KREMLIN

The Kremlin is Moscow's central architectural ensemble, the heart of Russia and symbol of her greatness. It is situated on the high bank of the Moscow River. This is the oldest part of Moscow that as far back as the 11th century was the site of the Slaviansky town and its first manuscript reference dates from 1147. The fortified structures of the Moscow Kremlin are best examples of mediaeval European fortifications. They were erected between 1485 and 1495 by the Italian architects. The territory of the Kremlin situated on Borovitski Hill at the confluence of two rivers, has the shape of irregular triangle. The fortress walls have an overall length of 2235m. Along the perimeter stand eighteen fortified towers. Faced with large well-baked bricks weighing 8 kg each, the walls are from 5 to 19 m high and from 3,5 to 6,5 m thick. Multi-tiered towers, crowned with flat platforms for accurate aim in the traditional manner of European fortresses, were elevated with addition of tall hipped roofs in the 7th century. They reach a height of 28 to 71 m, the Spasskaya (Saviour) and Troitskaya (Trinity) being the tallest.

CATHEDRAL OF THE DORMITION

The Cathedral of the Dormition used to be Russia's main cathedral. It was built in 1475 on the site of the original white-stone church by order of Ivan III Grand Prince of Moscovy. Its style and composition is consistent with the strict rules of the Orthodox canon. The south, north and west walls are lined with tombs of metropolitans and patriarchs. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church had been buried here until 1721. The most important state ceremonies were held here: ordination of metropolitans, coronation of tsars and later emperors and public proclamation of state edicts. Works of art collected by the grand princes, tsars, metropolitans formed the basis of the state treasure: priceless manuscripts and art objects fashioned from gold and silver and decorated with precious stones, that were crafted by the best painters, jewelers, engravers, metalworkers, embroiders and gilders. After the closure of the cathedral in 1919 most of the collection was transferred to the Armoury, and many icons to the Tretyakov Gallery.

CATHEDRAL OF THE ANNUNCIATION

The Cathedral of the annunciation was built in 1485 as the domestic church of the tsars and grand princes of Moscovy. The tsar and his family celebrated christenings, weddings and daily prayers here. The interior is richly decorated. The many gilded iconostasis features a number of icons painted by Andrei Rublev, the renowned master icon-painters of the late 14th century. The vivid, intense colourscale matches that of the luxurious royal chambers linked to the cathedral by special passageways. The floor is inlaid with tiles of agate jasper. The sumptuousness of the royal cathedral is embellished by cast iron doors.

CHURCH OF THE DEPOSITION OF THE ROBE

The domestic church of Russian metropolitan and patriarchs was built in 1484 in the style of early Moscow architecture. The frescoes preserved inside the church were painted by court masters Ivan Borisov, Sidor Istomin in 1643. The Church of the Deposition of the Robe became part of the royal palace complex after construction of the new patriarchal Church of the Twelve Apostles in the mid-17th century. A collection of Russian woodcarving from 16th to 18th centuries is also preserved here.

CATHEDRAL OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL

The cathedral which served as the burial place of the grand princes and tsars of Moscovy stands on the site of an ancient church built in the early 14th century and dedicated to the Archangel Michael, a guardian angel of the Moscow princes in war time. The present-day cathedral was erected 1505 by the Venetian architect and painted by the best masters from Moscow. All the grand princes and tsars prior to Peter the Great are buried in the cathedral. A carved white-stone canopy by the south-east pillar covers the grave of the murdered Tsarevich Dmitry, sanctified as a holy martyr.

ARBAT

Arbat is one of the most beautiful places in Moscow.

It is divided into two parts - Old and New Arbat. Old Arbat is the historic walking area, a cobblestone street, which retains elements of its once elegant past. Amazing historical atmosphere, numerous souvenir shops and outdoor cafes, artists performing their handicrafts and skills turn this street into one of the most famous and popular place among tourists and citizens.

New Arbat is another sight of present-day Moscow. The project worked out by a team of architects was awarded the Gran Prix by the Paris Center of Architectural Research. The super modern style of this thoroughfare is made up by the geometrical regularity of its lines and the obvious repetitions and sharp contrasts of the forms. It is a location of largest shops, bars, casino, restaurants and cafes.

METRO

Moscow's metro stations called the "underground palaces" of Moscow are another attraction of the city. It is not an exaggeration as their interiors demonstrate almost royal splendor. Used in their decoration are more than twenty varieties of marble coming from the Urals, Altai, Central Asia, the Caucasus and Ukraine as well as labradorite, granite, porphyry, rhodonite, onyx and other natural stones. The magnificent, festive-looking halls and vestibules are adorned with sculpture, bas-reliefs, mosaics, paintings, stained glass panels and murals executed by the best artists.

The Moscow underground was designed and built by eminent Soviet architects who aimed not only at utility and comfort but gave every station a unique look. The metro station Mayakovskaya opened in 1938 is considered one of the most beautiful. Its underground vestibule is supported by metal columns faced with granite and stainless steel. Mosaics and cupolas were made after the sketches of A. Deineka. In 1937 the Mayakovskaya station was awarded the Gran Prix at the International Exhibition in Paris.

The metro stations Mayakovskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Teatralnaya, Novoslobodskaya, and Prospect Mira are fine examples of the architecture from the 1930s to1950s. Some of them are protected by the state as national property.

The first metro line began to operate in Moscow on May 15, 1935. New stations built nowadays are of simple and austere design. The passengers are guided by the metro plans which are to be found in every hall, indicators and recorded information.

STATE TRETYAKOV GALLERY

The Tretyakov Gallery is one of the most famous art museums in the world. Its collection covers millennium of Russian cultural development.

The founder was a Moscow merchant and industrialist who was also a great art expert, connoisseur and renowned patron: Pavel Tretyakov. He devoted his entire life to forming a collection. Every year he added what he considered to be the finest works of art to the gallery, buying paintings directly from the artists or from their exhibitions.

The already-famous gallery was opened to public view in 1881, during Tretyakov's lifetime. In 1892, just a few years before his death, Tretyakov donated his superb collection to the city of Moscow.

The famous colorful facade uniting the entire complex of buildings was erected after the death of Tretyakov between 1901 and1903, to design by eminent Russian artist V.Vasnetsov. This Russian-style structure is a symbol of national art.

Today the collection consists of more than 100 000 works of art displayed at the department of ancient Russian art from the 12th to 17th centuries, the department of graphics and sculpture from the 18th to early 20th centuries and the department of 20th-century art.

NOVODEVICHY CONVENT

The Novodevichi Convent, one of the most beautiful monastic ensembles in Russia, has been a branch of the State Historical Museum since 1934. It was founded by order of Prince Vasily III in 1524, to commemorate the 1514 victory of Russia over the Polish and Lithuanian forces in the battle for the borderlands and the return of the town Smolensk. Situated near the road leading to Moscow from the south, it served as military outpost on more than one occasion. The convent was favored by the tsars and boyars, since the nuns included members of both royal and high-ranking families. The architectural ensemble was formed from the 16th to 17th centuries. The ancient convent cathedral was dedicated to the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God coming from Byzantium. It was mostly revered icon in Smolensk Province.

TSARITSYNO

Tsaritsyno is a historical museum of art and architecture in a landscaped park. The picturesque palace ensemble and park at Tsaritsyno, in the south-eastern outskirts of Moscow, date from the second half of the 18th century. In 1775 Catherine the Great decided to build a residence here, from that time onwards the area was called Tsaritsyno.

Design and construction of the ensemble was entrusted to the eminent Russian architect Vasily Bazhenov. The idea of creating an estate in the Romantic style was realized in architectural ensemble that obeyed the strict laws of Classicism. By using the forms of ancient Russian architecture, stylizing them and adapting them to a new environment, Bazhenov created a novel architectural and environmental ensemble.

Contemporaries enthused at the work of the great Bazhenov. But fate struck and condemned the estate for the next two centuries. Catherine the Great was displeased with the palace and ordered it to be completely demolished. Modern historians believe Catherine was angered by Bazhenov's intimacy with "free-thinkers" and the Masonic followers of Paul, heir to the throne.

In 1927 a museum was opened in the estate.

STATE PUSHKIN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

The world-famous Museum of Fine Arts is a major centre for studding of Western European art in Russia, second only in importance and scope to the renowned Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The idea of creating a collection within the fine art and antiquities department of Moscow University which would cover all periods in the development of world art history received public approval in the mid-19th century. The museum was financed by leading Moscow patrons of arts: noblemen, industrialists and merchants.

The building assumed the form of a Greek temple on a high podium, with a lonic colonnade at the central facade. The first-floor rooms have a glass ceilings designed by the well-known engineers. The Museum was opened in 1912. The unique collection of 6000 ancient Egyptian artifacts was a most valuable part of the museum holdings. In 1920s-1930s the holdings increased after nationalization of private art collections. Later in the 1940s the museum received unique collection from two major Moscow collectors, who discovered impressionism unrecognized even in Paris. After that the Museum of Fine Arts gained considerable status among the major world museums. At present its holdings number more than a million original paintings and graphic works, and even more sculptures and objects of applied art from all over the world from antiquity to the present day.

KOLOMENSKOYE

Visitors will find here a unique combination of world important architecture and nature landscape of rare beauty. Here in ancient land one can realize - Kolomenskoye is the concentration of Russian History, Culture and Traditions.

The State Historical, Architectural and Landscape Museum of Kolomenskoye are located in the south of Moscow. It was particularly important during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century and Alexei Mikhailovich in the 17th century. The unique architectural ensemble was built at this period. The dominant structure at Kolomenskoye is the Church of the Ascension. In the 16th century it served as summer church for the tsar's family. It was erected to mark a momentous event - the birth of a long-awaited heir to the Russian throne, the future Ivan IV, called Ivan the Terrible.

Several times during the year one can see here theatrical shows in the open air. Soul music festivals folk merry-makings, that will involve the visitor in wonderful tours through the times of old Russia, during which one can enjoy Russian folk music and dancing, taste some real Russian cuisine dishes including numerous sorts of Russian honey.

SERGIEV POSAD

Sergiev Posad (Zagorsk in the Soviet times) is one of most interesting towns in the Moscow Region. Undoubtedly, travelers are attracted to Sergiev Posad mainly by the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura (the Greek word "laura" means monastery), that is responsible for the fame of the town as the capital of the Russian Orthodox Church. The monastery was founded in the 1340s by Reverend Sergius of Radonezh, whose name was given to the town. Sergius of Radonezh, Father Superior of the monastery, played a major role in consolidating the lands of Russ under the leadership of Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy who won a significant victory over Khan Mamay at Kulikovo Field in 1380. For centuries the monastery has been the biggest religious and cultural center of the Russian state. Icon painters Andrei Rublev and Daniel Chorny worked there; they decorated with frescoes the main church of the monastery - the Trinity Cathedral. The cathedral keeps the imperishable relics of Reverend Sergius. For many centuries his tomb has been the place of pilgrimage for orthodox believers. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the monastery and its founder for the history of Russia. It is the basis that supports Russian spirituality, statehood, and national character. The Trinity-St. Sergius Laura grounds include the biggest Russian monastery, the monastery necropolis and the Moscow Ecclesiastical Academy and Seminary. There remains a historical and architectural XV-XIX century ensemble of churches, belfries and chambers.

Today Sergiev Posad is a district center of the Moscow Region. Its population is 115,000.

MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF COSMONAUTICS

One of the boldest soviet monuments, the Space Obelisk consists of a rocket blasting nearly 100m aloft on a stylized plume of energy clad in shining titanium. Unveiled in 1964, 3 years after Gagarin orbited the earth, this unabashed expression of pride in a unique feat rises from a base featuring tableaux of engineers and scientists striving to put a cosmonaut into his rocket and Lenin leading the masses into space, as a woman offers her baby to the sun.

Beneath the Space Obelisk, Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics traces the history of rocketry and space exploration from the 1920s till the present day. Exhibits include the first rocket engine, created by Tsander and tested in 1931, models of missiles, satellites and moon-walkers, genuine space meals and photos of cosmonauts learning the art of working and eating in zero gravity at Star City (outside Moscow). A fantastic collection of Soviet space posters completes the show.