Ep 7. Russia

In the seventh episode of season one of Engineering an Empire, we take a closer look at the rich cultural history of Russia. Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a journey through Moscow and St. Petersburg, two of Russia's most iconic cities.

The episode begins with a brief history of Russia narrated by the host of the show, Peter Weller. Weller explains how Russia's vast landscape and strategic location allowed the country to flourish and become a dominant power in the world. Viewers are given a glimpse into Russia's beginnings as a small community of farmers and hunters and are introduced to the Mongolian conquerors who would eventually rule the land.

As the episode progresses, Weller takes viewers to the Kremlin, the heart of Russian power. Here, viewers are shown the beautiful architecture of the buildings within the Kremlin and given a history lesson on the various leaders who have inhabited this space over the years. The episode goes into detail about the construction of the Kremlin and how it was designed to be a fortress to protect the people of Russia from foreign invaders.

Next, the focus shifts to St. Petersburg, a city often referred to as the "Venice of the North." Weller takes viewers on a tour of some of St. Petersburg's most iconic buildings, including the Winter Palace and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. The episode delves into the story behind the construction of these structures and how they were built to tell a story about the greatness and power of Russia.

From St. Petersburg, the episode takes viewers on a journey down the Volga River, a vital waterway in Russia's history. The Volga River runs through many of Russia's most important cities, including Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod. Along the way, Weller shares stories about the battles that took place on the river and the important role it played in Russia's expansion throughout the land.

The final portion of the episode focuses on the reign of Peter the Great, one of Russia's most famous leaders. Weller takes viewers to Peterhof, a palace built by Peter the Great that rivals the opulence of Versailles. Here, viewers are given a glimpse into the life of Peter the Great and the grandeur of his reign. The episode explores how Peter the Great's vision for Russia shaped the country's future and how his desire to modernize Russia led to the construction of many of the buildings we see throughout the episode.

Overall, the episode does an excellent job of showcasing the beauty and history of Russia. Viewers are given a glimpse into the country's past and a deeper understanding of how the buildings and fortresses we see today were constructed to tell a story about Russia's power and greatness. The rich cultural history of Russia is on full display throughout the episode, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in history or architecture.