Now on air
02:30
St. John the forerunner church
For almost 250 years the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist has stood on one of the islands of the Neva delta in St. Petersburg. The elegant church on Kamenny Island is reminiscent of the gothic style with its pointed arched windows, doors and bell tower, along with its open-style brickwork. Such architecture is untypical for St. Petersburg churches, nevertheless the church’s appearance is heavily associated with the personality of the founder of the city itself, Peter the First. In the past, many of the parishioners of this church were those considered arbiters of the fate of the Fatherland such as famous Russian poet and playwright Gavrila Romanovich Derzhavin and respected and undefeated commander Alexander Sergeevich Suvorov. The cathedral also shares its history with who is perhaps Russia’s most revered and beloved poet, Alexander Sergeevich Pus...
Maxim Syrnikov — historian of Russian cuisine
Maksim Syrnikov is used to getting work offers he just can’t refuse from the most popular restaurants in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cities. After all, he seems to know all of the tricks and secrets to Russian cuisine and has travelled thousands of kilometres in search of old, forgotten recipes. He has gone smelt fishing near Vologda and conserved apples in the province of Vladimir. Maksim Syrnikov is a man of many trades — he is a historian, a chef, a traveller and a writer. His tasty last name, Syrnikov, is the Russian word for a type of cheese pancake and is really his last name and not a pseudonym. During the reign of Peter the Great, his family founded a cheese factory in Tver, giving them their last name. Syrnikov however inherited a lot from his ancestors, not just their surname. He also shares their love and interest for delicious Russian food.
Now on air
02:30
Maxim Syrnikov — historian of Russian cuisine
Novodevichy Convent
Novodevichy Convent is marked as one of the most important sites on all Moscow tourist maps. It’s difficult to imagine that only a few centuries ago when the convent was being built, it was located not on the outskirts of the city, but in the suburbs. Nevertheless, the Novodevichy Convent was destined to play an important role in the history of the Russian State on various occasions. Since the 16th century it has served as both a witness and a participant in the events of an amazing country whose actions have extended to reach the furthest borders. For many years the convent was the most privileged and richest in the country, and in the olden days, well-known and respected women such as the wives, daughters, widows and sisters of tsars and boyars lived there. Nowadays Novodevichy Convent is one of the capital’s most beautiful religious architectural ensembles and includes a museum with ...
Now on air
02:45