Pavel Tretiakov, the collector of some of the best work of contemporary artists in Moscow and St. Petersburg, founded this gallery in 1856. His brother Sergei collected French and Dutch masters, and in 1872 they combined their collections and opened this extremely popular museum named The State Tretyakov Gallery (Tret'iakovskaia Galereia). In 1892 it was donated to the city of Moscow and lives on with works by famous Russian painters such as Vasilii Perov, Ivan Kramskoi and Ilia Repin.
Moscow Free Tours is a Moscow-based tour guide company which offers daily free walking tours of Moscow's main attractions, led by their friendly and knowledgeable guides. This is one of the very few tour guide companies in Moscow which provides 5 tours at 4 different time slots (10:45a, 2p, 4p, 6:30p) in a day regardless of group size and weather conditions. If none of the free tour timings fit into your schedule, you can always book a paid private tour.
A theatre located very near the heart of the city in one of the most beautiful and oldest buildings in Moscow. At the beginning of the 20th century, the building was occupied by noble families, before later becoming a cinema and somewhat later a theatre. Here the great practitioner of theatrical art, Konstantin Stanislavskii, taught young actors. In 1998 the theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary, and continues to maintain Stanislavskii's exacting theatrical standards. The repertoire includes not only classical Russian plays, but also a selection of Western classics, some experimental efforts and a few plays for children.
Billed to be one of the highest points of the city, the soaring Sparrow Hills lies delicately nestled along the banks of the Moskva River. Towering 220 meters (720 feet) above river level, the hill proudly watches over the dynamic, ever-evolving landscape of Moscow, including many of its landmarks like the Luzhniki Stadium, Christ the Savior Cathedral, the gleaming domes of Novodevichy Convent and the imposing Seven Sisters. Having been a muse to many Russians poets and writers in the past, the hill is crowned by an observation tower which overlooks the beautiful bend of the river shrouded by swathes of dense green scenery. Strewn across the lofty scope of the hills are buildings which are some of the most magnificent of their kind in the city, including the awe-inspiring Moscow State University complex and the picturesque Trinity Church.
The Alexander Gardens were developed between 1820 and 1823 and run along the west wall of the Kremlin. The gardens occupy an area of about 865 meters (2838 feet). In his attempt to make the gardens as distinctive as possible, Osip Bove combined an orderly plan with the free arrangement of trees plus elements of romantic-style gardens. The gardens are bordered by decorative iron railings. Locals and foreign tourists often come to the gardens to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Being a popular public spot, the garden is open throughout the year.
Synonymous with Moscow, Red Square evokes a sense of history and heritage. Here, the past meets the present under the shadow of some of the city's most famous landmarks like the Kremlin and the brightly colored Saint Basil's Cathedral. Awash in history, the Red Square wasn't always as architecturally impressive as it is now, starting as a humble market square. Over the centuries, the square evolved with new additions being added at various intervals. During the Soviet Era, the square was the site of numerous military parades during World War and the Cold War. Bustling with activity throughout the day, the square is at its visual best once the sun sets and the beautiful buildings are lit with colorful lights.
Pavel Tretiakov, the collector of some of the best work of contemporary artists in Moscow and St. Petersburg, founded this gallery in 1856. His brother Sergei collected French and Dutch masters, and in 1872 they combined their collections and opened this extremely popular museum named The State Tretyakov Gallery (Tret'iakovskaia Galereia). In 1892 it was donated to the city of Moscow and lives on with works by famous Russian painters such as Vasilii Perov, Ivan Kramskoi and Ilia Repin.
Founded in 1912 in honor of the great Russian composer Glinka, the museum was named after him in 1954. In the summer of 1985, the museum moved to a specially constructed new building. This is the only musical museum of its size in the world. The museum's contents include paintings, sculptures, handwritten music sheets, and the personal belongings of well-known composers. There are five exhibition galleries solely dedicated to the varied musical instruments of many countries. The most interesting pieces are the 13 and 14th-century Russian string instruments, a 17th-century Stradivarius violin and a rare crystal flute.
This elegant white church stands on the way up the steep Ivanovskaia gorka (hill). It is located within a short walk from Kitai Gorod metro (Solianka Ulitsa exit). Initially the church was built in Prince Vladimir's gardens in 1423 by Italian architect Alevizio Novi, who designed many churches in the capital, including the Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the church was reconstructed; the bell tower was built in the 18th century. Holy Mass is given on Sundays at 9a and on Saturdays at 6p. There is an Orthodox seminary connected to the church.
This puppet theatre was founded by Andrei Dennikov an art student in October of 1991. The theatre started its work as a troupe of players who performed around various stages in Moscow but in a matter of months different stages of Moscow. In a matter of months the theatre had achieved professional recognition when they received an award at the prestigious 1997 festival 'Young Talent of Moscow' for their production of The Frog Princess. The theatre is oriented toward a young audience; children often take an active part in the plays. There are only seven actors making up the theatre, so they all chip in with production detail - for example making puppets and decorations. The repertoire includes a series of fariy-tales as well as The Little Prince and Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Holy Transfiguration Cathedral was closed down by Stalin in 1937 but re-opened later during his rule in 1951, at the insistence of the then Armenian Patriarch Vazgen I. The distinct golden dome-and-white walls combination are striking, and the fact that the church is the central place of worship for Russia's Armenian community gives the interior a distinct air. The famous Lazarev's Chapel (which was constructed in 1815 by the wealthy Moscow Armenian Lazarev family) forms part of the church's buildings. Services are held on Sundays at noon.
The monastery was originally founded in 1360. Its name comes from the monk Andronik, who was the monastery's first abbot. The most notable resident of the monastery was legendary icon-painter Andrei Rublev - the site functions as a museum in his name (the Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art). After the revolution, the territory was used at different times as a prison camp and worker's residence before becoming host to the museum. It may yet become a working monastery again some time in the future.