Lacertus

I would not be surprised. After Ivan the Terrible, Russia was divided and chaos broke. Later the Soviets probably tried to hide it. With Russia more free, I expect the Russians may want do more work on it. 'key' to Tsar's secret library' Oh, well. It cannot be truth The true story sounds so: His library was in the Kremlin until distemper in 17 AD. Then all books were looted and a part of them is completely missing but some of them were collected in the State Historical Museum in Moscow and i saw a few books from this library. The real library had about 800 books. They were brought from Byzantine by Sophia Paleolog (wife of Ivan III and grandmother of Ivan the Terrible). It was collection of old ancient (Greek, Roman and Byzantine) authors. I pereodically read "Ivan The Terrible's library was found" or "we know where is this library" but all talks about it are groundless only.

I was in Oslo during some days lately. I was glad because it was not a business trip and I had a lot of time to see museums and the city and simply work around the centre of Oslo. The weather was not good though and all pictures look misty. I was wondered that Oslo is the city of sculptures, I like this genre of art and they took my attention as always, lol. I forgot about fiords and nature for that moment and spent my time on Oslo streets and in the park of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. I saw a lot of funny sculptures everywhere though. Oh, ok, I simply was impressed by them. I saw famous Akershus Castle from window of my hotel

It's really fun! Find my name please full name NEAOVDORMEAKV (female)

lol, you mean my childish photos? I talked about Venice and Milan only.

Yes, I think it's so and i was really wondered to read other theory about Colchis location. I found the mouth of Rioni with coastline in Google Earth. It looks like navigable waterway and it could be so a few thousands years ago too.

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I voted for Roma. I guess it was a bit chaotic but a wonderful town. Not without reason all towns were compared with Roma. I have link about Ravenna's mosaic so you can see it mosaics

I would like to show the difference only between Moscow and the provinces. I guess it may be in others countries too, but I didn't notice it anywhere else. I was sad something when observed those views, when old churches are ruined with time.

London fails civility test in survey of world cities rate

It must be fun!

Russians applyed gunpowder for canons since 1382 year to defend Moscow from Mongols. I believe it wasn't earlier. They usually used boiled grease which poured out on the enemy's heads. BTW, the applying of canons was one of the reasons why Mongols couldn't defeat Moscow.

Thank you for the offer! I don't know when I can visit Brooklyn museum, it's so far from me, but I hope to be there in future though.

Something about etruscan language Etruscan language Besides it I have the picture of etruscan alphabet and transcription. I can take a photo of it and put here if this theme is so interest.

It was my shot trip on one of weekends! Pereyaslavl' is one of the oldest Russian towns (1152 year AD). It's small town includes into famous Russian Golden Ring (a few old great towns around Moscow). I was in this town lately and took some pictures. This town was founded at the same time as Moscow and was founded by Yury Dolgoruky (as Moscow). I think sometimes that this guy traveled there and back and around and drank with other local guys. I guess he was enjoy it and probably shouted "Your village will be the greatest city soon!" lol. And he established a lot of towns in such a way. You can see the sculpture of this guy in my album here. I was wondered always what it's mean really "to establish the town". Probably simply to note any settlement and say "this is the new town". Well, the history says Pereyaslavl' was founded in 1152 year, but archaeological finds shows the settlement already existed in 8 AD on this place. This town is interested by church of Alexandr Nevsky too. I don't know what you know about him, but he was very famous person in Russia. He beat many enemies (Swedish and Lithuanian crusaders and Mongols too in first part 13 AD). He lived in Pereyaslavl (it was his land) as a simple fisher and caught fish in great Plescheevo lake in spite of the fact that he was a duke. One day ambassadors from Great Novgorod came to him and asked to defend Russian lands from crusaders, to stay in the head of army and Alexandr agreed. He drown Swedish crusaders in Chudskoy lake (very deep lake, lol). He forced them to fight on the lake's ice and ice broke from crusader's weight. Well, This church (with green domes) calls Alexandr Nevsky church. Interestingly that he was added to list of Orthodox Saints. Well, I'm sure that you know about Peter I (The Great). When he was young (about 16 years old) and dream about Russian navy (Russia hadn't navy, lol) he came to Plescheevo lake to build his "amusing fleet" and learned to build war ships (he invited a lot of shipbuilders from different countries) and organized war battles on this lake. One ship is saved now in museum. And monasteries! A lot of wonderful monasteries are in this town.