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RUS-A MEDIA
Moscow Information Guide |Rus-a| Moscow Sights and Attractions
Russian Capital is amazing, ancient, where every corner has its own history and memories. We have decided to tell you about the most interesting and fascinating streets, Moscow sights and attractions to let you better understand our city and national spirit.
Nikolskaya Street
A beautiful Russian street
Nikolskaya Street, situated in the heart of Moscow near the Red Square, is one of the oldest streets of the city. During its eight-centuries-long history the street was a shelter for a printing house, Russian and Greek monasteries, Slavo-Greco-Latin Academy, the Military Collegium of the USSR Supreme Court and other landmarks of the Russian history.
Nikolskaya street, named after St Nikolas monastery built in the 13th century, was formed as the area of spirituality and enlightenment and has soon become one of the most prestigious places in Moscow. It is known as the birthplace of printing in Russia.
Here, in 1564, Ivan Fedorov and Petr Mstislavets produced the first Russian printed book "The Acts of the Apostles'. Here also, in 1703, came out the first issue of Russian newspaper “Vedomosti”. In 1810, the main building of the print yard gave place to the historic-archival Institute RGGU.
Nikolskaya Street became pedestrian in August 2013, so that everyone can now enjoy its views. We recommend you to pay attention to the magnificent Zaikonospassky monastery, known since the beginning of the XVII century, to visit the Kazan Cathedral, one of the most important temples of the Russian capital built by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky in 1626-1630.
It is also important to mention the pharmacy of Ferrain, which was constructed in the art Nouveau style and decorated with four statues of Hygieia, goddess of medicine, with snakes in her hands. This pharmacy before the revolution was known as the largest in Europe.
If you want to go shopping, don't forget to visit GUM (literally "main universal store"). Being constructed on the place of the old trading rows, today it is the most famous shopping mall in Moscow with a comfortable lounge area full of restaurants, cafes art gallery, cinema and a luxury grocery store in the Soviet style.
GUM offers a wide variety of cultural and social events for every taste, which are held under the beautiful glass roof of the mall. Also, a fabulous skating rink on the Red Square is open near GUM in winter.
By Elena Krasnyk
Leningradsky Prospekt
Today the Leningradsky Prospekt or Leningradsky Avenue is known as a major arterial avenue in Moscow. It runs from center and Read Square to Pushkinskaya square, first Tverskaya-Yamskaya Street and Belorussky Rail way station, Leningradsky Avenue continues its way to Tver and Saint Petersburg.
Leningradsky Avenue is a home to famous Petrovsky Palace. This architectural masterpiece was built in 18th century and was Royal Family residence on the way from Moscow to Saint Petersburg.
South of Leningradsky Avenue is situated Khodynka Field where is located one of the biggest trade malls in Europe "Aviapark".
At Leningradsky Avenue is located Dynamo Stadium built in the beginning of the 20th century - popular Russian football stadium which can host more than 35000 spectators (under construction now).
Kuznetsky Most
Kuznetsky Most (Kuznetsky Bridge) is a small and beautiful old street in the center of Moscow, It starts from Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street and goes to Lubyanka Street. In18th century in this area was river Neglinnaya, (now running in an underground tunnel) the street got name of the bridge.
In 18th and 19th century Kuznetsky Most street became a symbol of fashion and expensive shopping. When fire in Moscow destroyed the street in 1737 it was reconstructed with upper-class buildings with amazing imperial architecture which we can admire today. On Kuznetsky Most street you can find Moscow Operetta Theater and old Exhibition Hall.
One of the principal reasons to go to Kuznetsky Most street for living in Moscow foreigners - is the House of Foreign Books "Dom inostrannoy knigi", (address - Moscow,18/7, Kuznetsky Most) which has a large selection of English-language literature, with a lot of useful guidebooks including information on some other languages. This book store has more than 20,000 different books.
Tverskoy Boulevard
One of the main boulevards in Moscow is Tverskoy Boulevard. Tverskoy Boulevard is a part of Capital famous Boulevard ring - from Nikitsky Boulevard to the Pushkin Square and Tverskaya Street.
In times of the reign of Nicolas I best Russian gardeners planted boulevard with beautiful trees and flowers. At Tverskoy Boulevard there is a monument to Russian outstanding poet Sergei Yesenin.
Tverskoy Bpulevard is very beautiful in winter, when city administration decorates this area with different garlands and led New Year constructions. During summer Tverskoy Boulevard hosts many fests and interesting events such as Flower Festival or Ice cream Festival.
This location is popular among Muscovites as an area for family weekend walks. Tverskoy Boulevard is also a cultural area - very close there are many theaters and museums.
Stalin’s skyscrapers or the Seven Sisters architectural group
The Seven Sisters or so called in Russia Vysotki or Stalinskie Vysotki are a group of seven skyscrapers in Moscow designed in the Stalinist pompous style and built in Moscow after the Second World War. Today these buildings have become one of the official symbols of Moscow like Red Square or VDNKH. And of course in every building is located something serious or important for Moscow and Russia, including people who have apartments in Vysotkas living areas. As it is known in Moscow, in Soviet Period Vysotky were areas where always settled Russian Elite, politicians, diplomats, artists, intellectuals and other famous people.
Let’s discover all 7 sisters
Moscow State University
It is the main building of world famous Moscow State University, located at Sparrow Hills. Till 90s it was the tallest building in Europe with 0ver 230 meters high. Anyway today it is still the highest building but in education domain.
Hotel Ukraina (The Ukraine hotel) today is called Radisson Royal Hotel
It is the second tallest building with 190 meters +, and with over 30 floors, located in front of The House of the Government of the Russian Federation the Moscow White House. At first famous Moscow hotel Ukraine was located there. Today after inner reconstruction it is Radisson Royal Hotel popular among diplomats and Moscow’s privileged guests.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Third building is 170 meters +, located at Smolenskaya Square in the Center of Moscow with Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs inside.
Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya Hotel
Before it was named Gostinitsa Leningradskaya (the Leningradsky Hotel). It is not the biggest one building in this group, only around 135 meters where today is located modern international hotel and some private apartments.
Building at Kotelnicheskaya Embankment
Made by famous Soviet architecture Chechulin, with over 20 floors in gothic style located at Kotelnicheskaya Embankment near the Moskva River and Yauza River.
Building near Kudrinskaya Square
Located near garden ring at Presnensky District traditional area where lived Russian cultural elite – famous musicians, ballerinas, writers, artists etc.
Building near Krasnye Vorota Metro Stop (Red Gates)
Designed by popular Stalin’s designer Alexey Dushkin this building has direct connection to Moscow Metro and Station Krasnye Vorota (Red gates). It is133 meters high.
