St Basilus Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower; view from the hotel “Rossia”
Mausoleum of Lenin on the Red Square
Kremlin: view from the Moscow River
Kremlin: sunset on the River
Church at the hotel “Rossia”
Another Church at the hotel “Rossia”
Cathedral of the Mother of God’s Kazan Icon, Red Square
The Temple of the Christ the Saviour
The Temple of the Christ the Saviour: view from the Moscow River
Bolshoy Theatre
GUM, the state shopping center, Red Square
Fountain, GUM, Red Square
Museum of Lenin
Fountain, underground shopping center, Red Square
Eatery at underground shopping center, Red Square
The glass roof with world’s map: underground shopping center, Red Square
The starting point of Russia, Red Square
Monument to Peter the Great (Peter I) on the bank of the Moscow River
Moscow University on Lenin’s Hills
Moscow: city center
Street musicians at the underground street crossing close to the Red Square
KGB, Lubyanka Square
Airport Sheremetevo, terminal 2: view from outside
Airport Sheremetevo, terminal 2: view from inside
St Basilius, Moscow (1555-1561) – this impressive church on the Red Square became the visit card of Russia. The correct name in translation from Russian is “The Cathedral of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God”. Architects Barma and Postnik.
The famous Red Square in Moscow is not red at all! “Red” in Russian language was initially used as an equivalent of “beautiful”, so the Red Square would also mean “a beautiful square”.
Spasskaya Tower; Kremlin, Red Square. The clock on the Spasskaya Tower is called “The Main Clock of the country”, and is the standard of time in Russia.
St Basilus Cathedral and the Spasskaya Tower; view from the hotel “Rossia” in Moscow
Mausoleum of Lenin on the Red Square, Moscow. The body of “The First Bolshevik”, the leader of October takeover of 1917 and the founder of the USSR, Vladimir Ul’yanov (conspiracy nickname “Lenin”) was embalmed after his death, and placed in specially built (1929-30) Mausoleum for public access. During the Soviet times the queues to have a look at the mummy used to reach 5-6 km (3-3.5 miles). Today the public access is denied, and rumors have it that the body was removed from Mausoleum. Another famous Mausoleum is in Hanoi, Vietnam, and is built to memorize yet another famous communist, Ho Chi Minh.
The opposite side of the Kremlin if facing the Moscow River. There are a few cathedrals on the territory of Kremlin; you can see its gold plated roofs on the picture.
Kremlin: sunset on the Moscow River
Church at the hotel “Rossia”, Moscow, Russia – I took this picture from my room window. At that time it was still in the process of renovation.
During the Soviet times churches (the ones that had not been destroyed) were painted in pale colors to make them “invisible” – now they paint them bright colors. This church (also at the hotel “Rossia”) is half-renovated: can you see the difference?
Yet another Moscow church – the Cathedral of the Mother of God’s Kazan Icon (1626-1636) on the Red Square. Reconstructed in 1993.
The Temple of the Christ the Saviour, Moscow. Initially was built with people’s donations (1831-1883, architect K. Ton), demolished in 1931 by Stalin. Restored in 1990’s – it was planned to finance the building with donations again but it was impossible to raise such amount during the poor years of Russian reforms; so at the end of the day it was basically sponsored by the local goverment.
The Temple of the Christ the Saviour: stunning view from the Moscow River
Bolshoy Theatre, Moscow (1825, architect Bove) – nevertheless its waning glory, Bolshoy is still considered one of the best opera and ballet theatres in Europe and the world. As with many other things, tickets for foreigners are more expensive than for Russian citizens!
GUM, the state shopping center on the Red Square, Moscow opposite to the Kremlin; one of the biggest shopping galleries in Europe
Fountain at the center of GUM – the meeting place if you have lost one another at the shop. (The announcements on radio is always that you should meet each other here.)
Moscow is becoming prettier with every day: renovations, reconstructions, upgrading of roads and new buildings are changing its look to the one of a modern European capitals (on the picture – former Museum of Lenin).
Some things in Moscow look very Italian; like this fountain on the top of the underground shopping center close to the Red Square
Eatery at the underground shopping center in Moscow close to the Red Square: dozens of fast food cafes and restaurants on the same floor
The glass roof with world’s map: underground shopping center Moscow
“The point”, Moscow, close the Red Square – this is the starting point of Russia. All distances are measured from this point.
Monument to Peter the Great (Peter I) on the bank of the Moscow River, built in 1990’s. In fact, Peter had never been a very fond of Moscow; St Petersburg was his child and the love of his life. Since Peter moved the capital to the new founded St Petersburg, the two cities always competed with each other, with one of them being the official capital, and the other being “the second capital”. Peter moved the capital to St Petersburg trying to introduce a new, European style of life to Orthodox Russia in the beginning of 18th century, after the revolution of 1917 Lenin moved the capital back to Moscow trying to distance the new Soviet State from the traditions of Russian aristocracy.
Moscow University on Lenin’s Hills – the tallest building in Moscow (since fire destroyed Ostankino’s TV tower in 1999)
Moscow: city center
Street musicians at the underground street crossing close to the Red Square: I was told, they are usually students of Conservatory or musical college. They were playing very enjoyable music!
One of the most scariest places in the world – KGB on Lubyanka Square in Moscow. By the way, since late 1980’s KGB (Committee of the State Safety) had changed its name to FSB (Federal Service of Safety), so you don’t have to be afraid of getting locked by KGB anymore! I consider Moscow as a safe place to travel, and FSB is hardly interested in foreign tourists.
Sheremetevo 2 was built in the early 1970’s, during the times of the cold war. It is by far too small for today’s busy international life. I hope they will build a new international airport soon! Most other things in Moscow impressed me a lot. Enjoy your flight!
