Historic Petershagen Church in Ukraine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explore the cultural and architectural riches of Russia in St. Petersburg and Moscow. You’ll see many famous sights including the Winter Palace—once home to the tsars of Russia, Peterhof Palace and Gardens, the Kremlin, Red Square, and several stunning cathedrals. In the Ukraine, we’ll engage with the Mennonite story—past and present. Visit the Stalinist city of Zaporozhye and former colonies, Chortitza and Molotschna, which were settled by Mennonites in the late 1700’s. Expert guide, Len Friesen will help us understand the Mennonite story within the rich context of Tsarist and Soviet history, as well as present-day realities and challenges. During visits to the Molotschna colony, north and south, explore villages related to your family roots or see other sights of your choice. This tour contains several optional excursions balanced with times of rest and reflection that will appeal to people of a variety of energy levels.

Day 1     Zaporozhye, Ukraine

Arrive in Dnipro to meet the group. On your way to Zaporozhye, Ukraine, drive by the site of the Eichenfeld massacre, where Mennonites lost their lives in 1919. Mid-afternoon, settle into your hotel.

Day 2     Zaporozhye

Tour Zaporozhye—built by Stalin in the 1930s on top of Chortitza, this city was the epicentre of a revolution that unleashed great terror for Mennonites. Learn about the Cossacks and how they shaped the earliest history of Russia and Ukraine. Optional cruise around Chortitza Island. Possibly connect with Mennonite Central Committee staff.

Day 3     Zaporozhye

Chortitza, the mother colony of Mennonites in Russia and Ukraine, once had 19 flourishing villages and 12,000 people. Tour some villages plus a few of the main schools and church buildings built by Mennonites during their Golden Age. See the remains of the old oak tree (believed to be 700 years old) that Mennonites once used as a meeting place. Dinner at a Cossack village on the island.

Day 4     Zaporozhye to Molotschna Colony, Ukraine

At its height, the vast Molotschna colony had almost 50 villages. On these two days, there will be options for individual travel to villages that are important to you or you can remain with the group.

North Molotschna Day: Today, visit former Mennonite villages on the north side of the Molotschna colony. Nothing can describe the special experience of visiting the land where your forefathers and mothers lived and died. Though not many buildings are still standing, seeing the land and hearing the stories will give you new insights about Mennonites and your family. Lunch at the Mennonite center in Halbstadt.

Day 5     Zaporozhye to Molotschna Colony

South Molotschna Day: Today, visit villages on the other side of the colony. Lunch may be at a former communist collective farm. 

Day 6     Zaporozhye to Moscow, Russia

Fly to Moscow to begin your Russian experience.

Day 7     Moscow

Following a leisurely breakfast, take a bus tour to the Novodevichy Cemetery, where many famous Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as actors, political leaders, and scientists are buried. Lunch on Arbat—a one kilometer long pedestrian street in the centre of Old Moscow. In the afternoon, tour the Kremlin, cathedrals, and the armoury.

Day 8     Moscow

Take a walking tour of Red Square, plus see the Lenin Mausoleum. Optional afternoon subway ride to Christ the Savior Cathedral or walk to Lubyanka (former KGB headquarters). Meet at Arbat to do more exploring. Relax this evening or take in an optional cultural event.

Day 9     Moscow to St. Petersburg, Russia

On your last morning in Moscow, marvel at some of the 170,000 works by Russian artists, from early religious paintings to modern art, at the Tretyakov Gallery. Lunch at or near Muzeon Art Park with dozens of sculptures. Take an express train to St. Petersburg.

Day 10      St. Petersburg

There is no other imperial city in the world like St. Petersburg. The former home of Peter and Catherine the Great (who invited the Mennonites in), it is a great jewel along canals and riverbanks. With a local guide, tour the historical heart of St. Petersburg, including the Palace Square and the Hermitage, which includes the former residence of the Russian tsars, and the Winter Palace. Lunch on Nevsky Prospect, a main avenue in St. Petersburg. This evening, possible cultural program or walkabout.

Day 11     St. Petersburg

Travel by hydrofoil along the Neva River to see Peterhof—a series of palaces and gardens just outside St. Petersburg. This afternoon, visit the Piskaryovskoye Cemetery, which contains mass graves and a memorial to the 500,000 people who died during the 2.5 year Nazi siege of St. Petersburg in World War II.

Day 12      St. Petersburg

See the impressive Kazan Cathedral, which was built in the early 1800’s. The Bolsheviks closed this Russian Orthodox church for services in 1929 and made it into a museum. A few years ago, worship services began again. Also, see the stunning Cathedral of the Spilled Blood. The rest of the day is free to wander, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy the splendour of St. Petersburg.

Day 13      St. Petersburg

Transfer to the airport to fly home.