Moscow

Moscow is the largest city not only in Russia but also in Europe. No doubt, the city is the most populous in Russia, but it has large forest-park territories nevertheless. The city is situated on the Moscow River – on the East European Plain in central Russia. The altitude difference is 130 meters in the city.

Moscow has one of the deepest underground metro systems in the world and at the same time there are very many skyscrapers in the city.

The first reference to Moscow dates from 1147. This year is considered to be a date of a city foundation.No doubt, there were some settlements on the territory of Moscow much earlier. Archaeologists have found ruins of a II Millennium BC settlement. It is possible that during the next reconstructions of buildings in the center of Moscow the scientists will find other ruins of old buildings again.

They say that the boyar Stepan Kuchka owned settlements on the territory of Moscow before 1147. Then, these lands were called the Kuchkovo field, or Kuchkov. Only in the time of the Russian Prince Yury Dolgoruky this defensible territory, began to be transformed into a fortified settlement and it received its new name – Moscow.

Moscow is situated on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District of European Russia, making it the world's most populated inland city. The city is well known for its architecture, particularly its historic buildings such as Saint Basil's Cathedral with its brightly colored domes. With over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery, it is one of the greenest capitals and major cities in Europe and the world.

Moscow's History is Russia's History:

With the Moscow Kremlin located in the heart of the city, Moscow is the seat of Russia's government. Just as the tsars once ruled over Russia, so now does the Russian president. Visitors to Moscow today can see architecture that dates to Ivan the Terrible's reign and gain insight into how Russia's way of life has long differed from that of the West.

Home to Russia's Greatest Writers:

Russia's greatest writers were familiar with Moscow, and many lived in the capital city at some point during their lives.

Some were born there, others died there, but they all left important traces of their lives for literary visitors to pay homage to. Moscow is home to many Russian author museums that seek to stop time for the writers' greatest fans.

Center of Art and Art History:

While St. Petersburg might arguably rival Moscow with its collection of art at the Hermitage, Moscow is home to the culturally significant Tretyakov Gallery. The Tretyakov Gallery is the world's most important museum of Russian art. Famous Russian masters - Repin, Vrubel, and others - have special places in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery.

The Armory Museum holds a special collection of jewels, crowns, thrones, and carriages from royal Russia The Armory's State Diamond Fund preserves these important symbols of Russia as a tsardom and and empire.

This is a city of contrasts - ancient monasteries and ultra-modern skyscrapers stand side by side, neon-lit ads share the skyline with monumental Stalin buildings, black shiny BMWs sit in the same traffic jams as the battered old Ladas, and new Russian millionaires sip cocktails in the latest cafe while poverty-stricken pensioners shuffle by. People says, "There's Russia, and then there is Moscow". It's like an exaggerated version of everything there is to Russia. Being a foreigner in this city is a challenging but incredibly enriching experience, and without a doubt, a very exciting place to be!