Moscow, Russia - Travel Guide №1

Top 10 in Moscow

1- Kremlin – synonymous with Moscow, the residence of the Russian President and an ancient citadel with enough history to occupy even the most discerning of travellers for a number of days. It has been home to Russia’s rulers for generations and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, but two thirds of the Moscow Kremlin is actually closed to the public. Fortunately the remaining third is chock-a-block with some of Russia’s most treasured attractions including palaces, cathedrals, museums, squares, bell towers and a few curious and odd artefacts.

2- Red Square is like the city of Moscow, ancient, vast and surrounded by styles of architecture from different periods. The Kremlin is on its western side, the State History Museum on its north, the beautiful GUM department store along its whole eastern side, and the world famous coloured domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral on the south. These icons all represent Moscow as the political, historical, business and religious centre of Russia.

3- Moscow metro.
If your mental picture of a metro is the grubby affairs of the London and New York subway systems or the soulless affairs of the Far East underground, it might be difficult for you to comprehend why the Metro
would be listed as a top attraction in a metropolitan city of Moscow’s stature. However, the Moscow metro is like no other and deserves a sightseeing tour in itself. Huge vaulted ceilings, ornate chandeliers,
marble columns, intricate sculptures, vivid murals and elaborate mosaics are all present within the underground maze.

5- Gorky Park opened in 1928 and was the first holiday park in the Soviet Union with playgrounds, sport stadiums, exhibition halls and attractions for kids. During the perestroika post-Soviet transition period,
the focus was on commercial activities: kiosks, shops, amusement park rides and barbecue cafés were scattered around the park and an admission fee was charged. Now, the concept has dramatically changed, and Gorky Park is a bright spot on the entertainment map of modern Moscow.

6- The Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Get your fill of Russian religion, history and culture with a trip to one of Moscow’s holiest and also most controversial buildings, then admire stunning views over the
Moskva River from outside the Cathedral’s back door. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior is worth visiting as much for its fabulous glittering icons as for the pages of fascinating history tucked within its walls.

7- The Bolshoi Theatre. With its spectacular productions of the works of some of history’s greatest composers, The Bolshoi Theatre is a must for any trip to Moscow, particularly since its main stage has only recently reopened after an extensive six-year renovation. The snowy-white building is located in the very heart of the city, just north of the Kremlin, behind a grand fountain, and is topped with a statue of
Apollo driving a pair of horses.

8- Flea Market in Izmailovo. Izmailovo became an art market where paintings, crafts, souvenirs were sold on the Serebryanka river bank in the XVII century. Besides, there was so called grannies stuff: pharmacy
vessels, empty perfume bottles, nacre buttons and many other used things. So original, peculiar, old fashioned articles have had a long story at Izmailovo market which is now located not far from Partizanskaya station.