The best things to see in Moscow

by Simba Sun Mar 09, 2014 3:42 pm

Moscow is one of the most exciting capitals in the world and a place full of remarkable sights and unique architectural wonders. The beauty and controversy of the Russian capital is present throughout the whole city. In fact, every building has its very own story. It's like traveling back in time and no other city displays Russia's history better than Moscow. Let me take you on a little tour and show you the wonders of an amazing city...

LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY Московский государственный университет

The Lomonosov Moscow State University

Metro Station: Universitet/Университе́т on Sokolnicheskaya Line.

Some of the students claim that it is the tallest educational building in the world. I at least can say that it is one of the most beautiful examples of architecture I have ever seen. The main tower is 240 meters tall and was the tallest building in Europe until 1990. It is situated near the Moscow Olympic Stadium and is one of the most tremendous sights of the Russian capital. The complex is so big that some people say it would take you 18 years to visit every room!

MONUMENT TO THE CONQUERORS OF SPACE Монумент «Покорителям космоса»
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Monument to the Conquerors of Space

Metro Station: VDNKh/ВДНХ on Kaluzhsko–Rizhskaya Line.

This very unique monument was built to honour the Russian Space program, was erected in 1964 and is 110 meters tall. It's fully made out of titanium and pretty much symbolises a rocket on its way to space. Inside the base of the monument you will find the National Space Museum which was just recently re-opened to the public after three years of renovation. It's very close to the VDNK Park where you can find more interesting sights and spaceships. Simply rent a bike for a dollar (just next to the entrance) and explore the the entertaining park and its amazing fountain.

THE OSTANKINO TV TOWER Останкинская телебашня
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh/ВДНХ on Kaluzhsko–Rizhskaya Line.

I have a thing for tall buildings and the Moscow TV tower is one of the most impressive towers I have seen. The structure is one of the tallest in the world measuring 540 meters. For the last couple of years the observation platform has been closed due to a fire in 2000 and has just recently opened to the public again. You can get an amazing view from up there. Parts of the floor are made of glass so it feels like you can literally walk in the sky, but let me warn you, it can be quite scary haha...

LENIN MAUSOLEUM Мавзоле́й Ле́нина
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Lenin Mausoleum

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad/Охотный ряд on Sokolnicheskaya Line.

Should Lenin finally be buried or not? That is a very common question, as Lenin's embalmed body has been on public display for almost 90 years. During the Second World War his body was brought to Siberia when it appeared that Moscow might be in danger of invasion by Nazi Germany. For a while he was even joined by Josef Stalin. The mausoleum opens its gates every day from 10:00 to 13:00 excluding holidays. Try to pay Lenin a visit before he disappears for good...

THE SEVEN SISTERS Сталинские высотки
The best things to see in Moscow Image

The Seven Sisters or Stalin Skyscrapers

The Seven Sisters are a bunch of skyscrapers in the center of Moscow built in the very unique Stalinist style. Some of them used to be the tallest buildings in the world for a couple of decades. Today they are used as hotels, apartments, universities and one of them is the home of the foreign ministry. You will notice them straight away and I'm personally a big fan - an interesting mix of Russian baroque and gothic architectural styles.

THE MOSCOW METRO Моско́вский метрополите́н
The best things to see in Moscow Image

The Moscow Metro

Must visit stations:

Mayakovskaya/Маяковская, Prospekt Mira/Проспект Мира, Arbatskaya/Арба́тская

Kievskaya/Киевская, Komsomolskaya/Комсомо́льская,

Novoslobodskaya/Новослободская, Belorusskaya/Белору́сская

Stalin used to call them the 'palaces of the people', and the Moscow Metro station truly does seem like a palace. Every ride on the Moscow Metro is a majestic journey. You will be amazed by the fancy chandeliers, the beautiful wall adornments and the marble abutments. Every station tells you a different story about Russia's history. Another exciting highlight are the escalators that take you up or down the stations. Sometimes you aren't even able to see the end, espcially at the Park Podeby Station where you can find the longest escalator in the world, measuring 126 meters. Nine million people use the Moscow Metro every day.

SAINT BASIL'S CATHEDRAL Покровский собор
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Saint Basil's Cathedral

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad/Охотный ряд on Sokolnicheskaya Line.

The first thing you'll probably notice after entering the Red Square is the beautifully coloured onion domes of the Basil Cathedral, and a magical view of one of the most famous landmarks in Russia. But it's interesting to know that the bright colours were only added 200 years later to its exterior walls. Another funny note is that the former dictator Josef Stalin wasn't really happy about how the location of the church blocked the entrance to the Red Square for his mass demonstrations, so he considered demolishing the cathedral. Luckily someone made him change his mind...

CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR Храм Христа Спасителя
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya/Кропо́ткинская on Sokolnicheskaya Line.

The Saviour Church has a very special story to tell. After Napoleon retreated from Moscow the idea was introduced to honour Christ with a church for saving Russia. The church took more than 40 years to be built, only to be blown up in 1931 by the order of Josef Stalin. The demolition was supposed to make way for a 400 meter tall palace with a massive Lenin Statue on the top. While the project never went beyond its fundamental plans and was later withdrawn, the Russian people decided to rebuild the church in 1995. The church is also known for Pussy Riot's infamous protest against Vladimir Putin in 2012...

PETER THE GREAT STATUE Петра Великого мемориал
The best things to see in Moscow Image

Peter the Great Statue

Metro Station: Polyanka/Полянка on Serpukhovsko–Timiryazevskaya Line.

This monument is one of the tallest but also one of the ugliest in the world according to several votes. The statue is located in the Moskva River just a hundred meters south of the Kremlin. The sail overlooks most of the city center and catches a lot of attention. Peter the Great established the Russian Navy and to honour him the whole structure was erected in the center of Russia's capital. The funny thing about it? The great Pete was actually the man who loathed Moscow and moved the capital to St. Petersburg...

THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER Могила Неизвестного Солдата
The best things to see in Moscow Image

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Eternal Flame

Metro Station: Ploshchad Revolyutsii/Пло́щадь Револю́ции on Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line.

The tomb and its eternal flame with its guards present a very interesting spectacle. Every hour the guards of the Kremlin Regiment change in proper Russian military manner. It's worth watching it if you are into a little military drill or perhaps served in the army as well. The flame is dedicated to all the Russian soldiers who died in the Second World War and serves as a reminder for the war against Nazi Germany.

THE KREMLIN AND RED SQUARE Красная площадь
The best things to see in Moscow Image

The Kremlin and Red Square

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad/Охотный ряд on Sokolnicheskaya Line.

There is no way around the Red Square and the bordering Kremlin. The center of Russia's capital is a magnet for tourists and one of the most iconic squares in the world.

As many people assume, the name Red Square does not originate from the pigment of the surrounding bricks nor from the link between the color red and communism. The Russian word "Krasnaya" (The name of the square is Krasnaya Ploshchad) can be translated to either "beautiful" or "red".