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• Russian 10:23 am on June 29, 2026 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: places ( 4 )   

  Valley of Hares: The Karelia Cliff Being Covered With 1,000 Rabbits 

  

  A man in Karelia is slowly carving 1,000 hares into a cliff — mostly through his own money, labor, and stubborn belief in the project.

  About 20 miles from Petrozavodsk, there is a place where a rock face is slowly turning into a work of art. Here, under the open sky, hares appear on the stone: running, sitting, alert, funny, and all very different. This is the “Valley of Hares,” a large-scale land art project by Sergey Gapanovich. The sculptor began it in 2018 and continues working on it to this day.

  The main thing in this story is not even the number, although the idea is impressive: on a rock face about 650 feet long and up to 33 feet high, there should eventually be 1,000 hares. As of spring 2026, there are already about 700 of them. What matters even more is something else: this is a rare…

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• Russian 8:13 pm on August 9, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: shamanism ( 2 ), shamans ( 2 )   

  Russia’s Shamans: The Best Places to Experience Their Ceremonies 

  

  Khakassia, Altai, Kamchatka — Where to Find Real Shamans in Russia

  Shamanism is a unique socio-cultural phenomenon that shapes the worldview of many peoples around the globe — and Russia is no exception. This spiritual tradition remains popular among the peoples of Siberia and the Russian Far East. In fact, it’s often said that the most powerful shamans in the world live here. The Origins of Shamanism Shamanism is a unique belief system that peacefully coexists with other forms of magic and religion. Shamans do not seek to convert as many people as possible, which gives their practice an air of exclusivity. Archaeologists believe that shamanism originated in Siberia during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, making it one of the oldest known spiritual traditions on Earth.

  In shamanism, the shaman plays a central role as a mediator between the divine and human worlds. By entering a trance, the shaman conveys…

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• Russian 6:32 pm on July 26, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Komi republic, places ( 4 ), rock formations, Ural   

  Manpupuner Stone Pillars in Komi Republic: The Ural Stonehenge and Its Mysterious Origins 

  

  The Manpupuner Stone Pillars on the plateau in the Komi Republic have long attracted the attention of scientists and tourists from all over the world. Many legends and myths surround these "stone guardians," which are as tall as a 15-story building.

  One of the Seven Wonders, Manpupuner means "Small Mountain of Idols" in the Mansi language. Since 1930, the plateau has been part of the Pechoro-Ilych Nature Reserve. The pillars, resembling ancient sentinels, are said to hold the wisdom and secrets of the ages. Reaching them is incredibly difficult. There are seven pillars in total, ranging in height from 30 to 43 meters. One, standing slightly apart, is called the Shaman.

  In 2008, Manpupuner was included in the list of Seven Wonders of Russia.

  The Mystery of Their Origin

  The main puzzle is the origin and anthropomorphic shape of the pillars. According to geologists, millions of years ago, there were…

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• Russian 11:46 am on July 26, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: architecture ( 2 ), places ( 4 ), Saint Petersburg   

  Unveiling the Hidden Gems: Saint Petersburg’s Lesser-Known Marvels 

  

  Saint Petersburg is not only about palaces, cathedrals, and canals. It has many hidden gems, known only to the locals and definitely worth visiting. Rooftops, communal apartments, cafes and bars, ancient courtyards, and other unusual places help travelers see the city from a new perspective.

  Rooftops of Petersburg

  One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the Northern Capital is to climb onto one of the buildings and admire the old buildings and streets from a bird's eye view. This can be done without much trouble: there are dozens of open access points to rooftops in the city. The best and safest options can be shown by guides on themed tours.

  For comfort lovers, panoramic city views accompanied by hot coffee or a cocktail are part of the experience at the open veranda of the Nevsky Bereg Hotel, the Roof Cinema theater, and the HI-HAT summer platform.

  Courtyards…

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• Russian 9:39 am on July 26, 2025 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: architecture ( 2 ), Moscow ( 3 ), places ( 4 )   

  Unveiling the Unusual: A Guide to Moscow’s Hidden Gems and Historic Hideaways 

  

  Moscow is rightfully considered one of the best tourist destinations. The city is rapidly developing and can surprise even the most experienced travelers. If you think you've already seen all the capital's sights, don't be too quick to give up on trips to the golden-domed city, because even the most well-trodden paths can reveal unusual places rarely mentioned in guidebooks.

  Curious Russia will tell you about places that you can visit in Moscow on your own and in most cases for free. Bunkers Once you've had your fill of the architectural beauty and museum exhibitions of the capital, it's time to explore its underground. For many years, Moscow's bunkers remained top secret, spawning many rumors and speculations. It was said that the shelters contained secret passages to a covert metro line connecting the Kremlin with strategic sites of the capital and an underground city in Ramenki. However, these myths found…

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