by Isabel Romero

Russia, a great country to be explored, an old motherland deigned in its history but sometimes anchored in the past for the big empire that it used to be, that somehow seems now lost.

Taking the train from Helsinki, you will arrive within 12 hours to one of the most historical cities in the world, Moscow, the capital city of Russia. A city with more than 13 million of people, characterized by its immensity, its big avenues and skyscrapers, but also by its pollution, dirty places and black sky… like incrusted in a bubble of dust.

Anyway, the marvellous places to visit get tourists to know all the stages Russia has been throughout its existence. Kremlin, the emblematic fortress of the Kzars, the Red Square accompanied on the right by the Mausoleum, sheltering the Lenin’s remains, and on the left by the most luxurius shopping center, GUM. An incomparable picture, where, undoubtedly, the most remarkable building is the colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral.

Art is also present in Moscow, on the famous Tetriakov or on the Pushkin Museum, where Cézanne, Matise, Picasso, Van Gogh and Renoir’s sculptures have a special meaning. On the other hand one can regard the scenic arts, like the Russian ballet, which has nowadays become a big reference of the country it self and its culture.

But the most impressive thing of this enormous city is the Metro, denominated in the past by Lenin as “The Palaces of the village”, and considered as a free museum to contemplate the Russian history across the statues of whom represented the soul of Russia and the patriotic allegories to the battles. A great decoration in the fifth longest metro in the world.

Before going on with our trip to the unknown, it is always good to have some advice. It is quite usual to hear from guides: “Exchange the

money in Russia, it’s cheaper. You can also pay by card in many places, though I’d advise you to pay with cash. And always check the bill to make sure it’s correct”; or “If you bring anything valuable take pictures of them before you leave. That way it’s easier to get your insurance to cover them if they get lost. Do not bring any jewellery that you would hate to lose, as you’ll be sorry if you do lose them”. Keep these in mind, they are very useful, but my favourite one is “take care of your passport”… they know what are they talking about.

Advancing on our trip, we went back to take the train, because in just one night, we will arrive to Saint Petersburg, the most occidental city of Russia, which was capital city of Russia for 206 years. It was thought and built by Peter the Great, undoubtedly based in Italian and French architecture.

Buildings like Pushkin Palace, the Hermitage (where there is one of the world’s largest collection of art), the St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Church on Spilled Blood, the Russian Museum, the Peter and Paul fortress, the Kunstkammer or walks around the pretty park Tsarkoe Selo, the main avenue Nevskiy Prospet and on the shore of Neva river, make this city one of the most beautiful cities to visit, although it large number of her pollution.

And here we finish our week travelling around the two most representative cities of Russia and its history. Both very different in their origin and, in their beauty and structure, but both worthies to understand the reality of a country and its people, unknown for many of us. Of course, one may not forget that the most important thing to bring is good spirit and curiosity.