The History of Moscow's Stench
History, as we know, cannot preserve the smells of cities. However, we can imagine what Moscow smelled like in the past. Until the end of the 19th century, the city had no sewage system, and all waste was dumped directly…
Russian Refugees in Constantinople
After the tragic evacuation from Crimea, tens of thousands of Russian refugees found themselves in Turkey. From the very first days, they faced hardships: many were left without means of subsistence and a roof over their…
The Chambers of Ivan Mazepa in Moscow
At 10 Kolpachny Lane in Moscow stands an ancient building known as the Chambers of Ivan Mazepa. However, the hetman did not live here; his house was nearby, and only the walls remain. The name 'Mazepa's Chambers' was coi…
Historic Chambers on Khokhlov with a Fascinating History
The area of Armenian and Khokhlovsky lanes in Moscow is famous for its historical sites. One of the notable attractions here is the Ukrainian Chambers. Emelyan Ignatievich Ukrainets, who held the position of head of the …
Restaurant Prague: Elegance and Sophistication of Pre-Revolutionary Cuisine
The "Prague" restaurant in Moscow is considered one of the most prestigious and luxurious today. However, in the 1880s, it was a gathering place for tipsy cab drivers who, knowing about the simple cuisine and cheap alcoh…
Temple Complex of the Village of Pogost
The ruins of this temple resemble a Greek acropolis, with figures of unknown saints on the roof and ancient statues found on Parisian cathedrals. However, this is neither Greece nor France, but the village of Pogost in t…
Epiphany Church in Boston
Thousands of Russian emigrants were scattered around the world first due to the Civil War and then World War II. In the late 1940s, some captured Red Army soldiers and displaced persons refused to return to the USSR, fea…
The Best Siberian Porcelain
In 1868, in the Irkutsk province, near the river Khaitynka, two local peasants, brothers Daniil and Filipp Perevalov, discovered deposits of kaolin clay. Understanding its value for pottery, they quickly realized that th…
The Only Blast Furnace in Eastern Europe
It is with regret that one must acknowledge that the central part of Russia now represents a region of abandoned estates, manors, and churches. However, in some places, one can find unique structures, such as the former …
The Fish Capital of the Russian Empire
In the late 19th century, an unusual scene could be observed at the Tsaritsyn railway station. Groups of merchants gathered in the waiting room, lively discussing and debating, and then some of them would turn to their s…
