St. Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Intercession, is located on Red Square, beside the Moscow Kremlin. It is one of the most outstanding and remarkable monuments of Old Russian architecture. It was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to celebrate his conquest of the Tatar city of Kazan on October 1, 1552, the day of the feast of the Intercession. Originally, St Basil’s Cathedral was white sided with gilded domes. The colorful patterns on the domes were not added until about a century after the cathedral was erected.

credit: Gonzo Carles

credit: Bernt Rostad

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credit: HPUPhotogStudent

credit: Katie@!

credit: James Byrum

credit: James Byrum

credit: James Byrum

credit: James Byrum

credit: James Byrum

credit: James Byrum

Turkmenistan is a Central Asian nation roughly the size of California. It shares borders with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Primarily a desert country has a population of around six million people. Turkmenistan is located in an active seismic zone. Earth tremors can occur and there is a possibility of earthquakes. Officially tourism is welcomed, but onerous visa requirements discourage all but the most determined visitors. All visa applications made at Turkmen Embassies overseas are referred to Ashgabat for a decision. This can take 20 days or more. There is an accelerated 24 hours service, but a supplementary fee of approximately US$150 will be charged.

Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque

Turabeg Khanym Mausoleum

Hajji Gurbanguly Mosque

Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar

Pokrovkaya Church

Najmeddin Kubra Mausoleum

ruins at Gonur

Regional Museum

Azadi Mosque

Circus, Ashgabat

Lenin Statue

Earthquake Memorial

credit: David Stanley