The Seven Wonders of

Russia
 As a response to Europe’s “Seven Wonders of the World” list,
which didn’t include any Russian sights, Russia organized a
national contest to select the seven most beautiful destinations
the country has to offer. Almost 26 million people went online
and voted for their favorites since the contest started in
autumn 2007 and the final results were revealed on June 12
2008.

 The “Seven Wonders of Russia” contest had several stages,

after the first one 49 national locations were chosen and after
the second one only 14 remained. Finally the people chose the
places they thought best represented their country’s beauty.
Officials say they hope this event raises attention to the need of
protecting the country’s historical, natural and cultural
treasures.

Here are the Seven Wonders of Russia:

Peterhof
Often referred to as “the Russian Versailles” the palace and park of Peterhof are one of
Saint Petersburg’s most popular attractions. Versailles was indeed Peter the Great’s
inspiration when he decided to build an imperial palace and many say Peterhof (“Peter’s
Court” in German) is even more beautiful than the famous French complex.
Peterhof is an immense, luxurious estate, known as the “capital of Russian fountains”; the
Grand Cascade, built in front of the Grand Palace, is one of the largest fountain ensembles
in the world. The Upper Garden and Lower Park are also cultural masterpieces and the
magnificent Grand Palace was remodeled by the famous architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
The Valley of Geysers This six kilometers basin is the only geyser field in all of Eurasia and
second largest in the world. It is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has about
ninety geysers and many other thermal springs. It was discovered by Tatiana Ustinova, a local
scientist, in 1941 but serious exploration of the area began in 1972. In the 1980s The Valley of
Geysers was presented as one of the main attractions of the Kamchatka peninsula, in an
attempt to raise tourist awareness. Foreign tourists were allowed access to the valley in 1991
The Valley of Geysers suffered some modifications, due to a massive mud flow that covered a
part of the basin in the summer of 2007. However in recent months the waters have receded
exposing some of the submerged areas. The largest geyser, Velikan, able to shoot jets of water
40 meters high, was not affected by the landslide.
Mamayev Kurgan
Just a strange name to most of us, Mamayev Kurgan is a place of great significance for the
Russian people. This dominant hill, overlooking the city of Volgograd (former Stalingrad) saw
some of the fiercest combat of all World War II, as it had immense strategic importance. It
changed hands several times during the Stalingrad offensive, but the soviets held their
positions heroically on the hill slopes until the German forces were finally surrounded and
After the battle ended the hill was plowed and mixed with metal fragments, between 500 and
1,250 fragments per square meter. The hill remained black during the conflict because the snow
melted constantly due to bombing and it remained this way in the spring after the battle, because
nothing would grow. Even today it’s possible to dig up metal and bone fragments buried on the
hill.
The huge memorial statue of the Motherland, known as “The Motherland Calls!” was the largest
free-standing sculpture in the world when it was built on top of Mamayev Kurgan, in 1967.
Mount Elbrus
Standing at 5,642 meters, Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in the Caucasus and the
highest point in Russia. It is a stratovolcano that has lain dormant for the last 2,000 years. Set
near the border with Georgia, Mount Elbrus is a popular tourist destination and many attempt
to climb it, especially during the summer. A special cable-car system was created during the
70s that takes people up to 3,800m up the mountain. Up to 100 people try to reach Elbrus
peak every day.
In the winter time, attempts are very scarce and only professionals venture up the mountain.
It’s harsh winter weather and strong winds are notorious and it claims 15-30 lives every year,
mostly poorly equipped dare-devils trying to reach the top.
Saint Basil cathedral
Also known as The Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin on the Moat is considered the most
beautiful cathedral in Russia and one of Europe’s most beautiful holy places. It was
constructed during the reign of Ivan the Terrible and a legend says the architect was blinded
after finishing his creation, so he couldn’t build anything as beautiful again.
Built in the middle of the Red Square, in Moscow, St. Basil’s Cathedral commemorated Ivan
IV’s victory over the Kazan Khanate. It is said that the cathedral features many elements of
Timurid culture, resembling the old Kazan Qolsharif Mosque. These are just speculations
however as the exact look of the mosque is unknown.
Baikal Lake
Declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1996, Lake Baikal is truly a lake of records. It
is the deepest lake in the world, going as deep as 1,637 meters and it holds almost 20% of the
world’s fresh-water supply, making it the largest supply by volume on the planet. Research
has shown Lake Baikal is more than 25 million years old, which makes it the oldest lake in
the world.
Over 1,085 species of plants and 1,550 species of animals live in Baikal Lake and between
80-90 percent of them are endemic to this place. In July of this year Russia has announced it
is sending two small submersibles to descend to the bottom of the lake and conduct geological
and biological tests.
Columns of Erosion
Set in the Troitsko-Pecherskiy region, in the Komi Republic, the Columns of Erosion, or
Manpupuner as they are known in Russia are one of the country’s most mysterious attractions.
The “7 Strong Men” as the locals call them are 7 massive rock towers bursting out of a flat
plateau. Their height, that reaches 42 meters, and their abnormal shapes make them
inaccessible to even the most experienced rock-climbers.
Not much is known about these mysterious “7
Strong Men” and on an international level they are
virtually unknown. Although very hard to reach and
set in a harsh environment, Manpupuner offers a
great sight to its visitors. Many say that while there
you feel no need of water, food or rest, all you want
to do is stare at these masterpieces of nature, where
locals say spirits used to gather in ancient times.