Top Ten Attractions

Moscow Highlights

THE KREMLIN, one of the most beautiful and greatest historical and architectural monuments, is situated at the centre of Moscow. The original walls of the Moscow Kremlin were made of wooden; it was founded in the middle of the 12th century. Two centuries later Moscow became the capital of a small principality. Since that time the Kremlin has become the official Russian governor residence. Nowadays one part of Kremlin placement is occupied by the presidential cabinets; this territory is closed to visitors. But during the excursion you’ll see magnificent white-stone cathedrals — Cathedral of the Archangel, dedicated to the patron saint of the rulers of Muscovy Michael, Cathedral of the Annunciation, used as the private church of the Tsar’s family, Cathedral of the Assumption, the place of the consecration of rulers and church leaders.

THE ARMORY MUSEUM is a world-known treasury where you can see decorative and applied works of Russian art as well as European and Eastern countries art of the 6th-20th centuries. The building of the Armory Museum was constructed by famous Russian architect Konstantin Ton in 1844-1851 as a factory for making weapons and armor. The Armory Museum is situated on the territory of the Kremlin.

THE DIAMOND FUND was created later than the Armory Museum and nowadays it successfully supplements it. The exhibition includes two halls. There are items of Tsar’s family life, Tsar’s regalia, very famous Imperial Crown of Russia made especially for Catherine II in 1762, pre-revolutionary Russian and foreign honors in the Historical Hall. The Modern Hall holds the biggest gold and platinum bullions, found in Russia, diamonds-giants and contemporary jewelries.

THE STATE TRETYAKOV ART GALLERY
The history of Tretyakov Art Gallery began more than 150 years ago. It was Moscow merchant and patron of art Pavel Tretyakov who decided to collect works of art. He purchased on his own means works of famous Russian painters and later he willed them to create a popular museum. Nowadays visitors of Gallery can see a big number of works of Russian painters and sculptors of the 18th-20th centuries, a big collection of pieces of Old Russian art, drawings in its halls. The Hall «Treasury» contains works of applied art, miniatures, icons in precious frameworks.

TSARITSINO ESTATE
Architectural and park ensemble of Tsaritsino is a remarkable historical and cultural monument of the 18th-19th centuries. Constructed in the Gothic style, it was intended for the residence of Catherine II.
In 1776-1785 grandiose construction works supervised by architect V. Bajenov took place on the territory of the estate. The two palaces were put up. At the same time the landscape park was laid out. The Gothic buildings were notable for combination of red bricks and white socle adorned with decorative details. However, the Empress did not appreciate Bajenov's work and Bajenov was dismissed. In 1797, a year after Catherine's death, construction work was stopped.
In the 19th century Tsaritsino became the place for folk festivals. The new pavilions were put up. In 1860 it was decided to demolish Tsaritsino Estate, but fortunately the plans were not realized. In 1927 Tsaritsino was turned into a museum. In 2005 new reconstruction began and in 2007 the Palace and park were opened for public.

St. BASIL’S CATHEDRAL
Although it's known to everyone as St. Basil's, this legendary building is officially called «The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat». The popular alternative refers to Basil the Blessed, a Muscovite 'holy fool' who was buried in the Trinity Cathedral that once stood here.
The Cathedral was ordered by Ivan the Terrible to mark the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces. Nothing is known about the builders, Barma and Postnik Yakovlev, except their names and the dubious legend that Ivan had them blinded so that they could not create anything to compare.
When built, the Cathedral was all white to match the white-stone Kremlin, and the onion domes were gold. In the 17th century a hip-roofed bell tower was added, the gallery and staircases were covered with vaulted roofing, and the helmeted domes were replaced with decorated ones. In 1860 during rebuilding, the Cathedral was painted with a more complex and integrated design, and has remained unchanged since.
The Cathedral is now a museum. But one service a year is held in the Cathedral, on the Day of Intercession in October.

THE BOLSHOI THEATRE is a historic theatre in Moscow, designed by famed architect Joseph Bové. It holds performances of ballet and opera.
The foundation of Bolshoi Theater traditionally dates back to the 6th of January of 1825, when a fine classical building with 8-columned portico crowned by the carriage of Apollon appeared in the Theater's Square. The new theatre is considered to be the second largest of Europe after the famous «La Scala» Theater of Milan. However, the theatrical company had already existed for a half of century.
As for the Ballet the performances based on Russian themes were replaced by Western romantic themes in the middle of the 19th century. «Sylphide», «Gizel», "Esmeralda" were performed in Russia very soon after premieres in Europe.
The season usually begins in September and lasts till the end of May.
The main Bolshoi Theatre closed for restoration in 2005, and is scheduled to reopen in 2009 with the theatre making its first performance in November.

THE STATE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The imposing building that stands to your right if you enter Red Square through the Resurrection Gate is the State Historical Museum. The museum was opened in 1894, to mark the coronation of Aleksander III, and was the result of a 20-year-long project to consolidate various archaeological and anthropological collections into a single museum that told the story of the history of Moscow.
The building, which prompts mixed aesthetic reactions, is a typical example of Russian Revivalism, the Eastern equivalent of the Neo-Gothic movement. It was built by architect Vladimir Sherwood on the site of the old Pharmacy Building.
The museum holds a supremely rich collection of artifacts that tell the history of the Russian lands from the Paleolithic period to the present day. Each hall of the museum is designed to correspond to the era from which the exhibits are taken.
Later displays focus on the history of Russia's rulers, with a number of historical paintings, court costumes, thrones and Carlo Rastrelli's silver death mask of Peter the Great. Many of the museum's halls are still closed for restoration work, but the museum is still well worth visiting, and makes for an excellent introduction to the history of Russia.

THE PUSHKIN MUSEUM of FINE ARTS is the largest museum of European art in Moscow, located in Volkhonka street, just opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
The museum's name is misleading, as it has nothing to do with the famous Russian poet. It would be more fitting if the museum were named for its real founder, professor Ivan Tsvetaev (father of the poet Marina Tsvetaeva).
Designed by Klein and Shukhov, financed by Maltsev, the museum building was constructed from 1898 to 1912. Tsvetaev's dream was realized in May 1912, when the museum opened its doors to the public. The museum was originally named after Alexander III, although the government provided only 200,000 rubles toward its construction. Its first exhibits were copies of ancient statuary.
After the Russian capital was moved to Moscow in 1918, the Soviet government decided to transfer thousands of works from St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum to the new capital. These paintings formed a nucleus of the Pushkin museum's collections of Western art. But the most important paintings were added later from the State Museum of New Western Art. These comprised Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork, including top works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, and Matisse. In 1937, Pushkin's name was appended to the museum, because the Soviet Union marked the centenary of the poet's death that year.

KUSKOVO ESTATE
The Kuskovo Estate, nicknamed the Moscow Versailles due to its formal French gardens, is a perfect example of an 18th century Muscovite country residence. The history of the estate dates back to 1715, when Tsar Peter the Great awarded the village of Kuskovo to Boris Sheremetev, a Russian general who excelled at the battle of Poltava and who decided to build a summer residence there. The Sheremetyevs were one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Russian.
The estate comprises the central palace and a number of smaller buildings and architectural follies, which includes formal French gardens, ponds, lakes and Russian and Italian sculptures.
These buildings were designed and built by both French and Russian architects.
The centerpiece of the estate, the wedding cake-like main Palace, was constructed entirely of wood and although damaged by the French during the Napoleonic Wars of 1812, has since been completely restored.
The museum's feature is an impressive collection of ceramics and glassware, including more than 33,000 pieces of Italian majolica, Venetian, English glassware. However, Kuskovo's most prized pieces are to be found in its extensive collection of Russian porcelain from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.