into fortified stone. The famous red walls and towers were built between 1482 and 1495. Today, the Kremlin includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. The term “kremlin” referred to the fortified part of Russian cities where the population would seek safety in times of danger in medieval times. From 1462 to 1505, under Ivan the Great, the Kremlin served as a center of a unified Russian state and has remained a significant place for government relations.

The Hermitage Museum

In 1764, Empress Catherine the Great received a collection of paintings from Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky, an art seller from Berlin. This led to the foundation of the Hermitage, an arts and culture museum. Located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, the Hermitage is the second largest museum in the world. The museum, tall and mint blue-green with gold trim, stretches alongside the Neva River. The Hermitage has celebrated art from various eras and places—prehistoric, Egyptian, European, and more. Each year, on December 7, the Hermitage celebrates Saint Catherine’s Day to honor the museum’s founding.

Peterhof Palace

The Peterhof Palace, a series of palaces created by Peter the Great, is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Peterhof’s creation was a direct response to the Palace of Versailles by Louis XIV of France. Throughout the early 18th century, Peter the Great built and expanded the Peterhof Palace complex as a part of his goal to modernize and westernize Russia. Appreciated for its modern and elegant architecture, the exterior of the Peterhof Palace includes lush green gardens and elegant fountains and statues to honor various historical and cultural figures. The palaces’ interiors include many rooms, some more than 20, all complete with carefully curated decor, paintings, and murals.