Moscow — the Capital of Russia, a place

Moscow - the Capital of Russia, a place to visit

The present day Moscow is the seat of the government of the Russian Federation.

The Kremlin bird’s eye view The Kremlin still remains the heart of Russia.

The State Duma building Most government buildings, among them the State Duma are located in Moscow.

The building of the government of Russia The government of the Russian Federation resides in Moscow too.

Moscow, apart from its political and administrative functions as the capital of Russia, is its leading cultural and tourist centre.

It is the seat of the Academy of Sciences of Russia. The Academy of Sciences old building

Russia’s largest Universities, among them the world famous Lomonosov University teach students from all over the country. Moscow State University named after Lomonosov on the Sparrow Hills

The city also contains the Russian State Library, the former Lenin library with one of the largest and richest archives in the world. All-Russian State Library

There are over 20 museums in Moscow. The first place to visit is the Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum Sanctuary. Cathedral Square, Moscow Kremlin

The Kutafya and Troitskaya towers –visitors entrance to the Moscow Kremlin The Kremlin gates are now open to any curious onlooker who wants to wander and enjoy sightseeing inside the Kremlin wall.

The Kremlin and Red Square are an unforgettable attraction at any season of the year.

Saint Basil's (Pokrovsky) Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow One should climb the narrow stairs of St. Basil’s Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox Church.

It was built on the order of Ivan IV of Russia in 1555–1561 to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan.

A view at the entry of St. Basil's Cathedral. The inside of the central dome

Inside Saint Basil’s cathedral. It is traditionally said that the church was built by Barma and Postnik, Russian self-taught architects.

The building's design, shaped as a flame of a bonfire rising into the sky, has no analogues in Russian architecture.

Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, a bronze statue, stands now on Red Square in front of Saint Basil's Cathedral. Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Red Square, Moscow

Moscow State Historical Museum, Red Square, Moscow The Moscow State Historical Museum founded in 1872 stands on Red Square, just opposite St. Basil’s Cathedral.

The total number of objects in the museum's collection numbers in millions. Items from the exhibition Gold items from the exhibition

Before you leave Red Square you’d rather spare a couple hours for shopping in one of the most famous Moscow shopping malls – State Department store, GUM for short. The GUM façade faces Red Square

It’s a piece of architecture of the late 19th century (architect - A.Pomerantsev, engineering – V. Shukhov). The building has a similar style to the great Victorian train stations of London. The GUM façade by night

Moscow GUM Middle Line view from 2nd floor You might admire the inside view of the impressive structure.

The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow The State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow is the foremost depository of Russian fine art in the world. The gallery's history starts in 1856 when the Moscow merchant Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov acquired works by Russian artists of his day

with the aim of creating a collection, which might later grow into a museum of national art. In 1892, Tretyakov presented his already famous collection to the Russian nation.

The Tretyakov Gallery by night The façade of the gallery building was designed by the painter Viktor Vasnetsov in a peculiar Russian fairy-tale style. It was built in 1902–04.

The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts is the largest museum of European art in Moscow. It was opened on May 31, 1912.

Vincent van Gogh, The Red Vineyard, 1888, Pushkin Museum, Moscow Its collections comprise Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork, including top works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, Dufrénoy and Matisse.

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is situated quite opposite the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts,

on the bank of the Moskva River.

With an overall height of 105 metres, it is the tallest Orthodox Church in the world.

The Cathedral, while only half full, holds about 2,500 faithful. Easter Service at Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Novodevichy Convent a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 Novodevichy Convent, also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery is probably the best-known and most visited cloister of Moscow. Its name is translated as the New Maidens' Monastery. Unlike other Moscow cloisters, it has remained virtually intact since the 17th century.

A brief video guide of Moscow sights The sights of Moscow are countless

Idle strollers can take the monorail to get to Ostankino TV Tower. Moscow monorail

The Ostankino Tower is a 540-metres tall free-standing television and radio tower in Moscow. It was designed by Nikolai Nikitin.

224th Flight Unit Antonov An-124 over Moscow It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers, currently the tallest in Europe and 3d tallest in the world.

The elevator will get you to the observation deck 337 meters above the ground.

Spyglasses and binoculars help you see everything to the smallest detail. Observation deck of the Ostankino TV tower

Part of the floor of the observation deck is made of glass.

An amazing panorama of Moscow is opened from the observation deck.

Visit the Ostankino TV Tower!

The monument to Tsiolkovsky, clearly seen from the Ostankino TV Tower is at the beginning of Cosmonauts Alley leading to the Russian Museum of Astronautics.

The museum contains a wide variety of space-related exhibits and models which explore the history of flight, astronomy, space exploration and technology, and space in the arts.

All-Russia Exhibition Centre is a permanent general-purpose trade show, a public park and an exhibition space in Moscow.

Worker and Kolkhoz Woman monument (sculptor Vera Moukhina) once crowned the pavilion of the Soviet Russia at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris. Later it was reconstructed and can be seen now at the entrance of the All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VVC).

In 1992 VDNKh was renamed, receiving its current name - VVC. It occupies 2,375,000 square metres of which 266,000 square metres are used for indoor exhibits. VVC Central Pavillion

Fountain Friendship of Nations, the main fountain at the VVC. It remains a fascinating monument to Russia's transitional period, a mixture of faded Soviet pomp and unregulated, rapacious capitalism.

The park itself is an intriguing example of the 20th century landscaping and the buildings are still preposterously magnificent.

In the southern area of the Exhibition centre near the central entrance there is an Amusement Park with the Moscow-850 Ferris wheel, built in 2004 as part of Moscow's 850th anniversary celebrations.

The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia Moscow is a concentration of theatrical life.

The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow is a historic place.

The Bolshoi Theatre interior The building was designed by the architect Joseph Bové.

The quadriga above the portico was sculpted by P. Clodt von Jürgensburg.

The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are amongst the oldest and greatest ballet and opera companies of the world.

The theatre is the parent company of The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, a world-leading school of ballet. P.I. Tchaikovsky «Swan Lake » in the Bolshoi Theatre

The Vakhtangov State Drama Theatre founded in 1921 is one of the most popular stages in Moscow. It is situated in Old Arbat Street in the center of the city.

The best known Vakhtangov theatre performance was Carlo Gocci’s fairy tale “Princess Tourandot”, famous for its comic buffoon style. First staged by the founder of the theatre Eugene Vakhtangov, it was later resumed and is still on. This play and its characters have become symbolic for the theatre. Golden Princess Tourandot statue at the theatre entrance

The Old Arbat is quite different from New Arbat Street running almost parallel to it and lined with Soviet skyscrapers of steel, concrete, and glass.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Arbat neighbourhood was graced with elegant buildings.

Nowadays Old Arbat is a picturesque pedestrian street. It has the reputation of being Moscow's most touristy street

with lots of entertainment and souvenirs sold.

Street artists are always present there.

Sculptural portrait of A.S. Pushkin and N.N. Goncharova in Old Arbat Alexander Pushkin lodged in one of its mansions for a short time; there is a statue of him and his wife Natalie in front of this house.

Bulat Okudzhava, the legendary folk singer, bard, and poet who spent a great part of his life there wrote several poignant songs calling Arbat “… My destiny, happiness and sorrow". Monument to Bulat Okudzhava

Boris and Gleb chapel at the Arbat square Old Arbat Street runs west from Arbat Square, one of the oldest squares of Moscow, which is part of the Boulevard Ring.

The Boulevard Ring (the second ring) has preserved much of its pre-revolutionary atmosphere. The Boulevard Ring

Old Arbat stretches towards Smolenskaya Square, which is part of the Garden Ring.

Garden Ring The Garden Ring, also known as the "B" Ring is a circular avenue around the central Moscow.

Krymsky (Crimean) Bridge, a steel suspension bridge, with six lanes, is one of the narrowest stretches of the Garden Ring.

At its widest place, on Zubovskaya Square, the Garden Ring has eighteen lanes. Zubovskaya Square traffic

It’s on the Garden Ring that the famous Moscow Zoo, the oldest in Russia, is situated. It was founded in 1864.

The Moscow Zoo has over 6000 animals representing about 1000 species and covers an area of about 21.5 hectares.

The Zoo studies animals behaviour, feeding and reproduction, and breeds rare and endangered species.

Triumphal Square (form 1935 to 1992 Mayakovsky Square) is the crossing of the Garden ring with Tverskaya Street.

The famous Tchaikovsky Concert Hall is located on Triumphal Square.

Moscow Academic Satire Theatre is situated there too.

The street that terminates at the Garden Ring and brings you to the central Manège Square is the famous Tverskaya Street.

Tverskaya Street, known as Gorky Street from 1935 to 1990, is the main and probably best-known street of Moscow.

The chronicles point out that it existed in the 12th century. Nowadays it’s one of the busiest and most glamorous streets in the world.

At the junction of Tverskaya Street and the Boulevard Ring there is Pushkinskaya Square (or Pushkin Square) historically known as Strastnaya Square and renamed after Alexander Pushkin in 1937.

Monument to Pushkin (sculptor A.M. Opekoushin) in Pushkin Square is the first erected monument to the Great Russian poet. It is a symbol of Moscow. Constructed in 1880 it was first located at the beginning of Tverskoy Boulevard. In the 20th century it was moved to the opposite side of Tverskaya Street. It is the best loved monument of both, Muscovites and guests of the city.

A nice park in the Square is a favourite place of Muscovites at leisure.

Tverskaya Street will bring you to Manège Square adjoining the Kremlin.

Manezhnaya or Manège Square is a large pedestrian open space bound by Moskva Hotel, the State Historical Museum and the Alexander Garden, the Manège and the 18th-century headquarters of the Moscow State University.

The Square takes its name from the Manège building which is now an Exhibition Hall. A part of the Manezhnaya Square is located above the underground shopping mall Okhotniy Ryad.

Moscow Manège Square shopping centre enters a dozen of most expensive and glamorous trade malls in Europe.

The territory around the shopping center is a nice architectural ensemble with sculptures, ponds and fountains beautiful at any season, day and night.

Moscow is certainly a place to visit to have an unforgettable meeting with this ancient, but ever youthful city.

I love you, Moscow!