An alumnus of the University of Oklahoma, David Dessler taught government at the College of William and Mary in Virginia for more than 30 years. In his leisure time, David Dessler enjoys traveling the world and visited several cities in Russia in early 2001, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
When visiting Russia, many visitors stick to well-known cities such as Moscow. However, there are many hidden gems in the country that are worth seeing. Here are several Russian cities that are located off the beaten path:
Kostroma: While Kostroma is technically located in the Golden Ring (a tourist route stretching from Moscow to several northeastern cities), it is often overlooked since it’s the farthest from Moscow. Founded by Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy in 1152, it is a famous town for craftsmen and artisans.
Volgograd: A historical city, Volgograd is the location where the bloodiest battle in human history took place. While it features several old monuments, including the Motherland Calls statue, the city was largely built from scratch after World War II, giving it a more modern look.
Yekaterinburg: Referred to as the “third capital of Russia,” Yekaterinburg is a major cultural hub. Located on the cusp of the Ural mountain range, it features some of the tallest buildings in the country. It’s also home to the Church of All Saints, where Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolshevik forces.
Samara: Featuring art nouveau architecture and Stalin’s real bunker, Samara offers relatively little in the way of historical or architectural interest. However, the city is located along the Volga River, making it a great beach destination, and is famous for producing Zhigulevskoye, a popular Russian beer.
