Moscow
The heart of Russia is Moscow, the capital and the biggest city, with officially stated 12 million+ population. The first written account of Moscow dates back to 1147. Once a small town, it started to accumulate power and importance in early 1300s and became the center of united Russia in late 1400s.
The Red Square is the central square of Moscow. During the two centuries (1712-1918), when the capital was in St. Petersburg, the coronations of the monarchs still took place in the Cathedral of the Dormition (the Assumption Cathedral) in the Moscow Kremlin
The central fortified part of a Russian town was called the Kremlin. The most famous is the Moscow Kremlin, now shared by the President’s Administration and the Museum complex.
The existing Kremlin walls, built by Italian architects, have been in place for 500 years now. The walls are 3.5 to 5.5 m thick and up to 19 m high, with 2m high dents on top. Several times in its history the Kremlin saved the city dwellers from invaders, not always though.
Napoleon’s army entered Moscow in September 1812, but just for a month; its further fate was grievous.
The traditional title of Russian monarchs was Tsar. The Tsars wanted everything in their capital be Tsar-like. Among the most astonishing things in the Kremlin are the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell, a cannon which never fired and a bell which never rang.
The Moscow Metro with its first 13 stations opened in 1935, was not just a means of transportation, but also a part of visual propaganda. It was the time of great transformation of the country and great achievements, which we still can see from this propaganda, but also the time of great hardship, which it does not show.
The Moscow City – reinforced concrete evidence of Russia’s integration into the modern World economic system. With some objects still under construction, this impressive bunch of skyscrapers contains 6 buildings taller than 300 m. The 374m Federation Tower is the tallest of them and the second tallest in Europe, giving priority to the still uncompleted Lahta Center in St. Petersburg
The cyclopean monument to Peter standing on the ship, 98 m high construction with 18 m tall Peter on an artificial island in the Moskva River, caused a lot of controversy at the time of construction. (But isn’t it amazing?)
Zaryadye Park, a landscape park with built-in concert halls and a futuristic ‘Floating bridge’, a place with stunning views of the river and the Kremlin.
GUM shopping center keeps its name from Suviet time (the abbreviation for ‘State Department Store’), but the building itself in so called pseudo-Russian style dates back to pre-revolution epoch (1893), when it replaced irregular rows of individual shops. Now it is one of many Moscow shopping centers, but unique with its location, architectural style and interior.
Arbat is one of the oldest streets of the city, a walking area with lots of shops, entertainment, street artists and musicians and food and charming atmosphere.
Moscow Nikulin Circus is worldwide famous. In the summer book ahead Zagorsk (Sergiyev Posad) – a town 52 km north-east of Moscow, part of the Golden Ring of Russia, an important center of Orthodox Christianity, the oldest and biggest monastery, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius and Moscow Theological Academy. Incidentally, it is also the birthplace of the famous Russian wooden Matryoshka dolls
St. petersburg
With its 5 million population, St. Petersburg is the second biggest city in Russia and holds the unofficial title of ‘The Northern Capital’. It was in fact capital of the country for two centuries, from 1712 at the time of reforms of Peter the Great till 1918, after the country’s history took another twist, the revolution of 1917. Its streets, squares, canals and palaces are living witnesses of the imperial history of Russia.
Another popular nickname of the city, ‘The Cultural Capital’ is justified by the number of museums, theaters and architectural attractions.
The Hermitage Museum, the second largest museums in the world, offers a vast variety of things to the viewer: a huge European art collection, which Includes masterpieces of worldwide famous artists, including Da Vinchi, Raphael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and many others; art and archeological collections from different parts of the World, including ancient Middle East, Egypt, Central Asia and Siberia, a collection of classical antiquities, medieval arms and armor (18), imperial jewellery and of course, interiors of the Winter Palace, showing you the grandeur and luxury of the Imperial Court.
The name of the museum means dwelling of a hermit (someone who lives alone)’. Originally it referred to a (relatively) smaller palace building, constructed for Catherine next to the enormous Winter Palace. The building, now inown as the Small Hermitage, became home for the art collection acquired by the empress in 1764.
The 122 m tall gilded spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which is the burial place of all Russian emperors. The Cathedral Is inside Peter and Paul Fortress (19), built on a small island in the strategic point in the delta of the Neva river.
Have a walk down Nevsky Prospect, the main street In the center of the city, packed with architectural wonders, created for any kind of purpose: religious, commercial, entertaining, administrative or residential. Nevsky Prospect, the Kazan Cathedral, functioning Cathedral Church of St. Petersburg (20)
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, known as the Church on Spilt Blood, a stunning architectural masterpiece of historical Russian style amidst almost totally Western-looking city. It was built on the site of the terrorist bombing attack on Emperor Alexander Il in 1881, who was deadly wounded and died a few hours later in the Winter Palace.
The ‘Bronze Horseman, the first and the most famous sculptural monument in the city, made by a Great Empress (Catherine the 2nd) to a Great Emperor (Peter the 1st), symbolizes the country’s striving to the future St. Isaac’s Cathedral, now a museum, a 101 m high and 300 000 tons heavy architectural and artistic wonder, a site of a number of technological innovations of the time and incredible amount of work.
Venice of the North’, is one more epithet given to the city for its beautiful rivers and canals. There are now nearly 100 big and small rivers and canals in the city, 42 islands and more than 300 bridges, including 10 bridges over the Big Neva, the main water flow. A river and canal cruise, a must-do in St.Petersburg in the summer season. Most of the main city attractions are also visible from the water, so do not miss a chance to see the city from another angle.
Opening the draw bridges is one of the highlight of St.Petersburg. In summer months drawing the Palace bridge is accompanied by light and music show. The Aurora battle ship, once an important ideological symbol of the Soviet regime, has become a part of the city’s history and landscape, and is now a rare existing sample of
120-year-old steamship. Peterhof, built by Peter as the Russian Versailles, is good at any season, but to see the famous fountains, come from May through September. With over 100 fountains on over 100 hectares, it is a challenge to explore.
The fountain system is also an engineering masterpiece: due to a unique natural location and smart design, the whole system functions without any pumps. The water is accumulated on the higher level of the ground and then the keepers need just to turn the taps in the underground control station to start the fountains. The Grand Palace, the Grand Cascade (26), adorned with antique style gilded statues and the Sea Canal, most famous post-card views. A fountain in the yard of Mon Plaisir Palace.
‘My Pleasure’ in French), a small private palace, built according to Peter’s wishes right by the sea, which let him admire his loved element and ships heading to his newly built city. Catherine’s Palace in Pushkin, near St.Petersburg is named after Catherine 1st wife of Peter the Great. It served as the summer residence for her and her daughters, one of whom, Elisabeth, later also became Empress and gave the palace its present grandeur. The famous Amber Room, a creation of German and Russian masters of the 17th and 18th centuries, lost during WW2 and recreated in the 20th century, is one of the highlights of St. Petersburg. Go to one of the Ballet theaters to see the famous Swan Lake or other show and of course, do not miss the folk show, with music, singing an dancing.
Murmansk
Visible light emitted by atmospheric gases ionized by charged particles of solar wind moving towards magnetic poles of the Earth – you know what I mean, of course, I am talking about Aurora, or Polar lights. By the way it can be called Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere, and Aurora Australis in the Sothern Hemisphere.
AURORA HUNTING is the greatest attraction in Murmansk region is in the extreme North of European Russia. From late August to mid-April, go for this unforgettable experience. Other exciting activities in Murmansk include: Arctic Ocean Tour: you will ride through the Tundra (wild treeless arctic area, see unique Arctic coast views, several natural attractions like a boulder beach and a waterfall flowing into the see, and even a ‘ship cemetery’. Get acquainted with human’s friends of the Far North – Husky dogs (. You can play with these surprisingly kind creatures and take pictures with them, and of course, have a ride on a dog sled.
Visit Saami village – aboriginal people of the Arctic, see their traditional homes and take pictures in Saami national clothes, try playing a traditional ball game, the program includes feeding reindeer and reindeer sledging.
Get experience of amazing winter activity – riding a snowmobile, a kind of ski-and-cat-erpillar motorcycle, in a snowy forest and on frozen lakes.
Some visitors opt for alpine skiing at a ski resort or ice fishing.
If the time allows you, take a day trip to the town of Kirovsk to see the unique Snow Village – in fact, an art gallery, made of snow every winter, full of sculptures, reliefs, installations, all made of snow or ice. Colored lighting makes them amazing. Whatever the frost outside, the climate inside is very mild: – 4 C and no wind. Another unique thing there is extraordinary rich Mineral Museum. The road to Kirovsk through snow-covered mountainous terrain is an attraction on its own.
SEASONS IN MOSCOW AND SAINT PETERSBURG
SUMMER. High season for Moscow and St.Petersburg. The comfortable weather allows you to see the most of what the cities have to offer, as well as natural beauty of the parks and outside-city palaces, which in fact were built as ‘summer residencies’. Enjoy cities’ atmosphere of this relatively short period together with the locals (36), who have to hide in their homes during most of the year.
In late May to late July enjoy St. Petersburg’s white nights.
AUTUMN and WINTER
Ideal time to avoid crowds and enjoy museum treasures of Moscow and St.Petersburg out of the high season and see the cities at a different entourage. Combine city visits with more and more popular AURORA HUNTING and other activities in MURMANSK.
If you visit Russia in AUTUMN, you can have an extra natural bonus – beauty of red-and-gold-en autumn trees, a short, but spectacular moment of life of the northern nature (37,38).
Opt for our RED-LEAF TOUR!
In WINTER enjoy the cities adorned by nature with white snow and by people with bright Christmas decorations (39,40,41).Winter of Peterhof (40) and Pavlovsk will certainly amaze you.
Enjoy all year round Moskva river cruise on one of ‘Radisson Royal Flotilla’ yacht-restaurants and see many of Moscow sites from water Select one or two more museums in Moscow (eg, the Tretyakov Gallery, the State Historical Museum or other) or St.Petersburg (eg, the Russian Museum, the Museum of Political History or other)
Have a ride on husky sled in one of the HUSKY PARKS near Moscow or St.Petersburg
At any season we will be happy to welcome you in Russia and take you to an exciting trip through our spectacular country.