Landscapes and Landforms as a Factor of Creation and Perception of the World Cultural Heritage

The article reflects the role of the landscape environment in the creation and perception of the Russian World Cultural Heritage (WCH). It provides a general overview of the WCH in Russia (21 objects in total): the timeline of their inscription on the UNESCO List, their distribution across the country, area, location specifics in the surrounding landscape. Seven objects that most vividly illustrate the relationship between “culture” and “nature” are selected as examples, including medieval temples, monasteries, individual architectural masterpieces, as well as valuable cultural landscapes located in different parts of the country. Particular emphasis is placed on the aesthetic aspect.