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Vladivostok fortress
It was in the mid-19th century on the coast of the Sea of Japan — the inner sea of the Pacific Ocean – that the city of Vladivostok was founded. Initially a military outpost, the port was located 9,000 kilometres from the capital of the Russian Empire and was of great strategic importance — both military and trade-wise. At the start of the 20th century when the world was being torn apart by bloody wars the city’s role in defending the Eastern borders of the country grew, resulting in the construction of a fortress designed to hold off enemies by both land and sea with the royal government sparing no expense or resource. With a century having past, the Vladivostok Fortress remains the greatest achievement of Russian naval fortification and a sight tourists from all over the world travel to see.
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 ...
Now on air
04:00
The Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky monastery
The horn orchestra of Russia
The Horn Orchestra of Russia promotes the tradition of national music while playing quite unique instruments – horns. In Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was to the sounds of these soulful, captivating musical horns that emperors were crowned, and events such as great masquerades, diplomatic meetings and military marches were held. Throughout most of the 20th century horn music was believed to be a disappearing craft and the art of making the horns was considered lost. It was only at the beginning of the 21st century that listeners came to hear these sounds again. Two-hundred years ago this musical miracle with its deep, velvety sound was dubbed “the Russian organ” in countries abroad and to this day, there is no instrument and sound comparable to Russia’s special horn.
Now on air
04:00