GreaterGo

On Laisvės Alėja (Liberty Avenue), the main pedestrian in Kaunas, stands the St. Michael the Archangel's Church. The church, which was built in the Neo-Byzantine style is the most splendid building on the avenue, witnessing the history of Kaunas being occupied by the Russian Empire. Intriguingly, it houses an unusual museum that may arouse your interest.

Russia, the transcontinental country in Europe and Asia, was developed from the city of Moscow. Before the Russian capital city was even established, the history of the empire was actually started all over in a small town. In the scenic Golden Ring of Moscow, there is Suzdal which nurtured the empire of Russia. The first-ever Kremlin (kremlin means “a castle” in Russian) was built in this small town of Suzdal.

Although Poland is ethnically Slavic which is the same with Russia, it is different to other Slavic nations religiously.

Many countries have once moved their capital cities, leaving a former capital with rich cultural assets. Saint Petersburg is such a city.

Lake Baikal, “the Pearl of Siberia”, is one of the best treasures of Russia. Located at the centre of Siberia, Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world and renowned for its huge water storage. Take the Trans-Siberia Railway travelling around the lake to Ulan-Ude or Irkutsk, then take a minibus and you will arrive at the lake.

Winter Palace, the former residence of Russian emperors, is naturally the most iconic landmark of Saint Petersburg. The palace is more than just a palace for tsars – it is also a museum. Catherine the Great renovated and expanded the palace into a great royal complex of six buildings. Apart from expanding the Russian empire, Catherine the Great was keen on collecting treasures. Famous paintings and art pieces were purchased from merchants from around the world and stored in the State Hermitage Museum of the Winter Palace. Eventually, rich collections were built up over the years.