Sightseeing in Moscow
The capital of Russia is an incredible place to explore. People come away spellbound at all the amazing sights, impressed at the sheer size and grandeur of the city. Lying at the heart of Moscow, the Red Square and the Kremlin are just two of the must-see tourist attractions; they are the historical, political and spiritual heart of the city – and indeed Russia itself. A fascinating city to wander around, stunning cathedrals, churches, and palaces lay side-by-side with bleak grey monuments and remains from the Soviet state. In addition to its plethora of historical and cultural landmarks, Moscow is home to world-class museums, theaters and art galleries. Renowned for its performing arts, fantastic ballets and amazing circus acts, catching a show while in Moscow is a must. The wealth of brilliant restaurants, trendy bars, and lively nightlife means there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Some Facts from the History of Moscow:
- Moscow was founded in 1147 by knyaz (prince) Yuri Dolgoruky.
- Moscow became the capital in the 13th century as a center of Tatar Yoke.
- Moscow was the most important Russian city since the 15th century.
- In 1812 Moscow was captured and burnt due to Napoleon.
- Moscow remained the second capital from 1712 till 1917
No visit to Moscow is complete without visiting its two most famous sights: St Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2i6Ih) and the neighboring Kremlin (https://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/museums-moscow-kremlin/), both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and located in the very heart of Moscow. Also situated on Red Square is the Lenin Mausoleum, the State History Museum and the GUM department store. Tickets must be bought to visit the territory inside the Kremlin where you will see the Archangel Michael, Dormition and Annunciation Cathedrals, several churches and palaces and the Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon. The Kremlin has two other popular museums: the Armory which is a veritable treasure trove of Russian history and the Diamond Fund where you can see collections of precious stones and the imperial crown jewels.
Standing for ‘Main Universal Store’ in Russian, GUM (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2mA3u) is stunning. Its wonderful skylights and beautiful facades mean it doesn’t look out of place alongside its illustrious neighbors on Red Square. With over 200 shops, boutiques and upmarket eateries inside, it is a shopaholic’s heaven and concerned partners will be glad to find more affordable options alongside luxury brands such as Dior and Prada. The main department store in the city, GUM was opened in 1893. The stunning architecture makes it well worth a visit even if shopping isn’t your thing.
Red Square and GUM department store
Lying at the heart of Moscow, Red Square is the most important and impressive square in the city. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions due to its wealth of historical sights and cultural landmarks. Located in the impressive Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral is gorgeous; its delightful spires appear as if out of a fairytale. The most recognizable building in the country, the cathedral is very much a symbol of Russia.
No visit to Moscow is complete without having taken in its unique and distinctive features. Spectacular to gaze upon, St Basil’s was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate victories over Kazan and Astrakhan. It was completed in 1561. The cathedral consists of ten connected churches. The eclectic style with its colorful swirls, patterns, and shapes is unique in Russian architecture. Secularized in 1929, St. Basil’s Cathedral is without equal in Russia. It is the defining image of what people think of when they think about Moscow. As such, it is a must-see when visiting the capital.
The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral and its inner view
The fortified complex of the Kremlin is remarkably home for five palaces and four cathedrals and is the historic, political and spiritual center of the city. While there may be a gaggle of tourists wherever you go, the crowds are certainly worth braving for the stupendous sights on show. The Kremlin’s walls stretch 2,235 meters in length; one could spend an entire holiday exploring all the fascinating sights that they contain. In addition, the wonderful Terem Palace and Grand Kremlin Palace offer an interesting look into the life of Russia’s Tsars.
The most important cathedral in Russia is Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2m4JQ); it is also its largest, having been designed to accommodate 10,000 people. The current version is actually the cathedral’s second incarnation as the original was famously demolished on the orders of Stalin in 1931, who wished to replace it with a giant Palace of Soviets, but these plans were later shelved. After the fall of the Soviet Union there were calls to rebuild the cathedral and construction work started in 1994 and was completed in 2000. In 2007 the funeral of President Yeltsin was held at the cathedral and in 2008 the funeral of Patriarch Alexius II.
Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral and its interior
Out of Moscow’s many museums, one of the most popular with tourists is the State Tretyakov Gallery (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2mN1I) which is one of the foremost art galleries in the world exhibiting some of the masterpieces of Russian art. The gallery bears the name of its founder Pavel Tretyakov who began collecting works of art in the mid-19th century and later donated his collection to the city of Moscow. Artists whose works are displayed at the gallery include Nikolai Ge, Kasimir Malevich, Ilya Repin, Ivan Shishkin, Vasily Surikov, Viktor Vasnetsov, Vasili Vereschagin and Mikhail Vrubel. Ancient icons are also represented including work by masters Andrey Rublev and Dionisius and the revered Our Lady of Vladimir Icon.
Home to the most extensive and impressive collection of Russian fine art in the world, the State Tretyakov Gallery is definitely worth visiting when in Moscow for the wealth of amazing art pieces that it has on display. Having started out as the private art collection of the Tretyakov brothers, there are now over 130,000 exhibits. Highlights include the iconic Theotokos of Vladimir which you will almost certainly recognize despite probably not knowing the name and Rublev’s Trinity which is considered to be one of highest achievements in Russian art. An absolute must for art lovers, the State Tretyakov Gallery will delight visitors with all that is has to offer.
The State Tretyakov Gallery exhibition
Another famous museum in Moscow is the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2mGjB). Despite its name, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts actually has no connection at all to the famous poet other than that it was named in his honor after his death. A delight to visit, its extensive collection focuses on European art with masterpieces by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and van Gogh all featuring. Sculptures, graphic art, paintings and more can be found in its beautiful galleries; various sections look at themes and epochs such as the Renaissance, the Dutch Golden Age, and Byzantine art. Among the many highlights are the clownish characters which can be found in Cezanne’s Fastnacht (Mardi Gras) and the twirling ballerinas who look so elegant in Degas’ Blue Dancers. Picasso’s Young acrobat on a Ball is also well worth checking out for its interesting use of shapes and colors.
The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts
The pedestrian street of “Ulitsa Arbat”, which is commonly called the Old Arbat (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2mP6q) to distinguish it from “Ulitsa Novy Arbat” (the New Arbat Street, https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2m-~F), is one of the most famous streets in Moscow. The street has existed since at least the 15th century and became Moscow’s first pedestrian zone in the 1980s. Since then it has become a favorite spot for both locals and tourists. In addition to the Old Arbat’s book and souvenir stalls, street performers also gather here. Located on the street are many bars, restaurants and fast-food establishments, as well as the Vakhtangov Theatre. An elegant yet lively street, the Arbat is full of impressive architecture and was once a popular place to live for aristocrats, artists, and academics. A historic place, it is down the Arbat Street that Napoleon’s troops are said to have headed on their way to capture the Kremlin. Nowadays, there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as various monuments and statues to former residents such as Alexander Pushkin who was reputed to be a lover of the Russian Empress due to his massive influence in court.
Festival on the Old Arbat and night view of the New Arbat
For anyone with an interest in the Soviet Union, the All-Russia Exhibition Centre in the north of Moscow is a must see. Starting out in 1935 as the “All-Union Agricultural Exhibition”, it has slowly morphed over the years into the fascinating open-air museum of today. Remarkably, over 400 buildings can now be found within its confines. The center was officially opened in 1939 as the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, but after the Second World War it was reconstructed and in 1959 the whole center was reopened as the Exhibition of the Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR (known but its Russian initialism of VDNKh, https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2qU0p). The center was envisaged as a showcase for the achievements of the Soviet Union in various spheres and for this purpose many extravagant exhibit halls were built each dedicated to a different branch of science or technology, or to a different area or republic of the USSR. In 1992 the exhibition center was renamed the All-Russia Exhibition Centre and, although most of the pavilions no longer serve their original purpose, the center is still a time capsule of the Soviet Union and of Stalinist architecture. Just outside the center is the equally impressive Conquerors of Space Monument and Vera Mukhina’s iconic Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Monument. The huge park complex has numerous pavilions representing former Soviet republics on show, such as those of Armenia and Turkmenistan and the distinctive architecture of each of the buildings is always interesting to gaze upon. In addition to this there is the fascinating Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics which is dedicated to space exploration and the fun Moskvarium aquarium even offers you the chance to swim with dolphins. With lots of eateries scattered about and numerous entertainment options such as horse-riding and zip-lining, there is something for everyone to enjoy; the Friendship of Nations fountain truly is wonderful.
The All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNKh)
Not everybody knows that there is in fact a second kremlin in Moscow located in the area of the capital historically known as Izmailovo (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2qRNK). Unlike the main Kremlin though, the Izmailovo Kremlin is not a historical site but a modern day wooden cultural and entertainment complex. Here you will find many replicas of medieval palaces plus restaurants, shops and even a registry office. There are also museums and exhibits dedicated to vodka, bread, Russia toys and various Russian arts and crafts, as well as the wooden St Nicholas’ Church (https://www.kremlin-izmailovo.com/). Built onto the Izmailovsky Kremlin is the Imailovsky Vernisazh which is actually the largest applied-art market in the world and popular with tourists on the hunt for Russian souvenirs. If you are looking for souvenirs, be it Russian hats, Russian dolls, artwork, military gear, magnets or DVDs and CDs, then this is the place for you as Vernisazh has the biggest choice and the best prices, especially if you can haggle. Behind the souvenir market is a flea market where you can buy all sorts of items, including many Soviet-era curiosities.
One of Moscow’s most popular estates and one of the most popular sights outside of the city center is the Kolomenskoe Estate (https://yandex.ru/maps/-/CKA2qDym). During the reign of Tsar Alexis, Kolomenskoe became a royal residence and a grand wooden palace was built here. The palace had fallen into disrepair by the time of Catherine the Great who had it demolished, but a modern recreation of it can be found in the south of the estate. Other buildings of the Tsar’s Court have survived and on the neighboring Voznesenskaya Ploschad is the UNESCO-protected Ascension Church which was built on the orders of Grand Prince Vasili III to celebrate the birth of his son – Ivan the Terrible. Several wooden buildings from various parts of Russia have also been brought to the estate for preservation including a cabin of Peter the Great, who was born at the Kolomenskoe Estate. The estate covers a very large area and you could spend most of the day here if you want to see everything, including the park’s natural attractions, but if you are short of time the main area worth visiting in the estate is the Tsar’s Court and Voznesenskaya Ploschad.
The Izmailovsky Kremlin and the Kolomenskoe Estate
The Moscow Metro is often credited with being the most beautiful metro systems in the world. When it was being designed it was not just envisaged as a means of getting from A to B but also as a celebration of the workers. Many of the stations are decorated with themed panels, mosaics, chandeliers, sculptures and stain-glassed windows of various artistic styles and look more like underground palaces than metro stations. As such the metro is a tourist attraction in itself and should not be missed. It is also possible to visit the best stations as part of a guided tour. The most beautiful stations are located on the circle line. In any case the metro is often the best way of travelling around the capital as it is extremely efficient and avoids Moscow’s notorious traffic jams.
The additional information about various sights in Moscow you may look for here: