Gallery

Snowy winter 2023

New Year 2023 at Arkhangelskoe estate

Archangel Michael’s Church is the oldest surviving building on the Arkhangelskoe estate dating from the mid-17th century.

Christmas at VDNKH Exhibition Center

Events dedicated to culture of the indigenous peoples of the North at VDNH.

Moscow Botanical Garden

The Tsytsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden was founded in April 1945, and claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe. It covers a territory of approximately 3.61 km² and contains a live exhibition of more than twenty thousand different species of plants coming from various parts of the world. 

Zvenigorod

Skeet of Saint Savva

Savvino-Storozhevskiy Monastery

Landmark Orthodox monastery with a grand exterior and altar frescoes dating to the 1420s.

Cozy streets of Zvenigorod

Radonezh

Radonezh is an absolutely beautiful village where Sergiy Radonezhsky once lived. The old town of Radonezh is known to have existed since the first half of the 14th century. Transfiguration Church (Церковь Преображения Господня, 1842) along with the nearby Sacred spring, a font and a monument to St. Sergius are located on the outskirts of the village. Very impressive place!

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo Museum Reserve is one of the most famous art museums in Russia. The history of Abramtsevo is associated with the names of artists Segey Aksakov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Ilya Repin, Vasiliy Polenov, Valentin Serov and Savva Mamontov. Dozens of paintings which are internationally treasured now were created there. Abramtsevo was founded in 18th century.

The architectural gem of Abramtsevo is the Church of the Savior (Церковь Спаса Нерукотворного Образа), built by architect Pavel Samarin, according to designs by the artists Victor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov.

Gremyachiy Klyuch

The waterfall (or natural spring) is located in the Moscow region east of Sergiev Posad. According to legends, this spring arose at the request of Sergius of Radonezh. The fame of this holy spring spread throughout the Russian land and the site is visited by about 3000 tourists a year.

Moscow Botanical Garden

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England, November-December 2022

London

Kensington

Holland park

Japanese Garden

Royal Albert Hall

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, 25 Nov 2022

The Albert Memorial

Hyde Park

Victoria and Albert Museum

Beatrix Potter Exhibition “Drawn to Nature”

Lecicester Square Christmas Market

Abbey Road Studios

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Seven Dials

Covent Garden

International Gospel Choir performing in front of the Wonder Wood

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

Leadenhall Market

Chelsea Physic Garden

Battersea Park and surroundings

Sloane Square

Battersea Power Station

Big Ben and Westminster Abbey

St. James Park

Trafalgar Square

Hampstead Heath

Portobello Market

Christmas lights of Oxford and Regent’s streets

Carnaby Street

London pubs

Picturehouse, Piccadilly Circus

Brighton and Hove

Bath

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! 🙂

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Moscow autumn colors 2022

September

Moscow Botanical Garden

The Tsytsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden was founded in April 1945, and claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe. It covers a territory of approximately 3.61 km² and contains a live exhibition of more than twenty thousand different species of plants coming from various parts of the world. 

October

Japanese Garden

Moscow Botanical Garden

Храм-часовня Святителя Василия Великого

VDNKH Exhibition Center

Tsaritsyno

Tsaritsyno is a palace museum and park reserve in the south of Moscow which includes an architectural complex of Greenhouses, historical landscaped park with ponds. It was founded in 1776 by the order of Catherine the Great and built by two great architects Vasiliy Bazhenov and Matvey Kazakov.

The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God (Храм Иконы Божьей Матери) was built in 1722 and is the part of Tsaritsyno Palace and park ensemble.

Archangel Michael’s Church

This church is the oldest surviving building on the Arkhangelskoe estate dating from the mid-17th century.

Arkhangelskoe museum-estate

Ryazan region

November

Moscow Botanical Garden

Ostankino TeleTower

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo Museum Reserve is one of the most famous art museums in Russia. The history of Abramtsevo is associated with the names of artists Segey Aksakov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Ilya Repin, Vasiliy Polenov, Valentin Serov and Savva Mamontov. Dozens of paintings which are internationally treasured now were created there. Abramtsevo was founded in 18th century.

The architectural gem of Abramtsevo is the Church of the Savior (Церковь Спаса Нерукотворного Образа), built by architect Pavel Samarin, according to designs by the artists Victor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov.

Khotkovo Art Salon

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Istanbul, Turkey, October 2022

There is always rainbow after the rain… and seagulls 🙂 View from the rooftop of Darussaade Hotel

Blue Mosque and Sultan Ahmed Park

Blue Mosque is one of the most famous examples of Ottoman architecture. It was built between 1609 and 1616. The mosque has been a UNESCO Worls Heritage Site since 1985 and is one of the most visited attractions of the city.

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is an important Byzantine structure in Istanbul. Much of the Hagia Sophia’s edifice evident today was completed in the 6th century (between 532 and 537). It was built as Christian church. In subsequent centuries it became a mosque (1453), a museum (1934) and mosque again (2020).

City views from Galata Bridge

Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul and is one of the bridges that connects the city between Europe and Asia. The bridge provides beautiful views over the city. It is one of the favorite spots for local fishermen.

Colorful streets of Istanbul

Panoramic views of Istanbul from Galata Tower

Galata Tower was built in 500 A.D., and was used as a watchtower to help defend the city.

Music and culture festival

Church of St. Anthony of Padua

The largest Catholic church in Istanbul which was opened in 1912 and located on Istiklal Avenue.

Istiklal Street

Istiklal Street is lined with 19th century former palaces, mansions and embassies which are now home to different shops, bars, cafes etc. It’s known that up to milliom people walk up or down through Istiklal street every single day.

French Street Culture center

Beautiful Istanbul sunsets

Istanbul Modern in Karakoy

Lights of Ahirkapi street where many nice seafood restaurants can be found

Night views of the city from Galata Bridge

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Armenia, September 2022

Zvartnots

Zvartnots Cathedral, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the middle of vineyards and trees dazzled with apricots and cherries while Ararat peeks in from the background. Built in the 7th-century AD, Zvartnots Cathedral was a rare architectural monument because of its unique design. Before the earthquake in the 10th-century AD destroyed Zvartnots Cathedral, it was the biggest and oldest church of Armenia throughout its history.

Saint Gayane Church

Vagharshapat

Vagharshapat is an ancient city in Armavir region founded in the 2nd century CE and one of the most important religious and cultural centers of Armenia.

Agape Refectory Restaurant

Agape is one of the oldest restaurant in the region with authentic armenian cuisine. It has been founded in the 17th century. The building is protected by UNESCO.

Saint Hripsime Church

Tsakhkadzor

Kecharis Monastery

Medieval monastic complex dating back to the 11th century, located in the ski resort town of Tsakhkadzor.

Sevanavank Monastery

Sevanavank Monastery was formed from two churches build in 874 AD and located on the shore of Lake Sevan. Lake Sevan is a national landmark, it is by far the largest body of water in Armenia, taking up 5% of the country’s territory.

Vaskenian Theological Academy

Ararat mountain view from Yerevan

Colorful streets of Yerevan

Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park

Republic Square

Charles Aznavour Square

Dalan Art Gallery and Cafe Abovyan 12

Freedom Square

Hrazdan Gorge

Cascade Complex

Night vibes in the city of Jazz and dancing fountains

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Starmus VI, Yerevan, Armenia, 5-10 September 2022

Starmus is an international festival of science, music and art which took place in Yerevan, Armenia this year. It featured presentations from scientists, astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel prize winners and unbelievable concerts from the legendary musicians. I was lucky to see Brian May, Rick Wakeman, Serj Tankian, Tigran Hamasyan, Sons of Appollo, Andrey Makarevich, Simon Philips, Graham Gouldman, Armenian Philarmonic orchestra on one stage. Absolutely unforgattable experience, thanks to Starmus for festival organization, everything was great, including sound and light.

Sonic Concert and Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication

Dr. Brian May, musician and astrophysicist, reveived the Stephen Hawking Award.

Rick Wakeman and Armenian Philarmonic orchestra

Sons of Apollo

Sevak Amroyan and Serj Tankian

Tigran Hamasyan

Andrey Makarevich

Another World Concert

Fantastic children’s choir of the Diocese of Tavish performing Queen’s hits while Freddie watching from the screens.

Nemra

Brian May, Graham Gouldman, Ron Bumblefoot, Derek Sherinian

The one and only Brian May performing beautiful “Another world” song

“Smoke on the water” as a part of Rock Aid Armenia (a humanitarian effort by British music industry to raise money to help those affected by the 1988 Armenian earthquake).

Show must go on!!! Always!

Starmus Science Camp

Beautiful event inspiring young people to get into science which took place at the Freedom Square in front of Opera theatre.

Nemra band

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Summertime 2022

Streets of Moscow

Marina Tsvetaeva’s House Museum

Mikhail Lermontov House Museum

Lilac season, VDNH

Moscow Jazz Festival, VDNH

Moscow Fashion Week, VDNH

Moscow Botanical Garden

The Tsytsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden was founded in April 1945, and claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe. It covers a territory of approximately 3.61 km² and contains a live exhibition of more than twenty thousand different species of plants coming from various parts of the world. 

Radonezh

Radonezh is an absolutely beautiful village where Sergiy Radonezhsky once lived. The old town of Radonezh is known to have existed since the first half of the 14th century. Transfiguration Church (Церковь Преображения Господня, 1842) along with the nearby Sacred spring, a font and a monument to St. Sergius are located on the outskirts of the village. Very impressive place!

Khotkovo

Khotkovo town is the site of a monastery, founded by the parents of Sergiy Radonezhsky – Kirill and Maria. The date of foundation is not known, but was first mentioned in 1308. Pokrovskiy Khotkov monastery is the convent of the Russian Orthodox Church, located in Khotkovo town on the river Paja.

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo Museum Reserve is one of the most famous art museums in Russia. The history of Abramtsevo is associated with the names of artists Segey Aksakov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Ilya Repin, Vasiliy Polenov, Valentin Serov and Savva Mamontov. Dozens of paintings which are internationally treasured now were created there. Abramtsevo was founded in 18th century.

The architectural gem of Abramtsevo is the Church of the Savior (Церковь Спаса Нерукотворного Образа), built by architect Pavel Samarin, according to designs by the artists Victor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov.

Aptekarskiy Ogorod

Founded by Peter the Great in 1706 as a kitchen garden (ogorod) for growing medicinal plants. Since 1805, it has belonged to the Moscow State University as part of the Biology Faculty. You can explore the gardens as well as three different greenhouses. 

Kuskovo

Kuskovo museum complex in Moscow is a summer estate of the Sheremetev family built in 18th century and includes Summer palace, Grotto, Italian house, Kuskovo Church and Tower bell, Hermitage in English landscape garden, the Dutch house and Orangeries. Grotto pavilion was constructed between 1755 and 1761 and was intended to represent the palace of the King of the Seas. Interior was made of whorled seashells of 24 different types which were delivered from the Mediterranean, Red, Black seas, the Sea of Japan, and reservoirs of the Moscow region.

Tver

Tver lies at the confluence of the upper Volga and Tvertsa rivers. The first mention of Tver dates from 1134-35, when it was subject to Novgorod.

St. Catherine nunnery

Volga river embankments

Imperial Travellers Palace and Transfiguration Cathedral

Moscow Botanical Garden

Zvenigorod

Skeet of Saint Savva

Savvino-Storozhevskiy Monastery

Landmark Orthodox monastery with a grand exterior and altar frescoes dating to the 1420s.

A.P. Chekhov’s places in Zvenigorod

Cozy streets of Zvenigorod

Kupchiy Dvor

Moscow Botanical Garden

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Sunny St.Petersburg, July 2022

Streets of sunny St.Petersburg

Summer garden

Savior on the Spilled Blood Church

The Cathedral was being built from 1883 to 1907 on the place, where tragic event had happened. On 1st of March 1881, Emperor Alexander II, who had been going to the parade of troops on the Field of Mars, was mortally wounded here. His son, Alexander III, ordered to build a church on this spotto. Not only Russians, but also residents of other Slavic countries donated money for the construction of the church. On the walls of the bell tower, there are more than a hundred mosaic coats of arms of the cities and towns that participated in fundraising.

Beautiful details of St.Petersburg streets

Yusupov Gardens

Peterhof Palace on the shores of the Gulf of Finland

Smolny Cathedral and Historical Museum

St. Isaac’s Cathedral

St. Isaac’s Cathedral is the largest orthodox church and the fourth largest cathedral in the world.

Karlsson Haus theater

Karl Bulla Photomuseum

Beautiful museum of photography named after Karl Bulla, who was a German-Russian photographer and often referred to as a “father of Russian photo-reporting”. I also liked the balcony with the panoramic view which gives an opportunity to compare the modern look of St.Petersburg with historical photographs.

Alexandrinsky Theatre

“Semimostie” (Plave of Seven Bridges)

The view of “Semimostie” is opened from the Pikalov bridge over Griboedov Canal, from where you can see six more bridges: Krasnogvardeyskiy, Novo-Nikolsky and Mogilevsky over Griboedov Canal and Staro-Nikolsky, Smezhny and Kashin – over Kryukov Canal.

New Holland Island

Neva river embankments

Penaty Estate Museum

Penaty is estate museum of the great painter Ilya Repin which was his home for 30 years. It contains 600 of his works. The house is located in the seaside area of Gulf of Finland and surrounded by the beautiful garden, the painter’s grave is also located there.

Art center Berthold

Ryumochnaya (Vodkaroom) №1

Traktir on Gorokhovaya street

English Pub My friends

100 years old art cafe Podval Brodyachey Sobaki (Stray dog basement)

Club-museum Kamchatka

In the beginning it was just a boiler house called Kamchatka. The history of this spot began in the summer of 1986. One of the most famous Russian rock singers had been working there as a stoker for 3 years. Here he started his way to the big stage.

Summer sunsets and great musicians playing in front of Winter Palace

White nights and bridges on Neva river

Bronze Horseman and Palace Square

City landmark commisioned by Catherine the Great, named for a Pushkin poem and completed in 1782.

Foggy sunsets on the way from St.Petersburg to Moscow

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Springtime in Moscow and Moscow region, 2022

Aptekarskiy Ogorod

Founded by Peter the Great in 1706 as a kitchen garden (ogorod) for growing medicinal plants. Since 1805, it has belonged to the Moscow State University as part of the Biology Faculty. You can explore the gardens as well as three different greenhouses. 

Храм-часовня Святителя Василия Великого

Moscow Botanical Garden

The Tsytsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden was founded in April 1945, and claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe. It covers a territory of approximately 3.61 km² and contains a live exhibition of more than twenty thousand different species of plants coming from various parts of the world. 

Khotkovo

Khotkovo town is the site of a monastery, founded by the parents of Sergiy Radonezhsky – Kirill and Maria. The date of foundation is not known, but was first mentioned in 1308. Pokrovskiy Khotkov monastery is the convent of the Russian Orthodox Church, located in Khotkovo town on the river Paja.

Abramtsevo

Abramtsevo Museum Reserve is one of the most famous art museums in Russia. The history of Abramtsevo is associated with the names of artists Segey Aksakov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Vrubel, Ilya Repin, Vasiliy Polenov, Valentin Serov and Savva Mamontov. Dozens of paintings which are internationally treasured now were created there. Abramtsevo was founded in 18th century.

The architectural gem of Abramtsevo is the Church of the Savior (Церковь Спаса Нерукотворного Образа), built by architect Pavel Samarin, according to designs by the artists Victor Vasnetsov and Vasily Polenov.

Aptekarskiy ogorod

Arkhangelskoe

Arkhangelshoe museum-estate consists of a palace with terraced park which has one of the biggest collections of park sculptures in the world, a landscape park, a theatre built in 1817-18 on the project of famous Italian architect and painter Pietro Gonzago, a small palace “Caprice” and pavilion Small Tea House. Archangel Michael’s Church is the oldest surviving building on the estate dating from the mid-17th century.

Aptekarskiy ogorod

Moscow Botanical Garden

The Tsytsin Main Moscow Botanical Garden was founded in April 1945, and claims itself to be the largest botanical garden in Europe. It covers a territory of approximately 3.61 km² and contains a live exhibition of more than twenty thousand different species of plants coming from various parts of the world. 

Japanese garden

Храм-часовня Святителя Василия Великого

VDNKH Exhibition Center

Mytishchi