The Valley of Geysers
On the 12th of June the Russians celebrated the Day of Russia. More than 35 thousand of people gathered in the Red Square in Moscow to watch the celebratory concert. The culmination of the performance was the announcement of the winners of the “7 wonders of Russia” contest. Among the contenders were the architectural monuments and unique objects of nature.
After the 1st round of the contest which took place from the 1st of October 2007 till the 1st of February 2008 by the Internet voting 49 “wonders” were named • 7 from each federal district of Russia. The goal of this project (as stated on its web site) was to revive the patriotic feelings and to attract attention to the problem of reconstruction and preservation of unique historical, cultural and natural objects which are situated on the territory of the Russian Federation.
So the 7 wonders of Russia according to the national voting are:
- Valley of the Geysers in Kamchatka (here around 200 geothermal pressure valves, including 90 geysers, sporadically blast steam, mud and water heavenwards)
2.
lake Baikal
Lake Baikal (the oldest and the deepest lake in the world)
- Peterhof (29km west of St.Petersburg is known by its impressive park, 3 stunning Cascades and 150 fountains)
- Rock pillars (it is a geological monument on a Man-pupu-ner mountain in Troitsko-Pecherskiy region of the republic of Komi. The height of the pillars varies from 30 to 42 meters. The origin of these pillars is unknown)
- St.Basil’s cathedral (situated in the very center of Moscow near the Kremlin and the Red Square)
- The 72 m sculpture of Mother Russia on a Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd (was created in the memory of the Battle of Stalingrad which was the turning point in the WW2)
- Elbrus mountain • the highest peak of Europe
Among other finalists were:
Castle-fortress “Vovnushki” in Ingushetia, the Kremlin in Tobolsk, natural preserve “Stolby” in Krasnoyarsk region, Kungursk ice cave of Volga region, Zoo in Novosibirsk, Kirillo-Belozerskiy monastery in Kirillov city, the Kremlin in Nizhny Novgorod.
Peterhof (near St.Petersburg)
I have seen 2 of the wonders so far : Peterhof and St.Basil's. But I'm so proud to know that my country has so many wonders yet to explore!
