Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world due to Moscow’s architecture, performing arts, world famous Museums and Galleries which harbour some of the largest and most important collections in the world.

Historically Moscow’s position was central in the Russian homeland and it is located on the Moskva River, which flows just over five hundred kilometres through western Russia. There is a lot to see in Moscow including famous sites such as the Kremlin which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President, also a well known site is the Saint Basil’s Cathedral with it’s elegant onion domes.

As it is stated in ancient chronicles, in 1147 Prince Yury Dolgoruky invited his relative, Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich, to see him in Moscow which at that time was a small castle lost in the boundless Russian forest. Thus the history of the biggest political, economic, cultural and scientific center of Russia began. In the 12th century Moscow turned into a fortress, by the 13th century it was already a town and in the 15th century Moscow became the capital of the Russian State. Today Moscow with its history, architectural masterpieces and innumerable art treasures has found itself in a whirlpool of global currents determining the world development. People from all over the world come to witness Moscow splendors and to fall for the charm the capital of the largest empire on earth certainly possesses.

Moscow (Москва́´), is Russia's capital and largest city, with a rapidly growing population of more than 11 million people. Moscow is the country's primary transportation hub and home to its most renowned cultural, political and religious institutions. Founded in the 12th century as the capital of a minor principality, Moscow eventually emerged as the center of a unified Russian state in the 15th century. The capital was moved to the new city of St Petersburg in 1703 under Peter the Great, but Lenin moved the capital back to Moscow in 1917. Moscow has been a site of great spiritual importance for most of its history. It has long claimed the title of "Third Rome," regarding itself as a spiritual successor to the imperial Christian capitals of Rome and Constantinople. The city is still the center of Russian Orthdodox Christianity. The Patriarch of Moscow, whose residence is the Danilov Monastery, serves as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Andronikov Monastery
Andronikov monastyr was founded in 1360 by Metropolitan Alexei in fulfillment of a vow and named for its first abbot. The famous icon painter Andrei Rublev (d. 1430) was a resident here.

Choral Synagogue
Built in 1886, this Orthodox synagogue represents the turbulent status of Moscow's Jewish community over the years. The interior is a fine example of Moorish synagogue architecture.

Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery
New Maiden's Convent was founded in 1524 by Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the capture of Smolensk from Lithuania. Thanks to its magnificent buildings and historic cemetery, it is a very popular tourist destination.

Novospassky Monastery
The New Monastery of the Savior was founded in 1491 but entirely rebuilt by the Romanovs in the 1640s. Its cathedral contains frescoes by the best 17th-century painters.

St. Basil's Cathedral
This famously colorful "confection" in the Kremlin was built 1534-61 by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate a military victory over Kazan. It consists of nine chapels connected by maze-like painted galleries.
 
Cathedral of the Annunciation
Blagoveschensky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1484-1489 by Russian architects for use by the royal family. Inside are murals from 1508 and a spectacular iconostasis painted by Russian masters.

Cathedral of the Archangel
Arkhangelsky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1505-08 by an Italian architect. Inside are frescoes by Russian artists from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Cathedral of the Assumption (Dormition)
Uspensky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1475-79 by an Italian architect. The relatively austere gray facade hides an interior covered in frescoes on every available space.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Khram Khrista Spasitela may well be the largest Orthodox church in the world. The building is magnificent, but not as old as it looks: it was rebuilt in 2000 after the original was demolished by Stalin.

Geography
Moscow is a huge city located on the Moskva River, which bends its way through the city. Most of the main sites are on the northern bank of the river. The other major waterway is the Yauza River, which flows into the Moskva east of the Kremlin.

Much of Moscow's geography is defined by the numerous 'Ring Roads' that circle the city at various distances from the centre, roughly following the outline of the walls that used to surround Moscow. With Red Square and the Kremlin forming the very centre, the innermost ring road is the Boulevard Ring, built in the 1820s where the 16th centuries walls used to be. It runs from the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in south-west central Moscow, to the mouth of the Yauza in south-east central Moscow.

The next ring road, the Garden Ring, derives its name from the fact that landowners near the road in Tsarist times were obligated to maintain gardens to make the road attractive. In Soviet times the road was widened.

The recently constructed Third Ring is not much use for tourists but is a heavily used motorway which absorbs a bit of Moscow's traffic. It roughly follows the outline of Kamer-Kollezhsky val, the customs boundary of Moscow in the 18th-early 20th century. The outer edge of Moscow is largely defined by the Moscow Ring Road, a motorway which encircles the entire city (similar to London's M25 and Paris' Périphérique). Finally, a Fourth Ring is due to be built between the Third Ring and the Moscow Ring Road in the next years.

Art Theatres of Moscow

* Alla Bulyanskaya Gallery: Alla Bulyanskaya Gallery has been working on the Russian art market since 1989. The permanent exposition is at the Central House of Artists in Moscow (two halls of 150 square meters). Presents modern and contemporary artworks: painting, graphics, sculpture and crafts. The gallery collaborates with contemporary Russian artists, from universally recognized masters to painters and sculptors making their debuts in Moscow. The gallery organizes exhibitions in Russia and abroad, creates private and corporate collections. Address: Krymsky Val, 10
* Gallery Murtiz: The gallery was founded in 1991 in Moscow. Here you can buy paintings, graphics, sculpture, applied art works by Moscow leading artists, antiques. All works of the collection reflect various tendencies in art: realism, social realism, surrealism, abstractionism, avant-gardism. By your order the gallery will organize an exhibition or select a collection of works, corresponding to a given theme or style. The gallery guarantees registration of licences at the purchased works of art for removal abroad. Address: Bol. Nikitskaya str, 22, 2nd floor
* Gallery Tochka: The gallery was founded in May, 2000 in Moscow. The gallery is usually closed for visitors. You'll have to make a prior agreement about visiting. The gallery organizes exhibitions and sell goods in Moscow. Address: Znamenka str, 13, bld.
* Russian Impressionist Museum Art Gallery: Moscow Museum and art Gallery of Russian Impressionism was founded by ANIR Co. and Russian Designer`s Union. The bulk of Museum`s any Gallery`s collection came from Art Foundations of the former USSR. The collection consists of a Museum and Commercial parts. Both parts are constantly replenished. Most of our artists are distinguished realist painters active from mid-century onwards. For last 14 years our MOSCOW MUSEUM ART GALLERY has successifuly cooperated with a number of European and US Art Galleries and Private Collectors. This is result of high level of our works and reasonable prices. Address: Vavilova str. 65a-509
* RusArta is one of the leading Russian art galleries in Moscow, situated on the beautiful Frunzenskaya embankment, opposite to Neskuchny Garden. Founded in 1999 in Moscow, the gallery concentrates on exhibiting professional works of contemporary Russian painting and graphics. Address: 38/1 Frunzenskaya nab

Kolomenskoye
Kolomenskoye – is a former village in the South-East of Moscow, on the high right bank of the Moscow River. The area has been known since the 14th century, and in the 15th-17th century it was a country estate of Russian tsars. At the moment reconstruction works are held in the estate, along with building of attractions and infrastructure maintenance.

Kolomenskoye, a museum-reserve, is situated on a comparably small territory and is a unique complex of architecture, archaeology, and geology. Here there have preserved huge boulders of the Ice Age, but the main peculiarity of the park is monuments of the hip architecture, which attract more and more tourists to Kolomenskoye.

Tourists can order excursions in a special bureau located at the entrance to the country estate. Guides wearing costumes of the times of the tsar Ivan the Terrible give tourists the introduction to the history of the country estate. On the territory of the park one will find a unique historical-architectural ensemble. Walking excursions also let tourists see such famous churches as the Kazan Church built in the 1660`s, the Ascension Church built in 1532, the bell-tower church of St. George, the Church of Beheading of St. John the Forerunner surrounded by a small cemetery with graves dated the 14th-19th centuries.
Peter the Great was also known to visit Kolomenskoye, and according to a legend, the park’s oaks which now are 400 years old, were planted by the Russian emperor. Walking by the Front Gates leading to the river, park visitors now cannot see the mechanical lions which earlier greeted guests by rolling their eyes and roaring. Tired and hungry visitors of the country estate will find small cosy cafes with a pleasant atmosphere and home-like surrounding, with Russian nature and churches` pictures hanging on the walls, and with the menu of the traditional Russian cuisine.

One more kind of activity available for tourists in Kolomenskoye is horse riding with the opportunity to order any route a guest likes. In summer and autumn guests are also offered motor-ship walks. On the river bank there is a stage for role plays` organization. During holidays and celebrations Kolomenskoye turns into a ground for mass promenade, fairs, and concerts with the traditional Russian dancing. Guests are usually offered tea with bliny, honey and other Russian sweets.

Kolomenskoye is also famous for its clear underground springs with water considered curative and miraculous. Many people ask whether it is possible to swim in the river in Kolomenskoye – swimming in the river is actually prohibited, but there are two ponds where one can swim without fear.

In recent years the country estate Kolomenskoye attracts more and more visitors. It is admitted to be one of the best leisure zones in the city and the region. Some talk about a special atmosphere and clean air of Kolomenskoye. One will find what to do and how to have a nice time in the park in any season of the year. Monuments of Kolomenskoye are registered in the list of the objects guarded by UNESCO.
 

Where to stay in Moscow