Now on air
12:00
Underground World of the Azish-Tau Mountain Range
The Azish Tau Ridge in the Western Caucasus is known for its karst caves, which permeate a group of mountains, creating a complex network of underground routes. Some of them, such as the Great Azishskaya Cave, were first studied and explored many years ago and are nowadays equipped for tourist visits. The majority of these caves however, will only ever be documented and described by scientists and researchers – not tourists. RTG TV host Denis Golovko went along with professional speleologists to help study the underground pathways. Prehistoric animal bones and darkness-loving bats waited for him in the Earth’s depths, where he learned how to explore sunken caves using scuba equipment.
Smolny cathedral
Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg is a masterpiece of world architecture due to its picturesque beauty, expressive composition and exterior decoration. Thanks to its fluid, literally melting shape the construction creates the impression that the church is hovering over the ground. Every day hundreds of people visit Smolny to witness architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli’s great work. Tourists are often even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a ceremonial religious procession of Orthodox believers. RTG’s new programme explores the history of the cathedral’s construction, what happened to Rastrelli and why the famed architect decided not to build a bell tower, which would have been the tallest building in the city.
Now on air
12:00
Smolny cathedral
A View from Above: The Golden Age of Yaroslavl
One can start a business, buy and sell goods, and amass wealth. But these are earthly affairs. What will happen to the soul when the time comes to leave his world and pass on to the next? This was one of the most pressing questions for those living in the 17th century. Building a church was one way to atone for many earthly sins, including avarice. Yaroslavl’s merchants were deeply religious men, who understood that they were, despite their earthly riches, still answerable to God. They used their money to build churches of exquisite beauty. The 17th century was a special time for Yaroslavl, known to historians as its Golden Age. Watch RTG TV’s A View from on High: Yaroslavl’s Golden Age to learn about the architecture and curious features of the city’s churches.
Now on air
12:00