10 best attractions in Eastern Europe (continued)

Continued

5. St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Russia. 3 301 000 visitors annually.
The Cathedral of St. Isaac of Dalmatia, or simply St. Isaac's Cathedral is the second highest the Orthodox church in the world (101.5 m) and the first in St. Petersburg. The cathedral was built in 1818-1858 after the design of Auguste Montferrand and is dedicated to Saint Isaac, defender of Peter the Great, who was born on the day of this saint. Such words as pretentious, extravagant and little excessive can describe the definition that most accurately reflect the features of this impressive building. Before the October Revolution of 1917 in St. Isaac's Cathedral were kept more than 200 ancient icons and pictures and hundreds of other items of decor and religious cult, several tons of silver and gold ornaments. During the Soviet period all values of the Cathedral were confiscated and the building was transferred to a museum of atheism. At the moment, the cathedral has the status of the State Museum, St. Isaac's Cathedral. Since 1990 in St. Isaac's Cathedral, which is also an Orthodox church regularly on holidays and Sundays are held church services.

6. The Sea Garden, Varna, Bulgaria. 3 150 000 visitors annually.
The Varna Sea Garden is the largest, oldest and the most famous public park in Bulgaria, as well as major landscape park in the Balkans. Being located on the coast of the Black Sea it is one of the major tourist attractions and national monument of landscape architecture. The Alley of the astronauts was founded in the 60's, at the ceremony which was visited by the first Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The Observatory and the Planetarium were founded here in 1968 on the site of the former theater in the open air and the zoo of Varna. On the opposite of the main entrance to the park is installed an authentic sundial in the form of a swan. In the summer theater, which now stands between the rock gardens and children's amusement park is annually held the Varna International Ballet Contest. Most recently, in the zoo appeared quite exotic terrarium and in the near future is expected to open the Museum of Natural History and the Aquarium.

To be continued...