Isaakievskiy Sobor – Saint Isaac’s Cathedral

Peter I – the founder of the new capital of the Russian Empire on the Neva River, decided to immortalize his birthday May 30 with the construction of the cathedral. On this day, May 30, Saint Isaac of Dalmatia was born. Christians revere him as a prophet, as he predicted the death of a ruthless persecutor of Christians the Roman emperor Valens. So the future cathedral was named Saint Isaac’s Cathedral.
Initially, the wooden altar was built opposite the Admiralty in 1710. There was a dome with a cross and a bell. Peter came to the simple wooden church to pray and even married Catherine I in it. But a fire destroyed it in 1717, and then another one was built on the site of the present Senate building.
The project of a stone church was made by German architect G. Mattarnovi, who later created a Kunstkammer project. The clock imported from Amsterdam decorated the bell tower. But in 1735 lightning hit the cross and fire began. The church was burned.
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Kul Sharif Mosque – the main shrine of Tatarstan

The construction of this magnificent mosque with four minarets began in 1996 on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, and ended in 2005, just in time for Kazan Millennium celebration. Today, Kul Sharif Mosque (Qolsharif Mosque, Qolşärif Mosque) is considered the highest and most beautiful in Europe. It is a cultural, educational and scientific object.
Tatar architects wanted to build a traditional structure of Islamic sample and at the same time tried to show connection with an ancient history, the purity of the Islamic religion and its peaceful character. It is no coincidence the mosque is next to the Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.
According to ancient Tatar chronicles, four centuries ago on the territory of the Kazan Kremlin, on the left bank of the Volga, there was a mosque with many minarets. It was elegant with strict architectural forms. There was a great domed hall and a rich library. The mosque was the center of religious education and science of the Middle Volga region of the XVI century. The last Imam, the head priest of the Kazan Khanate was Kul Sharif, known as a poet. In the last period of the Kazan Khanate he negotiated between Kazan and Moscow.
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Palace of the Sun King

King Louis XIII, a great lover of hunting, built a small hunting lodge in the old village of Versailles, which was located in the forest about 23 km from Paris. His son, Louis XIV (1638-1715), an ambitious Sun King, who loved balls and performances, decided to build palace with park ensemble at Versailles and turn it into the main residence of the French kings.
Famous architect Louis Le Vau created the original version of the palace. The work began in 1661. André Le Nôtre was responsible for the construction of the park ensemble, planting trees, making flower beds, avenues. 23-year-old king spent a huge amount of money during the first two years of the construction and the palace treasurers warned him that the royal treasury quickly would be empty.
After the death of Le Vau, architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart led the building at Versailles for thirty years. The total number of employees working in different years was about 30 thousand people.
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Sydney Opera House

I wonder why the country, where there are eucalyptus trees and kangaroos, which has never been famous for outstanding singers and composers, has the odd-shaped building of the Sydney Opera House. Why do Australians become interested in classical music? The explanation is simple – an exotic continent has long yearned for the best examples of traditional European culture.
Since the late 50-ies of the XX century, European musicians and singers who came on tour to Australia noted that there was an interest in classical music and singing in Sydney, but there was no real concert hall.
In 1954, a competition was announced. More than 200 architects from 30 countries worldwide took part in it. There were a lot of projects of the opera house, mainly tall buildings with columns. But Australians wanted something unusual, they needed the original design. Everyone liked the project of an unknown Dane named Jorn Utzon. He had never been to Australia and had seen Sydney only in photos, but inspired by a picture of a sailboat in the sea, he suggested a certain structure, resembling regatta. The project was approved and Jorn Utzon won the competition.
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Potala Palace – residence of the Dalai Lama

The ancient city of Lhasa, which in Tibetan means “Land of the Gods”, is located 3700 meters above sea level. It is also called the “City of the Sun”, which shines all year round in the mountainous Tibet. The residence of the Dalai Lama – the Potala Palace is at the top of Red Mountain. “Dalai” means “sea of wisdom” in Mongolian, “Lama” means “Principal Monk” in Tibetan, and “Potala” is “the place of Buddha’s habitat.”
In 1950 Lhasa became a part of the Tibet Autonomous Region. According to some scientists it was founded 1400 years ago on the caravan trade routes from China to India and Nepal. The climate here is milder than in other parts of Tibet. In the fertile valley between the mountains, farmers grew wheat, beans, vegetables, raised mountain yaks, sheep and goats.
The founder of the Tibetan Empire king Songtsen Gampo ordered to build the first Potala Palace in the 630s. Local farmers and wage workers had to cut down trees and deliver them to the top of a steep mountain. The palace was built of wood, and according to religious tradition it had 999 rooms (only the supreme deity could have 1000 rooms). In the VIII century the lightning hit the first palace and it was burned down. It could be restored, but internecine war completed the destruction.
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Wolf – Noble Hunter

Wolves belong to the canine family. Their relatives include jackals, coyotes, dingoes, New Guinea singing dogs, wild dogs of Africa, and the domestic dogs.
Wolves are very intelligent animals. They are also quite social, living and hunting in family packs. The dominant male and female are both called alphas. The alpha female has the dominant role in the pack. Wolves communicate with fellow pack–mates and other wolf packs through facial and body postures, scent markings and vocalizations. Packs have 7 to 30 members, depending on how much prey is available.
Wolves feed on a variety of mammals from large hoofed animals such as elk and deer to smaller animals such as beavers and rabbits. Wolves hunt by using their keen senses and group cooperation. Wolves help control the numbers of rodents and deer.
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Interesting about chimney sweeps

Chimney Sweeps’ Day is celebrated annually on May 1 in the UK. There is a grand colorful show, like a carnival, in Rochester, Kent. People smeared with soot are marching through the city, and then arrange a variety of games, contests, or acrobatic shows.
Why does this festival take place in Rochester? After all, this profession was not only very popular, but also demanded all over Europe. It turned out that four hundred years prior to 1900 a professional chimney sweeps holiday with a concert and a festive parade was held in this city. Chimney sweeps across England not only met the spring, but also celebrated their only day off. Over time, this cheerful holiday was forgotten.
Local businessman Gordon Newton was interested in history of his native land and revived the festival. Since 1981 the businessman spent his own money on the festivals. And then the city authorities took care of all the expenses because they saw that the festival attracted a lot of tourists from all over Europe. And now on May days Rochester turns into a fairy-tale city.
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