Good News

In the comments to my previous post I read what one of our readers (Tampa Pirate) will come to Moscow as independent traveler soon. And I have a good news to him.

New Hop-On Hop-Off double deckers by City Sightseeing came to Moscow last week. 

I don't know anything about quality of service yet but now it's only one route with commentary on Russian, English and German languages. 24 hours adult ticket cost 600 roubles.

Full service with three routes plan to start only next summer.

You can find more information at City Sightseeing website.

Posted by Artem.

Former Andreevsky Monastery

Today I show you round the former Andreevsky monastery. First mention in the chronicles dated 13 - 14 century.

The patron of monastery, Fedor Rtishev, in XVII century organized here the school, which became the prototype of "Slavonic-Greek-Latin Academy" and Moscow University later. In 1731 academy was taken from Andreevsky monastery. The place was transformed into a shelter for foundlings and homeless children, in 1764 here they arranged the almshouse.

Since 1924 the rooms were used as apartments, later some scientific research institute was located here.

The buildings were returned to Orthodox church in 1992, at a moment the Orthodox library is open here for the readers.

Located near one of the largest Moscow highways on one side and Moskva-river on the other side, the place is surprisingly peaceful and quiet. It is small and thoughtfully decorated with flowers and trees. I highly recommend to visit if(when) you are in Moscow.

Recently restored church

Library

View from the observation point I showed you yesterday.

Top view was taken from here.

Google map.

Posted by Irina

Observation Point

This Saturday I found new (for me) observation point (Google map link is further).

About the September as the best time for weddings: Why September? Tradition which started long ago. It was very pragmatical: they marry in September when the harvest is collected. The baby is born in May. So when the time comes for agricultural work in the fields, newly mother is ready and the work does not suffer from her absence.

Observation point on Google map.

Posted by Irina.

Moscow Zoo

Moscow Zoo.
Founded in 1864 and located in the center of the city it is joy and great possibility to be reminded that we are the part of nature.

Moscow Zoo's site in Russian.

Moscow Zoo in Wiki (English).

Google map.

Posted by Irina.

From Moscow to St.Petersburg and Back

Isakievsky Cathedral

Last week I went to St.Petersburg. That is why my latest posts here were scheduled and I could not visit your blogs (and sorry about that).
I decided that today I show you the second largest city in Russia and the one so unique and worth your visit. As patriot-Muscovite I can tell that the visited city was too straightforward for me, with its balanced streets, roads, mostly18th century buildings, almost no trees, so opposite in every way to chaotic Moscow.

Petropavlovsky Fortress

But anyway, I have to admit, it is so beautiful and so original and special.

Winter Palace's Gates and Alexander's Column

Let's break the CDPh rules (again) and do some National_Geographic today!

More photos here. As there are more then 15 photos total, I hide them under cut.

Open Air

Today I spent my day at open-air jazz festival "Usadba Jazz" in Arkhangelskoe, the mansion (usadba) 10 km (6,2 miles) away from Moscow.

The festival is held on five stages, for the 7th time, and lasts the whole week-end June, 5-6. 

I highly recommend our Moscow located readers to visit the mansion, the buildings and nature are great.

Google map.

Site of the festival organizer.
Photos of Arkhangelskoe on its site.


Posted by Irina.

Ostankino Tower

This is the famous TV Tower in Moscow. It was built in 1967 by lead-engineer Nikolay Nikitin. The construction of Ostankino Tower is unique for its basement is only 4.6 meters deep while the tower itself is 540 meters high which made it the highest building in the world for the next decade. Now Ostankino Tower holds the 4th place surpassed in height by CN Tower in Toronto, TV Tower in Guǎngzhōu and Burj Dubai, though two latest are not complete yet.
There is an observation deck in Ostankino tower at the height of 337 meters and a restaurant 'Seventh heaven' just below it (see the large 'knob' nearly on the top, where the antenne begin).
In August of 2000 there was a fire in the tower, serious damage was done and since then observation deck and the restaurant were closed. Renewed deck was open to public just a couple months back but restaurant is still under construction.

Hotel The Soviet

The Soviet hotel was built around famous restaurant 'Yar' in 1952. Luxurious apartments were used as goverment residence, and nowadays this grand building receives most prominent guests. As you can see, the hotel still keeps to Soviet symbolics.

St. Simeon Stylites Church

I believe I already posted a photo of this church before but it will do no harm if I show one more.

So this is Simeon Stylites church located in the intersection of Povarskaya and New Arbat streets, in Moscow downtown. First, wooden, building was created in 1625 to celebrate Boris Godunov's wedding. Modern, stone, version was built over 50 years later, in 1679. After Revolution of 1917 it was neglected and nearly destroyed. But in 1966, when making the new street of Kalinin Prospect (now New Arbat), the church was restored though it wasn't returned to Orthodoxs until early 1990s.

Nowadays it's one of the beautiful specimen of old Russian architecture among modern skyscraping masses of glass and concrete.

Dmitry Prilustkiy's Church

This church was built for teaching hospitals in 1880. The neighbourhood belongs to the oldest medical school in Russia, now called Sechenov Medical Academy of Moscow. The temple was created in Byzantine style and its appearance is quite different to other Russian churches.

Novodevichiy

Yet another photo of Novodevichiy Convent. As I told you earlier, it's one of the oldest monasteries not only in Moscow (and in Russia). It miraculously survived Napoleon's army intrusion in 1812, October Revolution a century later and even 70 years of Soviet Era.

The cemetery at Novodevichiy is also a point of interest: till our days it remains a place where most distiguished people find their final abode.

Novodevichiy

As anonymous visitor justly noted yesterday, the correct word for Novodevichiy would be not 'monastery' but 'convent'. Thank you!

So today I present one more photo of Novodevichiy convent. Like Sharon said, the whole structure looks more like a fortress. That's because, I believe, most medieval monasteries in most countries were built as citadels, in the first place; hence those mighty walls and heavy gates. And today's photo shows both gates and the church above.

Novodevichiy Monastery

I'm sure, most of you heard about Novodevichiy Monastery in Moscow. Found in early XVI century, it was the richest and most privileged monastery not only in Moscow area, but in the whole Russia. All nuns were of distinguished birth, and a number of tsar's unwanted relatives (including wives) found their 'accomodation' here. Apart from its noble history, Novodevichiy is famous for its beautiful churches, towers and other buildings of significant age.

Armoured car

As I told you yesterdays, there are some shoe-pieces by the Museum of Modern History. One of them (and my favourite, in fact) is this armoured car used in Revolution days of 1917. Just look at it! Isn't it cute?

History museum

This beautiful mansion is located in the very center of the city, in Tverskaya St. During Soviet era there was a Museum of Revolution in this building, and there are still some artefacts can be seen around. Nowadays it is Museum of Modern History, and once in a while it hosts various exhibitions.

Pushkin's square

This is one of little squares in Moscow downtown. Named after famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin who lived in first half of XIX-th century, the square is a favourite of Moscow people. On the background (to the right) you can see Pushkin's monument which is the most popular meeting spot in the city. And the square itself is a part of Boulevard Ring, it's very green and full of fontains.

Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

This beautiful building is located in one of central Moscow streets - Malaya Dmitrovka. Built in 1652, it was the last steepled church in Moscow. It survived Revolution of 1917, though was closed in 1935 and re-open only in 1991. Later it was restored by the troup of the neighbouring theatre.

Kamergersky

I believe I have already posted some photos of this little street in central Moscow. Kamergersky alley connect Tverskaya and Malaya Dmitrovka streets, it's a walk area and very popular with moscowites.

Big wheel

That observation wheel in Sokolniki park was definitely missing visitors yesterday when I happened to walk by. On a fine week-end it must be crowded but Mondays are not that busy. So I couldn't miss the opportunity and took a ride!

Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos

This church is located in a small side street of central city. It was built about 1675 to replace a wooden version of 50+ years old. After revolution of 1917 it was turned to sewing workshop. Restored in 1990s, the building is used for its original purposes now.