Russia - Ivan the Terrible

The day started early, as our room was already muggy. With our shorts and t-shirts unpacked, our first port of call was the Archbishops courtyard. Now we’d mentioned some the gory history associated with Ivan the Terrible – so here you go.

St Sofia’s cathedral and the bell tower, adorned by its huge golden globes, was built for Ivan the Terrible. This fantastic building was erected in the record time of only two years with the workers only working in the summer months – they were motivated by Ivan’s reputation for cruelty. It was well known that Ivan had sacked his own city some years earlier and for amusement had fried alive hundreds of the inhabitants in specially made frying pans!! Motivation or what!? Legend has it that upon completion of the cathedral, Ivan entered the tower only to be struck by a loose roof tile, which prompted his quick exit, and apparently he never returned!

It is now possible to view the city from the bell tower but unfortunately we were turned away as the storm brewing overhead was threatening thunder and lighting and with the metallic dome covering the tower it was a very large target and therefore closed for safety reasons. Ah well – a reason to come back maybe.

Back at the hotel we finished off what was left of the afternoon enjoying a huge electrical storm and, of course, cold beer, before deciding to eat in one of the restaurants opposite the hotel called .........Ars. How could we not eat in a restaurant called Ars? (Arse? sorry its just our English sense of humour!) Luckily the food was better than the name!