Moscow is a majestic and multifaceted metropolis, where its legendary history is harmoniously intertwined with modernity. The city captivates and impresses with its monumentality of architectural ensembles and the unique atmosphere of landscaped streets, parks and squares saturated with picturesque nature.
First day
Most of the historical symbols of Moscow are concentrated in the center of the capital. These are the places with which the most important events of the state are connected, which determined the fate of a multi-million and multinational power. The first day of acquaintance with the capital should begin with the knowledge of its spiritual and cultural values.
the Red Square
One of the most visited and recognizable sights of Moscow is the world-famous Red Square. This iconic place, located in the very center of the city, symbolizes the soul and heart of Russia. The square was founded at the turn of the XV-XVI centuries.
Initially, trade flourished in its open spaces. Due to the proximity of river piers, goods were quickly delivered to the merchants' chambers, which were repeatedly rebuilt after devastating fires.
Red Square received its official name after the decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in 1661. Over time, instead of trading rows, the construction of various buildings began, which later became part of a unique historical complex.
Red Square, paved with paving stones, includes majestic architectural ensembles listed by UNESCO. These are St. Basil's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, Spasskaya Tower, Historical Museum, Mausoleum, Iberian Gates, GUM.
Alexander Garden and the Kremlin
The Kremlin is a grandiose fortification embodying the political power of the Russian state. Cathedrals, palaces and dozens of buildings rise behind the red walls with loopholes and towers of the Kremlin. Every corner of the territory is covered with the great history of the country. The residence of the President of the Russian Federation is also located here. At the foot of the Kremlin walls lies the Alexander Garden.
This is a beautiful and well-groomed park, laid out in 1821 according to the royal decree on the restoration of Moscow after a fire during the invasion of the Napoleonic army. The territory of the wonderful garden is replete with alleys of tall trees, ornamental shrubs, fragrant flower beds and fancy fountains.
Among the splendor of green spaces, monumental monuments and sculptural compositions attract attention. The alley of granite blocks with the names of hero cities and the “Eternal Flame” stands out in particular.
Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square is the architectural center of the Moscow Kremlin. Its formation began in the first half of the 14th century. The great historical place is famous for the oldest churches in Russia, built in different eras.
These are the Cathedral of the Archangel, the Annunciation and the Assumption, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Patriarch's Chambers, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great and the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. The white-stone masterpieces of true Russian architecture amaze with their beauty and grandeur.
The shrines contain centuries-old frescoes and icons, and the remains of the great princes from the Rurik dynasty and the Romanovs are also buried here. You can see the skillful painting of walls and ceilings, collections of forged and jewelry items, as well as ancient royal household items.
For over 500 years, Cathedral Square has witnessed many events. Solemn ceremonies of coronations, weddings of kings, festive processions on the occasion of religious holidays took place here, decrees were read and foreign delegations were received.
Cathedral of Christ the Savior
The main cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church is located on the left bank of the Moskva River not far from the Kremlin. This is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which is a true decoration of the capital of Russia. The shrine was erected in the 19th century on the vow of Emperor Alexander I in memory of the heroic victory over the troops of Napoleon.
In the first decade of the formation of the USSR, the cathedral was blown up. The correction of the historical error was marked only in 2000. The temple was rebuilt on the model of the destroyed one.
The majestic building makes a strong impression on the parishioners. The height of the cathedral is 103 meters. In plan, the church is a type of an equal-ended cross 80 meters wide. The construction is crowned with five gilded domes, among which the middle one stands out, mounted on a massive drum.
The facade of the cathedral is decorated with bronze high reliefs, medallions and sculptures depicting fragments of the history of Russia and figures of angels.
Tretyakov Gallery
A visit to the famous Tretyakov Gallery should be an obligatory item on the cultural program of tourists in Moscow. The ancient and modest red and white building houses an extensive collection of works of art from different eras.
This is a large museum, where art paintings, sculptures, icons are presented in numerous halls. It is here that one can feel the versatility of the talent of domestic artists who painted realistic vivid paintings.
Surveying the imperishable creations of the masters, gallery visitors get acquainted with the amazing landscapes of Russian nature, the traditions of the Imperial Court, the nobility, merchants and peasantry. Worthy of admiration and close attention are classic paintings that are familiar to every person since school.
These are “Three heroes”, “Rooks have arrived”, “Boyar Morozova”, “Morning in a pine forest” and many others and canvases.
Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin
In a cozy square, among tall fir trees, a colorful building rises, outwardly resembling an ancient temple. A massive portico with Ionic columns and magnificent bas-reliefs adorn the facade of the building. Here is one of the largest museums of world art. A.S. Pushkin. The museum is famous for its unique exhibits of sculptures, paintings and applied arts. The expositions give a complete picture of the cultural development of civilizations of different peoples and eras.
In total, there are 30 themed rooms with rich collections of art objects. This is a rare opportunity to join the valuable artifacts of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans. Here you can see paintings of medieval Europe, the countries of America, Asia and Africa, get acquainted with the masterpieces of the Renaissance and contemplate exquisite sculptural compositions.
Old Arbat
Arbat is one of the most famous and ancient central streets of Moscow. This is the soul of the city and the haven of the creative intelligentsia. The avenue is a long pedestrian area lined with small buildings, many of which are of historical value.
The facades of the house impress with a variety of architecture. You can see beautiful mansions with stucco and decorative elements, as well as simpler buildings. Merchants and artisans have long settled on the Arbat.
At the end of the XVIII century they were forced out by the nobles. Living here has become prestigious and fashionable. Many notable personalities wrote their works within the walls of the houses of the Old Arbat, such as N.V. Gogol, A.S. Pushkin, A.P. Chekhov, M. Saltykov-Shchedrin.
The street is chosen by musicians, artists, artists and costumed animators. There are many cozy cafes, shops, souvenir and antique shops. Fairs and art exhibitions are constantly held. On the Arbat you can hear the reading of poems, the performance of folk songs and much more.
Second day
A myriad of tourists come to Moscow from all over Russia and the world. Surprisingly beautiful places where you can have fun are located not only in the central historical part of the city, but also on its outskirts.
Boat trip along the Moscow River
The best and most enjoyable option for an overview of the main attractions of the Russian capital is a water tram ride along the Moscow River.
Many shipping companies offer tourists to make an exciting journey for every taste and budget. You can choose a modern multi-deck liner, equipped with all the necessary conditions for comfortable navigation, or a modest, no-frills classic ship of the Soviet era.
As a rule, each ship has a lower deck with a bar and an open upper platform. During the cruise, the sides offer an amazing view of the iconic places and objects of Moscow.
The Kremlin with towers and domes of cathedrals, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Monument to Peter I, the legendary Stalinist skyscraper, a modern business center, Gorky Park, the monumental building of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation appear before the eyes of passengers.
Moscow City
The business district of the capital is located in the bend of the Moskva River. This is a complex of high-rise multifunctional and ultra-modern buildings of bizarre architectural form. The appearance of the structures fascinates with the size and ideas of designs.
You can see even, spiral, trapezoidal and sail-shaped structures, as well as towers with displaced cubes. The ambitious construction of Moscow City began in 1995. The skyscrapers house offices of large Russian companies, shopping and entertainment centers, boutiques, many cafes, fitness rooms, medical centers, residential apartments and much more.
On the 55th floor of one of the towers there is a closed observation deck, where an amazing view of the historical center of Moscow opens from a bird's eye view.
Poklonnaya Gora
For a long time, travelers arriving in Moscow from different cities and villages climbed a gentle hill to see the surroundings and bow their respectful respect to the city. Since then, the place has become known as Poklonnaya Gora.
Today it is a favorite park of Muscovites and guests of the capital. Around the mountain there is a picturesque area, flowering flower beds, well-groomed lawns, beautiful fountains and a large walking area where you can retire and gather your thoughts.
First of all, Poklonnaya Gora is famous for its historical and cultural significance. On the vast territory of the park there is a memorial complex dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. Monuments, churches, museums, an exhibition of military equipment and engineering structures symbolize the heroic deed of Soviet soldiers.
The obelisk, over 140 meters high, inspires a special impression. A bronze figure of the goddess of Victory is fixed on it. At the foot of the monument stands a statue of St. George the Victorious, slaying a dragon with a spear.
VDNH
A popular attraction in Moscow is the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy. Since 1959, this cult popular place has fallen in love with more than one generation of Muscovites and guests of the capital. The ennobled area of 520 hectares is occupied by a luxurious park with numerous pavilions, monumental structures, monuments, and entertainment facilities.
At the entrance to the park through the majestic gate, a view of beautiful lawns and picturesque alleys opens up. Noteworthy are two large fountains with sculptural compositions.
The first fountain is called “Friendship of Peoples”, the second – “Stone Flower”. The open-air exhibition complex offers visitors an educational walk. Each pavilion represents a unique architectural structure, the decorative elements of which reflect the culture of the peoples of the USSR.
At VDNH, you can visit various exhibitions and museums dedicated to cosmonautics, history, scientific and technological achievements and other areas of human activity.
Ostankino tower
The development of television in the 60s of the last century required the construction of innovative structures. To cover long broadcast distances, signal transmitters had to be mounted high enough. The Ostankino Tower, whose height reaches 540 meters, became such an architectural solution.
This real miracle of design thought outwardly resembles an inverted lily flower. The main idea of building a tower is that its base is many times heavier than the mast part.
The slender reinforced concrete “stem” consists of cylindrical steel links that gradually decrease in diameter.
The stability of the structure is provided by ten “petals” standing on the ground. The Ostankino tower houses television studios, an observation deck, as well as the Seventh Heaven restaurant, which rotates around its axis.
What else can you see
Despite the fact that Moscow is abundantly saturated with various buildings, more than a third of the city's area is occupied by park areas. These are unique natural and historical landscapes where you can see the ancient estates of kings and nobles. In each district of Moscow there are green oases with ennobled areas for recreation.
Tsaritsyno park
The Tsaritsyno Palace and Park Museum Reserve takes tourists from the bustle of the capital to the era of the 18th century. On a hilly picturesque area, cut by ravines and a pond, among the southern microdistricts of Moscow, there is a bizarre architectural ensemble.
This complex of majestic buildings and structures in the pseudo-Gothic style was erected at the behest of Empress Catherine II in 1776. Almost all buildings used a combination of red brick with white stone.
The territory of the park is quite extensive. Most of it is covered with forest. There are many trees, luxurious alleys and mirror ponds. Walking along the paths, you can see man-made sights. These are gazebo pavilions with graceful columns, rotundas, towers, statues and openwork bridges.
The pearl of the Tsaritsyno park is a large palace framed by manicured lawns and flower beds. The facade of the mansion is decorated with pilasters, spiers, arched galleries and fancy decorative ornaments.
Manor Kolomenskoye
A popular tourist destination is the Kolomenskoye Estate Museum, located on the high bank of the Moskva River, 14 kilometers from the Kremlin. From time immemorial, this territory has been considered a royal patrimony, where today historical architectural monuments have been recreated or reconstructed.
It was the favorite residence of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, who spent his leisure time here and arranged a reception for guests. The manor park is spread over 242 hectares of land. There are ancient snow-white churches, pavilions and peasant houses. The main attention deserves a masterpiece of Russian architecture – a marvelous tower-palace.
This is a copy of the original mansion, restored according to the saved schemes and drawings. The royal tower has a strikingly colorful façade. The painted carved window frames, colored stained-glass windows, patterned turrets, amazingly shaped roofs and fine wood carvings are impressive.
The palace consists of over 200 chambers. You can see the personal mansions of the sovereign, his study, the throne room, the refectory and even the bathhouse. The Kolomna estate recreates the atmosphere of the 17th century.
Manor Kuskovo
The summer residence of Count Sheremetyev attracts tourists with its romantic and picturesque atmosphere for a walk, as well as an abundance of unique architectural monuments of the 18th-19th centuries. This is the Kuskovo estate. On its territory you can see a French park, a summer palace, a temple, a bell tower, entertainment pavilions, bird aviaries, a greenhouse. On the shore of the pond there were houses that served as guest rooms.
Many straight paths frame neatly trimmed avenues of trees, shrubs and flower beds. The park is full of elegant marble sculptures and benches. The central object of the Sheremetyev estate is a one-story palace, the facade of which is stretched along the pond.
The original decoration of the interiors corresponds to the life of the nobles of those times. The main halls are decorated with paintings, tapestries, beautiful ceiling paintings. The rooms are furnished with antique furniture, which immerses visitors in the era of past years.
Big Planetarium
An informative and exciting pastime is guaranteed by a visit to the Moscow Planetarium. A fascinating space laboratory opens up before visitors, where they have the opportunity to get acquainted with advanced technologies, participate in scientific experiments and view a model of the solar system.
The main hall of the Planetarium is a dome-screen with a diameter of 25 meters, on which astronomical films are projected. In a reclining position, the audience “goes to conquer” the universal spaces, surveying the starry sky, planets and cosmic phenomena.
The interactive platform offers visitors to feel like an engineer or a scientist. There is a unique opportunity to conduct space experiments. You can create a cloud, electricity, launch a rocket, control robotic mechanisms, observe the behavior of objects in a vacuum, and much more.
Here, physical and astronomical theories are tested in practice, which is interesting to everyone – from young to old.
Gorky Park
One of the most famous parks in Russia named after Gorky is located on the right bank of the Moskva River. This is an oasis of picturesque nature, located in the midst of a noisy and always awake metropolis. The main concept of the park is cultural and active recreation.
At the entrance to the park through the monumental gates with columns, a vast well-groomed territory opens up with flowering flower beds, trees and numerous interesting places. In the warm months, everything around is buried in a variety of green spaces.
A huge fountain attracts attention, which “dances and sings” at certain hours. Soft cushion chairs are scattered on the lawns. It is possible to rent a bicycle, ride a boat or catamaran across the water surface of the pond, and also relax on a bench.
The territory of Gorky Park is replete with children's and sports grounds, places for festivals, theater and music events.
Zaryadye Park
Instead of the world-famous Rossiya Hotel, which was demolished due to the dilapidation of the building, there is a new landmark of Moscow – Zaryadye Park. According to the concept, the territory is divided into several climatic zones, which correspond to a certain vegetation landscape.
These are the steppe, coniferous forest, birch grove, swamp and tundra. Despite the modest area of the park (only 13 hectares), there are two amphitheaters, a media center, an observation deck, several pavilions, an underground museum and even an ice cave.
The highlight of Zaryadye Park is the soaring bridge, which is a ledge 70 meters long. The support of the structure is located on the territory of the park, and the curved loop of the bridge literally hangs over the roadway, the embankment and the Moscow River. At the highest point of the park, there is an amphitheater covered with an elegant glass dome. Zaryadye Park is conducive to a pleasant stay. This is a modern and worth visiting place.