Location: District Central (TsAO)
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Things to do in Moscow, Central Russia: The Best Historic Sites
The political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of Russia, Moscow displays the country's contrasts at their most extreme. The ancient and modern are juxtaposed side by side in this city of 10 million. Catch a metro from one of the ornate stations to see Red Square, the Kremlin, the nine domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, the KGB Museum and other symbols of Moscow's great and terrible past, then lighten up and shop Boulevard Ring or people watch in Pushkin Square.
Restaurants in Moscow
1. Andronikov Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
The monastery was founded in the mid-14th century by Metropolitan Alexis, a prominent church figure in his time. The first superior of the monastery was a disciple of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, Andronicus, whose name the monastery bears to this day. The architectural monuments of the monastery ensemble date back to the 15th–19th centuries. These include the oldest remaining stone building in Moscow—the Cathedral of the Savior, built in the time of Andrey Rublev. Since 1947, the Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after Andrei Rublev has been located in the Spaso-Andronikov Monastery on the picturesque bank of the Yauza River.
Reviewed By aniska - Leeds, United Kingdom
The Monastery of the Saviour was founded in 1360 and is the oldest example of Russian stone architecture, which still exists at present day. Originally, the Monastery had wooden walls, which functioned as defense. From 1420 to 1428 the Cathedral was reconstructed and its walls were painted in white. The famous Russian painters Andrei Rublev and Daniel Chorny painted it but, unfortunately, their frescoes were destroyed by the 18th-century reconstruction and only a few small pieces survived. In 1812, the dome was destroyed by the fire, but got immediately reconstructed. In the 1840s, the interior changed. It was crowned with a tented-roof octagonal drum. Side chapels dedicated to St. Andronik and the Dormition were added to the northern and southern walls, which made the original appearance to be completely lost. However, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Cathedral was restored to its original state. From the 16th to the 19th century a refectory, side chapels, a cleric building, a Fraternal Building were added. In 1747 to 1756, the Cathedral got its stone walls. The old bell tower over the Holy Gates near the Cathedral of the Saviour was replaced by a new one 73 meters high. The temple was also used as a prison and as any other temple, the Monastery has its own cemetery that existed up to 1929. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the Monastery was badly damaged. In 1919, it was occupied by proletarians. In the spring of 1922, all valuables were confiscated, and a juvenile prison for street children was established. In 1930, the bell tower was exploded. In 1947, the Monastery was announced a cultural reserve and many Old Russian icons were brought and kept there. In 1989, the Monastery was handed back to the Orthodox Church and has functioned since then. What strikes most, when visiting it, is the cleanliness of the whole area, the perfect lawn, the flowers, everything is perfectly kept and maintained. This results in a special, mystic feeling of sacredness and peace. Absolutely worth a visit, it easily reachable from Rimskaya metro station, just 5 minutes on foot.
2. House of Friendship With Peoples of Foreign Countries (A.A. Morozov's mansion)
3. Savvinskoye Podvorye
4. House of Pertsova
5. Khludovskiye Bani
6. Our Lady of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,795 reviews
Located near the Moscow River, this peaceful retreat from the bustling city includes a spectacular 16th-century convent and a cemetery where many of the country's most famous writers, poets, politicians and public figures are buried.
Reviewed By israroz - Ra'anana, Israel
From the almost endless supply of tourist sites and places of interest in Moscow, the city of Moscow offers the visitors a wonderful site known as the "Our Lady of Smolensk Novodevichy Convent" which, in my humble opinion, is in the "opening quintet" of the sites that are absolutely mandatory to visit. Although over the past few years, including our days, parts of the convent are not open to the public because of the renovation and reconstruction works done by UNESCO, partial tours that are open to the public are not to be missed. The richness and splendor sprouting throughout the complex are incredible and must to be visited. The cemetery adjacent to the monastery site where many famous personalities from all walks of life of Russia / the Soviet Union are buried, is also an amazing tourist gem worth a visit on its own.
7. Red Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20,518 reviews
Red Square is a city square in Moscow, Russia. The buildings surrounding the Square are all significant: Nearby to the South is the elaborate brightly domed Saint Basil's Cathedral and the palaces and cathedrals of the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum. On the Eastern side of the square is the GUM department store, and next to it the restored Kazan Cathedral.
Reviewed By maneh2017 - Yerevan, Armenia
There’s magical place, best Christmas market, colorful lights, dances and songs... it’s such a wonderful place..)) Winter and Christmas in Moscow is unforgettable
8. Cathedral Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 806 reviews
This spiritual segment of the Kremlin includes several enormous cathedrals and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the watchtower for the Kremlin, which would sound its 21 bells to warn of an approaching enemy.
Reviewed By Coryy20 - Port of Spain, Caribbean
Cathedral square is within the confines of the Kremlin walls. The beautiful white churches are a sight to behold, whether near or far. The golden domes shine beautifully in the sun so magnificently. It should be noted that you must pay a fee to enter here. A definite visit if only for the photos.
9. Moscow Kremlin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,891 reviews
Moscow's most famous historical and political landmark, the Kremlin is a walled-in complex of cathedrals, palaces and government offices, with several buildings open to the public, including the Armoury, Patriarch's Palace and the State Kremlin Palace.
Reviewed By CAPerth
The Kremlin is a collection of several attractions, the Architectural Ensemble (basically the main Kremlin grounds, museums and several historic Orthodox Cathedrals), the Armoury (the Treasury including carriages, Faberge eggs, jewellery, armour and ceremonial clothing), the Diamond Fund (basically a collection of individual stones and some set pieces) and the Ivan Bell Tower. We purchased our tickets on line for the Architectural Ensemble (day ticket) and Armoury (timed ticket, different day) from the official website as soon as our dates were available (17 days prior). The Diamond Fund tickets are purchased from inside the Armoury. Prices are quite cheap given the world class exhibits. We did not attempt to buy tickets to the Bell Tower following advice on line and confirmed by our guide that it is like winning the lottery and you have to hang around for hours on the one in a hundred chance that you might score tickets. Note that even though you buy in advance, you still have to queue up to exchange your “voucher” for a ticket and you will need your original passport as ID. Not sure if this is much quicker than buying tickets direct but since we were in peak time and Armoury tickets are quite limited, advance purchase is highly recommended. We visited the Cathedrals as part of a tour with Viki Tours (Armoury we did ourselves, audio guide is free and very good but covers the main exhibits only – to get detailed commentary on everything would take a whole day) and we had planned our visit to coincide with the Ceremonial mounting parade of Horse Guard and Foot Guard of the Presidential Regiment at midday on Saturday. This is a worthwhile addition if you can plan it, but may have also accounted for the very large crowd there that day (or that could be normal in June). Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside the cathedrals or the Armoury Museum.
10. Kazan Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Built in 1993, this is a replica of the 17th century church built to commemorate victory over the Poles and demolished in the 1930s by the Bolsheviks.
Reviewed By drogilmour - Guatemala City, Guatemala
The shrines of the church include the icon of Kazan Mother of God, Our Lady of Upbringing and a relic with particles of 83 orthodox saints. Kazan was mostly populated by Tatars, Mongol invaders of Russia and Europe, who were Muslim. Legend has it that one night before a battle, the tsar heard the chiming of the bells of Moscow, then an icon appeared to the people and immediately began to perform miraculous healing work, after which many people converted to Orthodox Christianity. By the 1930s, the Soviet government resolved to have it demolished. The Red Square was supposed to become a site for holding socialist ceremonies. The church was recreated in 1990–1993, so the modern building is, in fact, a brand new structure, check the frescoes by the entrance hall, all are dated 1990. Religious services take place in the mornings and evenings.
