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Best of Moscow
The Saint Basil’s Cathedral
This Orthodox Church is probably the most representative symbol of Russia. It was constructed between 1554 and 1560 during the reign of Ivan IV also known as “Ivan the Terrible”. Its official name is “The Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God”, but it is most known as Saint Basil’s Cathedral. The main features of the building are its distinctive onion domes; the cathedral has ten towers with colorful domes at top. Because of its unique architectural style, the church is usually perceived as the symbol of the peculiar location of Russia amongst Europe and Asia. This amazing church is located at southeast of Red Square, just in front to the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin.
The Kremlin
This fortified complex is one of the Russian symbols; it is located at center of Moscow. The Kremlin contains a city with multitude of palaces, armories and churches. This impressive complex originates from a Vyatich fortified structure on Borovitsky Hill. Until the XIV century this site was known as Grad of Moscow. The word Kremlin was used for first time to refer this complex in 1331. The first stone structures of the Kremlin were built by order of Ivan Kalita between 1320 and 1330. Later in 1475 Ivan III organized the reconstruction of the Kremlin, inviting a number of skilled architects of renaissance style from Italy amongst them Marco Ruffo and Antonio Solari; during this time were constructed the three extant cathedrals of the Kremlin, the Deposition Church and the Palace of Facets. In 1600, it was built the highest building of the city, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.
Now the complex serves as the official residence of the Russian President and contains inside it, some of the most famous and beautiful structures of Russia like the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael, the cathedral of the Annunciation, the cathedral of the Twelve Apostles, the Patriarch’s Palace, the Armory, etc.
The Kremlin is a seat of immense power, its history crammed with tales of Czars and revolutionaries, terrible cruelties and great bravery, secrets and mysteries, myths and events that have helped to shape the world. No visit to Moscow is complete without knowing this amazing place.
The Red Square
No doubt the Red Square is probably the most known main square in the World and is definitely one of the most significant places. The square separates the Kremlin from the former merchant quarter Kitay-Gorod. The square was originally a market place during the reign of Ivan III. Later the square was used for several ceremonies and public proclamations like the coronations of the Czars. Its name derives from the Russian word “krasnaya” which means both “red” and “beautiful”; initially the word was applied with the second meaning (beautiful), but this meaning now is archaic.
During the communist period this place was scenery for military parades and some of the most famous buildings that surround it, like Saint Basil’s Cathedral were on the verge of disappearing; since Stalin want to demolish them, because they hampered the passage of heavy military vehicles; fortunately this project does not get to perform.
Now the Red Square serves commonly to hosts high-profile concerts like Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney amongst other.
Victory Park
It is located on Poklomaya Hill and was constructed in honor to the victory of the red army over the Nazis in the World War II. The park spreads almost 68 hectares and hosts over 100 different kinds of trees; besides, it is decorated with many ponds, fonts, canals, avenues and flower gardens. The main monument in the park is a great obelisk with a bronze statue at top; this statute represents to Nika the goddess of the Victory. The park is crossed by the Avenue of Heroes which is decorated by several bronze sculptures of Soviet heroes and Socialists leaders; amongst them, it highlights the statue of Marshal Georgy Zhukov who commanded the heroic Leningrad Front. Behind the park is the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War which owns a great collection of war items. This beautiful park is located right next to Park Pobedy metro station.
Monument to Peter the Great (Monument Petry Velikomu)
It is a bronze monument in honor to the czar Peter the Great which is remembered as the most powerful king of Russia. The statue is 315 feet (around 97 meters) high and was conceived by the mayor Yury Luzhkov to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Russian navy in 1998. The artist who created this impressive sculpture was Zurab Tsereteli. This statue is very controversial and has been described using a great variety of adjectives like wonderful, impressive, amazing but also strange, unusual, horrendous, awful, etc. One of the reasons for this controversy is the reputation of Peter who despised Moscow city and designed his own city Saint Petesburg as capital of Russia in 1712; therefore Peter the Great isn’t very popular in Moscow. However this monument is now one of the landmarks of the city.
Izmailovsky Park
It has been for several centuries the most popular relax place to the Muscovites. This park is one of the most ancient in Moscow and covers almost 332 hectares. The park is for the Muscovites the same what Central Park is for the New Yorkers. It was founded during the reign of Peter the Great. Inside the park there are many ponds and tourist attractions like the Izmailovo market, a great place to buy souvenirs. Another attraction is the Kruglyi pond; since in this place, it is possible to rent a catamaran or boat for 30 or 50 RUR ($1 or $2). Admission to the park is free.
Russian State Library
It is the national library of Russia, the largest in the country and one of the most complete in the world. This library is also known as Lenin library; it was founded in 1862 as the library of the Rumyantsev Museum and was reorganized in 1917 by the Russian Revolution. During this time the library’s contents grew enormously. Now this world famous library saves a fine selection of aging manuscripts and books including one of the first Russian samples of the handwritten book, the “Gospel of the Archangel”. Besides, the library has over 42 million books in almost 250 different languages. The impressive library is available to everyone above 18 years old, but you need a passport and a visa evidence to apply for a pass to use the library. Another attraction at the library is the monument in honor to the Great Russian writer Fedor Dovstoyevsky, which is situated in front to the Library.
Tchaikovskii Concert Hall
This beautiful concert hall was built from 1938 to 1940 and is a good example of the socialist politic from that time. Originally this building was and avant-garde theatre; nevertheless, its original owner was tortured and killed by the Russian revolutionaries and it was transformed into concert hall. Now it hosts currently the Moscow State Philharmonic. Besides, there are also many other cultural spectacles including ballets shows of the prestigious Igor Moiseyev Ballet and classic musical concerts played by several Muscovites symphony orchestras. This prestigious hall is located at 4/31 “Triumfalnaya Ploschad”.
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