Moscow:
White-stoned, gold-domed, ancient but forever young: these dramatic epithets instantly evoke images of Moscow, the magnificent Russian capital. Ever since it was first mentioned in chronicles of 1147, Moscow has played a vital role in Russian history and culture; it is not only political centre of Russia, but also country's leading city in population, trade, and industrial production. It is important cultural, scientific, and educational center as well. Former capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.) until its dissolution in 1991, Moscow was regarded as a centre of Communist power; and city's most famous landmark the Kremlin became a synonym for Soviet authority.
Kremlin
Kremlin is the center of the city's layout. Today, as throughout its history, it was regarded as the heart of Moscow, the fortified symbol of first Russian and later Soviet power and authority. Its red brick walls and 20 towers were built at the end of the 15th century, when Czar Ivan III the Great invited a host of Italian architects to Moscow. Kremlin most important tower is the Saviour (Spasskaya) Tower, it was built in 1491 by Pietro Solario, who also designed most of the Kremlin main towers. The chimes Spasskaya Tower's clock are broadcast as time signal over the Russian National radio and TV. Located on the Red Square part is the St. Nicholas (Nikolskaya) Tower, originally built in 1491 and rebuilt in 1806. The two other principal gate towers are the Trinity (Troitskaya) Tower with a bridge, outer Kutafya and the Borovitskaya Towers.
Located within the Kremlin walls is one of the most striking and beautiful architectural ensembles in the world. This unique combination of churches and palaces, which are open to the public, are among the city's most popular tourist attractions, it is also a principal location of the highest offices of the Russian State government. Three magnificent cathedrals, superb examples of Russian church architecture of the late 15th and early 16th centuries, located around the Kremlin's central Cathedral Square (Sobornaya Ploshchad). These and the other churches in the Kremlin were closed as places of worship after the Revolution, and are now museums. The white stone Cathedral of Assumption (Uspensky Sobor) is the oldest, and was built in 1475-79 in the Italianate-Byzantine style. Five golden domes crown its pure, simple, and beautifully proportioned lines and elegant arches. It is a burial ground for the Orthodox metropolitans and patriarchs of the 14th to the 18th century.
Across the square is the Cathedral of Annunciation (Blagoveshchensky Sobor), built in 1484-89 by artisans from Pskov. The cathedral burned in 1547, and was rebuilt in 1562-64. Its chapels are topped by golden roofs and domes. Inside are a number of early 15th-century icons, attributed to Theophanes the Greek and Andrey Rublyov, who are considered the greatest of all Russian icon painters. The third cathedral, the Archangel (Arkhangelsky), was rebuilt in 1505-08; it served as a burial place for the princes of Moscow and tsars of Russia until the founding of St. Petersburg in 1703.
Just off the square stands the splendid, soaring white bell tower of Ivan the Great; built in the 16th century. At its foot is displayed an enormous Czar Bell (Tsar-Kolokol) and Czar Cannon (Tsar-Pushka).
The Granovitaya Palata, its name derived from the exterior finish of faceted, white stone squares, was built in 1487-91. Behind it is the Terem Palace of 1635-36, which incorporates several older churches, including the Resurrection of Lazarus (Voskreseniye Lazarya), dating from 1393. It is connected to the Armory Quarters (Oruzheynaya Palata), built in 1844-51 and now the Armoury Museum, that has world largest collection of treasures of the czars. Along the northeast wall of the Kremlin are the Arsenal (1702-36), the former Senate building (1776-88), and the School for Red Commanders (1932-34). The only other Soviet-period building within the Kremlin is the Palace of Congresses (1960-61), its vast auditorium is often used for political and holiday events.
Theaters and Entertainment
Moscow has numerous theatres. Its world renowned Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1825. Another of the city's principal drama theatre, the Moscow Art Theater, was founded in 1898 by the actor, director, and producer Konstantin Stanislavsky and the playwright-producer Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko. In its early days it was especially noted for its performances of the plays of Anton Chekhov. Moscow also has several concert halls, notably the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the two Conservatory halls. The Russian national orchestra, as well as number of Moscow-based folk dance and choral ensembles, has won international reputation. The repertory companies of these theatrical groups frequently tour both in Russia and abroad. In addition, the State Central Puppet Theatre, the Moscow State Circus, and the Moscow Zoo are popular attraction of the worldwide fame.
Museums and Galleries
Moscow museums and art galleries exhibit internationally known art treasures. The State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, with a fine international collection, and the State Tretyakov Gallery are the most known among them. The latter, which began as the private collection of a connoisseur and art lover, Pavel Tretyakov, is noteworthy for its superb collection of icons, painting and sculpture. Other notable museums are the Armoury Museum in the Kremlin, the State Historical Museum, and the Central Lenin Museum.
Churches and Cathedrals
For more than 600 years, Moscow has been the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church and the residence of Russian patriarch. Although, after the Revolution and during the Soviet time, many places of worship were closed, converted into museums or destroyed, city retained a number of functioning Russian Orthodox churches, as well as few other Christian, Jewish and Muslim places of worship. During the late 1980s with the religious repression gave way to policies endorsing religious freedom, and houses of worship in Moscow underwent renovation and returned to use.
Sport and Fitness Centers
Luzhniki Park complex is the leading Moscow facility for sports. It was one of the main arenas for the 1980 Olympic Games. Its Central Lenin Stadium, accommodating 103,000, is flanked by a smaller arena, swimming pool, and the indoor Sports Palace. There are many stadiums and swimming pools in the area, including a large, heated, open-air pool that is in use all year round. In addition there are a large number of soccer fields, gymnasiums, and volleyball and basketball courts.
Parks and Recreation
Moscow is well provided with parks and surrounding forest-park zone provides extensive space for recreation. Gorky Central Park of Culture along the right bank of the Moskva River is the closest to the centre an. It has very popular amusement park. Izmaylovsky Park is located on the city's east side. It is a large green area that covers nearly 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares). Sokolniki Park, located in the northeast, is the more formal. It adjoins an extensive tract of forest, called Moose Island. Moscow Botanical Gardens of the Academy of Sciences and the grounds of the Moscow Timiryazev Academy of Agriculture are among the several gardens in the city. The Khimki Reservoir is used for boating and aquatic sports.
Welcome to Moscow
We invite you to tour the ancient Kremlin, stroll through magnificent and imposing Red Square, and feast your eyes on splendid views of the St. Basil's Cathedral. Visit the world famous Armory Museum with its remarkable Faberge eggs and royal jewels collection. Then start to explore whenever your fancy takes you. Great architecture, historic sites, famous theaters and world-renowned museums, Moscow has it all. It is also the epicenter of new Russian life, with boutique shops, gourmet restaurants and pulsating nightlife. A city of excitement and opportunity, Moscow will keep any visitor thrilled and mesmerized.
Kremlin
Kremlin is the center of the city's layout. Today, as throughout its history, it was regarded as the heart of Moscow, the fortified symbol of first Russian and later Soviet power and authority. Its red brick walls and 20 towers were built at the end of the 15th century, when Czar Ivan III the Great invited a host of Italian architects to Moscow. Kremlin most important tower is the Saviour (Spasskaya) Tower, it was built in 1491 by Pietro Solario, who also designed most of the Kremlin main towers. The chimes Spasskaya Tower's clock are broadcast as time signal over the Russian National radio and TV. Located on the Red Square part is the St. Nicholas (Nikolskaya) Tower, originally built in 1491 and rebuilt in 1806. The two other principal gate towers are the Trinity (Troitskaya) Tower with a bridge, outer Kutafya and the Borovitskaya Towers.
Located within the Kremlin walls is one of the most striking and beautiful architectural ensembles in the world. This unique combination of churches and palaces, which are open to the public, are among the city's most popular tourist attractions, it is also a principal location of the highest offices of the Russian State government. Three magnificent cathedrals, superb examples of Russian church architecture of the late 15th and early 16th centuries, located around the Kremlin's central Cathedral Square (Sobornaya Ploshchad). These and the other churches in the Kremlin were closed as places of worship after the Revolution, and are now museums. The white stone Cathedral of Assumption (Uspensky Sobor) is the oldest, and was built in 1475-79 in the Italianate-Byzantine style. Five golden domes crown its pure, simple, and beautifully proportioned lines and elegant arches. It is a burial ground for the Orthodox metropolitans and patriarchs of the 14th to the 18th century. Across the square is the Cathedral of Annunciation (Blagoveshchensky Sobor), built in 1484-89 by artisans from Pskov. The cathedral burned in 1547, and was rebuilt in 1562-64. Its chapels are topped by golden roofs and domes. Inside are a number of early 15th-century icons, attributed to Theophanes the Greek and Andrey Rublyov, who are considered the greatest of all Russian icon painters. The third cathedral, the Archangel (Arkhangelsky), was rebuilt in 1505-08; it served as a burial place for the princes of Moscow and tsars of Russia until the founding of St. Petersburg in 1703.Just off the square stands the splendid, soaring white bell tower of Ivan the Great; built in the 16th century. At its foot is displayed an enormous Czar Bell (Tsar-Kolokol) and Czar Cannon (Tsar-Pushka).
The Granovitaya Palata, its name derived from the exterior finish of faceted, white stone squares, was built in 1487-91. Behind it is the Terem Palace of 1635-36, which incorporates several older churches, including the Resurrection of Lazarus (Voskreseniye Lazarya), dating from 1393. It is connected to the Armory Quarters (Oruzheynaya Palata), built in 1844-51 and now the Armoury Museum, that has world largest collection of treasures of the czars. Along the northeast wall of the Kremlin are the Arsenal (1702-36), the former Senate building (1776-88), and the School for Red Commanders (1932-34). The only other Soviet-period building within the Kremlin is the Palace of Congresses (1960-61), its vast auditorium is often used for political and holiday events.
Theaters and Entertainment
Moscow has numerous theatres. Its world renowned Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1825. Another of the city's principal drama theatre, the Moscow Art Theater, was founded in 1898 by the actor, director, and producer Konstantin Stanislavsky and the playwright-producer Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko. In its early days it was especially noted for its performances of the plays of Anton Chekhov. Moscow also has several concert halls, notably the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and the two Conservatory halls. The Russian national orchestra, as well as number of Moscow-based folk dance and choral ensembles, has won international reputation. The repertory companies of these theatrical groups frequently tour both in Russia and abroad. In addition, the State Central Puppet Theatre, the Moscow State Circus, and the Moscow Zoo are popular attraction of the worldwide fame.
Museums and Galleries
Moscow museums and art galleries exhibit internationally known art treasures. The State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, with a fine international collection, and the State Tretyakov Gallery are the most known among them. The latter, which began as the private collection of a connoisseur and art lover, Pavel Tretyakov, is noteworthy for its superb collection of icons, painting and sculpture. Other notable museums are the Armoury Museum in the Kremlin, the State Historical Museum, and the Central Lenin Museum.
Churches and Cathedrals
For more than 600 years, Moscow has been the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church and the residence of Russian patriarch. Although, after the Revolution and during the Soviet time, many places of worship were closed, converted into museums or destroyed, city retained a number of functioning Russian Orthodox churches, as well as few other Christian, Jewish and Muslim places of worship. During the late 1980s with the religious repression gave way to policies endorsing religious freedom, and houses of worship in Moscow underwent renovation and returned to use.
Sport and Fitness Centers
Luzhniki Park complex is the leading Moscow facility for sports. It was one of the main arenas for the 1980 Olympic Games. Its Central Lenin Stadium, accommodating 103,000, is flanked by a smaller arena, swimming pool, and the indoor Sports Palace. There are many stadiums and swimming pools in the area, including a large, heated, open-air pool that is in use all year round. In addition there are a large number of soccer fields, gymnasiums, and volleyball and basketball courts.
Parks and Recreation
Moscow is well provided with parks and surrounding forest-park zone provides extensive space for recreation. Gorky Central Park of Culture along the right bank of the Moskva River is the closest to the centre an. It has very popular amusement park. Izmaylovsky Park is located on the city's east side. It is a large green area that covers nearly 3,000 acres (1,200 hectares). Sokolniki Park, located in the northeast, is the more formal. It adjoins an extensive tract of forest, called Moose Island. Moscow Botanical Gardens of the Academy of Sciences and the grounds of the Moscow Timiryazev Academy of Agriculture are among the several gardens in the city. The Khimki Reservoir is used for boating and aquatic sports.
Welcome to Moscow
We invite you to tour the ancient Kremlin, stroll through magnificent and imposing Red Square, and feast your eyes on splendid views of the St. Basil's Cathedral. Visit the world famous Armory Museum with its remarkable Faberge eggs and royal jewels collection. Then start to explore whenever your fancy takes you. Great architecture, historic sites, famous theaters and world-renowned museums, Moscow has it all. It is also the epicenter of new Russian life, with boutique shops, gourmet restaurants and pulsating nightlife. A city of excitement and opportunity, Moscow will keep any visitor thrilled and mesmerized.