Sunday, November 7, 2010

#478 Russia...Thanks Starkova!


The 2 RUB and 5 RUB stamps are from 2009 Sixth Definitives Series:Russian Kremlins depicting Kazan Kremlin and Novgorod Kremlin respectively,both listed as World Heritage Sites.

Built on an ancient site, the Kazan Kremlin dates from the Muslim period of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 and became the Christian See of the Volga Land. The only surviving Tatar fortress in Russia and an important place of pilgrimage, the Kazan Kremlin consists of an outstanding group of historic buildings dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, integrating remains of earlier structures of the 10th to 16th centuries.

Situated on the ancient trade route between Central Asia and northern Europe, Novgorod was Russia's first capital in the 9th century. Surrounded by churches and monasteries, it was a centre for Orthodox spirituality as well as Russian architecture.

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