Russia's role in modern history is fascinating. The USSR was the largest uniform political entity on earth, playing a critical role in world events in the 20th Century.

STS are delighted to offer you a cameo view of the emergent state of modern Russia by way of visits to two of its most famous cities - Moscow the seat of power and St Petersburg the European style Tsarist capital conceived by Peter the Great.

Moscow

The largest industrial centre and national capital started life as a Slav settlement on the banks of the river Moskva. Its subsequent development was as a fishing and trading centre. Today the city is the political and cultural heart of the nation. Moscow has many splendid architectural monuments both ancient and modern. There are cathedrals, monasteries, convents and magnificent parks. The city also boasts 130 museums.

      

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St Petersburg

With his final victory over the Swedes at the Battle of Poltava, Peter the Great eventually possessed his "window on the West", a safe, year-round route through the Baltic Sea to the rest of Europe. Within nine years he had built St Petersburg which became the capital in 1712 and remained so until 1918. It was in St Petersburg that the Russian Revolution broke out. Like Venice, the city has water at its very heart ­ it is built on the river Neva and is criss-crossed by canals and numerous bridges. This is an aristocratic city of squares, monuments, parks and boulevards. History & Landmarks

      

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