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12/07/2011Top 8 places to visit in Moscow

Top 8 places to visit in Moscow Moscow is a lively city, full of things to see and places to visit, from the Kremlin to lots of spots for shopping and sightseeing.

The sprawling city of Moscow is a mixture of historical and contemporary sights.A tourist in Moscow has a lot of choice. From the Red Square and the Kremlin to tours in the outskirts of the city, there is something for everyone. You can shop, engage in cultural activities in the capital of music and theatre, or simply be captivated by the beautiful surroundings of Moscow.

The Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is one of the most ancient parts of the city and symbolises the whole of Russia. It is both a cultural sight, as well as the centre of the Russian state, and the residence of the President of Russia. The Kremlin is steeped in history. In 1990 the Moscow Kremlin and the Red Square were included into the list of UNESCO worldwide heritage.



There are many tours offered around the Kremlin, and various museums are located inside the complex, such as the Armory Chamber, Cathedral of the Annunciation, Cathedral of the Archangel, Cathedral of the Assumption, the Patriarch’s chambers, Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Ivan the Great Bell Ensemble, Sobornaya square, and “Archeology of the Moscow Kremlin” collection.

The Kremlin is open to visitors from Friday to Wednesday between 10h00 and 17h00.

More information www.kreml.ru

Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre is the most famous theatre in Moscow. The theatre shows around 3-4 different operas and 2-3 ballets each year. The focus is on classical masterpieces from composers such as Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky. Russian ballet is world famous and is an important part of the Russian culture.

For information about tickets and opening times check: http://www.bolshoi.ru

St. Basil's (Pokrovsky) Cathedral
The well-known St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the opposite side of the Voskresensky Gate of the Red Square. It was built under the rule of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible in 1554-1560 in honour of conquest of the Kazan Khanate. According to the legend, when the Tsar saw the finished cathedral, he ordered the architects to be blinded so that they would not build such a beautiful building anywhere else.

Despite the gruesome story behind it, the Cathedral itself is an architectural masterpiece consisting of nine altars spread out on one single foundation. St. Basil’s is a must-see for anyone visiting Moscow.

GUM Department Store
The GUM is a huge shopping centre, one of the largest in Europe. It is the most famous place to shop in Moscow, but it is also known for its architecture. It is situated on Red Square and the first part of it was built in 1812, under Alexander I.   

The shop itself has a luxurious style, selling brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hugo Boss, Burberry etc. There are also many cafes and restaurants.

GUM is famous also as a cultural centre. It hosts art and photo exhibitions, and it is one of the venues of the international art festival Chereshneviy les.

Moscow Metro
The Moscow metro is famous for its architecture and the stations called “underground palaces of Moscow” have become main sights of the city.

The old, pre-war stations symbolise the industrialisation of Russia, whereas the post-war ones were made to symbolise victory and pride of the nation. The first metro line was the Sokolnicheskaya, built in 1935. 

"Majakovskaya" is considered one of the most beautiful stations.

Among others, "Revolution Square", "Kropotkinskaya", "Komsomolskaya", "Novoslobodskaya" are considered the most interesting architectural monuments of 1930-1950.

Some of them are also protected by the state as valuable cultural objects. The underground complexes are decorated by statues, monuments and art such as paintings, mosaics, and stained-glass windows. The idea was to give every station an individual shape and appearance. 

Kuskovo Estate
This estate was built in the 18th century and is representative of typical Russian estate architecture. It is a magnificent site, with a palace, a large park and ponds. The estate is an ideal place to visit on a nice day out.  

In the past, Kuskovo hosted grand parties twice a week for numerous guests, such as estate owners, Moscow’s nobility and even the Empress Catherine II of Russia. The estate itself is very beautiful combination of baroque and classicism. Kuskovo also has a museum, and in the summer it hosts festivals and concerts.

Check www.kuskovo.ru

Historical Museum (SHM)
The historical museum of Moscow has a vast collection representing every phase of the Russian history. The museum is situated on Red Square and it has multiple exhibitions, which display Russia from antiquity until the 21st century.  The museum is one of the most popular in Moscow. If you are interested in Russian history, this museum is a must-see.  

Central House of Artist (CHA)
Central House of Artist is the largest exhibition centre in Russia. Opened in 1979, it consists of 27 halls with 60 galleries. Each year the CHA hosts hundreds of exhibitions from all over the world. There is also a beautiful park with an open air Sculpture Museum, along with recreation areas and playgrounds for children.

CHA also functions as a conference centre, and as a festival and concert venue. Tretyakov Gallery is also in the same building as the CHA, which is.

Guide.moscow.ru / Expatica


1 reaction to this article

Hugh posted: 2012-03-02 14:26:41

One frustrating part of the Metro is that when stations meet (like Times Square in NYC), each level's station has a different name. I rode back and forth on many lines trying to find a particular station - - not helped by my not knowing the language - - and I finally gave up.

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1 reaction to this article

Hugh posted: 2012-03-02 14:26:41

One frustrating part of the Metro is that when stations meet (like Times Square in NYC), each level's station has a different name. I rode back and forth on many lines trying to find a particular station - - not helped by my not knowing the language - - and I finally gave up.

Add a comment
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