RUSSIA & UKRAINE KREMLIN & RED SQUARE, MOSCOW (RUSSIA)
Moscow’s Kremlin, built between the 14th and 17th centuries, has historically functioned as the religious and political center of Russia. At the foot of its ramparts lies historic Red Square, setting of the colorful, onion-domed St. Basil’s Cathedral, perhaps the country’s most iconic Russian Orthodox monument. (See page 82)
KIZHI POGOST (RUSSIA)
The pogost (enclosure) of Kizhi, located on an island in Lake Onega, is an open air museum displaying a beautiful ensemble of wooden churches, chapels and homes. These unusual constructions, in which carpenters created bold visionary architecture, perpetuate an ancient model of parish space in harmony with the surrounding landscape. (See page 82)
St. Basil’s Cathedral
HISTORIC CENTER OF ST. PETERSBURG (RUSSIA) Known as “Venice of the North” for its numerous canals and bridges, St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. Temporarily renamed Leningrad during the 20th century, the city’s architectural heritage is rich, featuring examples of both baroque and neoclassical styles, such as the Winter Palace and the Hermitage. (See page 82)
x The Hermitage ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL, KIEV (UKRAINE) x Kizhi
Kiev’s St. Sophia Cathedral symbolizes the Christian principality of Kiev, created in the 11th century in a region evangelized after the baptism of St. Vladimir in 988. The spiritual and intellectual influence of Kiev contributed to the spread of Russian Orthodox faith from the 17th to the 19th centuries. (See page 88)
CHINA & SOUTHEAST ASIA THE GREAT WALL (CHINA)
At approximately 4,000 miles long, the Great Wall is the world’s longest manmade structure and was recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Walk its ramparts and see spectacular views from where guards stood in defense of China and its capital, Beijing. (See pages 94, 98, 102)
TERRA COTTA WARRIORS (CHINA) x Great Wall
Thousands of life-sized and lifelike soldiers, along with their horses, chariots and weapons, were buried with China’s first emperor in 209 B.C. in order to help him rule another empire in the afterlife. The site was discovered in 1974; eventually 8,000 figures and an enormous manmade necropolis were unearthed. (See pages 94, 98, 102)
POTALA PALACE, LHASA (TIBET)
The Potala Palace, chief residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism’s central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and Red Palaces with ancillary buildings, offers panoramic views of the entire Lhasa Valley at an altitude of over 12,000 feet. (See page 98)
ANGKOR WAT (CAMBODIA) x Potala Palace
Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat is an awe-inspiring structure epitomizing the classical style of Khmer architecture. An iconic portion of the Hindu temple complex, it is has been depicted on Cambodia’s national flag since 1863. Archeologists have carried out extensive restoration on this significant religious center, also the region’s most visited tourist destination. (See page 104)
x St. Sophia Cathedral
x Terra Cotta Warriors
x Angkor Wat
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