If, during my year of walking in the pandemic, I had walked in a straight line sort of North East (and across water) I would have reached Arkhangelsk (or Archangel as traditionally in English atlases) in the Russian arctic.
Encyclopedia Britannica says . . .
Founded in 1584 as the fortified monastery of the archangel Michael it was the first port of the Russian Empire to conduct trade with England. The port reached the height of its prosperity in the 17th century but subsequently declined with the founding of St Petersburg (1703) and the exorbitant customs dues introduced by Peter the Great to divert trade to his new town. Arkhangelsk later revived with the building of a railway from Moscow in 1898.
Is it Covid-safe?
Not too sure about Russian cities, but this April it is moderately OK - at least it has big city medical facilities.
On the Plus Side:
Emerging from its winter deep freeze with a riverside promenade and some sights to look at if they're open, including the brand new Orthodox Cathedral which is part of the Russian Nationalist resurgence.
On the Minus Side:
Fairly bleak urbanscape and a winter to avoid at all costs (for 6 months).
Has it got a Football Team?
Bandy (sort of Ice Hockey) is unsurprisingly the thing here - but it has/does have some low level football - as far as I can tell the only professional team went out of business in the 1990s.
Has it got a Baptist Church?
Yes, at least two, including the Arkhangelsk Bible Church which appears to meet in part of a shopping centre.
Prospects out of Ten:
Five. Based on arriving now in late April into tolerable weather, and finding someone who knows about the city's positive historical connections to England and so is anglo-friendly.
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