Moscow, Russia

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Moscow: Kremlin View from Moskva river embankment

 

Moscow, Nation's Capital

 
Moscow is the Capital of Russia. 

With the population of well over 10 million, Moscow is the heart and the soul of the nation. Moscow is a fascinating mixture of ancient and ultra-modern.
   It is bright, brash, noisy and never dull. And as Moscow is likely to be your first destination in Russia, it is worth taking a little time to understand the present day city in the context of its unique past. 

These are only some of the Must-see sights of Moscow:

 

The Kremlin:

This historic fortress-palace, from which czars ruled the expanse of Russia, is matched in size only by the Forbidden City of China. 

Take a fascinating tour across the Kremlin grounds - visit the famous treasure-house, the Armory Chambers Museum, the richest & the oldest inside the Kremlin. Marvel the majestic ensemble of Cathedral Square and its historic cathedrals, including the Assumption Cathedral, Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals

 

The State Tretyakov Art Gallery:

This remarkable museum is the national treasury of Russian fine art, one of the greatest museums in the world, containing the world's largest collection of Russian icons

 
 

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts:
The museum has one of the most representative collections in Russia of foreign art dated from ancient times to modern days. The collection of French Impressions is among the most impressive

 

The Bolshoi Theatre:

The theatre of world class and world renown, the Bolshoi theatre has always been and remains one of the major symbols of this great nation and its culture. The theatre has reopened in October 2011 after unprecedented multi-billion dollar renovations. The theatre is definitely worth a visit. The stage next to the original building of the theatre is also used for performances of the Bolshoi cast

 

The GUM Department Store:

located right next to Red Square, the store is among the most popular downtown spots for shopping. Originally called the Upper Trading Stalls, the GUM store has the longest history in the country. It was created over a century ago and successfully operates till nowadays

 

The Moscow Metro (Subway) System:

Unlike many underground train networks, Moscow's offers visitors the chance to experience some luxury as they travel around the city, as stations are finished in marble and feature ornate decorations as gold statues, stained glass, vaulted ceilings and Art Deco details. Lighting is provided by elaborate chandeliers that hang on platforms and station concourses, while many ceilings are adorned with intricate decorations. Over half of the city's population gets around using the Metro system and most of the ticket halls and stations are historical monuments that are protected by the government. Moscow Metro system is extremely efficient, very clean, affordable and graffiti-free

 

The Old Moscow Circus:

The Moscow Circus, on Tsvetnoy Boulevard in downtown Moscow, is the famous Russian Circus that laid the traditions of the classic circus school. Its shows continue to be extremely popular among local residents and foreign visitors as well
 

 
A Walk through Moscow's History:
 
To capture the contrasts which characterize Moscow so well, we recommend you take a walk along one of its oldest streets, the Old Arbat.  Begin at Smolenskaya Square, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towering at your back, and the western section of the Garden Ring (an urban motorway 18 lanes wide in places) stretching out in front of you, most probably groaning with traffic. When you turn into the street itself, you will move instantly from the roar and thunder of a 21st century metropolis to a narrow, pedestrian side-street lined with cafes, antique shops and market stalls selling everything from nesting Russian dolls to KGB branded zippo lighters. 
On either side, smaller and quieter side-streets radiate out, leading to still more peaceful corners of old Moscow. 

Making your way along the Arbat, you may soon find yourself lulled into an easy reverie, which will last just until you are thrust out at the far end onto Arbat Square and the modern city returns. To your left you will see the New Arbat, a six-lane highway lined with grey skyscrapers. 

A street on your right will lead you down to the Kremlin's wall. And you will find yourself right in downtown core of Moscow. With a site of a spectacular multi-story underground shopping centre built in 1990-s. From here climb back to the right into Red Square, directly ahead you will see the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral, next is the State Department Store GUM, with top designer boutiques and fashion outlets. 
   Directly opposite is the Lenin Mausoleum, a stark granite & marble tomb and the setting for countless Politburo group photos at military parades throughout the Soviet period. 
 
In half an hour, you will have gone from the 15th c. Moscow to 1960s modernism, forward again to the 90's consumer society and then back to the time of the dynasty of Rurik
 
 

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