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A Russian Ramble Multi-Cache

Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

A short multi taking you on a light ramble to a few sites connecting the former Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Serbs.

Final Coordinates are located at:
N 44 4(BxF).(A-B)(A+B) x (EF+B)
E 020 2(EF/B).(C+E+F) x CB(A-B)

Hotel Moscow

Hotel Moscow occupying the Palace Rossiya at the end of Terazija Street is classified as a valuable cultural monument and has been under state protection since 1968. Built in Saint Petersburg Sessionist style with the incorporation of Ancient Greek elements, the upper part of the hotel's façade is laid with a decorative relief titled 'Glorification of Russia', featuring an image of the Roman god Neptune, symbolising Imperial Russia's yearning for maritime dominance. The opening of the Palace of Rossiya in 1908 represented a major investment by the Russian Empire in the Kingdom of Serbia. The hotel originally only inhabited 36 of the rooms within the Palace sharing the greater space with the Rossiya Insurance Company and the Serbo-Russia Club amongst others.

During the spring of 1941 following Nazi Germany's invasion of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia the Gestapo took possession of the Hotel Moskva, as its headquarters. Not liking its references to Russia, they also renamed it Hotel Velika Srbija, after the original inn that stood on the site. The hotel was one of the last Belgrade buildings to be liberated in October 1944 when the Soviet Red Army stormed the occupied city. During the Nazi German occupation, the hotel's original masters' paintings, silverware and gold-plated utensils were looted.

Following World War II the Hotel quickly resumed its status as the place to be and be seen and served as a gathering place for the cultural elite and has been well featured in Serbian literary and cinematic works. I recommend stopping in and indulging in the signature 'Moskva Snit' fruit cake.

Stage 1: On the wall at coordinates are three plaques together. There are a number of four digit years on the plaques. Add all of these years together. A = (TOTAL-1980)/1553

StageTwo: Vuk Karadzic Foundation Building

A brief stop to note one of the oldest buildings in the centre of Belgrade. Across the road from your location is the red and white ediface of the Vuk Karadzic Foundation. Built in 1871-72 it served as the Russian Consulate until being taken over by the Ministry of Education in 1879. There is no record of what the building looked like at its time as the Russian Consulate, the current facade having been redesigned and completed in 1912.

Cross back over the road and walk through the doorway. You will find four frescoes on the interior walls representing education, art, history and religion. The frescoes were ironically saved by someone accidentally painting over them after WW2. They were discovered again by accident in 1963 and restored in 1997.

Stage 2: What street number is the building? = B

Stage Three: Monument to the Russian Tsar Nicholas I

The monument of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II was donated by the Russian Federation in conjunction with restoration of the site in which it is placed which was also the former Embassy of the Russian Empire. The statue unveiled on Armistice Day 2014 commemorates 100 years since the end of World War I and is a tribute to Nicholas II's support of Serbia and the Serbian people during WW1 which ultimately contributed to the Russian revolution, Nicholas’ abdication and the ultimate death of his family and dynasty. In blessing the monument at its official unveiling, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill stated “The memory of Russian Tsar Nicholas II was kept alive by the Serbian nation even as it was forbidden in the Russian nation to say his name aloud. He sacrificed his crown, his reign and his life to save Serbia and to save Europe.”

Stage 3: What year is on the southeastern side of the statue? = CDEF

You can check your coordinates at:

Additional Hints (No hints available.)