A summer walk in the center of Moscow
So, we are in Moscow and we are decided to go and explore the heart of the capital, walking around. Let's go.
Our starting point will be The Bolshoi Theatre (Teatralnaya metro staion, green line 2). The Bolshoi, built as a private theatre in 1771, is renowned for its opera and ballet productions based on masterpieces of world literature. Behind The Bolshoi Theatre stands the world-famous TsUM department store. But we will cross the road to get to The Hotel Metropol Moscow (one of the oldest and best hotels in the city) heading to Lubyanskaya Square. On the way, we will pass a huge store for kids called Children's World where you can go up to a free observation desk on the top. Reaching Lubyanskaya Square, we look at the opposite side, staring at ex KGB building and get ready to walk further along Nikolskaya Street.
Nikolskaya street is the oldest street in Moscow and it was the street of knowledge and education: here you can find the first Printing House of Moscow, Slavic Greek Latin Academy and the first pharmacy of Moscow. Half way down the street we turn left to look at Epiphany Monastery, allegedly founded in 1296.
Without going backwards, we will proceed further to Ilyinka Street (it used to be a shopping street, then a street of banks, insurance companies, business offices) and next to Varvarka Street (a street of cathedrals and home to the nobbles in early times).
In the end of Varvarka Street, we will come the spectacular St. Basil's Cathedral, the 16th century to commemorate a military victory. The cathedral stands on the Red Square which we are going to explore next.
After strolling around Red Square, it might be time to have something to eat. There is an inexpensive USSR-style cafe in GUM (3-rd floor, 3-rd row).
Having eaten, we will be heading for Alexander Gardens to enter the Kremlin where will spend around 2 hours with a standard ticket (bought at Kremlin ticket booths) which allows you to visit all the kremlin cathedrals, except Ivan the Great’s Bell Tower, the Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund. Remember that The Kremlin is closed on Thursdays.
We leave the kremlin through Borovitskie Gates and set off for monument to Vladimir the Great, also known as Baptiser of Russia, going back to Four Seasons Hotel to cross the road to walk along Tverskaya Street.
Tverskaya is a main artery and the heart of Moscow. Many historic buildings dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries are located along Tverskaya Street. The street was enlarged and straightened in Soviet times. Many historic buildings were torn down. However, some highly valuable architectural landmarks were preserved by being moved away.
After reaching Pushkinskaya Square, if time and strength permit, we can return to Kuznetsky Bridge street. It is called after the bridge over the river Neglinka in the XV century. In old times it was a large village where lived blacksmiths. Walking along Kuznetsky Most Street, you can often hear live street music, enjoying its diversity coupled with its atmosphere of the distant past.
- A walk in the center of Moscow
