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TRAVEL TIPS |
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| Moscow |
| Russia |
| On the shores of the Moscow River, to which it owes its name, the city - once an empire of tsars and isolated by the Iron Curtain - has blossomed from post-socialism and shows us just how cosmopolitan it is, with a cultural and architectural richness for everyone to see. |
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Places to visit |
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| Ideally one should get to know the city from the centre, from the Red Square where most of the famous monuments of the capital are placed. On one side stands the famous symbol of Moscow: St. Basil's Cathedral in Byzantine style built by Ivan IV of Russia. On the other side one can find the remarkable Kremlin, a fortification with twenty towers and a complex of palaces, museums and Orthodox churches inside. Besides being the official residence of the president, it is associated with the centre of the political power of the country. The Alexander Garden extends along the western wall which comprises three separate gardens as a tribute to Tsar Alexander I of Russia. It is also in the Red Square that the Lenin’s Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of the leader of the Russian Communist Revolution of 1917 is on display for a free public visit, stands out. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier can also be visited in this square which stretches for 700 meters by 130 meters wide. Still close to the Kremlin, in its neoclassical style, lies the Bolshoi Theatre, considered one of the best ballet schools in the world and where the experience of attending a ballet, opera or theatre is unforgettable. The Izmailovo Kremlin, located in the north of Moscow in the Izmailovo district, is a fairytale-like cultural complex modelled after Old Russia. The colourful and bustling complex is home to several single-subject museums. One is dedicated to Russian folk art, another to bread, and yet another to vodka. The VDNKh is a kind of Disneyland built in the time of the USSR to glorify the achievements of the socialist economy. Each of the former Soviet republics has an exhibition hall there. Currently, this place is full of cafes, restaurants and shops and even a Ferris wheel. In winter it converts into a main skating rink with a capacity of 4,500 people that can use the rink at the same time. |
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What to eat? |
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Set on the pillars of its history, Russian gastronomy follows the tradition of rural times, with potatoes and meat as its base. Environmental, geographic, social and economic factors characterize this cuisine that excels by the abundance and variety of products.
The blinis, the strogonoff and the golubtsi are gastronomic surprises, especially the caviar, a delicacy highly appreciated, whether it is beluga or sturgeon caviar. Obviously these gastronomic delights are always accompanied by the famous vodka.
Of Ukrainian origin, the borsch is a soup based on beet with meat and vegetables that helps to fight the cold; and solyanka is another spicy soup made with meat, fish or mushrooms. The famous Café Pushkin and the Grand-Café Dr. Zhivago are two restaurants where you can taste typical Russian dishes in a refined atmosphere or in a more relaxed atmosphere, with a socialist-kitsch decoration scenario. The Public Bar is one of the fashionable places to go out in the city and where you can taste original cocktails and watch the sophistication of the Moscow night. |
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Curiosities |
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There are 49 bridges that cross the river to one of the coldest capitals in the world.
Known as the Underground Palace, the metropolitan network is one of the deepest in the world offering 188 stations, most of which are decorated in marble with sculptures, paintings, stained glass and chandeliers.
The Trans-Siberian bound for Vladivostok, at the eastern tip of the country 9,289km away, leaves from Moscow. 'Kremlin' means fortress and Moscow’s was initially wooden, built in 1156 by a prince.
Vodka is part of the day-to-day life of the Russians and its name comes from the Russian word for 'water': 'voda'.
In a first contact with the Russians you may feel uncomfortable since they are not naturally friendly. However, when they realize that there is no reason to distrust, they become very affable and hospitable. By the way, do not greet a Russian under a door as it is a synonym of bad luck for them.
Moscow is Russia's most populous city, the second most populous city in Europe and one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world. |
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Advices |
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The Tretyakov Gallery, on the banks of the Moscow River, is the most important museum in the city. It has a vast array of works by renowned painters, from various eras and styles. The new wing of the museum houses a collection of avant-garde painters, from which Kandinsky and Chagall stand out. Gorky Park has been renovated in recent years and is today one of the nicest places to walk around, full of cafes and possibilities for outdoor activities. Two places not to be missed.
Near Pushkin Square one can find the oldest grocery store in the city. Opened since 1890, Eliseevskiy occupies a small palace and its interior looks more like a museum, offering a different concept for "going shopping".
Summers in Moscow are hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 15 to 30ºC and winters between -25 and 0ºC. With a humid continental climate, the snow comes between November and March. |
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