Moscow Attractions

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Attractions

For the most part, Moscow attractions are testament to the city's turbulent past, but there are also a number of cultural and religious venues to enjoy in the city. Sightseeing in Moscow is best during the summer, from May until late August, when it is warmer and the days are longer.

The foremost Moscow attractions are the Kremlin, a fortress dating back to the city's foundation in 1147, and the multicoloured domes of St Basil's Cathedral, both iconic Russian landmarks. Red Square is another must when sightseeing in Moscow. The Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre is home to Moscow's famed performance arts, while the Tretyakov Gallery exhibits traditional Russian masterpieces.

Historic Moscow attractions include Poklonnaya Hill, which highlights Russia's military strength against both Napoleon and Hitler, and the Borodino Panorama Museum which has interesting artefacts and displays from the Napoleonic wars. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour commemorates the soldiers who died defending Russia in the early 19th century.

The Kremlin

The oldest part of Moscow dating back to the city's foundation in 1147, and situated at the very heart of the city on top of a hill, the Kremlin is a fortress surrounded by a thick red wall interspersed with 20 towers. The... see full details

Red Square

Red Square is a dramatic open cobbled space in the centre of Moscow, originally the city's market place that served as a public gathering place to celebrate festivals, listen to government announcements or to witness executions, especially common during the reign of Ivan the... see full details

$St Basil\'s Cathedral$

St Basil's Cathedral

St Basil's Cathedral with its multicoloured domes is the most famous image of Russia, standing on the edge of Moscow's Red Square, a striking design that was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his victorious military campaign against the Tartar Mongols at Kazan... see full details

Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre

Moscow's oldest theatre, the Bolshoi dates from 1824 and is Russia's most famous theatre, with its world-renowned opera and ballet companies in residence. Completely rebuilt after a fire in 1856, the grand building is a masterpiece of Russian neoclassicism, including an eight-columned entrance porch... see full details

Tretyakov Gallery

The Tretyakov Gallery houses some of the great masterpieces of traditional Russian art from before the Revolution and has the world's finest collection of Russian icons from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The gallery's collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures covers Russian art... see full details

Poklonnaya Hill

Poklonnaya, literally meaning 'bow down', lies in the west part of Moscow and was historically a spot for Western visitors of the city to pay homage before entering the city. Today it is a beacon to Russia's military strength, having withstood invasions by... see full details

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

After Napoleon retreated from Russia, Tsar Alexander I declared that a cathedral be built in remembrance to the soldiers who had died defending mother Russia. Decades later the cathedral was demolished by Stalin (who found the monument abhorrent), only to be built again on... see full details

Borodino Panorama Museum

The battle of Borodino, is regarded as the bloodiest of the Napoleonic wars, seeing over 70 000 casualties in a single day, an event which saw Napoleon brand the Russians as being 'invincible'. The Borodino Panorama Museum was inaugurated in 1960 and serves... see full details

Moscow Metro

Visitors to Moscow are strongly encouraged to take a ride on the city's glorious underground rail system. The 'tarmac' consists of marble floors, ornate pillars and the walls are adorned with realist artworks. Moscow's metro boasts over two and half billion passenger rides per... see full details

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