Culture of Moscow. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

» The St. Basil Cathedral is situated on the Red Square in Moscow. It’s widely known as the monument of Russian architecture.
» The St. Basil Cathedral is one of the most famous sights of Russia. For many it’s the symbol of Moscow.
» Currently the Cathedral is a branch of the State Historical Museum and is included in the List of World Heritage Sites in Russia.
» The Cathedral has been repeatedly restored. Asymmetric extension, tents over porches, intricate decorative domes (they were gold originally), decorative painting on the outside and inside were added in the 17th century.
» The modern bell tower was built on the site of the ancient belfry that has decayed and fallen into disrepair in the second half of the 12th century. In the 1680s it was replaced by the bell tower, which stands to this day.

» The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, not far from the Kremlin on the left bank of the Moscow River.
» Existing facilities are 1990s re-creation of the same name temple created in the 19th century.
» The original temple was erected in memory about Napoleon's invasion. Construction of the temple has lasted almost 44 years, but later the building was destroyed on December 5, 1931 in the midst of Stalin's reconstruction.
» Funerals of people significant for modern Russian history and culture were held in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
» Great Orthodox relics and shrines such as a particle of the Robe of the Lord, the ark with holy relics, Reese of Blessed Virgin Mary, the relics of John the Baptist, the nail of the Holy Cross, and others are exhibited in the temple.

» Ostankino is the TV and radio broadcasting tower.
» The tower is 540 m, thus it occupies 8th place in the world by height.
» The project was created by architect Nikitin overnight; the inverted lily became the prototype of the tower.
» Ostankino TV tower has two viewing platforms, indoor and outdoor, of 337 m and 340 m, respectively. The outdoor observation deck is open only in warmer months, from May to October.
» For 30 years the TV Tower observation deck and restaurant Seventh Heaven have being visited by over 10 million visitors.

» The State Historical Museum is located on the north side of Red Square in Moscow. The museum also occupies the neighboring buildings of the Mint and the Moscow City Duma.
» The collection reflects the history and culture of Russia from ancient times to the present day; it’s unique in the number and content of exhibits.
» Currently the museum is the largest in Russia. Two floors and 39 halls are dedicated to the history of Russia from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century.
» Exposition starts on the second floor. It’s dedicated to the primitive society, Ancient Rus, the fight against foreign invaders, uniting Russia, culture, and development of Siberia.
» The third floor shows Russia since the era of Peter I: politics, culture, the economy of the Russian Empire.
» Massive reconstruction has happened to the museum. Throughout the rooms contain informational materials; the exhibition has a large number of screens and monitors except paper information support.

» The Saint Sophia Church in the Middle Sadovniki is the Orthodox church on Baltchug Island opposite the Kremlin.
» The church is an architectural monument of federal significance.
» Wall paintings created at the turn of 19-20th centuries by artist Count Komarowski have preserved inside.
» The free-standing three-tier belfry was built in 1862 - 1868 by the architect Nikolay Kozlovsky. Its distinctive silhouette in the Russian-Byzantine style isn’t associated with the architecture of the temple itself, but corresponds to the verticals of the Kremlin towers located opposite.
» The church didn’t act in 1930s, as the premises were used for housing and laboratory.
» Currently, the temple is fully restored and elements of 17th century are reconstructed.