Pskov

Pskov is about 200 kms drive from St Petersburg halfway to the Latvian border. An ancient city you must see if you would like to explore orthodox cultural heritage in Russia. Unlike in St Petersburg this place has not yet been touched by the development of the 21st century, so besides the chain of snow-white churches and monasteries you will also get a glimps of what life used to be in those nostalgic soviet times. Newertheless it adds to the charm of the place that tourism is not a known phenomena yet, at least not in its` western means. Do not expect to find a decent place to sleep and for sure not a value for the price they charge - a room like a dorm in the seventies not renovated since will cost you 60 euros - , but on the upside if you visit out of the summer season you will not have to pay entry fees. This is the city which has never fall for foreign invaders since Prince Olga decided to establish a fortress of the Church on the western border of Russia in the 12th century. Contrary to the overwhelming glittering, golden ornaments of churches in St Petersburg you will find these fourty to fifty buildings scattered all over the city serenly beautiful in their simplicity. The have commonly only white walls from the outside with the traditional onion domes and a robuts build supporting its bell towers standing separately in front of the dome. Unfortunatelly funds are slow and short for restauration, hence half of the buildings are closed down or are under reconstruction, but once it will be finished for sure will be a crown jewel of tourist attraction.