Russia is a labyrinth consisting of many labyrinths placed inside the labyrinth. And in each labyrinth you are waiting for your own “minotaurs.”

The Moscow labyrinth.

According to the research of the famous Russian archaeologist and researcher of “underground Moscow” Ignaty Stelletskiy, underground constructions under the buildings of the XVI-XVII centuries, located within the Garden Ring, are connected to each other and to the Kremlin by a network of underground labyrinths. And initially the plan of the underground capital was created by the Italian architects of the Moscow Kremlin – Aristotle Fiorovanti, Pietro Antonio Solari and Aleviz Novy. In particular Stelletskiy wrote: “All three architects as foreigners could not leave Moscow and had to lay down their bones in it …” The archaeologist discovered a well-coordinated system of 350 underground points, thanks to which, for example, it was possible to get from the Kremlin to the Vorobyovy Gory. However, after Stelletskiy’s death, the studies were classified.

“Kandalaksha Babylon”

“Babylon” – the so-called labyrinths in the Russian North, where, by the way, there were a lot of them. There is a version that they were originally called “avalonami” (in honor of the Celtic mythical island of the Blessed), and then, with the advent of Christianity, according to the consonance – “Babylons”. Some believed that the ancient people in these buildings sacrificed, others – places for initiations, the third – places of power, where a person can move into another dimension. There was even an opinion that these were fish traps, which fell into the labyrinth during the tide.

It is not known what originally function was performed by “Babylon”, built on the shores of the Kandalaksha Gulf 3-5 thousand years ago. It is known that the Saami conducted their shamanic rituals here at the beginning of the last millennium. Then this place was inhabited by Russian Pomors, who treated the “Babylon” very cautiously. It was believed that a “journey” through the maze could result in a descent into hell. True, they say, Pomory-Old Believers still enjoyed the “Babylon” before the beginning of naval navigation: they say, with the help of the labyrinth, it was possible to control the winds.

“Umba Babylon”

Near the river Umba (near Kandalaksha) you can find another “Babylon”. Probably, its functional did not differ from the neighboring Kandalaksha labyrinth. Local residents said that “Babylon” is in the old Sámi cemetery, and the passage of the labyrinth can result in unwanted contacts with ancient spirits.

The Great Solovetsky labyrinth

This labyrinth is located on the Big Solovetsky Island. It consists of two intertwined snakes. Regardless of which way you are going, you will always return to the entrance. There is a belief associated with this “Babylon”: the popular rumor said that it helps to double “material” values. For example, if you pass a labyrinth with 10 rubles in your pocket, your capital will soon grow to 20 rubles. People scientists, “investment” version is, of course, called nonsense.

Pyskorsky labyrinth

This labyrinth was accidentally discovered in 1915 in the Urals, near the Pyskorskaya Mountain. At one time on the mountain stood Pyskorsky Monastery, the birthplace of the famous Stroganovs. Under the monastery, monks created a system of tunnels, underground chapels, secret cells, warehouses and other premises. To study the labyrinth more thoroughly and failed, because soon a single underground passage in it was closed by a descending landslide. It is interesting that among the locals there have long been legends about hidden treasures in the mountain, while some of the villagers in a dream from night to night came to an old man and indicated the location of the treasure.

“The Garden at Tempel Pavilion”

Peter I was a big fan of labyrinths. It is said that no less than ten buildings throughout Russia were built by the order of the modern tsar. Peter even attributed the creation of some “babylon” in the Belomorie, which archaeologists allegedly are mistaken for today’s Neolithic structures. But these are all rumors. With complete certainty, one can attribute to Pyotr Alekseevich the authorship of only one labyrinth – in Peterhof, which was created according to the plan of the French specialist Jean Baptiste Leblon. The labyrinth, called “The Garden at the Temple Pavilion”, was an almost square plot of about 2 hectares. In the center of it was an oval pool, from which eight paths separated; they were crossed by a ring alley, dividing the site into sixteen clumps, in which flowers were planted. Despite the “vegetable” origin of the labyrinth was not so innocuous: there were rumors that some “travelers” were completely lost there. According to another legend, “The Garden at the Temple Pavilion” was eventually chosen by the first Russian Masons, who conducted their secret rituals in it.

“Labyrinth of the Spiritual”

This icon, written in the XVIII century, you can see in the New Jerusalem Monastery. The image is very unexpected for Russian iconography: knowledgeable people talk about the influence of the Western Christian tradition. Although this is not important. “Labyrinth of the Spiritual” includes 12 circles: two entrances lead to the Kingdom of Heaven, and twelve – to hell. The icon serves as a kind of a detector of sinfulness: having gone visually from the center to the road, you are allegedly rested precisely in your main sin. People said that you can go through the “Labyrinth Spiritual” just before confession (and once in a while).

You probably noticed that many English names are very similar to the Russian ones. Did this happen by chance, or is it all about cultural borrowing?

Where did the similar Russian and European names come from?

The fact is that many names of European origin have a single cultural source. Slavic names that existed in Russia before the adoption of Christianity, such as Svetlana, Belyana, Vyacheslav, Yaroslav, Vladislav, Radomir, virtually no similar Western analogues. With the advent of Christianity, Russians began to baptize the saints, giving names in honor of saints, mostly of Greek and Byzantine origin.

That’s why we can easily find Greek interpretations of the names of Ivan, Peter, Pavel, Alexander, Alexei, Maria, Marina, Anna, Olga, Elena, Tatiana, Irina, Natalia.

English names instead of Russian.

However, names are often adapted to the peculiarities of national culture and language. Let us recall the Russian classics of the XIX century. Then in circles of higher society English and French versions of Russian names became popular. In Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin” mentioned that the mother of Tatiana and Olga “called Polynomial Praskovya”. Tolstoy in “Anna Karenina” appears Steve (Stepan) and Dolly (Daria) Oblonsky and kitty (Catherine) Shcherbatskaya, and in “War and peace” – Pierre (Peter) Bezukhov and Helen (Elena) Kuragina.

Some Russian names are derived from the” pan-European”, others simply have English counterparts with a similar sound. This is often used by Russians when moving abroad. So, Michail becomes Michael, Nikolay-Nicholas, Artem-Arthur, Margarita-Margaret, Daria-Dora.

One and the same, but in different versions.

There are names that have different versions in Russian and English, although they have a common origin. So, Alexander or Alexei in English will be called Alex. Maxim in full English version – Maximilian. Daniil – Daniel, abbreviated to Dan. Denis is Dennis. Ivan is the same as John, in the recent past the most common name in Russia and in England. By the way, Jack is short for John. There is an analogue to the Russian name Timofey – Timothy, abbreviated Tim. Matvey – Matthew or Matt. Andrey – Andrew or Andy. Evgeny is Eugene. Semyon – Simon. Fedor – Theodore. Pavel – Paul. Grigory – George. Anton – Anthony.

Female names have the following analogs: Russian Sofya – English Sophie, Maria – Mary, Irina – Irene, Varvara – Barbara, Anna – Ann, Elizaveta – Elizabeth, abbreviated – Lisa, Liz or Lizzie. Alisa is Alice. Alexandra can be called in English by Sandra. Catherine – Catherine or abbreviated Kate, Kathy. Valeria – Valerie, abbreviated as Val. Emilia – Emily. Natalia – Natalie, although in the English-speaking culture there is also the name Natasha, very similar to the Russian abbreviation from Natalia.

As you can see, very often Russian and English names have a difference only in pronunciation, and in fact it is one and the same.

There is also a whole layer of so-called “international” names, which almost equally sound in both Russian and English. These are names like Dmitry, Cyril, Roman, Mark, Victor, Philip, Victoria, Cyrus, Veronica. People with such names do not even need to change their name when moving to another country, adapting to a different culture.

Visa-free entry, free trains around the country and the opportunity to see the best teams of the world and 11 cities of Russia – foreign fans have heard about such opportunities. But several friends from abroad wrote to us at once, who do not understand how this will all work: “Now to get FAN-ID?” Como obtener FAN-ID Comment obtenir FAN-ID? (How to get a fan’s passport?) “.

We have drawn up an instruction, which, by the way, is useful to Russian football fans. So if you have friends or relatives who want to get to Russia at the 2018 World Cup, tell them about what’s written here.

Almost 3.5 million fans have already expressed a desire to buy tickets for the World Cup matches in Russia and more than a million of them are foreigners. Until November 16, many will receive a notification that their applications have been approved.

Approval of the application is not a ticket, it will come a little later. Having received it, you can already begin to design a Passport fan or, in an international vowel, FAN-ID. This is a document without which you will not be allowed to enter the World Cup match even if you have a ticket. So it is necessary to arrange it.

But FAN-ID has a second function – very useful for fans from those countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Russia. Here it is necessary to say that for a resident of, say, the EU countries, the registration of a Russian visa is seven circles of hell and the second function of FAN-ID will make life much easier for them.

FAN-ID will become that document (apart from a regular passport or other certificate) that will allow the foreigner to enter Russia 10 days before the 2018 World Cup without visas and leave no later than 10 days after the final match is played . Of course, if the border guards do not have other questions to the driver.

Well, the third point: the passport of the fan and the ticket for the match will allow you to travel by train to the city where this match is held free of charge. And in the same city on the day of the game, present these two documents in public transport – the journey will again be free for you.

Below is a step-by-step algorithm for obtaining FAN-ID for those fans whose ticket application for matches is approved.

If you are a foreigner and are outside of Russia:

1. Apply for FAN-ID on the website www.fan-id.ru. To process the application, you will need the number of the approved application for the purchase of a ticket for the match or match ticket number, as well as data of the identity document.

IMPORTANT! Specify the data of the document on which you plan to enter the Russian Federation for World Cup matches.

2. Wait for the approval of the application. The notification about the status of the application will be sent to you via SMS and by e-mail. If you think that the approval of the application does not come very long, you can check the status of the application on the site in the appropriate section.

3. After approval, you will be sent a FAN-ID by mail to the address that you indicated when you made the application. The notification that FAN-ID has been sent to you will come to the e-mail and eseme.
You can choose courier delivery to one of the visa centers located abroad. To do this, when making an application, you need to select the type of delivery “To the VFS visa center”, then select the country and specify the visa center from the list available in this country.

Tracking the delivery of items with a nested Fan Passport is available on the portal of the visa center: vfsglobal.com. The tracking code will be indicated in the SMS and e-mail notification.
The term of FAN-ID delivery abroad is up to 30 days. To the border post office of the postal exchange is carried out within 7-11 days. Further, the delivery time should be specified at the local postal operator.

IMPORTANT! The delivery of tickets for World Cup matches and the issuance of FAN-ID are not related to each other.

If you are a citizen of Russia, this process is simplified. The first step is exactly the same as for foreigners, but after the approval of the application you will be able to get a Passport fan not only by mail in the designated post office, but also personally at any Passport Center for the fan, whose addresses can be found there, on site www.fan-id.ru.

Also, it will be useful to see the site  http://welcome2018.com/

History of the Romanov dynasty can be read as a detective. At every step – their white spots. The origin of the dynasty, the story of the emblem and the circumstances of their accession to the throne all this still causes ambiguous interpretations of historians.

1. Prussian origin dynasty.

The ancestor of the Romanov dynasty assumed Boyar Andrew Mare at the court of Ivan Kalita and his son Simeon the Proud. We almost nothing is known about his life and origins. Chronicles mention it only once: in 1347 he was sent to Tver for the bride of the Grand Duke Simeon the Proud, the daughter of the prince of Tver Alexander Mikhailovich.

Caught in association with the new Russian state center in Moscow in the service of the Moscow branch of the princely dynasty, he so chose the “golden ticket” for himself and his family. There are numerous mentions of his descendants who became the ancestors of many noble Russian families: Stallion Semen (Lodygin, Konovnitsyn), Alexander Tree (Kolycheva) Gabriel Gavsha (Bobrykiny) Childless Basil Ventoux and Fedor Cat – the ancestor of the Romanovs, Sheremetevs, Yakovlev Goltyaevyh and Bezzubtsevyh. But the origin of the Mare is a mystery. According to legend, the family of the Romanovs, he led his lineage of the Prussian kings.

When a gap in the genealogies – it provides an opportunity for their falsification. In the case of noble birth is usually done either to legitimize their power, or to obtain extra privileges. As in this case. White spot in the genealogies of the Romanovs was filled in the XVII century under Peter I, the first King of Arms Russian Stepan Andreyevich Kolychev. New story consistent fashion even when Rurikovich “Prussian Legend”, which was designed to confirm the position of Moscow as successor of Byzantium. Since the origin of the Varangian Rurik did not fit into this ideology, the founder of the princely dynasty was a relative of the emperor Augustus. Following them, “rewrote” the history and the Romanovs.

The family legend, subsequently recorded in the “General armorial of the noble families of the Russian Empire”, States that in the year 305 ad Prussian king Protano gave the Kingdom to his brother Vaidevute, and he became the high priest of his pagan tribe in the city Romanov, where growing evergreen sacred oak.

Before his death Vedevut divided his Kingdom between twelve sons. One of them was Negron, whose family owned a part of modern Lithuania (Samogitia land). His descendants were brothers Russinger and the Gland Kabila, who was baptized in 1280 and 1283 Kabila came to Russia to serve the Moscow Prince Daniil Alexandrovich. After his baptism he was called Mare.

2. Who nurtured False Dmitry?

False Dmitry personality – one of the greatest mysteries of Russian history. Besides the insoluble question of the identity of the impostor, the problem remains of his “shadow” accomplices. According to one version, the conspiracy False Dmitry a hand Romanovs, who fell out of favor under Godunov and senior descendant of the Romanovs – Fedor, pretender to the throne, he was tonsured a monk.

Proponents of this version think that the Romanovs, Shuiskys and Galitsins dreaming about “Crown of Monomakh”, organized a conspiracy against Godunov, using the mysterious death of a young Tsarevich Dmitry. They prepared their contender for the royal throne, known to us as the False Dmitry, and led coup June 10, 1605. After, to deal with its most important competitor, themselves involved in the struggle for the throne. Later, after the accession of the Romanovs, their historians have done everything to link the massacre of his family Godunov False Dmitry exclusively with personality, and the hands of the Romanovs left clean.

3 Mystery Zemsky Sobor in 1613.

The election of Mikhail Romanov to reign was simply doomed to be covered with a thick layer of myths. How is it that in a country torn by civil strife to reign chose a young inexperienced young man, who at 16 years was neither military talent, no sharp political mind? Of course, the future king was influential father – Patriarch Filaret, who himself had once aspired to the imperial throne. But during the Zemsky Sobor he was a prisoner of the Poles, and hardly could somehow affect the process. According to the generally accepted version of the decisive role played by the Cossacks, who represented at that time a powerful force to be reckoned with. First, in False Dmitry II they were the Romanovs in one camp”, and secondly, they are certainly suited the young and inexperienced Prince, which was no danger to their liberties, have been handed down during the troubles.

Shout Cossacks forced adherents Pozharsky to offer to take a break in two weeks. During this time, started a broad campaign in favor of Michael. For many of the boyars, he also represents the ideal candidate, would allow them to keep the power in their hands. The main argument put forward was that the supposedly deceased king Fedor before his death wanted to pass the throne to his cousin Theodore Romanov (Patriarch Filaret). And as he languished in Polish captivity, the crown passed to his only son – Michael.

4 non-Existent arms.

In the history of dynastic coat of arms of the Romanov white spots is not less than the very history of the dynasty. For some reason, a long time in the Romanovs did not have his coat of arms, they used the national emblem, depicting the two-headed eagle as personal. Their own family coat of arms was created only under Alexander II. By the time of the Russian nobility heraldry practical shape, and only the ruling dynasty did not have its own coat of arms. Inappropriate would say that the dynasty is not fueled much interest in heraldry, even when Alexis came “Royal titulary” – a manuscript containing portraits of Russian monarchs with coats of arms of the Russian lands.

Perhaps, like fidelity two-headed eagle is due to the need for Romanov to show legitimate succession from Rurik and, most importantly, from the Byzantine emperors. As you know, starting with Ivan III, Russia begin to talk about how the successor of the Byzantine Empire. Moreover, that the king married Sophia Paleologos, granddaughter of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine. They took the symbol of the Byzantine double-headed eagle as his family crest.

In any event, this is just one of the many versions. It is not known why the ruling branch of the vast empire, which was related with noble houses of Europe, so persistently ignored orders heraldic, folding lids.

The long-awaited emergence own arms under Alexander II Romanov only added questions. For the execution of the Imperial order came from the king of arms of Baron B.V. Kene. The basis was taken prapor magistrates Nikita Ivanovich Romanov, at one time the main opposition leader Alexei Mikhailovich. Rather its description as the banner itself by the time it was lost. It was a golden griffin on a silver background with a little black eagle with raised wings and lion heads on the tail. Perhaps Nikita Romanov borrowed it in Livonia during the Livonian War.

The new coat of arms of the Romanov is a red griffin on a silver background, holding a golden sword and tharch topped with small eagle; black border on eight severed heads of lions; four gold and four silver. Firstly, it is striking to change the color of a griffin. Heraldry historians believe that Kene decided not to go against the established while the rules that prohibit placing a gold piece on silver background, with the exception of coats of arms of the highest personages as Pope of Rome. Thus, changing the color of a griffin he lowered the status of the coat of arms. Or played the role of “Livonia version”, according to which Kene put an emphasis on the origin of the emblem of Livonia, Livonia since the XVI century was the reverse combination stamp colors: silver griffin on a red background.

On the symbolism of the Romanov coat of arms and still there is a lot of controversy. Why so much attention is paid to a lion’s head, and not the figure of an eagle, which by historical logic should be in the center of the composition? Why was he with wings down, and what, in the end, the historical background of the Romanov coat of arms?

5 Peter III – the last of the Romanov dynasty?

As you know, kind of broke at the Romanov family Nikolay II. However, some believe that the last ruler of the Romanov dynasty was Peter III. The young emperor infantile quite an awkward relationship with his wife. Peter III harbored no feelings for his wife, preferring it to his mistress. But the son – Paul still born many years after marriage.

Rumors of illegitimate heirs uncommon in the history of the world dynasties, especially in turbulent time for the country. So here came the question: is it true Paul – son of Peter III? Or is he the son of the first favorite of Catherine, Sergei Saltykov.

The essential argument in favor of these rumors was that the imperial couple for many years had no children. Therefore, many believed that this union altogether fruitless, hinting at the Empress, mentioning in his memoirs that her husband was suffering from phimosis.

Origin of Paul still remains an unsolved mystery that troubled and subsequent generations of the Romanovs. Unsurprisingly, otherwise it turned out that the Romanov dynasty was interrupted by another of Peter III, and subsequent monarchs on the throne is not more than usurpers. And yet, in justification of Catherine the Great, it is worth saying that the similarity of portraits of Paul and Peter III is obvious.

Only one nation in the Russian language is called an adjective. And this … Russian. Why it happened and where do come from this word? We will investigate.

The Vikings?

According to today’s most popular theory, the word “Russian” has Scandinavian roots. Based on this assumption the “Tale of Bygone Years”.

That’s what Nestor wrote about the birth of a nation called Russia: “Banish the Vikings over the sea, and did not give them the tribute, and began to govern themselves, and there was not among them, the truth, and stood born on race, and was their strife, and began to fight each other. And said, “Let us look for a prince who would owned by us and judged rightly.” And they went over the sea to the Varangians, to the Rus. Those Vikings were called Rus, others are called Swedes, and others Normans and Angles, and still others Gotlanders. Tribes appealed to them: “Our land is great and rich, but there is no order. Come and reign over us. “And elect three brothers with their leave, and took with them all the Rus, and came and sat Sr., Rurik of Novgorod and the other Sineus – on Beloozero, and the third, Truvor, and – in Izborsk. And from those Vikings nicknamed Russian land. “

From this we can conclude that the Russian – is borrowed from of Scandinavians name of the people who called to him on the board of representatives of the tribe of Rus.

But what is it that the word means – “Russia”? Since ancient times and still Finns call their neighbors, the Swedes Ruotsi, meaning “rowers, sailors” (from the Old Norse verb “to swim, row”). It is possible that the Vikings, who came to Russia from Scandinavia, took its name from the same source.

Blonde hair?

Another version of the foreign origin of the word “Russian” – Iran. Its author – scientist, thinker and public figure Vladimir Vernadsky – believed that the roots of the word goes back to the Iranian “ruhs” (or “rohs”), which means “light, bright, white.”

Which is very likely, because protoslavonic very long coexisted with Iranian tribes (Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans) in the south of modern Russia – the Azov region and the Black Sea region. Dark-haired and dark-skinned Iranians might well nickname of its neighbors in the principal distinguishing features – blonde hair, eyes and skin.

Red faces?

Also based on appearance could be called and the Byzantines. Arab traveler of the IX-X centuries, al-Masudi in his notes refers to the tribe, which the Byzantines called “russiya”, which means “red, redheads”.

His colleague, Ibn Fadlan, who personally had seen these “Rusy” notes their unprecedented redness. What exactly is meant: blush burned skin from the sun, or even red noses – is unclear so far.

The fields of the village?

Search for the roots and in Latin. In particular, in the words of rus («village, village, field, arable land”) and rusticus («rustic, rural, peasant”). But why not? The value is consistent with the ancient Russian lifestyle.

Toponymy?

Were the theory and about native Russian origin. So Austrian baron, and at the same time a writer and historian, Sigismund von Herberstein, who lived in the XV-XVI centuries, believed that Russia got its name from a very ancient city near Veliky Novgorod – Russ. The same version adhered historian Vasily Tatishchev, who found the source of the Russian state in the Old Ruse.

River?

Slovak linguist and ethnographer Paul shafarik revealed that the proto-Slavic language, the river was called the word of rusa. Hence, in the language of the word born  “ruslo” (track) and a “rusalka” (mermaid).

“River” version is actually two. On the second, Russian got his name from the right tributary of the Dnieper, located south of Kiev, – Ros.

The Bears?

Well, what Russian without vodka, balalaika and bears! The most desperate researchers find the origins of the word “Russian” in the Western European root urs («bear»). Rearrange the letters the same reasons that turned the Greek μάρμαρος in “marble”.

So, with the origins, we are more or less sorted out. Now we have to understand why the British, French, Germans and other nationalities in the Russian language denoted by nouns, and themselves Russian – adjective.

Some attribute this to the fact that the Russian – very special, anyone not like people and deserves “special” names. But here it is worth recalling that a similar situation exists in other languages: European, for example, almost all nationalities are expressed by adjectives (German, français).

Others defend the view that the Russian – is not a nationality, as initially in Russia is home to many different tribes (polyane drevlyans, chud, mordvinians, komi and others), Which are joined together by this common name. It may well be. Just do not forget the simple fact that in the Russian language, adjectives are properties to turn into nouns: scientist, ice cream, dining, etc.

Scots in Russian history played key roles at times, served in the Russian army and reform it.

Beginning.

History of Russian-Scottish relations long, but scientists still can not reliably determine exactly when it started. It is known, for example, that already in 1495, arrived in Moscow ambassador Danish King Christian I Peter Davidson. He arrived in Russia on a ship with “copper … and four excellent craftsmen from Scotland, who have experience in casting entire hose.” That is, the Scots were the first in Russia in the XV century.

In Russia, the XVI century Scots not perceived as something unusual. Scotland quite a successfully served as mercenaries in the Russian army. In the XVIII century Scotsman Ogilvie, a favorite of Peter I will do in the Russian military career altogether unimaginable heights – rose to the rank of Field Marshal Lieutenant, will be chief of the Russian army, and even try to reform it. It Ogilvy was the first staffing of the Russian army.

Jimmy against the Tatars.

In the XVI century Russia challenged with Sweden disputed territory, there was a war. The first Scots in the Russian army thus became prisoners Scots. Jerome Horsey wrote in his Russian notes that he personally made ​​sure that the Scots prisoners transferred under Moscow, and persuaded the king of the Scots – it’s not the same thing, that the enemies of Russia Livonians, Poles and Swedes. By definition Horsey Scots at the time – a “nation of wandering adventurers, mercenaries, military service, ready to serve any Christian emperor, for the maintenance and salaries.” The king listened to Horsey. Since that time, the Scots began in the Russian army with its.

The first officially established Scot in Russian service was Jimmy Linget. About him we know that even in the XVI century, he led a detachment of Scottish mercenaries in the service of the Russian Tsar.

If you believe Horsey, Scottish squad fought “successful than twelve thousand Russian with their short bows and arrows.” It was all about the Firearms Scots. “The Crimean Tatars, who did not know before the guns and pistoles were scared to death by firing cavalry, which they have not seen before, and screaming.”

The king, of course, was pleased with this performance, so showed mercy to Scotland – Scots began to complain of the land where they could live and start a family. I must say that goes back not so many Scots. Remained in Russia and Jimmy Linget.

Lermont.

Let’s not forget that one of the Russian classics – Mikhail Lermontov had Scottish roots. His ancestor, George Lermont arrived in Russia from Lithuania at the beginning of the XVII century. In Moscow, George became Yuri Andreyevich. It is this George Lermont and became a pioneer of Russian branch of Lermontov.

It is also interesting that the Russian poet Lermontov is also a blood relative of George Gordon Byron, because even in the XVI century blood Gordon and Lermontov connected. Hence the poet and his fatalism tendency to romanticism. And most distant Scottish ancestors Lermontov was, incidentally, also a poet – Thomas the Rhymer. He was called a visionary, he dared to predict the death of the king, and not a mistake in the forecast, for which he received the nickname “honest.” According to legend, when Thomas was time to die with him came two white deer and took the kingdom of fairies, but he said that he will return to earth again and again to be a poet.

And what about Leslie?

Scottish military were comfortable for the Russian army because, as a rule, have good connections in other countries. During a war, it was often more productive to hire the service of several thousand mercenaries than to arrange the full mobilization of the country living peasant labor. Who will feed the people?

In the first third of the XVII century in the Russian army is one Alexander Leslie, Senior Colonel, – the son of the famous Scottish warlord. His voyage for the army, 5,000 soldiers ended with success. He signed a contract with the German and British colonel in Russia sending 5000 mercenaries. At the same time one of the four regiments were recruited from some Englishmen and Scots.

In the 1631-1632 years this regiment took part in the siege of Smolensk and in the capture Dorogobuzh. In 1654, with the rank of general, Alexander Leslie participated in the capture of Smolensk and siege Riga.

Mysterious Bruce.

One the most famous and mysterious Russian Scotland – James Bruce. He was one of the closest associates of Peter I, Field Marshal (1726). Participated in the Crimean (1687 1689) and in the Azov (1695, 1696) campaigns Peter 1. For the commander of the Russian artillery in the battle of Poltava in 1709 he was awarded the order of St. Andrew. He participated in the laying of St. Petersburg May 16, 1703. Signed the Treaty of Nystad.

In 1721, Bruce received the title of count of the Russian Empire. August 30, 1725 awarded the order of St. Alexander Nevsky.

In 1706, in keeping Bruce was transferred to Moscow civil typography. The most famous of its publication was the reference and astrological “Bruce calendar” (1709-1715).

Bruce was one of the most educated people of Russia, naturalist and astronomer, and owned the largest library (approx. 1,500 volumes), almost exclusively scientific, technical and reference content. He never studied, and only succeeded in self-education.

His contribution to the history of Russia is difficult to overestimate. He created the Russian-Dutch and Dutch-English dictionary, the first Russian textbook on geometry, “Map of lands from Moscow to Asia Minor”. In 1702 he opened the first Russian observatory at the Navigation School (was its director) in the Sukharev Tower. Popular rumor ascribed to Bruce glory warlock and sorcerer.

Barclay.

Descendants of the ancient Scottish family was and Barclay de Tolly. The first time he distinguished himself during the assault Ochakova when saved from destruction wounded Prince of Anhalt. Prince not forget his adjutant and Michael will promote the service. April 19, 1790 at the Battle of Kernikoski prince will mortally wounded and died at the hands of Barclay.

The War of 1812 was the most brightest page in military biography MB Barclay de Tolly. Knowing the strategy of Napoleon – to defeat the enemy in a pitched battle at the border and force him to the World – Barclay begins to retreat to connect dispersed Russian forces and prevent the French marshals break them in pieces. His actions are subjected to increasing criticism of the generals, his resignation began requiring nobility. As a result, the commander of the Emperor appoints Kutuzov. Idea to leave Moscow also expressed Barclay first, but then his words are not heard.

These cities was not on the maps. Their inhabitants gave the sign non-disclosure agreements. Here were testing with virus Ebola and the birthplace of the atomic bomb.

Classified as “secret”.

Soviet CATF their status was obtained in connection with the deployment of objects of national importance related to energy, military and space sector. Ordinary citizen getting there was nearly impossible, and not only because of the strict permit regime, but also because of the secrecy of the location. Residents of closed cities were instructed to keep a strict secret place of residence, and especially not to disclose secret facilities.

These cities was not on the map, they do not have a unique name, and often bore the name of the regional center with the addition of numbers, such as Krasnoyarsk-26 or Penza-19. Unusual was the numbering of houses and schools. It starts with great figures, continuing the numbering of settlement which had been “assigned” a secret city residents.

The population of some of the closed cities, due to the proximity of dangerous objects included in the risk group. There were also a disaster. So that occurred in 1957 in Chelyabinsk-65 major leak of radioactive waste endanger the life at least 270 thousand people.

However, life in the closed city had its advantages. As a rule, the level of improvement there was markedly higher than in many cities of the country: it concerns the service sector, the social conditions and life. Such cities are very well supplied, they could get scarce goods, and the crime rate there was practically reduced to zero. For the costs of “secrecy” to the salary, the residents of the closed cities accrued bonus.

Zagorsk-6 and Zagorsk-7.

Sergiev Posad, which until 1991 was called Zagorsk, known not only for its unique monasteries and temples, but also closed towns. In Zagorsk-6 was located Virological Research Institute of Microbiology and Zagorsk-7 Central Physico-Technical Institute of the USSR Ministry of Defense.

For official names little lost essence: Zagorsk-6, in the Soviet era have been developing biological weapons, and in Zagorsk-7 was produced by radioactive weapons. Once in 1959 a group of visitors from India in the USSR brought smallpox, and scientists decided to use this fact for the benefit of the motherland. For a short time it was created on the basis of bacteriological weapons variola virus and its strain called “India-1” placed in Zagorsk-6.

Later, endangering themselves and the population, scientists SRI developed a deadly weapon based on the South American and African viruses. Incidentally, this is where the test was carried out with the virus Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

Get a job in Zagorsk-6, at least on “civil” specialty was hard – to demand impeccable cleanliness biography of the applicant and his family almost to the 7th generation. This is not surprising, since access to the Russian biological weapons tried repeatedly.

In shops Zagorsk-7, where it was easier to get to, there was always a good selection of goods. Residents of nearby villages marked a stark contrast to the half-empty shelves of local stores. Sometimes they made ​​lists to centralize purchasing products. But if not officially been able to penetrate into the town, then climbed over the fence.

With Zahorsk-7 closed city status was removed 1 January 2001, and Zagorsk-6 is closed to this day.

Arzamas-16.

After applying United States nuclear weapons was a question of the first Soviet atomic bomb. Secret facility for their development, called KB-11 decided to build on the site of the village of Sarov, later turned into Arzamas-16 (other names Kremlёv, Arzamas-75, Gorky-130).

Secret city built on the border of Gorky region and Mordovia ASSR was promptly put on the enhanced protection mode and the entire perimeter is surrounded by two rows of barbed wire and the distance between them control strips. Until the mid-1950s there were all living in an atmosphere of extreme secrecy. Employees of KB-11, including family members, could not get out of the restricted area, even during the holiday season. An exception was made only for business trips.

Later, when the city grew, the residents have the opportunity to travel on a dedicated bus to the regional center, as well as host of relatives after receiving those special pass. Residents of Arzamas-16, unlike many citizens learned what real socialism.

The average salary, which is always paid on time, there was about 200 rubles. Shelves closed city bursting with abundance: a dozen varieties of sausages and cheeses, red and black caviar, and other delicacies. Residents of the nearby Gorky about this and did not dream.

Now Sarov nuclear center, formerly Arzamas-16, still, a closed city.

Sverdlovsk-45.

Another “Born on the orders of” the city erected around the plant №814, develop uranium enrichment. At the foot of the Shaitan that North Sverdlovsk, a few years tirelessly labor of prisoners of the Gulag and, according to some, Moscow students.

Sverdlovsk-45 once conceived as a city, and therefore was built very compactly. His distinguished orderliness and characteristic “square” development: it was impossible to get lost there. “Little Peter” – expressed as a one of their guests, although his other mental provincialism reminded patriarchal Moscow.

Secret facility of the city often attracted the attention of foreign intelligence. So, in 1960, not far from it was shot down US spy plane U-2, and its pilot captured.

Svedlovsk-45, now the Lesnoy, and is now closed to casual visitors.

Mirny.

Mirny originally a military town of Arkhangelsk region in 1966 was transformed into the city closed type because of the nearby test Plesetsk cosmodrome. But the closing Mirny was lower than that of many other Soviet CATF: the city was not surrounded by barbed wire, and the verification of documents was carried out only on the access road.

Due to relative accessibility noted many cases when nearby sensitive sites suddenly finds a lost mushroom picker or illegal, penetrated into the city for a scarce commodity. If the actions of such people was not seen evil intent, they were quickly released.

Many residents Mirny during the Soviet period was referred to as a fairy tale. “The sea of toys, beautiful clothes and shoes,” – says one of the residents of the city visiting the children’s store. For Mirny in Soviet times its fame as the “city of carriages.” The fact is that every summer there came the graduates of military academies, and to cling to the safe place they quickly got married and had children.

Its status as a closed city Mirny retains today.

That Neptune makes on the arms of the Great Ustyug? Like a Peacock was the emblem of Serpukhov? “Russia is a riddle wrapped or wrapped in a mystery, inside an Enigma. When you look at Russian arms, you know that Churchill was right.

Neptune in the conditions of the Russian North.

In Russian state symbols form a complex past. We still do not know “where there went” double-headed eagle, why as a “heraldic patron” was elected precisely St. George the Victorious, not Andrew the First Called or Nicholas Ugodnik, veneration in Russia which was much wider. But even more complicated genealogy of the coats of arms of Russian cities, the logic of symbolism that is sometimes simply impossible to comprehend.

From the point of view of the heraldic science, emblem was intended to represent the main idea is symbolized by his formula, his DNA. But when you look, say, the emblem of the Great Ustyug (Neptune holding two jugs with flowing water), then decrypt heraldic code of this story you will hardly be able. Official coat of arms with the Roman sea god of the city received in 1780. In fact, Neptune migrated from the “signs armorial” Count Munnich, published in 1730 and was designed, according to its creators thought, to symbolize the favorable geographical position of Great Ustyug. Interestingly, the image is reinforced by the legend: that the earth down a dispenser-hero to drain the water of the two rivers, Yga and Sukhona into one – the Northern Dvina. Is a high probability that this legend was created in the same XVIII century, to somehow explain the phenomenon of Neptune in the Russian North.

Bestiary of Ivan the Terrible.

In the Russian city heraldry came rather late – when Peter I. Prior to this role was performed emblems print decorated with emblems. In 1570-ies appeared print Ivan IV, 24 logos – 12 on each side – principalities, lands, cities that make up the Muscovy. Interestingly, the lion’s share of characters is the images of animals, birds and fish. The other part – Weapon: bows, swords, sabers. Scientists argue that most of the posters did not contain any identification code places the land they symbolized, and was the fruit of the imagination of the court painters. Guided by the same or as “geniuses places” as popular Psalter and then in Russia, “physiology”. Thus Nizhny Novgorod came to symbolize the deer, Pskov – leopard (or lynx), Kazan – Basilisk (dragon), Tver – bear, Rostov – bird, Yaroslavl – fish, Astrakhan – dog Vyatka land – onions, etc.

Then hardly anyone really thought about the deep symbolism of cities. Main symbolic load on the seal of Ivan IV bore located in the center of the two-headed eagle with Saint George – on the one hand, and the Unicorn (personal emblem of Ivan the Terrible) – on the other. All the same circle, the periphery, played the role of a sovereign print extras, whose task is not so much the correct identification of the place, how to show the power of the king.

This does not mean that the areas represented by the press, was not their ancestral, authentic, characters. Were, and some of these characters goes back centuries. However, in the coordinate system of Ivan the Terrible of course they could not find his place. Thus, the Terrible himself invented printing Veliky Novgorod, which was the basis of his future “bear” coat of arms, ignoring the existence for centuries Novgorod authentic characters on stamps (Christ Pantocrator, Andrew the First rider, lion). The main reason was the fact that the local authenticity contradicts the policy of centralization of the Moscow kingdom.

The first Russian brandbook.

A century later, in 1672 was born the “Big State book” or “Czarskiy titulyarnik” which showed to a new heraldic version of the Russian lands. In the book we see the past 33 emblem. Logos of some lands that were present at the press Terrible radically evolved.

So, Rostov the Great changed the bird on deer, Yaroslavl – fish for bear, armed with axe and Ryazan replaced the horse Hiking Prince. But it is unlikely that these changes were preceded by the kind of serious study of the topic: most likely, based on the rebranding was all too free creativity of painters, not the original character of these lands. The “Titulary” formed the basis of future heraldic experiments that finally led to the loss of the primary symbolic codes of ancient Russian territories.

“We want a peacock!”.

Peter I decided to organize Russian brandbook and put in the back of this coat of arms by all the rules of European heraldry. It is interesting that the decision were military targets. To facilitate the supply of food army was placed in the cities and provinces of Russia. Shelves give the names of cities and places of residence, and in the regimental colors were to be placed the coats of arms of these territories.

In 1722 the king established a special Geroldmejstersky office tasked with writing coats of arms, including urban areas. On the role of creative director was invited Francis Earl Santee. The Italian set to work with frantic enthusiasm: first, he “brought to mind” the emblem of “Titulary” Alexei Mikhailovich, and, secondly, created several dozen coats of arms for Russian cities “from scratch”. Before the beginning of the creative process Santi sent to local city officials questionnaires in which they had to talk about the key features of their cities. It should be noted that the local Office of the attitude to “technical specification” Italian without proper enthusiasm: Answers officials were very concise and empty. True, there were cities that are treated with the utmost seriousness to the job. For example, officials have reported Serpukhov that their city is famous for the peacocks that live in one of the local monasteries. Soon overseas bird took its place of honor on the emblem of the city.

In spite of the inertness of the city offices Santi still managed to draw a roster of 97 coats of arms (the other question is how authentic are these characters?). He probably could have done more, but already in 1727, Catherine I, who ruled after the death of Peter, sent to Siberia graph with the prosecution in the conspiracy.

heraldic fever.

Next heraldic boom in Russia was in the reign of Catherine II. This was due to the reform of local government in 1775. Over a decade has created several hundred coats of arms of Russian cities. Many of them, if not most, had absolutely contrived, being a product of fiction provincial city officials and poor knowledge of the history of cities heralds. Thus, the light appeared arms of cities of Great Luke (three onions), Sumy (three bags), etc.

At this point you have and the birth of many of the “heraldic” myths local officials involved in the creative process and begin to compose legends about the origin of coats of arms. For example, dignitaries Kolomna told the story that their city was built in 1147 by a representative of the ancient patrician Roman family Kolonn, so the city is so called as it is depicted on the emblem of the pillar.

But then all went to Yaroslavl, who argued that the coat of arms in the shape of a bear with the ax was invented by the greatest prince Yaroslav, “for the reason that he was marching in Rostov on the Strait of Kotorosli the Volga, found the bear, and with the help of the people of his retinue killed him.”

In the XIX century the authorities tried to somehow organize heraldic fever, because – in a burst of creativity – in some cities appeared already approved several coats of arms. I had to give up too much.

After the revolution, the city waiting for a new boom heraldry stamp of creativity, but the “stigma territories” by Soviet artists were good except for the signification circles of hell, rather than for cities, villages living people. After the collapse of the Soviet Union began heraldic Renaissance, which was expressed in the mass return to the cities, “Catherine branding.”

What do we have?

Several centuries of experiments in heraldry Russian cities came to nothing. Thus, the ancient Russian city with a long tradition, with a light hand of the central government got empty meaningless symbols and plunged into depression. Coat of arms, designed to unite citizens in a single community, reflect the essence of the character of the city, and has remained in my dreams. It must be admitted that all the centuries of work in the field of heraldry Russian cities was done on the knee. All true symbols of ancient lands were ignored even when creating a print Ivan IV.

In subsequent sovereigns situation only worsened signs are moving farther away from the signified, ancestral characters have lost all hope of being discovered courtiers King of Arms. Rock was present and that the key role in the creation of coats of arms played by foreigners.

Symbol of the city plays a vital role in establishing a strong connection between the city and citizen. City emblem is a binder between the individual citizen and the urban community, and the stronger and more substantial character, the relationship between man and the city stronger.