What is Russia Famous For?

Russia is famous for its cuisine, which has influences from many regions and religions. Here are some popular delicacies.

Borscht

Borscht is a beetroot soup famous in many Eastern European countries, especially Russia. It is prepared with beef or pork broth, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, and dill. Borscht is often served with sour cream, bread, and sometimes boiled eggs or meat.

Shchi

Shchi is another traditional Russian soup, but this one is made with cabbage. The soup also contains meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, and spices. Shchi is usually cooked in a large pot and simmered for a long time, which makes the cabbage tender. Shchi is a staple of Russian cuisine and can be eaten any time of the year.

Solyanka

It is a spicy and sour soup made with various kinds of meat, such as beef, pork, chicken, or sausage. The soup also contains pickles, olives, capers, tomatoes, lemons, and herbs. Solyanka is a flavourful and satisfying dish that can be served as a main course or as a starter.

Pelmeni

Pelmeni is another famous thing in Russia. They are small dumplings stuffed with minced meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or chicken. The dough is made with flour, eggs, water, and salt, then rolled out and cut into circles. Its meat filling is seasoned with onion, garlic, pepper, and salt and then wrapped in the dough. The pelmeni are boiled in water or broth until they float to the surface. They are usually served with butter, sour cream, vinegar, or mustard.

Pirozhki

Pirozhki are small pies with various ingredients, such as meat, cheese, eggs, potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, or fruits. The dough is made with yeast, flour, milk, butter, and sugar, then shaped into balls and filled with the desired filling. The pirozhki is then baked or fried until golden and crispy.

Blini

Blini are thin pancakes made with flour, eggs, milk, and yeast. The batter is cooked on a hot grill or pan and then flipped to cook both sides. They are served with sweet or savoury toppings, such as honey, jam, sour cream, caviar, cheese, or smoked salmon. Blini is a traditional dish that is eaten during Maslenitsa.

Dressed Herring

It is a layered salad prepared with herring, potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, eggs, and mayonnaise. The salad is assembled in a bowl or a dish, starting with the herring at the bottom and then adding the other ingredients in layers. The salad is then refrigerated for several hours or overnight to blend the flavours.

Olivier Salad

It is a classic Russian salad made with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, pickles, ham, and mayonnaise. It is also known as Russian salad or salad Russe in other countries. This cuisine was invented by a French chef named Lucien Olivier. The original recipe was a secret and contained more exotic ingredients, such as caviar, grouse, and crayfish.

The usage of domes, especially onion-shaped ones, symbolising the heavens and the sun, distinguishes Russian architecture. However, there is more to this country's architectural marvels. To explore them, you must visit the following places in Russia.

St. Basil's Cathedral

St. Basil's Cathedral is in the heart of Moscow. It was built in the 16th century by the first tsar of Russia, Ivan the Terrible, to commemorate his victory over the Khanate of Kazan. The cathedral has nine chapels, each with a different dome, surrounding a central tent-shaped tower.

The domes resemble flames, flowers, or candy. The interior is equally stunning, with intricate frescoes, icons, and carvings.

Winter Palace

The Winter Palace is in St. Petersburg, Russia's former capital, on the banks of the Neva River. It was built in the 18th century by Peter the Great, the founder of St. Petersburg, and expanded by his successors. This palace is a masterpiece of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, with over 1000 rooms, 1500 windows, and 2000 doors. The interior decoration is of marble, gold, crystal, and silk. Winter Palace contains priceless artworks, furniture, and treasures.

State Hermitage Museum

Another famous Russian place to visit is the State Hermitage Museum. This museum is adjacent to the Winter Palace and occupies several other buildings, such as the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, and the New Hermitage. It was founded in the 18th century by Catherine the Great, who acquired many paintings from Europe. The museum has over 3 million items, ranging from ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Roman artefacts to medieval and modern European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.

The museum also showcases the works of Russian artists, such as Kandinsky, Malevich, and Chagall.

Saviour on the Spilled Blood

This church is near the Nevsky Prospekt in St. Petersburg, on the Griboyedov Canal. It was built in the 19th century by Alexander III, the son of Alexander II, to commemorate his father's assassination on the same spot. The church is a masterpiece of Russian Revival architecture, with a traditional cross-shaped plan, five domes, and a bell tower. The church is decorated with over 7000 square meters of mosaics that depict scenes from the Bible, the lives of the saints, and the history of Russia.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is in Moscow, on the bank of the Moskva River, opposite the Kremlin. It was built in the 19th century by Nicholas I, the grandson of Catherine the Great, to celebrate the victory over Napoleon.

The cathedral is a monumental example of neoclassical architecture, with a Greek cross-shaped plan, four smaller domes, and a central dome that rises to 103 meters. The cathedral is embellished with marble, bronze, gold, and silver and contains many paintings, sculptures, and icons.

Ostankino Television Tower

The Ostankino Television Tower is near the Botanical Garden in Moscow, in the Ostankino district. It was built in the 20th century by Nikolai Nikitin, a Soviet engineer, to serve as a television and radio broadcasting centre. The tower is a stunning example of Soviet engineering and design, with a steel and concrete structure that reaches 540 meters.

The tower has four observation decks, a revolving restaurant, and a museum. The tower also has a unique lighting system that changes colours according to the season, holidays, or events.

Bolshoi Theatre

This theatre was built in the 19th century by Joseph Bové, a Russian architect of Italian origin, to serve as a venue for opera and ballet performances. The theatre is another splendid example of neoclassical architecture, with a portico, a colonnade, and a statue of Apollo on the top.

The theatre is also renowned for its acoustics, stage, and curtain. The theatre has hosted some of the most celebrated and talented artists, such as Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, Ulanova, and Nureyev.

Peter and Paul Fortress

This fortress is in St. Petersburg, on Zayachy Island, at the mouth of the Neva River. It was built in the 18th century by Peter the Great to protect the city from the Swedish invasion. The fortress is a remarkable example of Russian military architecture, with a star-shaped plan, bastions, walls, and gates. The fortress also contains the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Russian emperor's burial place, the Trubetskoy Bastion Prison, the former political prison of the tsars, and the Mint, the oldest mint in Russia.

Kremlin

The Kremlin is in Moscow, on the Red Square, next to the Moskva River. It was built in the 15th century by Ivan III, the grand prince of Moscow, to serve as the residence and seat of the Russian government. The Kremlin is a magnificent example of Russian medieval architecture, with a triangular plan, towers, walls, and cathedrals. The Kremlin also contains the Grand Kremlin Palace, the official residence of the president of Russia, the Armoury Chamber, the museum of royal treasures, and the Diamond Fund, the collection of precious jewels.

Russian culture and tradition differ from that of other countries. To understand their tradition in brief, check out the following festivals.

Maslenitsa

One of the most colourful and festive traditions in Russia is Maslenitsa. It is a week-long celebration. It is also known as Pancake Week, as the main dish of the festival is blini, thin pancakes that symbolise the sun. During Maslenitsa, people participate in various winter activities, such as sledging, skating, snowball fights, and building snowmen. The festival's highlight is the burning of a straw effigy of Lady Maslenitsa, which represents the farewell to winter and the rebirth of nature.

Ivan Kupala

Another ancient and mystical tradition in Russia is Ivan Kupala, a pagan feast that honours the summer solstice. It is celebrated on the night of July 6th, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. On this night, people gather around bonfires and perform various rituals, such as jumping over the flames, gathering herbs, and looking for the fern blossom. This mythical flower is said to grant wishes and reveal hidden treasures.

Christmas

Unlike most of the world, Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7th, according to the old Julian calendar. On this day, people go to church, where they attend a unique service called the Divine Liturgy. They also eat a traditional dish called kutya, a porridge-like dish made of wheat, honey, nuts, and dried fruits.

Easter

Easter is another religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is usually observed in April or May, depending on the lunar calendar. On this day, people bake a special cake called paskha, made of cottage cheese, butter, eggs, sugar, and dried fruits. Paskha is shaped like a pyramid and decorated with religious symbols, such as a cross or the letters XB, which stand for “Christ is risen” in Russian. People also dye eggs, which are the main symbol of Easter. The eggs are coloured red to represent the blood of Christ and new life.

Russia is a fascinating destination for travellers who want to explore its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and historical attractions. However, travelling to Russia also involves some risks and challenges, such as visa requirements, language barriers, and health emergencies.

Therefore, it is advisable to buy exhaustive travel insurance online that covers you for any unexpected events that may occur during your trip.

If you fall ill or get injured in Russia, you may have to pay high medical bills or face inadequate facilities. International travel insurance covers medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation, and accidental death or disability.

Not only that, but if your baggage gets lost, stolen, or delayed in Russia, travel insurance can reimburse you for the cost of your belongings or provide you with an allowance to buy essential items.

It is worth mentioning that before you buy this cover, compare travel insurance plans and buy the one that best suits your needs.

What are Russians famous for?

Russians are renowned for their rich cultural heritage, particularly literature, music, and dance. They are famous for iconic figures like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, classical composers like Tchaikovsky, and the vibrant ballet tradition.

What is so special about Russia?

Russia is notable for its diverse landscapes, from the Arctic to subtropical regions. It is also famous for its rich history, producing legendary figures in literature, such as Tolstoy. The distinctive onion-domed architecture and globally recognised ballet traditions add to its cultural allure. This country is also famous for its unique blend of traditions and cuisines.