Moscow Tourist-Attractions

Moscow Tourist-Attractions information

Red Square

Easily the most identifiable place in all of Russia, Red Square sits right in the middle of modern Moscow. Built originally as a market, all of the city's main arteries run straight to it. Roughly a kilometre long and quarter of a kilometre wide it is bordered by all of Moscow's most famous attractions - St Basil's, the Kremlin and the Historical Museum to name the most distinctive. Before entering Red Square from the north, via Tverskaya Street, visitors must pass through the "Resurrection gate" where the might of the Soviet Military used to pass through every May Day. You can also see the Lobnoe Mesto in the square - from where Russia's tsars would address their people in centuries past. In the square is also the pyramidal Mausoleum of VI Lenin. The queues to see the leader's embalmed body are now mainly tourists rather than Russians, and there are rumours that the body will be removed as Russia tries to escape the legacy of its past, but for now it remains one of the "must-do" things while in Moscow. Behind the mausoleum are graves of many other great Russians and politicians, including Stalin and, interestingly, Yuri Gagarin - the first human ever to go to space. The square hosts a fantastic New Year's Eve party at the turn of the year.

St Basil's Cathedral

Nothing says "Russia" quite like Saint Basil's, especially at night when the cupola topped towers are floodlit. Quintessentially identified with Russia and Orthodoxy, Saint Basil's Cathedral has recently undergone restoration and now appears much as it must have done when first inaugurated. With its multi-coloured onion shaped domes and small crowded chapels, the cathedral hardly resembles those of Western Europe. It was built by Ivan the Terrible in 1555-61 to celebrate his campaigns against the Mongols, and famously he was said to have ordered the architect's eyes put out after the cathedral was designed in order that he might never design anything so great again. Whether true or not, it's a grim story for a beautiful building. The distinctively Russian artistry and iconography inside make Saint Basil's a highlight. It is named after Basil the Blessed, the "holy fool" whose remains lie within the cathedral's crypt. Open: Wed-Mon 10h00-17h00. Closed first Mon of the month. Admission: RUR100.

The Kremlin

Just a few footsteps away from Red Square lies the heart of Russia. The old Moscow fortress, or Kremlin, is a huge complex with a vast array of attractions. Originally built in the 1150s it has undergone many changes in the 850-odd years it has stood here. The curtain walls that surround the citadel were only added in the Middle Ages, and the churches that once stood here were demolished in the 15th century to allow the building of the current citadel. There are several cathedrals containing many of Russia's sacred treasures, most notable among them being the Cathedral of the Assumption with its fabulous paintings and frescoes, and magnificent iconostasis. The State Armoury contains the wealth of the tsars, including the crown jewels used at the royal coronations. The priceless collections include the State Diamond Treasury (accessible via a separate entrance) and exhibits range from court clothes to the royal carriages. There is a magnificent display of the unique eggs sculpted by Fabergé. You should also take time to visit the sumptuously named Faceted Palace, and its magnificent vaulted main hall and famous "Red Staircase". Facing the palace across the square is the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. At the foot of the tower is the 200-tonne Tsar Bell - the largest bell in the world. It was never rung as during a fire at the Kremlin in 1737 water was poured over the bell as it lay still hot in its casting bed, causing an 11-tonne section to crack off. The Tsar Cannon is a similarly magnificent piece of cast-metal engineering. Dating from the late 16th century it weighs over 40 tonnes and sits in its own square at the northern end of the bell tower. Some areas of the Kremlin compound are obviously off-limits, but there is still plenty to see within the imposing walls. Make sure that you stay strictly within the marked tourist areas, although the patrolling policemen will warn you if you are wandering off the beaten path. You should allow at least half a day to see even a portion of the citadel and should really make a couple of trips if you want to see everything on show here without exhausting yourself. Citadel open: daily 10h00-17h00 (closed Thursdays). Visitors wearing shorts are not admitted. Admission: RUR300 to grounds and cathedrals. Admission to some museums inside may carry an additional charge.

The Arbat

Any visit to Moscow is incomplete without a visit to Ulitsa Arbat. Not far from the Kremlin, this 1.5km pedestrian street is lined by pastel coloured houses that evoke a different, softer time in Russia's history. The Arbat has many quaint sidewalk cafés, street vendors, actors, and artists. The former home of many underground poets and writers during the Soviet era, the Arbat still has a vague aura of rebellion to it. It is one of Moscow's best sights during the long summer days when Muscovites and tourists sit at pavement cafés watching the crowds throng past.

Tretyakov Galleries

South of the Moscow River from the Kremlin stands the tsar of all Russian art museums. There is no better collection of Russian art on earth than the one to be found in the Tretyakov. Housing the world's greatest collection of Russian Icons, masterful Peredvizhniki paintings, and other pre-revolutionary art, the Tretyakov galleries are easily the equal of any continental museum. The cornerstone of the collection was a present to the city of Moscow from merchant Pavel Tretyakov in 1892. Since then the collection has grown and now includes pieces from the 20th century. Some of the later pieces are now housed in the New Tretyakov Gallery to the south-west of the original gallery, near Gorky Park. Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-19h30.

Graveyard of Fallen Monuments

Behind the New Tretyakov Gallery is the Graveyard of Fallen Monuments. It is here that all the deposed statues of Communist heroes have been deposited. It is a magnificent, if weathered, and slightly odd collection of Soviet statuary that tells the tale of modern Russian history. As you might expect you'll find plenty of Stalins, Lenins, Dzerzhinskiis and Brezhnevs adorning this interesting park along with less recognisable figures, chiefs of police and more minor politicians among them. It's a quirky attraction that provides plenty of photo opportunities and a delightful visit in the unlikely event that you're nostalgic for the Cold War era. From the "Graveyard" you'll easily be able to see the massive and controversial statue of Peter the Great, in visionary posture. Designed by sculptor Zurab Tsereteli it was erected in the late '90s against strong opposition. Tsar Peter still hasn't been forgiven for moving the capital from Moscow to St Petersburg during his reign.

Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts

Not far from the Kremlin and Red Square is the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow's premier foreign arts museum which houses many of the most famous Impressionist and post-Impressionist artworks in the world. It also boasts an excellent array of statuary, and post-Renaissance European art. The original collection was comprised of the private collections of citizens, which were nationalised after the Russian Revolution, but it has since grown, most significantly with the addition of hundreds of pieces seized from the Germans following World War Two. Famously Russia only admitted to possessing these spoils in 1995, and in the face of international consternation the Russian Duma promptly had the works declared the property of the State. Thus swelled, the current collection can boast significant works from the likes of Monet, Picasso, Matisse and Cezanne, spanning several periods of European art. There are also exhibits of religious iconography and an interesting collection of ancient art and artefacts drawn from all over the world. Ulitsa Volhonka. Open: daily 10h00-19h00. Admission: RUR300.

Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy is best known as the home of Peter the Great's deposed half-sister, Sofia. Not wanting to give up the throne to the Tsar after his reaching adulthood, he had her sent packing here in 1689. The convent was founded in 1524 to celebrate the seizure of Smolensk from the Lithuanians, and was built on the banks of the Moscow River. Its location is significant in that at the site is the place where the Icon of the Mother of God (thought to have been painted by St Luke) was returned to the city following its being briefly removed by the Tsar. Only the Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk survives from the original site - the rest of the complex was built by Sofia during her brief occupation of the throne. Designed to resemble the Kremlin in many ways this was once one of the richest convents in the land and is surrounded by forbidding towered walls. Napoleon is said to have tried to blow the convent up in his ill-fated 1812 invasion of Russia, but (like so much else in that campaign) he failed. The cemetery on the grounds is one of the most prestigious resting places in the country for Russian heroes. Convent open: daily 10h00-17h30 (closed Tuesdays). Admission to grounds and cemetery: RUR150 + RUR400 for a local guide (one per group).

Kitay Gorod

The narrow alleyways and streets to the east of Red Square are called Kitay Gorod, which means "China Town". It is one of the oldest parts of Moscow and well worth a visit. Wandering its streets you will find the old Moscow Stock Exchange, the Printing House (where Russia's first book was printed), Chambers in the Zaryadie Museum (dedicated to the lives of the Romanov family before they became tsars, emperors and empresses) and the English House (home of the first English emissaries to Russia sent by Elizabeth I).

State History Museum

Located at the northern end of Red Square, the State History Museum houses a rich collection covering the history of Russia from the Stone Age to the present. Here the grand scope of Russia's tragic history unfolds through over four million artefacts. The archaeological section is particularly extensive, but there are significant collections of artworks and written materials that trace the artistic development of the country over more recent centuries. Currently in the process of renovation, the interior of the building is also worth seeing. 1/2 Red Square. Open: daily 10h00-18h00 (closed Tuesdays).