Moscow

Moscow was founded on Borovitsky hill. First it was mentioned in Ipaty chronicle of 1147, where it is said about Vladimiro-Suzdal’s prince Yury Dolgorukov’s invitation of prince Svyatoslav: «pridi ko mne brate v Moskov'», that means, that the name of the city was given in the indirect case. Modern researches suppose that the form of Nominative case of the city name was «Mosky». «Moscow» came to being only in the 14th century and is being used until now.

In the beginning of the 13-th century Moscow became the head of the territory. It was ruined in winter of 1237–1238 by mongolo-tatars, then it was reconstructed.

Since the end of 13 century Moscow became the center of independent principality. About 1326 the residence of Russian orthodox church metropolitans was transfered from Vladimir to Moscow. The city became the political and cultural center of Russia.

In 1712 the capital was transfered to St-Petersbourg. Since 1708 Moscow was the center of Moscow region. Since 12 of March in 1918 Moscow was the capital of RSFSR. Since December of 1991 it is the capital of Russian Federation.

Moscow's top sights are the Kremlin, including St. Vasily's Cathedral and the Red Square, the Old Arbat pedestrian street, the Bolshoi Theater, and the Kitai Gorod neighborhood with its beautiful churches, lively streets, and the Moscow City Museum.

Moscow is Russia's political and financial center, and has been at the heart of recent economic and political transformations in the country. With over eight million people, the city is huge, but its center, enclosed by the Garden Ring, is easily traversed on foot. The city center has many places to visit that need researching before your trip. Below are some of the main tourist attractions.

Inside the Garden Ring, you will find major Moscow sites, including the Kremlin, Red Square, the Arbat, Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, GUM department store, Chekhov Art Theatre, and Sanjunovskaya Baths. Nearby is Gorky Park, a welcome green retreat. The Moscow River arches through the Garden Ring.

The Kremlin has been the seat of political power in Russia for centuries, and Russia's president lives inside the palace. A fortress surrounded by high walls and towers, the Red Square runs along its eastern side. The Kremlin is located right in the center of the Garden Ring, and inside its walls are several museums and three churches, attesting to Moscow's role as the country's spiritual as well as political center.