Moscow - the capital of the Russian Federation - is situated in the center of the European part of Russia, on the banks of the Moskva River. Moscow is one of the world biggest megapolises. Its population is near 10 millions people.

First tribes appeared on the territory of the future Moscow in the Neolithic epoch. The oldest settlements, dating back to three thousand years before our era, were discovered within the area of the present-day city. As a town Moscow was founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky.

Moscow was the capital of the Russian State until 1712, when Peter the Great moved the capital to St.Petersburg.

In 1918 Moscow once again became the nation's capital. Moscow is famous for numerous places of interest and architectural monuments. The heart of the capital is the Kremlin which stands on the crest of a hill above the Moskva River. It is flanked by Red Square, which is crowned by the unique and beautiful St. Basil's Cathedral.

Moscow has many modern buildings - the Moscow State University, the Central Stadium in Luzhniki which hosted the 1980 Olympic Games, and the Ostankino TV Tower (536 meters high), one of the tallest towers in the world.

Moscow is a city of theaters, among them the world famous Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater. There are numerous museums, exhibition halls and art galleries throughout the city, the most famous being the Tretyakov Gallery - a treasure trove of Russian art, ancient Russian icons (11th-17th centuries), graphics and sculptures. Those interested in ancient history may visit churches and cathedrals some dating as early as the 15th century. The Vorobyovy Hills - the highest place in Moscow - provide a breathtaking view of the city for all to enjoy.

Sightseeing 

	The Kremlin - Founded in the 12th century by Prince Yury Dolgoruky and now a mass of crenellated ramparts, glittering onion domes and majestic turrets. It is now the spiritual, political and historical heart of Moscow.
	Red Square - The oldest and most historical square in the city, and home to some of Moscow's most famous landmarks - the pompous Lenin Mausoleum and the wonderful brightly colored onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral.
	The Bolshoi Theater - world-class ballet theater with a tumultuous history dating back to the late 18th century and producer of some of Russia's most famous ballets stars, including Rudolf Nuryev and Maya Plisetskaya.
	The Cathedral of Christ the Savior - magnificent replica of the 19th century church constructed to commemorate Russia's victory over the French in the Napoleonic Wars, which was demolished on Stalin's orders in the 1930s but built anew in the 1990s to mark Moscow's 850th birthday.
	The Tretyakov Gallery - home to the world's most extensive collection of Russian art, including everything from icons by the legendary Andrey Rublyov to portraits of some of Russia's most prominent 18th and 19th century public figures.
	Novodevichy Convent and Monastery - beautiful 16th century convent founded by Vasily III in 1524 to commemorate the recapture of Smolensk from the Lithuanians ten years earlier and the resting place of some of Moscow's most famous artists, writers, politicians and public figures.
	The Arbat - once a bohemian quarter of the city, littered with cafes crammed full of the capital's intellectual elite, the Arbat is today Moscow's liveliest pedestrian street and offers a great choice of street cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, souvenir stalls, art markets and street entertainers.
	Moscow State University - housed in one of the city's seven enormous gothic skyscrapers commissioned by Stalin in the 1950s, the university is the great seat of learning of some of Russia's most famous scholars and political figures, including the former President Mikhail Gorbachev.
	The Moscow Metro - constructed during Stalin's rule to be the "people's palaces", the Moscow metro system abounds with magnificent architecture, elegant designs and a lavish and profuse use of marble, mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers.
	Izmailovsky Souvenir Market - just a few minutes walk from the 16th century Imperial Estate where the future Peter the Great spent much of his childhood, the city's largest and most animated souvenir market offers visitors a wide range of Russian handicrafts, Soviet memorabilia, original paintings and delicious local cuisine.

Churches, Monasteries 

	St. Basil's Cathedral - built in the 16th century on Red Square by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his successful military campaign against the Tartar Mongols in the besieged city of Kazan, its mass of brightly painted onion domes and turrets is now one of Moscow's best-known landmarks.
	The Cathedral of Christ the Savior - magnificent replica of the 19th century church designed by the architect Konstantin Ton to commemorate Russia's victory over the French in the Napoleonic Wars, which was demolished on Stalin's orders in the 1930s but built anew in the 1990s to mark Moscow's 850th birthday.
	Kazan Cathedral - newly constructed replica of the 17th century church built in honor of the Kazanskaya Icon to commemorate Tsar Mikhail Romanov's victory over the Poles and Lithuanians in 1612, and later destroyed by the Bolsheviks.
	Novodevichy Convent and Monastery - beautiful 16th century convent founded by Vasily III in 1524 to commemorate the recapture of Smolensk from the Lithuanians ten years earlier and the resting place of some of Moscow's most famous artists, writers, politicians and public figures.
	Andronikov Monastery - 14th century monastery built on the steep eastern bank of the Yauza River and once the seminary of the famous Russian monk and icon painter, Andrey Rublyov.
	Danilov Monastery - built in the 13th century by Prince Daniil Moskovsky, the youngest Son of Alexander Nevsky, and thought to be the oldest monastery in Moscow.
	Danskoi Monastery - founded in the 16th century by Boris Godunov in honor of the Donskaya Icon of the Mother of God, which was thought to have delivered Moscow from the repeated attacks of the Crimean Khanates that century.
	Church of the Intercession at Fili - spectacular Baroque church commissioned by Prince Lev Naryshkin in the late 17th century next to the riverside village of Fili, which was given to him by his nephew Emperor Peter the Great.

Ivanovsky Convent - 16th century convent used as a depository for unwanted wives and daughters and a prison for Moscow's noblewomen and featuring dauntingly high walls, crenellated bell towers and brick cupolas.

The Metropolitan's Residence at Krutitsky - originally established at the end of the 13th century as the seat of the Metropolitan of the Christian minority among the Tatar Golden Horde and later a prison for the 17th century Bishop Avvakum, leader of the Old Believers sect which branched away from the main Russian Orthodox Church in a schism precipitated by Patriarch Nikon's desire to reform the church.

Novospassky Monastery - thought to have been founded in the 12th century during the reign of Prince Yury Dolgoruky, the founder of Moscow, and initially established on the site of the present-day Danilov Monastery before being transferred to the Kremlin complex in 1300 by Ivan the Terrible and then relocated back to its present site in 1490 by Ivan III.

Simonov Monastery - founded in 1371 by the monk Fyodor, the nephew of Sergei of Radonezh, the 14th century Russian monastic reformer and later patron saint of the Moscow principality, and one of the city's mightiest defensive outposts during the 15th century.

The Trinity Church in Nikitniki - built between 1631 and 1634 by the merchant Grigory Nikitnikov on his own estate and considered the finest example of 17th century Russian ornamental architecture in the city.

Vagankov Cemetery - dating from 1771, when an outbreak of plague compelled the authorities to dig up all the graveyards in central Moscow and establish new ones beyond the city limits, and the resting place of many of the city's notable public figures, including the maverick actor and poet of the Brezhnev era, Vladimir Vysotsky, and the volatile young poet, Sergei Yesenin.

Zaikonospassky Monastery - the 15th century remains of the Kitai Gorod monastery, which saw the birth of Russia's first higher educational institution, the Slavonic, Greek and Latin Academy. Notable students included the great philosopher Mikhail Lomonosov, who came to Moscow to study at the age of 19 and 25 years later was responsible for the founding of the country's first university.

Art Galleries 

	Tretyakov Gallery - home to the world's most extensive collection of Russian art, including everything from icons by the legendary Andrey Rublyov to portraits of some of Russia's most prominent 18th and 19th century public figures.
	Central House of Artists and the New Tretyakov Gallery - houses two large galleries including the New Tretyakov's unrivalled collection of Soviet art, featuring everything from avant-garde and constructivist canvasses from the 1920s, to the garish Stalinist kitsch of the 1930s and the "new wave" underground art of the 1960s and 1970s.
	Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts - a less extensive equivalent to St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum, the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum boasts an impressive collection or artifacts and artwork ranging from Roman antiquities to original canvasses by Gauguin.
	Museum of Private Collections - located right next door to the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, this rather eclectic museum exhibits various private collections, which were acquired during Soviet times. Features works by Salvadore Dali, Henri Matisse, Ilya Repin, Alexander Rodchenko and turn-of the century ballet set designs by Alexander Benois and Boris Kustodiev.
	Roerich Museum - fascinating and unique museum dedicated to the artistic works and philosophical ideals of Nicholas Roerich, the painter, thinker and explorer who undertook numerous pioneering expeditions to Central Asia, Tibet, India, Manchuria and Mongolia during the 1920s and 1930s.
	Museum of Modern Art - based on the original collection of the former Academy of Arts Director Zurab Tsereteli, today the museum boasts over 1,500 works of 20th century European art covering all the major schools, from avant-garde, constructivism, futurism and cubism to realism.
	Moscow Arts Center - showcases paintings, graphics and photo exhibitions by a wide range of modern and contemporary artists.

Museums dedicated to famous Artists, Writers and Musicians 

	Aksakov Museum - exhibitions and memorabilia recounting the life and works of the writer and literary critic, Sergey Aksakov, in the 18th century Empire style building where he lived.
	Andrey Rublyov Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art - extensive exhibitions exploring the life and works of the legendary 14th century Russian icon painter, housed in the Andronikov Monastery, where Rublyov was a monk.
	Chekhov House Museum - details the life and works of the prolific and highly regarded Russian dramatist and master of the modern short story, Anton Chekhov, through a series of exhibits housed in one of the writer's former residences.
	Dostoevsky Museum - exhibitions charting the dramatic life of one of Russia's most famous writers, housed in the apartment where the young Dostoevsky spent much of his underprivileged childhood.
	Lermontov House Museum - exhibition of original manuscripts, artwork and correspondence charting the life and career of the famous Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov in the carefully preserved wooden house, where he lived between 1829 and 1832.
	Mayakovsky Museum - unorthodox and fascinating glimpse of the life, loves and artistic works of Russia's most famous Futurist poet.
	Meyerhold Apartment Museum - exhibits all manner of personal belongings, correspondence, scripts, set designs and photographs concerning the life and work of Moscow's pioneering avant-garde theatrical director, producer and actor, Vsevolod Meyerhold.
	Ostrovsky Estate and Museum - dedicated to the life and work of the Muscovite playwright, who is generally considered to be the greatest representative of the Russian Realist literary period and whose dramatic works were all premiered under the supervision of the playwright himself in Moscow's Maly Theater.

Pasternak Dacha Museum - explores the life, loves and literary works of one of Russia's most prominent writers - the poet and author of Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak. The museum is housed in the writer's very own dacha in Peredelkino, just outside Moscow.

	Pushkin Memorial Apartment on the Arbat - series of exhibits charting the life of the great poet and housed in the blue Empire-style building on the Arbat where the beloved writer lived with his new wife for a short time in the spring of 1831.
	Pushkin State Museum - devotes an impressive 10 rooms, full of displays of personal sketches, first editions, correspondence and general memorabilia, to the life and works of the great Russian poet, housed in the ornate and impressive interiors of the former Khrushchev Mansion.
	Scriabin House Museum - charts the life and works of the famous Moscow-born composer, Alexander Scriabin, who spent the last years of his life in this house not far from the city's bohemian Arbat district.
	Stanislavsky House Museum - exhibits detailing the life and theatrical contributions of the famous Russian actor, director and producer Konstantin Stanislavsky, who along with Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko founded the famous avant-garde and experimental Moscow Art Theater.
	Tolstoy Museum - Prechistenka Branch - houses an enormous collection of original editions of the writer's works and exhibits all manner of artifacts pertaining to his life.

Tolstoy Estate Museum - opened in 1921, this museum is housed in the building where the famous Russian writer and his family spent the winter months between 1882 and 1901, and features carefully preserved interiors, period furniture, numerous family portraits and original manuscripts of some of the author's most famous works.

Yermolova Museum - wide range of original artifacts pertaining to the life and incredibly successful career of the pioneering Russian dramatic actress, Maria Yermolova, and her glittering rise to fame in Moscow's Maly Theater.

Historical, Archeological and Architectural Museums 

	Archeological Museum - traces the history of Moscow through a series of imaginatively displayed archeological artifacts dating back as far as the 12th century AD, when the city was first founded by the Moscow Prince Yury Dolgoruky.
	Museum of the History of Moscow - first opened in 1896 this museum depicts life in Moscow, from the city's ancient beginnings to the present day, through a fascinating series of archeological findings, accurate reconstructions and original artwork.
	Metro Museum - charts the history and development of the capital's metro system, initiated by Stalin himself back in 1935, and the design and creation of its wonderfully ornate and marble-filled stations or "people's palaces".

Shchusev Architectural Museum - illustrates the wealth of variety in Moscow's architectural heritage from medieval times to the present day, through a host of models, photographs, engravings and lithographs. Named after the architect responsible for Lenin's Mausoleum.

State Historical Museum - fascinating archeological exhibitions charting the history of Russian civilization from its Neanderthal beginnings to the 20th century.

Military and Political Museums 

	Armed Forces Museum - details the history and victories of the Russian Army and Navy through 24 halls of fascinating exhibits and military hardware, including a T-34 tank, a ballistic missile, a MiG-25 and numerous original uniforms, banners, regimental standards, medals and hand weaponry.
	Borodino Panorama Museum - vast collection of artifacts devoted to the famous 1812 battle between Napoleon's French troops and the Russian army under Field Marshall Kutuzov.
	Central Museum of the Revolution - impressive range of exhibits exploring the intricacies of the revolutionary overthrow of the Romanov dynasty and the founding of the Soviet state.
	Krasnaya Presnya Museum of the Revolution - illustrates the rather tumultuous 20th century history of the surrounding Presnya district of the city, which bore witness to armed uprisings in 1905, August 1991 and October 1993, and charts revolutionary activity in Russia and its consequences throughout this century.
	Lenin's Mausoleum - still the resting place of the embalmed body of the founder of Soviet Communism some 76 years after his death, housed in a futuristic granite-cube building designed by Shchusev that stands on Red Square next to the Kremlin walls.

Museum of the Security Service - charts the history of the Russian Secret Service using some fascinating exhibits and makes obvious attempts to redefine the KGB's bloody role in the country's history.

Scientific Museums 

	Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics - traces the history of Russian rocketry and space exploration from the 1920s to the present day and is housed in the impressive monument To the Conquerors of Space, an enormous silver rocket soaring into the sky on a 100-meter tall stream of glistening Titanium.
	Darwin Museum - explores the variety and complexity of nature, theories of evolution and explanations of current ecological crisis through an extensive series of over 5,000 exhibits covering all three floors of the museum building.
	Politechnical Museum - host to more that 20,000 artifacts, diagrams, working models and experiments illustrating numerous aspects of science, technology, industry and communication. Features everything from the first primitive radio receiver constructed by Alexander Popov in 1895 to exhibitions detailing the creation of Dmitry Mendeleyev's period table of elements in 1871.
	Zoological Museum - hosts a multitude of exhibitions pertaining to the world of animals and their development and extinction throughout evolutionary history, all based on the original zoological collections of Moscow's 18th century Imperial University.

Museums related to Music and the Arts 

	Bakhrushin Theater Museum - boasts the most extensive and comprehensive collection of theatrical memorabilia in the city. The exhibits chart the development of theatrical activity in Moscow and encompass the genres of ballet, opera, dramatic and children's theater and puppetry.
	Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art - exhibits an extensive collection of ethnic arts and crafts from all over the Russian Federation, as well as displays of artistic textiles, Soviet porcelain and samovars.
	Glinka Museum of Musical Culture - boasts an impressively large and varied collection of musical instruments from all over the world and original scores, manuscripts and classical music memorabilia based on the original collection of the Moscow Conservatoire.
	Museum of Oriental Art - a truly impressive collection of Central Asian, South-East Asian and Caucasian art from the 1st century AD through to the beginning of the 20th century, including artifacts from Korea, Mongolia, Turkey, Tibet, China, Iran, India and Japan.

Out of Town Attractions 

Arkhangelskoe Estate - 18th century Neo-classical suburban palace and formal gardens belonging to the rich and extravagant Prince Nikolai Yusupov and once the most indulgent and celebrated playground of Moscow's wealthy aristocracy.

Borodino - site of the bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Wars of 1812 between some 130,000 French troops and the 121,000-strong Russian army under Field Marshall Kutuzov. Today the battlefield area features a museum detailing the various phases of the battle and numerous monuments to those who died.

Klin - located 80 kilometers northwest of Moscow, the small city of Klin was founded in 1234 on the banks of the River Sestra, a tributary of the Volga, and during the late 19th century became home to the famous Russian composer Pyotr Tchiakovsky, who wrote his famous ballets The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker in his dacha there.

	Kolomenskoe - old imperial estate nestled on the steep west bank of the Moscow River, 10km southeast of the Kremlin, and surrounded by 390 hectares of ancient forestland. The estate was once the childhood home of Ivan the Terrible and a summer retreat for Tsar Mikhail Romanov, a young Peter the Great, Tsar Alexander I and Empress Catherine the Great.
	Kuskovo Estate - 18th century Muscovite country residence, built by the Russian General and hero of the Battle of Poltava, Boris Sheremetev, who was awarded the land and the local village in 1715 by Peter the Great. Features a wedding cake-like main Palace, constructed entirely from wood, and formal French gardens that prompted the estate's nickname the Moscow Versailles.
	Ostankino Estate - pink and white Neoclassical palace surrounded by extensive grounds and once one of the many Moscow residences of the Sheremetev family, one of the wealthiest and most powerful noble families in Russia during the 18th century. Irrevocably linked to the scandalous marriage of Count Nikolai Sheremetev to one of the serf girls from his Kuskovo Estate.

Peredelkino - famous dacha settlement and writers' village roughly 25 kilometers southwest of Moscow, which became popular amongst the capital's cultural and literary elite late last century and which is now the burial site of the famous Symbolist writer, Boris Pasternak. A small museum to the poet has now been set up in his small wooden country house.

Tsarytsino - the 18th century site of Catherine the Great's planned "Empress's village" and an intriguing example of a grandiose Imperial summer residence that was never completed and never lived in.

Theatres
Moscow offers a nearly unrestricted range of theatrical experiences. Moscow hosts an abundance of Theatres each with its own particular character. The pulse of Moscow races when it comes to the amount of entertainment available to tourists. The variety of theatre in Moscow ensures organized fun to suit all types and tastes, from live music, comedy, opera, classic ballet and drama.

The Bolshoi Theater

World famous ballet theater, founded in the late 18th century and producer of some of Russia's most famous stage performers, including Rudolf Nuryev

The State Kremlin Palace

Modern concert hall built within the Kremlin walls and regular venue for ballet performances and Russian and foreign pop concerts

Stanislavsky & Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theater

Modern and progressive opera and ballet theater offering a broad repertoire of classical favorites and some lesser known Russian works

Helikon Opera Theater

Housed in a beautiful 18th century mansion in Moscow's traditionally bohemian Arbat district, this theater boasts an impressive repertoire of modern and experimental productions

Novaya Opera Theater

Founded in 1991, this theater has built a reputation for imaginative performances and innovative productions and has won considerable international acclaim for its work

Moskovskaya Operetta Theater

19th century opera company whose many celebrated performers have included the famous bass Fyodor Shalyapin and Russia's favorite composer, Sergei Rakhmaninov

Kamerny Musical Theater

Cozy and intimate theater offering performances of everybody's favorite Mozart operas as well as lesser known ones by Shostakovich, Britten and Rossini

Classical Concerts 

Tchaikovsky Concert Hall

Home to the Russian State Symphony Orchestra and host to regular performances by the world's top instrumentalists, singers and conductors

Moscow Conservatoire

Founded in 1866, the Conservatoire has nurtured generations of Russian musicians and now hosts the annual Tchaikovsky International Competition and regular classical music concerts

Drama Theaters

Moscow Art Theater

Moscow's original experimental theater, connected to some of the most famous names in Russian theatrical history - productions are still fresh and incisive today

Taganka Theater

Krushchev-era theater famous for its satirical plays during Soviet times and still offering challenging and unorthodox performances of Russian and German works

Maly Theater

Small 19th century theater that premiered many of Gogol's, Griboyedov's and Ostrovsky's works and today performs a repertoire of Russian classics

Moscow metro 

You can take a ride in one of the most beautiful metros in the world. Moscow metro stations look like underground palaces richly decorated with marble, granite, mural, and sculpture. The first metro was opened in 1935. Since that time more than 150 metro stations have been built, and the construction is still in progress. New metro lines connect outskirts of Moscow with its center. The metro remains the fastest and the most convenient public transport in Moscow. During the tour you will see the most beautiful stations such as Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Belorusskaya, and Mayakovskaya, and Kropotkinskaya, the last two marked by UNESO as unique architectural monuments.

Moscow Entertainment 

Moscow is a place where you will find any kind of entertainment you could imagine. You can visit both mainstream dance music parties, as well as alternative and ethno-music gigs. Some cinemas have shows in English (with Russian subtitles) and there are great old Russian classics movies on sometimes.

If you feel like doing some activity, there are many yoga centers, gyms, about five ski & snowboard complexes around Moscow (with their own accommodation, restaurants, shops, etc.)

Clubs and Nightlife 

Moscow takes clubbing seriously. There are a lot of great places, especially, if you want to chill out and have a drink with your friends and listen to nice live music. Dance clubs are very popular too, but many of them practice inhuman entry policy called "face-control", where security guards might not let you in if they don't like how you're dressed. Although foreigners are usually treated with respect.

The entrance is free at most of the clubs, if there's a weekend party you may be charged $3, and about $10 for a special events.

	Dance Clubs in Moscow: The most interesting clubs in Moscow.
	Chill-Out and Art Clubs in Moscow: Nice places to have a calm and relaxing evening or go out for an art event.
	Live Music Clubs: Best venues for Russian live music.
	Pubs and Bars in Moscow: Best places to go out for a drink and to have a smashing party.
	Jazz & Blues Clubs: Vegeterian, Georgian, Uzbek and Japanese restaurants.
	Music & Party Places: Open-air venues, concert halls.

Cinemas 

Usually the tickets to Moscow cinemas cost from 50 to 300 R - ($2 to $10) (cheaper on weekdays and in the morning, more expensive in the evening and on the weekends). Some cinemas offer student discounts (ISIC card).

Most of the cinemas listed here show movies in original language with subtitles ("sub`titry" - in Russian), but sometimes the movies are dubbed. They usually write it on the movie ad - "dubbed" ("dub`lirovan" - in Russian).

The two cinemas in Moscow, where you can always see movies in English with Russian translation either through headphones or subtitles, are America-Cinema and Dome Cinema. Both are located in popular, but expensive hotels (SAS Radisson, and Olympic Penta). These two cinemas are especially recommended for those, who want to go out with a Russian friend.

Among "alternative" cinemas are 35 MM, Museum of Cinema, and sometimes Rolan. These cinemas show art-house movies, independent productions, and laureates of European Festivals (Berlin, Cannes, etc).

Eating Out 

Moscow has a huge variety of restaurants and cafes for every taste. The most popular at the moment are "trendy" pre-party cafes, while only a year ago Muscovites were going through the "sushi frenzy", which has now settled down.

Normally, it is possible to have a good dinner for $15 per person, although it will go up to $30 and more if you choose a very popular place.

Below is our selections of restaurants and cafes in Moscow. There will be something for everyone, and we tried not to distract you with too many listings, just a recommended selection.

	Russian Food Restaurants: A selection of the best authentic Russian (and Ukrainian) food restaurants.
	Cafes & Chill-Out Restaurants: Hip fashionable restaurants, pre-party places, and nice cafes.
	European & American Cuisine: Swiss, Italian, American restaurants.
	Ethnic & Asian Cuisines: Vegetarian, Georgian, Uzbek and Japanese restaurants.
	Quality Fastfood, Takeaways & Canteens: Quality fast-food chains, takeaways, and cheap canteens.