Religions in Russia: Churches, Islam, Buddhism and Regional Diversity

• Orthodox churches and monasteries are part of the historic cityscape in many regions.
• Islamic traditions shape parts of the Volga region and the North Caucasus.
• Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva are important regions of Buddhist tradition; in Kalmykia, this tradition has been documented since the Oirat settlement in the 17th century.
• Jewish communities, other Christian denominations and Indigenous traditions add to the country’s religious life.

Churches, monasteries and chapels are part of the historic architecture of many Russian cities. Some buildings serve as active places of worship, others as museums, and some combine both functions. The Golden Ring passes through several historic cities with churches and monasteries. An itinerary can include selected sites for their architecture, monastic history or regional context.

Important historical centers of Muslim communities are found in the Middle Volga–Ural region and the North Caucasus. Mosques and congregations are part of religious and urban life there. In the city of Kazan and the Republic of Dagestan, Islamic history is reflected in architecture and everyday religious life. Dagestan is in the North Caucasus within Russia; the Russian Caucasus encompasses several regions with distinct religious traditions.

Buryatia on Lake Baikal, Kalmykia in the south and Tuva in southern Siberia are among the regions most strongly associated with Buddhist tradition. In the 17th century, Oirats brought the Gelug tradition to the lower Volga in Kalmykia; in Tuva, Buddhism is the predominant faith alongside shamanic traditions. Ivolginsky Datsan is located in the village of Verkhnyaya Ivolga in Buryatia. Monasteries and temples are both religious sites and expressions of local history. Lake Baikal can be combined with a trip to Buryatia, while the Altai is a distinct mountain and cultural region.

Jewish communities and synagogues are part of the history of many Russian cities. Other faiths include various Christian denominations, local belief systems and people with no religious affiliation. In Moscow, religious buildings and museums can be included in a city itinerary. Religious sites serve an active role in their communities; services and visitors’ privacy should be respected when visiting as a tourist.

Churches, mosques and temples each have their own rules on clothing, footwear, head coverings and photography. Behaving considerately and keeping a respectful distance during religious observances shows respect for the community. When traveling to the Russian Federation, security and entry requirements also determine possible routes.

Accommodation and daily itineraries should not depend on a single limited flight connection. Finding accommodation in Eastern Europe can be tailored to each leg of the trip and its location.

For longer distances, allow extra travel days and breaks in your itinerary. Yekaterinburg is far from Moscow and the Golden Ring; visiting several religious regions therefore requires longer travel legs. Choosing destinations that make geographical sense conveys regional differences better than a long sequence of sites far apart from one another.

Which religious traditions shape Russia’s regions?

Orthodox churches and monasteries are visible throughout the country; Muslim communities have important historical centers in the Middle Volga–Ural region and the North Caucasus. Buryatia, Kalmykia and Tuva are well-known Buddhist regions.

What does the Kul Sharif Mosque tell us about Kazan’s history?

The present-day mosque was built in 2005 as a memorial to the medieval mosque of the Kazan Khanate and its imam, Kul Sharif. It is a modern architectural landmark of Kazan.