Privet, Moscow!
Whether you were drawn here by
the city’s chaotic political history, its rich cultural heritage, its
breathtaking performing arts or just the need of some good vodka, Moscow will
amaze you.
If Saint Petersburg is Russia’s
“window on Europe,” Moscow is the Russia’s heart. It is vibrant, upbeat and an
iconic city.
A strange combination of
traditional Russian architecture with new modernized buzz, Moscow is an
adventure waiting to happen.
Here
are some of the top attractions that you should check out.
Red
Square
 |
| Red Square in Moscow |
Almost 8 lakh square feet, it
lies east of the Kremlin and north of Moskva River. The State Historical Museum
lies at the northern end of the Red Square. At the Square’s southern end,
stands the nine-towered Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed. Lenin’s tomb is on
the west and GUM, the Premoum departmental Store is on the east.
Red Square has been the scene
for demonstrations, executions, riots, parades and speeches. Even today the military parades are held at Red Square on
May Day.
Red Square was added to
UNESCO’s World heritage List in 1990. The streets around Red Square are a
good start for you to stroll and have them as background for your photos.
The
most famous landmark in Moscow and a must visit place!!
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii
Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
St. Basil’s Cathedral
Everyone has seen the picture
of the church with the colourful onion shaped dome. Clearly, the most famous
landmark of Russia, you can spot it the moment you start walking inside the Red
Square.
 |
| St. Basil's Cathedral |
St. Basil’s Cathedral was build
in 1561 to celebrate Ivan the Terrible crucial defeat of the Khan of Kazan, a
victory that secured Moscow’s position as the region dominant city.
The story goes that the eyes of
the architect who commissioned the cathedral were cut out, so that he cannot
make another beautiful cathedral like this one.
The cathedral is far more
beautiful from the outside than from the inside. If you still want to have a
look, there is a ticket booth right next to the entry gate of the Cathedral.
Opening
Hours:
June-August:
10:00 to 18:00
November - April: 11:00 to 17:00
May, September, October: 11:00 to 18:00
First Wednesday of the month – day off
November - April: 11:00 to 17:00
May, September, October: 11:00 to 18:00
First Wednesday of the month – day off
Entry
Price: 700 RUB
Entry Price with audioguide: 1200 RUB
Entry Price with audioguide: 1200 RUB
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii
Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
GUM Departmental Store
Look towards the stunning
building on the left hand side of the St. Basil’s Cathedral. It’s the GUM
Departmental Store (I am sure it is the most beautiful & the most famous
departmental store in the entire country). Pronounced as “Goom” the 19th
century building was built to replace the old trading area that once stood
opposite the Kremlin.
 |
| GUM |
GUM is a departmental store
which today houses hundreds of premium stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants
and is one of the prominent landmarks of Moscow. Even if shopping you not on
your cards, do drop by GUM to witness the glass roof arcade and the high street
shops.
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii
Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
State Historical Museum
State
Historical Museum is the largest museum of Russia containing over 4.5 million
items collected over 100 years.
The
State Historical Museum (built 1875-83) stands at the northern end of the Red
Square.
Opening
Hours:
Mon,
Wed, Thur, Sun: 10:00 to 18:00
Fri, Sat: 10:00 – 21:00
Tue: Closed
Admission Fees: Ruble 1100
Fri, Sat: 10:00 – 21:00
Tue: Closed
Admission Fees: Ruble 1100
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii
Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
Lenin’s Mausoleum
The body of the Russian
dictator, Vladimir Lenin has been on
display at the Red Square for over 90 years. One of the walls of the Kremlin
makes an imposing backdrop to the mausoleum of the leader of the communist
movement.
During
our visit to Moscow, due to the preparation of the Victory Day the Mausoleum
was cordoned off.
Please
note that bags and camera are not allowed inside.
Opening
Hours:
Tue,
Wed, Thur, Sat, Sun: 10:00 to 13:00
Mon, Fri: Closed
Admission Fees: Free
Mon, Fri: Closed
Admission Fees: Free
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii
Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
Moscow’s Kremlin
There are many reasons why
Kremlin is worth a visit. The 36.4 hectare Kremlin has been included in the
UNESCO World Heritage List and its history can be divided into three periods:
the wooden Kremlin (13th century), the Italian Renaissance Kremlin
and the modern Kremlin.
 |
| Kremlin |
Kremlin lies in the heart of the
city of Moscow and today houses the political head quarter of the Earth’s
largest nation. Within the world famous walls of Kremlin lies a collection of
buildings or various architectural styles, ranging from ancient Russian style
to modern buildings. While much of it is not accessible to the general public
being part of the government and President estate, the buildings open to the
public forms a treasure of its own.
You will need a ticket to enter
the Kremlin and are advised to leave any large bags in the cloak room located
near the ticket office. A “Kremlin territory” ticket gets you inside the
cathedrals but in order to visit the Kremlin Armoury you need to buy a separate
ticket (very expensive) before you enter the Kremlin.
So how
big is the Kremlin?
Total
Area – 27.7 Hectare
Wall’s Length – 2,500 metre
Wall’s Height – 5-19 metre
No. of Towers – 20
Tower’s Height – Upto 80 metre
Wall’s Length – 2,500 metre
Wall’s Height – 5-19 metre
No. of Towers – 20
Tower’s Height – Upto 80 metre
Tsar Bell (200 Tons)
It was in the 18th
century that the Russian decided to cast the biggest bell in the world – the
tsar of the bells. The weight of this bell is 200 tons (shocking) and is 6.24
metre in height.
 |
| Tsar Bell |
It would be no exaggeration to
say that if this bell rang, the whole of Moscow would hear it. However it was
never heard. This bell has never been rung.
It is said that there was a
massive fire in the Kremlin in 1737. The Muscovites feared that the bell might
melt in the fire and rushed to the sites and poured cold water on the bell. The
sudden change in the temperature caused a big slab to split off the bell. Since
the bell was broken, it was never lifted to a bell tower.
The bell rests on a pedestal at
the foot of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower inside the Kremlin in Moscow.
The yellow building behind the
bell today houses various offices of the Russian Presidential Administration.
Tsar Cannon (40 tons)
The Kremlin also boasts the biggest cannon in the world which weighs 40 tons and is almost 5 metre long. The cannon were cast in bronze in 1586 and is decorated with various inscriptions, and ornaments. It is located near the Kremlin armoury facing the Kremlin Senate.
According to the legend, the
cannon have never actually been fired. The cast balls placed near the cannon
are for decorative purpose only and weighs one ton each.
Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral of the Assumption
is the oldest and the biggest church of all the Kremlin churches and was built
in 1475 by Italian architect Aristotle Fiorovanti. It’s simple and is crowned
by five golden domes. The Orthodox metropolitans and patriarchs of the 14th
and the 18th century are buried here.
 |
| Cathederal of Assumption |
Cathedral of the Annunciation
The Cathedral of the
Annunciation was built by Pskov Architects in 1484-89 and was designed as the
main church for Russian Tsars and their families. In this Cathedral, Russian
Tsars were married and baptized. Its chapels are topped with golden roofs and
domes.
Dormition Cathedral
Dormition
Cathedral was the key cathedral of Russia and it is at this cathedral where all
the emperors of the Romanov Dynasty were coroneted.
Cathedral
of the Archangel Michael
This
Cathedral is dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel was rebuilt in 1505-08 an
dis the place where the Prince of Moscow is buried.
Opening
Hours:
Museum
opening Hours: 10:00 to 17:00
Day off: Thursday
Day off: Thursday
Visiting fees:
Armoury: 1000 Rubles
Architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square: 700 Rubles
Museum in the Bell Tower: 350 Rubles
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
Armoury: 1000 Rubles
Architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square: 700 Rubles
Museum in the Bell Tower: 350 Rubles
Nearest Metro Station: Ohotnii Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshad Revolutsii
Cathedral of Christ
the Saviour
 |
| Cathedral of Christ the Saviour |
The cathedral that you see
today is a close replica of the original cathedral and was restored between
1994 and 2000. The original cathedral was built in the 19th century
in honour of the victory over the Napoleon.
Of all the churches in Moscow,
none are as impressive, opulent and grandiose as Cathedral of Christ the
Saviour.
The entry to the Cathedral is
free, but clicking pictures inside the cathedral is strictly prohibited. As it
is a place of worship, it is advised to dress conservatively.
Do get on the bridge in front
of the Cathedral to enjoy the amazing view of the Kremlin.
Opening
Hours:
Tue,
Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:00 to 18:00
Mon: 13:00 – 21:00
Admission Free
Mon: 13:00 – 21:00
Admission Free
Nearest Metro Station:
Kropotkinskaya
Alexander Garden
At the back of the Kremlin and
at the end of the Red Square is the Alexander Garden. It’s a beautiful set of
garden, fountains and statues and is a good place to stroll and relax in the
very center of the Red Square.
The garden was laid out at the beginning
of the 19th century and Emperor Alexander I personally ordered the
garden to be created.
The garden also has many
monuments erected in memory of the two major Russian wars - the one in 1812
(against France) and WWII
Okhotny Ryad, a shopping mall
is located just at the end of the Alexander Garden and is a good mix of high
end and budget shops.
Zaryadye Park
A new addition in the long list
of places to see in Moscow is Zaryadye Park, which is a stone throw away from
the Red Square. The park is massive in size overlooking the Moskva River. The
park has various eating joints and a small amphitheater. It has now become a
very popular place for live musical performances.
 |
| View from Zaryadye Park |
Don’t forget to enjoy the
breathtaking view of the Kremlin from the newly constructed floating bridge in
the Zaryadye Park.
Nearest Metro Station: Kitay
Gorod
Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre is one of
the most celebrated theatres in the world. It was opened on 20th
October 1856 on Tsar Alexander II’s coronation day.
 |
| Bolshoi Theatre |
On 29th October 2002
the Bolshoi was given a New Stage while the Historic stage was undergoing
reconstruction and renovation. The revamping project lasted from 1 July 2005 to
28th October 2011 and today it boasts of most technically equipped
theatre in the World.
But please be prepared to empty
your pockets as a ticket at Bolshoi will surely leave a dent in your wallet. You
can book a ticket online or if you want you can standing tickets are also
available. The ticket counters open two hours before the actual show but be
sure to stand in the line quickly because the tickets are sold like hot cakes.
There
are two ways you can visit the Bolshoi theatre – you can either buy tickets to
attend a ballet or opera performance or you can take a guided tour of the
historic building.
For a fancy night of culture
and high society head to Bolshoi for an opera or ballet performance. Trust me,
its whimsical and glamorous!!
Gorky Park
Take a break from walking
around the historical attractions and rest in the well groomed green areas on
Moscow. Gorky Park provides some of Moscow’s best people-watching spots and
offers various activities you can do with your group. It is the biggest and the
most famous park in Moscow.
 |
| Entry to Gorky Park |
First established in 1923,
Gorky Park underwent a huge reconstruction in 2011.
The 30 acres park has play area
for children of all age groups, a beach volley ball court, ping pong, skate
boarding, skating, bike riding etc. In winters half of the park becomes an ice
rink, with separate segments for children, ice hockey, dancing and skating. If
you want to enjoy a cruise, aboard a boat on the Moskva River from the park.
The park also has eating
outlets wherein you can enjoy a meal or some coffee with your friends and
family.
It is the first Russian Park to
compete with some of the leading parks in the world.
Entry is free and there is free
wifi throughout the park.
Nearest Metro Station: Park
Kultury, Oktyabrskaya
Free Admission and is open 24
hrs.
Sparrow Hill & Moscow State University (MSU)
Sparrow Hill, the highest point
of the city, is the best place to have a panoramic view of Moscow. Once known
as the Lenin Hill, Sparrow Hill has the amazing backdrop of the Moscow
University Building and is the perfect place to click pictures. There is a
viewing platform on the Sparrow Hill overlooking the Moscow River. The front
view is the Central Stadium which was the main venue of the 22nd
Olympic Games in 1980.
Moscow State University is the
tallest amongst the Stalin’s seven skyscrapers (The Seven Sister). It is
definitely a building to watch. You might not get an entry inside the building
if you do not have the right student ID, but do drop by to appreciate the
massive and the beautiful MSU building.
 |
| Moscow State University |
Nearest Metro Station:
Universitet
Metros in Moscow
The easiest, fastest, cheapest and
the most efficient mode of transportation in Moscow is the metro. Even if you
plan to travel by taxi, you should go underground to see some of the beautiful
metro stations of Moscow. I am sure the metro stations will leave you spell
bound!!
Opened in 1935, it is one of
the largest and oldest underground railway systems in the world.
With its grand architecture,
intricate mosaics, it has turned many metro stations into picturesque tourist
attractions. Most of the stations look like a monument; with every station has
its own distinctive decoration, theme and may be a fascinating story to tell.
I suggest visiting the metro
stations during dead hours (11 am to 4 pm) and thus avoiding the peak hours of
Moscow.
There are 12 lines and a total
of 200 stations and counting.
Few metro stations that we
visited were:
Mayakovskaya is considered as
one of the stunning metro station in Moscow. The station is gleaming with domed
arches and it feels like a luxury hotel. This metro station was erected in
1938, three years before the beginning of World War II.
Novoslobodskaya Station is
decorated with stained glass panel.
Komsomolskaya is definitely one
of the prettiest metro stop with impressive chandeliers. You will be forgiven
for thinking that you have accidentally strolled into a palace rather than a
metro station. Yellow has recently become my favourite colour J
Okhotny Ryad - This metro station is closest to the Red Square and also leads to one of Moscow's main downtown street - Okhotny Ryad
Kurskaya - The most striking point of this metro station are its marble covered walls, the moldings in its ceilings and the chandeliers.
Bolorusskya
Kurskaya - The most striking point of this metro station are its marble covered walls, the moldings in its ceilings and the chandeliers.
Bolorusskya
Ploshchad
Revolyutsii
is one of the most popular metro station and is very near to Red Square. This
metro station is famous for its bronze sculptures.
VDNKH
Try reading this - vystava dostizheniy
narodnogo khozyaystva
 |
| VDNKH Entrance |
This is the full form of VDNKH,
the English translation is the Exhibition of Achievements of the People’s
Economy.
 |
| VDNKH |
We visited the Park on a
weekday but since the holidays were going on in Russia, there were lot of
people there. The complex includes more than 500 structures some of them being
heritage buildings. It serves as a park where people can relax, hangout, cycle,
skate and eat.
Opening Hours:
Opening Hours:
Mon,
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun : 10:00 to 19:00
Thur, Sat : 10:00 – 21:00
The entrance fee is 250 Ruble.
Thur, Sat : 10:00 – 21:00
The entrance fee is 250 Ruble.
Address: 119 Mira Square, Moscow
Old Arbat & New Arbat Street
Arbat Street is one of the
oldest, cobbled pedestrian street in Moscow and is a perfect place for evening
stroll. The street is lined with numerous shops and small cafes and restaurants
which makes it a perfect place for souvenirs and curios shopping.
The street is full of street
performers and musicians at Arbat Street which makes for a great atmosphere. The
street can be an overwhelming place because it is constantly in motion and
buzzing with activities. It is incredibly welcoming and sure is touristy, but
it’s a fun place to walk around, window shop and grab a bite.
Izmailovo Kremlin & Flea Market
Do you know that there is a second
Kremlin located in the north east part of Moscow? Make an effort to venture a
little outside from the centre of the city to Izmailovo Kremlin & Market. Brimming
with museums, regal palaces and galleries, the area is a cultural hub which
provides ample photo opportunities. The main courtyard of the Kremlin offers
ample culinary specialties. This colourful fairy tale palace was recently build
in 2007 is a popular venue for weddings.
Next to the Kremlin, is the Izmailovo open air flea market, the perfect place to find the best souvenirs and tourist trinkets in Moscow. The market has the biggest and best selection for Matryoshka dolls, vodka short glasses, warm caps and gloves, fridge magnets, Putin paraphernalia ranging from towels, mugs to T shirts.
Don’t forget to bargain, that’s
a must here.
Opening
Hours:
Nearest Metro Station: Partizanskaya,
Izmailovo
Moscow City Skyscrapers
The Moscow city gives a glimpse
of the future modern city with breathtaking skyscrapers, hotels, offices,
malls, theatre, commercial complex etc.
The Federation Tower is the
tallest building in Europe (374 meters). The Imperia Tower is 352 meters tall
and is equipped with a sightseeing platform.
Afimall commercial and
entertainment center is situated in the heart of the Moscow city. It includes
over 100,000 square meters of shops, cafes and entertainment venues.
Things Not to Miss in Moscow
- Tour the Red Square and the Kremlin
- See a ballet performance at the Bolshoi Theatre
- Ride on the Moscow metro are not to be missed
- Buy some Soviet souvenirs
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