MOSCOW is situated in the centre of Russia´s European part where the rivers Moskva and Yauza cross the Central Russian Plateau. Moscow was already mentioned in chronicles of the year 1147. It has more that 5000 streets and squares taking up an area of 1000 square kilometres. The population is about ten million. Moscow is a part of the real Russia. In fact, Moscow has an abundance of things to see and experience starting, for instance, with the Kremlin which innumerable writers have tried in vain to describe in a few words. Hardly anywhere else are such big decisions made in such a stately and historic setting. Irrespective of how many times you have visited Red Square, the booming chimes of the Spasski bell will always make you pause, and the multi-coloured Vasili Cathedral turn your thoughts to Ivan the Terrible: it feels like time has stopped and the Tsar might still be viewed from his tower.


THE KREMLIN

A symbol of Moscow and Russia, and the former residence of Russian tsars and patriarchs. It houses a unique collection of historical, architectural and cultural items. The Kremlin contains such unique masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture as the Cathedral of the Assumption – once the main cathedral of old Russia, where tsars were crowned and patriarchs buried; the Cathedral of Archangel Michael, the burial place of Russian tsars and Grand princes and the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the royal chapel. The Armoury Chamber, established in 1720 by order of Peter I, is the oldest Russian museum and a treasure house of Russian artistic craftsmanship from ancient times till the present days.


NOVODEVITSH CONVENT

The Convent was founded in 1524 to commemorate the recapture of the old Russian city of Smolensk. The convent was built as a fortress on the approaches to Moscow. It is a unique ensemble. One can see the domes of its Cathedral of the Holy Virgin of Smolensk from quite some distance. The collection of the museum includes icons of the 16-17th century, as well as an exhibition of embroidery and jewellery. It is also the residence of the Metropolitan of Moscow. On the grounds of the Convent there is the necropolis, where famous people like Anton Tsehov and Nikolai Gogol are buried.


TRETJAKOV GALLERY

One of the world´s largest art museums, a treasure house of old Russian art from the 11th century till the present days. The Gallery bears the name of its founder, Pavel Tretyakov, a rich Russian manufacturer and patron of the arts. He presented his collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. Today the Tretyakov Gallery houses more that 50000 works of painting, graphic art and sculpture.


SERGIEV POSAD ( ZAGORSK)

Trinity Sergius Lavra ( 70 km from Moscow) is the religious centre of the Russian Orthodox Church, the residence of the Patriarch of All Russia, a working monastery and home to the Theological Academy. It’s architectural ensemble of the 15-19th centuries represents all stages in the development of Russian architecture. The Museum boasts a rich collection of icons of the 15-17th centuries, rare examples of folk art and Russian national costumes.