This architectural utopia of the Soviet authorities became one of the most outstanding examples of engineering and architectural thought. Albeit, only on paper. The Palace of the Soviets is the most ...

The disclosure of the files offered a unique insight into one of the most secretive organizations of the Cold War era. In the spring of 1992, a Russian man knocked on the doors of the UK Embassy in ...

2017 not only marks a century since the October Revolution, but also 80 years since the creation of one of its most recognizable symbols. The ‘Worker and Kolkhoz Woman’ sculpture was created as a foil ...

During the 70 years of the existence of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the number of constituent parts changed, but most of the time there were 15 of them. Here is the list. In the beginning ...

This country house, built on the outskirts of the Peterhof estate near St. Petersburg, is a dacha that the emperor built for his beloved wife. Thе Cottage Palace combines luxurious palace interiors ...

The great poet’s death has taken on an almost mythical status in Russian culture. Here are five interesting facts about this seminal event in Russian literary history. Most Russians will tell you that ...

Public domain Tsarevich Alexei’s short life was full of pain and suffering: he was afflicted by a congenital disease his entire life, and was shot by the Bolsheviks at the age of 13. When Alexandra ...

A century ago, the radical Bolshevik party captured Petrograd (now St. Petersburg), thus beginning the 70-year period of Communist rule in Russia. The Winter Palace, the very symbol of royal power, ...

Even Queen Elizabeth II has some old pieces of jewelry that once belonged to the Russian royal family. The diamond, emerald and sapphire tiaras of the Romanov dynasty were remarkable for their beauty ...

Crowns were usually made individually for each emperor and then broken up afterwards. But some pieces of imperial regalia did survive and can now be seen in museums. Before Peter I, the Tsar's most ...

Adidas sneakers were a mainstay in the Soviet Olympic team. Then, the shoes were sold under a completely different name. Later, however, they were seen being worn by the Spetsnaz in Afghanistan.

From the Arctic Circle to Kazakhstan, from the western borders to the Far East — the Gulag system in Stalin's time encompassed the entire USSR. “Gulag” is often used to describe any Soviet prison or ...