Russia - Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea

 "The site contains 4,500 petroglyphs carved in the rocks during the Neolithic period dated 6 to 7 thousand years ago and located in the Republic of Karelia in the Russian Federation. It is one of the largest such sites in Europe with petroglyphs that document Neolithic culture in Fennoscandia. The serial property encompasses 33 sites in two component parts 300km apart: 22 petroglyph sites at Lake Onega in the District of Pudozhsky featuring a total of over 1,200 figures and 3,411 figures in 11 sites by the White Sea in the District of Belomorsky. The rock art figures at Lake Onega mostly represents birds, animals, half human and half animal figures as well as geometric shapes that may be symbols of the moon and the sun. The petroglyphs of the White Sea are mostly composed of carvings depicting hunting and sailing scenes including their related equipment as well as animal and human footprints. They show significant artistic qualities and testify to the creativity of the Stone Age. The petroglyphs are associated with sites including settlements and burial grounds."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Petroglyphs of the White Sea. Thanks to Zubov of Russia.

Russia - Cultural Landscape of Kenozero Lake (2024)

"Located in Kenozero National Park in the north-western area of the European region of the Russian Federation, the property depicts the local cultural landscape that evolved here from the 12th century, following the gradual Slavic colonization. It incorporates a number of traditional rural settlements with vernacular wooden architecture and reflects the communal management of agriculture and nature that developed when the indigenous Finno-Ugric forest culture merged with the traditional Slavic field culture. Wooden churches and other religious buildings, originally decorated with painted ceilings, or “heavens”, are the key social, cultural, and visual landmarks of the area. Their spatial organization, together with sacred sites and symbols, highlight the residents’ spiritual connection with this environment."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site

Landscape of Kenozero Lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thanks to Leonid of Arkhangelsk, Russia.

Russia - Kizhi Pogost

"The pogost of Kizhi (i.e. the Kizhi enclosure) is located on one of the many islands in Lake Onega, in Karelia. Two 18th-century wooden churches, and an octagonal clock tower, also in wood and built in 1862, can be seen there. These unusual constructions, in which carpenters created a bold visionary architecture, perpetuate an ancient model of parish space and are in harmony with the surrounding landscape." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
An amazing architectural icon - a cathedral built without nails. Nice large stamps including a diamond shaped WWF stamp. Thanks so much to Alexandra of Moscow.

Postcard 2

Thanks to Alexandra of Russia.

Postcard 3

Aerial winter view of Kizhi Pogost. Thanks to Natalia of Russia. Postcard arrived in November 2, 2019.

Russia - Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture

"Churches, cathedrals, monasteries, fortification towers and administrative buildings make up the site, a group of monuments located in the historic city of Pskov, on the banks of the Velikaya River in the northwest of Russia. Characteristics of these buildings, produced by the Pskov School of Architecture, include cubic volumes, domes, porches and belfries, with the oldest elements dating back to the 12th century. Churches and cathedrals are integrated into the natural environment through gardens, perimeter walls and fences. Inspired by the Byzantine and Novgorod traditions, the Pskov School of Architecture reached its peak in the 15th and 16th centuries, and was one of the foremost schools in the country. It informed the evolution of Russian architecture over five centuries."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage 

Pskov is located near the Estonian border and is the capital of Pskov Oblast in Northwestern Federal Republic. Nice stamps used. Thanks to Natalia of Russia.

Postcard 1
2019 UNESCO World Heritage of Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture, Russia. Pskov's St. Nicholas on the Usokha Church, built in 1525. Thanks to Jane for mailing from Russia.

Postcard 2

2019 UNESCO World Heritage of Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture, Russia. Thank you to sender from Russia.

Russia - Lake Baikal

"Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Lake Baikal in winter. Thanks to Ksenia of Russia. Received in December 2018.

Postcard 2

Multi-view of Lake Baikal. Thanks to Yulia of Russia.

Postcard 3

Chivykuiskie Beaches of Lake Baikal. Nice bridge stamp used. Thanks to Polina of Russia.

Russia - Volcanoes of Kamchatka

"This is one of the most outstanding volcanic regions in the world, with a high density of active volcanoes, a variety of types, and a wide range of related features. The six sites included in the serial designation group together the majority of volcanic features of the Kamchatka peninsula. The interplay of active volcanoes and glaciers forms a dynamic landscape of great beauty. The sites contain great species diversity, including the world's largest known variety of salmonoid fish and exceptional concentrations of sea otter, brown bear and Stellar's sea eagle." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Volcano of Kamchatka, Kronotsky of eastern Asiatic Russia. Nice traditional wedding costume stamp used. Thanks to Tatiana of Russia.

Postcard 2

Gorely and Mutnovsky Volcanoes in Kamchatka. Thanks to Evpeniya of Kamkatcha, Russia.

Postcard 3

Fox and volcano - Kronotsky Zapovednik. Thanks to Nastya of Tyumen, Russia.

Postcard 4

One of 160 volcanoes in Kamchatka Peninsula, the far eastern region of Russia. THanks to Masha of Russia. Postcard received in November 2018.

Russia - Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl

"Situated at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl Rivers some 250 km north-east of Moscow, the historic city of Yaroslavl developed into a major commercial centre from the 11th century. It is renowned for its numerous 17th-century churches and is an outstanding example of the urban planning reform Empress Catherine the Great ordered for the whole of Russia in 1763. While keeping some of its significant historic structures, the town was renovated in the neoclassical style on a radial urban master plan. It has also kept elements from the 16th century in the Spassky Monastery, one of the oldest in the Upper Volga region, built on the site of a pagan temple in the late 12th century but reconstructed over time." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
St. Elijah Church of Yaroslavl, Russia. Nice stamps used. Thanks to Natalyn of Russia.

Postcard 2

A postcard of similiar view of St Elijah's Church of Yaroslavl with different sky. Thanks to Alex and Natalya of Russia.

Russia - Assumption Cathedral and Monastery of the town-island of Sviyazhsk

"The Assumption Cathedral is located in the town-island of Sviyazhsk and is part of the monastery of the same name. Situated at the confluence of the Volga, the Sviyaga and the Shchuka rivers, at the crossroads of the Silk and Volga routes, Sviyazhsk was founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1551. It was from this outpost that he initiated the conquest of the Kazan Khanate. The Assumption Monastery illustrates in its location and architectural composition the political and missionary programme developed by Tsar Ivan IV to extend the Moscow state. The cathedral’s frescoes are among the rarest examples of Eastern Orthodox mural paintings."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Dormition Cathedral in Monastery of the Dormition of Theotokos in Sviyazhsk (16th century). Thanks to Olga of Russia who visited Sviyazhsk, in the Republic of Tartarstan, Russia.

Russia - Mongolia - Landscapes of Dauria

"Shared between Mongolia and the Russian Federation, this site is an outstanding example of the Daurian Steppe eco-region, which extends from eastern Mongolia into Russian Siberia and north-eastern China. Cyclical climate changes, with distinct dry and wet periods lead to a wide diversity of species and ecosystems of global significance. The different types of steppe represented, such as grassland and forest, as well as lakes and wetlands serve as habitats for rare species of fauna, such as the White-Naped crane and the Great bustard, as well as millions of vulnerable, endangered or threatened migratory birds. It is also a critical site on the migration path for the Mongolian gazelle."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

An extra large postcard of Torey Lakes is a RAMSAR site in formerly Chita Oblast and now part of Zabaykalsky Krai, Siberian Federal District. Thanks to Zheniya who received this postcard from her friend in Chita and mailed to me.

Russia - Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments

"The 'Venice of the North', with its numerous canals and more than 400 bridges, is the result of a vast urban project begun in 1703 under Peter the Great. Later known as Leningrad (in the former USSR), the city is closely associated with the October Revolution. Its architectural heritage reconciles the very different Baroque and pure neoclassical styles, as can be seen in the Admiralty, the Winter Palace, the Marble Palace and the Hermitage." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1

Aerial view of St Petersburg. Thanks to DAO of England for mailing this awesome postcard.

Postcard 2

Vintage reprint postcard of main facase of Stock Exchange Building - Bizhevaya Square and Rostral Column, 1903. Thanks to Piotr of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Postcard 3 - St. Petersburg, Rostral Column

This 2003 card commemorates the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg (1703-2003).






Postcard 4 - The Hermitage, The Winter Palace
The Hermitage is world famous for its beautiful elegant building and the masterpieces of art housed in this museum. Note the special Hermitage cancellation. Thanks to Karmanovsky of St. Petersburg.








Postcard 5 - Cathedral of Resurrection, St. Petersburg
Again thanks to Karmanovsky with special Hermitage cancellation.






Postcard 6 - Kazan Cathedral
Kazan is the icon of Mother God. Thanks to Anna of St. Petersburg.






Postcard 7 - Church of Resurrection of Christ
Great postcard of Church of the Resurrection of Christ in St. Petersburg, Russia. Thanks to Birgit of Germany.





 
Postcard 8
Thanks to Irina of Russia.

 

Postcard 9

Thanks to Kate of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Postcard 10

Aerial view of Mikhailovsky (Engineer's) Castle and city's Central and Vasilyevsky District of Saint Petersburg. Thanks to Valentina of Saint Petersburg, Russia.