WORLD ▫
EUROPE ▫
RUSSIAN FEDERATION ▫
KRASNODAR
|
Krasnodar
Krasnodar is the capital of Krasnodar Krai.
} Population: 646,175 (2002 Census); 710,400 (2006 est.).
Name
Founded in 1793 as Yekaterinodar or Ekaterinodar (Екатеринодар), the original name meant "Catherine's Gift" simultaneously in recognition of Catherine the Great's grant of land in the Kuban region to the Black Sea Cossacks (later the Kuban Cossacks) and in recognition of Saint Catherine, the Martyr, who is considered to be the patron of the city. After the October Revolution, Yekaterinodar was renamed Krasnodar (December, 1920). There are two potential meanings for the new name of the city: Krasno- (Красно-), meaning either 'beautiful' (an older root) or 'red' (especially relevant considering the political atmosphere of the time); and -dar (-дар), meaning 'gift'. Thus, the city's name means either beautiful gift or red gift (i.e. 'gift of the reds').
History
The origin of the city starts with a fortress built by Cossacks in order to defend Imperial borders and claim Russian ownership over Circassia, which was contested by Ottoman Turkey.
In the first half of the 19th century Krasnodar (then Yekaterinodar) grew into a busy center of the Kuban Cossacks. By 1888 about 45,000 people lived in the city and it became a vital trade center of southern Russia.
In 1897 an obelisk commemorating 200 year old history of Kuban Cossack Host was built in Yekaterinodar.
During the Russian Civil War the city changed hands several times between the Red Army and Volunteer Army, many Kuban Cossacks were committed anti-Bolsheviks who supported the White Movement.
During the Great Patriotic War (World War II), Krasnodar was occupied by the German Army between August 12, 1942 and February 12, 1943. The city sustained heavy damage in the fighting but was rebuilt and renovated after the war.
Famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, counterrevolutionary Andrei Shkuro and rhythmic gymnast Inna Zhukova were born in Krasnodar.
Coat of arms
The Coat of Arms of Yekaterinodar was introduced in 1841 by the Cossack yesaul Ivan Chernik. The royal letter "E" in the middle is for Ekaterina II (Russian for Catherine II). It also depicts the date city was founded, the Imperial double headed eagle (symbolizing Czar patronage of Black Sea Cossacks), a bulava of a Cossack ataman, Yekaterinodar fortress, and flags with letters "E", "P","A" and "N" standing for Catherine II, Paul I, Alexander I and Nicholas I. Yellow stars around the shield symbolized 59 Black Sea stanitsas around the city.
Travel information
The main airline is Kuban Airlines (at Krasnodar Pashkovsky Airport), and the largest hotels in the city include the Intourist, Hotel Moskva, Hotel Platan. Krasnodar uses a 220 V/50 Hz power supply with two round-pin like most European countries.
The major tourist attractions include St. Catherine's Cathedral, the State Arts Museum, a park and theatre named after Maxim Gorky, the beautiful concert hall of the Krasnodar Philharmonic Society, which is considered to have some of the best acoustics in southern Russia, State Cossack Choir and the Krasnodar circus.
Public transportation within Krasnodar consists of city buses, trolleybuses, trams, and marshrutkas. Trolleybuses and trams, both...
|
| Private Half Day Tour of Peterhof (Petrodvorets) |
5 hours |
|
Peterhof is perhaps St. Petersburg's most famous and spectacular Imperial estate. The Grand Palace, filled with fascinating and elaborate interiors, sits on top of a high seashore ridge overlooking the vast Lower Park. The palace at Peterhof sits amidst an enormous park, adorned with fountains, statues and pavilions.
The Upper Garden, located between the St. Petersburg highway and the Grand Palace, is a typical French-style formal garden with five fountains including one depicting Neptune, the God of the Sea. The estate's Lower Park lies between the Grand Palace and the seashore and boasts the world's largest system of fountains, earning it the title the "Russian Versaille". The park's unique fountain system was designed in the 18th century and doesn't require the use of any pumps to operate the fountains.
There are three major cascades and over 140 fountains in the park. The most impressive is the Grand Cascade, located directly below the Grand Palace and featuring an impressive golden statue of Samson grasping the mighty jaws of the lion. The park's other cascades feature black and white chess board designs, Chinese dragons and numerous other features are definitely worth seeing!
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
| St Petersburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer |
30 - 60 minutes |
|
Travel from St Petersburg Airport to your St Petersburg City Hotel. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is a private transfer service so the price is the same for groups of:
- 1 - 3 transferred in a private car
- 4 - 6 transferred in a private minibus
When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your St Petersburg City hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed within 24 hours of booking and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
It's that easy!
Don't forget to book your St Petersburg Airport Departure Transfer, simply type the product code 3887LEDHTLAPT into the Keyword Box.
At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following flight and hotel details in the "Special Requirements" box:
- Airline
- Flight Number
- Departing City / Arrival City
- Arrival Time
- Hotel Name
- Hotel Address
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
| Folklore Show "Feel Yourself Russian" with Russian Buffet Dinner |
1.5 hours |
|
The evening begins in the Nikolaevsky Palace restaurant where you discover traditional Russian dance and music during an elegant reception.
There is no doubt; without the folk show "Feel yourself Russian" your visit to Russia wouldn't be complete. This show is the unique opportunity to experience the history and spirit of Russia throughout one evening. The show consists of two parts.
The show starts with the dance group "Reverance", the beautiful ladies in their crinolines and the elegant cavalier, accompanied by the "Classica" string quartet. It is followed by a folk instruments ensemble "The Souvenir" with their brilliant performance of folk compositions. Then a Cossack song and dance company "Maidan" reproduces on stage Cossack songs and dances in their original form. The skilful musicians of "Naigrysh", a folk instruments quartet, perform versions of the famous Russian tunes and the folk music of various nationalities. The dancers of "Petersburg Stars" have their own repertoire: dancing miniatures of the Urals and Siberia.
In the intermission, refreshments will be served. Enjoy a buffet table of fruit, canap?s with red and black caviar, ham, smoked sausage, cheeses, soft drinks, Russian vodka, champagne, mineral water, and juice. During the interval, classical music known worldwide is performed by a string quartette.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
|
|
