MUSEUMS and SIGHTS

The Moscow Kremlin is situated in the very center of the capital of Russia. Its monumental walls and towers, golden-domed cathedrals and ancient palaces stand high on the Borovitskiy Hill above the Moskva River forming a magnificent architectural ensemble.
Since 1991,  the Kremlin has been the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. The ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the moment “The State Historical and Cultural Museum-Preserve “The Moscow Kremlin” is situated on the Kremlin’s territory…
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The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts has one of the most representative collection in Russia of foreign art dated from ancient times to modern days. The exposition of the Museum includes today a vast collection of tinted plaster casts of famous ancient, medieval and Renaissance sculptures and a collection of original works of foreign artists, sculptors and graphics together with objects of decorative arts.
The rooms of the ground floor present mainly the original works: works of art of Ancient Egypt, antiquities, European paintings of the VII-XVIII centuries; two halls - Italian and Greek courtyards are housing casts. On the first floor there are rooms with casts of Ancient Greece, Rome, Middle Ages and Renaissance. The rooms of painting acquaint the public with the art of the XIXth and XXth centuries…
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Public cultural institution of Moscow Museum-panorama "The Borodino battle"
The Museum “Borodino Battle” is located in the historical area of Moscow, where many significant events took place in 1812 , the year when the French troops under the command of Napoleon stepped into Moscow. It was not for the faint of heart for the Russian army to make the French abandon the capital, but thanks to the skilful operations of the Russian commander Kutuzov it did manage to save the city and the whole country . The panoramic canvas shows the battle and the terrain effects, as well as the skilful use of theatrical lighting and sound, which helps to create a powerful illusion of space…
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Polytechnical museum is a scientific, enlightening and cultural-leisure centre of Russia, the main museum in history of science and technology.
In December 1991 the Museum was declared a federal property and defined as a particularly valuable object of Russian national heritage, including the Museum itself and the Central Polytechnical Library.
The Museum keeps more than 100 collections with more than 160,000 exhibits. Many of them are unique relics of science and technique. Museum's exposition occupies about 10,500 sq. m. and it is designed according to the chronological principle with the application of original historical documents and materials, relics of science and technology, working models and installations, dioramas…
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The largest historic museum of Russia, the State Historical Museum, was established in 1872 on the initiative of the Russian scientific community.
For the construction of the Museum that was to become the treasury of the monuments and artifacts representing the outstanding events of the glorious history of the Russian State the ground in the very center of Moscow in the Red Square was chosen. The construction works lasted from 1875 till 1881 and were headed by architects Shervud and Semenov, who designed the building in Russian style. The new building perfectly fitted the ensemble of the Red Square. The walls of the Historical Museum like the Kremlin walls were laid from the red baked brick. The towers crowning the Museum also greatly remind of the Kremlin towers. And some elements of the Museum's exterior decor recreate the decor of St Basil Cathedral, which is located just nearby…
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The State Darwin Museum was founded in 1907 by Alexander Kots (1880-1964), a professor at the Moscow Higher Women's College. It became the first world's museum of evolution.
The basic purpose of the museum is development, preservation, and use of natural history collections, public education in the field of evolutionary theory, ecology, biological diversity, and conservation.
The pride of the museum is the world's biggest collection of aberrant mammals and birds, which has a unique scientific value. It includes 800 mounts with the rarest aberrations, and 34 pure albinos…
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Few places in the world are destined to become a kind of symbol. One of them is Red Square, a symbol of great emotive power. Although the square itself is not very big (695 metres long and 130 metres wide), it impresses one by the richness and variety of its forms which merge in austere harmony. The ensemble is dominated by the Kremlin and the Lenin Mausoleum which stands by its walls. The powerful tent roofs of the Saviour and St. Nicholas towers emphasize the key position of this memorial which links the old ensemble with the present day.

Europe Square located near the Kiev Railway Station was solemnly laid out in September, 2001, when the birthday of Moscow was celebrated. In a year, September 15, 2002, the new square was opened.
Europe Square in Moscow was constructed as the part of the Russian-Belgium cooperation project. As Moscow government implied Europe Square would symbolize Russia's aspiration for integration into the European Union. The project was supervised by the chief architect of Russian Academy of Science Yuri Platonov.
Architectural complex of the square includes 48 columns with the flags of European countries, the Europe Restaurant, and the sculpture "Abduction of Europe". The total area of the complex equals 3,000 square meters. The center of the square is occupied by the fountain with sculptural composition "Abduction of Europe" created by Belgium sculptor Oliver Strebel.
The sculpture "Abduction of Europe", the present from the Belgian government, is the compound composition consisting of steel, steam and water. It is the biggest abstract sculpture in Moscow. Traditional mythological plot is presented in a very unusual way. The giant interlacement of silver tubes made of stainless steel personifies the head of Zeus-bull carrying his beloved girl Europe on the horns. To see the woman silhouette, one needs to look at the sculpture at certain angle and by certain light.

The building has no expressed main facade and is designed for an all-round viewing, for circular detour. Interiors of churches are simple. The cathedral is interesting in its appearance. As though it represents the fantastic "paradise town". The temple is fairly considered to be a monument of architecture and construction art of world value. Till now the cathedral is a branch of the State Historical museum. The first divine service was held in October, 14, 1991, however regular divine services are not made... More. 

Arbat Street is one of the oldest streets in Moscow. The word arbat (d) is of oriental derivation and means suburb.During the second half of the 18th century when most of the neighboring streets were becoming a fashionable aristocratic area, Arbat Street was the only local shopping center. Many of its shops have been preserved from those times.
Many great writers, artist and painters lived on Arbat Street and houses have been carefully preserved. For example: Alexander Pushkin, Alexander Blok (the famous Russian poet), the famous composer Skryabin and others. Also there are situated the Vakhtangov Drama Theatre, Shchukin Drama School and the Opera Studio of the Moscow Conservatoire etc. Returning to Arbat Street you can see on the left the Prague Restaurant famed for its Czech national cuisine. Ahead lies Arbat Square once more where this itinerary comes to an end.)

On December 25, 1812 Russian Emperor Alexander I signed an order, according to which it was supposed to build a temple dedicated to Russia's victory over Napoleon in Moscow. The new temple was to symbolize the feat of Russian people and to become a gratitude to Providence for saving Russia.
The author of the first project of the temple was Alexander Vitberg who suggested putting up the cathedral on the Vorobievy Hills (Sparrow Hills). According to his plan, the cathedral was to consist of the three parts symbolizing the Incarnation, the Transfiguration and the Resurrection. The lower part of the cathedral was supposed to be the burial place for those who died in the battles of the war of 1812. The temple was solemnly laid out, but Vitberg's project was never brought to life. The mountains started to sink under the construction weight, and Nicolas I who became Russian Tsar after Alexander I found Vitberg's project unrealizable. Instead of Vitberg, Konstantin Ton was appointed the architect of the cathedral… More.

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.
Long time ago the village Chernaya Graz (Black Dirt) was located on the site of Tsaritsino. It belonged to the Kantemir Princes. In 1775 Catherine II bought the estate, and it got the modern name.
In 1776-1785 grandiose construction works supervised by architect V. Bajenov took place on the territory of the estate. In 1779-1782 the two palaces were put up. They were connected by the gallery with openwork arched gates. In 1784-1785 the Cavalry Building and the Bread House were erected. 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. Plenty of mason symbols in decoration made Catherine the Great indignant, and Bajenov was dismissed. Architect M. Kazakov was the one who was supposed to continue the construction works. In 1797, in a year after Catherine's death, construction works were stopped…More.

The unique monument of the 18th century, Kuskovo Estate, located in Perovsky district of Moscow, used to be the summer residence of Sheremetyev Counts. The architectural ensemble of the estate had been formed by the middle of the 18th century. Magnificent constructions such as the Palace, Grotto, Hermitage, Great stone conservatory, old church, and Italian and Dutch houses survived until nowadays. At Kuskovo there is also a very well preserved French regular park with ponds, pavilions and marble sculptures.
Kuskovo ensemble was created by serf architects F. Argunov, A. Mironov, G. Dikushin, with participation of K. Blank. The central place belongs to the palace, designed by Ch. de Vaya and put up in 1769-1775 by K. Blank. The wooden palace construction with the ground floor made of stone was made in style of early classicism with baroque elements. The palace features the original planning and the interiors of the 18th century. It boasts a unique collection of paintings, including the portraits of Russian Emperors. They were given to Kuskovo estate masters as royal presents. In the palace one can also see the portraits of Sheremetyev Counts… More.

The Novodevichy Convent is located in the south-west of Moscow, at the curve of Moscow-River. The Novodevichy Convent ensemble is an outstanding monument of architecture of the 16th-17th centuries.
The most attractive construction of the Novodevichy Convent ensemble is the Smolensky Cathedral, or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk Icon. It was built at the same time when the convent was founded. The monumental five-domed cathedral features the paintings of the 16th-17th centuries, rare icons of the 17th century, and a five-tiered carved icon-stand. The Refectory with the Assumption Church, the belfries, Mariinskie and Lopukhinskie chambers are perfect examples of Moscow Baroque style ... More.

The Poklonnaya Mountain is the flat hill in the western part of Moscow, between rivers Setun and Filka. Once the Poklonnaya Mountain was far beyond the borders of Moscow, and from its top one could see the city panorama. Travelers and merchants often climbed the mountain to see Moscow and to bow to the city. "Bow" is "poklon" in Russian, hence the name of the mountain - Poklonnaya.
The Poklonnaya Mountain was first mentioned in chronicles of the 16th century. At that time it was called the Poklonnaya Mountain on Smolenskaya Road. It was on Poklonnaya Mountain that Napoleon was vainly waiting for the keys to Moscow. During World War II the solders passed by the Poklonnaya Mountain leaving for the front to defend Russia.
In 1942 it was suggested to put a memorial on the Poklonnaya Mountain, but during that time it was absolutely impossible because of the war. On February 23, 1958, the Poklonnaya Mountain was marked with a sign saying "Here the Monument to Victory of Soviet people in World War II 1941-1945 will be constructed". And it was at the very beginning of the Victory Park laying…
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Russian abbreviation VDNH means "Exhibition of National Economy Achievements". Recently it was renamed the All-Russian Exhibition Center. It is a very large complex containing exhibition halls, rest area, and a giant trade center. The center is a "must" for Moscow guests. As for Muscovites, they enjoy spending their time there.
The unique ensemble of the exhibition area had been forming for several decades. The first All-Union Agricultural Exhibition was opened in Ostankino on the 1st of August, 1939. The exhibition occupied 136 hectares and looked like a town with a large park, ponds, numerous pavilions and agricultural constructions. It included 250 large and small buildings. The wide alley was conjoining the main entrance and the main pavilion. Close to it there was a 52-meters tower with a 13-meters statue depicting the tractor operator and collective farmer holding the wheat sheaf above their heads. The sculpture became the symbol of the exhibition. The exhibition was a very successful one. From the 1st of August till the 25th of October, 1939 over 3,5 million people visited it…
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Ostankino Estate located in the northern part of the Russian capital is one of the survived architectural monuments of the 18th century.
First records of the estate date back to the middle of the 16th century when Ostankino was the place where the Shchelkalovis' estate with a small wooden church was located. In 1620 tsar Mikhail Fyodorovitch presented Ostankino to boyar I. Cherkassky (representative of the titled or non-titled senior nobility and aristocracy). The family of Cherkassky owned the estate till 1743, and then it passed into the hands of the Sheremetyev family.
The golden age of Ostankino Estate started at the end of the 18th century, when Count N. Sheremetyev, the wealthy patron of art, became its owner. Sheremetyev was very fond of theater. He decided to make Ostankino his summer residence and move the theater troupe from Kuskovo. To realize his idea, Sheremetyev ordered to put up the palace-theater in Ostankino…
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The State Arkhangelskoye Estate Museum is located in Krasnogorsky district of Moscow region, 20 km to the west from the capital. The estate is an outstanding example of the Russian manorial architecture. Archangelskoye is famous for the estate's magnificent beauty and unique art collections.
Until 1810 Archangelskoye used to belong to Princes Golitsyn, but the golden age of the estate started when Prince Nikolai Yusupov, the rich grandee and the patron of arts, became the owner of the estate. The estate turned into one of the most popular centers of Moscow high life. Russian Imperial families, noblemen, politicians, famous poets and writers visited Archangelskoye…
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Old village of Kolomenskoye situated in the southern part of Moscow is a unique place where the relics of Russian history were created and kept for centuries. Close to Kolomenskoye there is the oldest on the territory of Moscow settlement - known as Dyakovo Gorodishche - that is 2,5 thousand years old.
Kolomenskoye was first mentioned in chronicles of Prince Ivan Kalita in 1339. Since the 14th century Kolomenskoye had been the summer residence of Great Moscow Princes, and then - Russian tsars. In 1606 Kolomenskoye was the place of dislocation of the rebellious troop headed by I. Bolotnikov. Peter the Great spent his childhood in Kolomenskoye. After capturing Azov in 1696 and Poltava victory in 1709 Peter the Great spent some time in Kolomenskoye, before his solemn entrance to Moscow.
In the 19th century the constructions of Kolomenskoye became dilapidated. In 1860-1880s, after partial restoration, Kolomenskoye became the place for folk festivals and even bear fights…
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