Tchaikovsky Street in the centre of St. Petersburg is home to one of the city’s most interesting and beautiful mansions, the home of the Kelch family. Nowadays most often referred to as the Lawyers’ House, at the end of the 19th century, the mansion and its grounds belonged to Barbara Kelch and her husband, Baron Alexander Kelch. They hired talented architects Vladimir Chagin and Vasily Schone to redo the house. Not only did these men rebuild the building’s façade, but they also decorated the interiors of the mansion, transforming it into a luxurious palace. Still today the elegant home preserves magnificent rooms such as the Gothic Dining Room, the White Hall, the Oak Study and the Main Staircase, which are overwhelming in their grandeur. It is obvious that when designing these rooms Chagin and Schone used styles associated with the historicism popular at the turn of the 20t...
Historically, Russia’s northern territory has been particularly attractive to monks due to its isolated location and sparse population. It therefore comes as no surprise that the first Russians to set foot on the islands of Lake Ladoga were none other than those in search of solitude — monks. The island of Konevets, though small in size, offers its inhabitants complete privacy. Here one has the chance to, in complete peace, reflect upon life and listen to their soul. Such important moments are those which will be remembered forever and which will be of great use during times when all the heart desires is a moment of peace and quiet. Simply remember the moments spent on the waters of Lake Ladoga, surrounded by the quiet forest, the winding sandy shore and the peaceful, quiet atmosphere. It is no wonder that one of the gems of the Russian North, the Konevsky Monastery, is fou...