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Active Recreation on the Mountain Rivers of the Caucasus
With their thrilling rapids, drastic jumps in height and deep canyons, the mountain streams in the Northern Caucasus have always attracted extreme sport lovers and those looking for active leisure. One such attraction is the Belaya River, which passes through a series of different landscapes and is known for its temperamental flow — one that constantly changes as it travels from its source to the mouth of the river. This river also hosts a number of international rafting competitions every year, but you don’t have to be a professional in order to test these rapids. Even a novice can try their hand at water tourism here, where interesting canyoning routes abound. Following one of the river’s tributaries, travellers come upon the Rufabgo Waterfall. Here visitors can discover the history of this epic giant and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the Northern Caucasus as they...
Zelenchuksky Astrophysics Observatory
A telescope with a mirror that measures six feet across and that was once the largest in the world can be found in the mountains of the Republic of Karachaeva-Cherkessia. This altazimuth telescope is positioned at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres - a good point from which to research the astrological climate of outer space. The area’s almost perfect atmosphere, the high number of clear nights and the large distance from manufacturing plants are what make it so ideal. It is thanks to these factors that Russian astronomers and scientists from abroad are able to look at and examine the starry sky. What is so special about the six-metre telescope is its Alt-azimuth mount. This mount allows the telescope to move along the horizontal and vertical axes, giving scientists the opportunity to focus more closely on a specific area of the sky to study the galaxies and stars. The telescope is on...
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Zelenchuksky Astrophysics Observatory
The Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky monastery
One of Russia’s great Orthodox shrines, the Saint Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Lavra), has a history which coincides with the start of the construction of St. Petersburg itself. For three centuries believers have been visiting the monastery and just as they did hundreds of years ago, they travel here to find, practice and strengthen their faith and to pray to venerated icons. Nowadays the Alexander Nevsky Monastery is an active monastery of the St. Petersburg Diocese. Pilgrims and tourists travel here year-round from the farthest corners of the earth in order to see the house of prayer. It was founded by Peter the Great and has since become a symbol of the city and one of the most famous monasteries in Russia. This Russian Travel Guide programme explores the history of the construction of the esteemed monastery, looks at its life over the years and checks out the lavra’s ...
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