A fascinating travelogue of Russian architecture 81

When you travel in Russia, you will be struck from time to time by the traditional Russian architecture, with its tall and imposing towers, colourful churches and unusual shapes that will satisfy your voracious appetite. These are the most distinctive features of the Russian Orthodox Church, one of the most famous in the world, with its tall, majestic, majestic spires and domes on top of the main building, commonly known as 'onion domes'.

The Kremlin's Spas Towers

Colourful and quirky buildings can be found all over Russia - this is a roadside shot of Moscow

One of the most beautiful churches in Russia, the Cathedral of the Assumption of St Vasily is one of the world's most famous buildings, its dazzling colours and lively, unusual shapes leaving a lasting impression on everyone who sees it.

Why is Vasily Cathedral so colourful and festive when people think of churches as dignified and ritualistic? It was built to celebrate the victory in Kazan and was designed to be not only religious and political but also festive.

The roadside chapel in Moscow

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan in the north-west corner of Red Square

The Ekaterina Palace in St Petersburg, built by Peter the Great for Empress Ekaterina I

The Church of St Paul the Messenger at the gates of the Summer Palace in St Petersburg

Moscow roadside building

The Russian building was known as the Battle Helmet Dome

Five onion heads decorate the roof of Ekaterina's palace

The Cathedral of the Dripping Blood, also known as the Church of the Resurrection, was built between 1883 and 1907 and is one of the few purely Russian buildings in St Petersburg. In contrast to the old Russian style and the classical buildings nearby, it reflects the typical Russian Orthodox church architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries.

View of the Cathedral of the Dripping Blood (Church of the Resurrection of Christ) in St Petersburg

A distinctive piece of Russian architecture

The statues of the national heroes Minin and Pozharsky in front of the Cathedral of the Assumption of St Vasily

Ivan the Great Bell Tower in the Kremlin courtyard

Peter and Paul Cathedral in all its glory under the blue sky and white clouds. Peter and Paul Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Angels in the Kremlin courtyard

Fancy Russian churches

Smolny Palace, St Petersburg

The Cathedral of the Annunciation

A church with typical Orthodox architecture

Russian architecture

Fine Russian architecture

The "onion dome" is the most distinctive feature of Russian Orthodox churches

Moscow Metro, a temple of art

Russian architecture with a touch of Islam

An underground station in Moscow, a temple of art

Russian homes are also very well decorated

Have you ever seen such a beautiful church?

This is an ordinary church in a suburb of Moscow

Churches like this often pop up in residential areas

This is a church made of marble, solemn and dignified

The largest church in St Petersburg, the Isakievsky Cathedral

A closer look at the Isakievsky Cathedral

The magnificent, opulent summer palace of St Petersburg - St Paul the Messenger Church