Splendid Russia

Historical and stunning Russian architecture captured by the lens of exceptional photo artist, Artyom Mirniy.

Published November 7, 2017

Country: Russia

Photos by Artyom Mirniy

Blue-tipped domes and minarets reflect in the river with a lurid sunset sky behind, Kazan — The Kazan Kremlin, the main historic citadel of Tatarstan was built by Ivan the Terrible on the ruins of the former castle of the Kazan’s rulers, the Khans, and maintained the layout of an ancient Tartar fortress. In 2000 it was declared a World Heritage Site. The Annunciation Cathedral, the only 16th-century Russian church in Russia is the oldest building in the Kremlin. Another more prominent landmark building is the leaning Suyumbike Tower, probably dating back to the reign of Peter the Great.

Man in a beam of light staring up at an elaborate arch with a horse and rider statue atop it, Kursk, Russia — The Triumphal Arch of Kursk was built in 2000 in memory of the Battle of Kursk between Russian and German forces during the Second World War. The 24-metre high arch is a part of an ensemble of monuments in the Victory Memorial Complex which includes the Church of St George, a statue of Marshal Zhukov, an obelisk commemorating Kursk’s military glory and a tribute to the unknown soldier with an eternal flame.

Stately medieval buildings on the banks of a river in Russia — Yoshkar-Ola is unique in that its architects endeavoured to create a European oasis by replicating architectural masterpieces from around the world. The replica of the Sheremetev Castle in Yurino on the left actually houses a theatre, a television company, a supermarket and its famous clock which features figures of the 12 apostles that emerge every three hours from 9am to 9pm. The Republican Puppet Theatre in the style of a medieval castle is on the right.

A green and cream palace-like building in Russia — Sevastyanov’s house in Ekaterinburg with its stunning Gothic cum Moorish architecture built on the banks of the city pond, which was created by a dam across the River Iset, is more like a palace than a house. It is listed in the Cultural Heritage Register of Russia.

A large and imposing grey building backlit by the evening sky, Russia — N.P.Ogarev Mordovia State University, established in 1957, is the largest University in Saransk — the capital of the Republic of Mordovia. Saransk was founded in 1641 and is located on both banks of the Insar river in the central part of the East European plain on the Volga upland.

A pyramidical leaning tower silhouetted in the evening sky, Kazan Russia — Suyumbike Tower also known as the Khan’s Mosque, is probably the most familiar and prominent architectural feature of Kazan. Consisting of six narrowing tiers built on a gated arch, the 58-metre brick tower became one of the world’s so-called leaning towers when the weak foundations began to sink giving the tower a noticeable lean which has now been arrested.

Ancient mosque with the setting sun behind it, Kazan — Kul Sharif Mosque was built on the grounds of the the Kazan Kremlin in the 16th century and was named after Kul Sharif, the last Imam of Kazan. Kul Sharif along with his numerous students died while defending Kazan from Ivan the Terrible, who then demolished the mosque in 1552. The mosque was rebuilt in 1996 and now can accommodate 6000 worshippers.

Modern skyscrapers outlined against the night sky, Moscow, Russia — The Moscow International Business Center (MIBC) is Moscow’s central commercial district. It has been estimated that 250,000–300,000 people will work, visit, or live in the complex at any given time. MIBC has six skyscrapers with heights of 300 metres or more. For some scale perspective other cities having such tall skyscrapers are Shanghai with 5, Hong Kong – 6, Chicago – 6, New York – 8. MIBC’s Federation Tower, is Europe’s second tallest building.

A green, domed cathedral at night, Kursk, Russia — Znamensky Cathedral built in 1826 and one of the largest cathedrals in the country originally housed the revered miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, “The Sign”, painted in the 13th century and discovered in a forest near Kursk. Now retained in the United States, it is the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia’s holiest relic.

Ancient church-like building in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia — Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was a citadel and permanent garrison for the gathering of troops under the rule of Ivan the Third in Moscow’s campaign against the Khanate of Kazan. After the fall of Kazan, the Kremlin lost its military significance and became an administrative centre and still is one for the city and its region. The two-kilometre undulating wall of the Kremlin reinforced by 13 towers encloses an area of 26 hectares.

A symmetrical building with two wings on either side of central dome, Russia — The Palace of Farmers is a grandly impressive building with its symmetrical wings and 48-metre high classical dome. It serves as headquarters to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan. The central element of the façade is a bronze tree that represents fertility and prosperity. In the evenings the green illumination cast on it makes it look like it has leaves.

A large sprawling building with a very tall tower, Voronezh, Russia — The South Eastern Railway administration building in Voronezh, designed by architect N. V. Troitskiy, was built in 1929-1930. Badly damaged in the great Patriotic war, the building was restored in a pseudo-classical style. Symbolic of its era, its tower dominates the skyline of central Voronezh.

Ancient white and domed church in Vladimir — The Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir also known as Assumption
Cathedral was commissioned by Andrew the Pious and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Rebuilt in 1185 after a great fire, four corner domes were added its layout expanded. This cathedral became the model for the church of the same name in Moscow’s Kremlin. It is part of the World Heritage Site of the White Monuments of Vladmir and Suzdal.

A large ancient cathedral lit up in the snow, Tula, Russia — Tula Kremlin which contains the Uspensky Cathedral seen here was completed in 1520. The Cathedral was erected on the ruins of the Archangel Cathedral and was completed in 1766. The Kremlin has never been conquered. The routing of Khan Devlet Giray
and his forces in 1552 by the troops of the Kremlin was instrumental in Ivan the Terrible’s success in conquering Kazan.

A medieval, white archway, Russia — The Golden Gate of Vladimir erected in 1164 and the only preserved ancient Russian city gate was part of the fortification wall constructed to defend Vladmir. It also served as the main entrance to the town. The gate was reconstructed under orders from Catherine the Great in the late 17th century and now houses a museum focusing on the history of the Mongol invasion of Russia in the 13th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage monument.

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