Moscow Things to Do Tips by HORSCHECK

Kuskovo estate Kuskovo Review

The Kuskovo eastate was built in neoclassical style in the 18th century. It was given by Peter the Great to the family of General Sheremeteva, who used it as a summer country house.

Nowadays Kuskovo estate is home to a museum. Unfortunately when I visited the complex, it was closed. Nevertheless I enjoyed my time there as it is situated in a park with a lake, which offers great views of the estate.

Directions:
The Kuskovo estate is situated about 12 km southeast of the city centre. To get there you have to take the metro to "Ryazansky Prospekt" on the lilac line and then change on bus #113 or #208. Get off at the sixth stop.

Address: Kuskovo estate, ul. Yunosty 2, Moscow

Website: http://www.kuskovo.ru/

Directions: Kuskovo estate - Church and Bell Tower
Kuskovo estate - Dutch cottage

Lubyanka KGB Headquarters Lubyanka Review

The Lubyanka building was built in 1897 as the head office of Russia's insurance company. In 1918 it was taken over by the Bolscheviks and served as the headquarter of the secret police KGB and a prison.

Nowadays the building houses the FSB (Federal Security Service) and a KGB Museum, which can only be visited with guided tours.

Directions:
The Lubyanka is located in Moscow's city centre at Lubyanskaya ploshchad (Metro: Lubyanka).

St. Basil's Cathedral Red Square - Saint Basil Cathedral Review

St. Basil's Cathedral is probably the most famous and beautiful church of Moscow.

It consist of eight onion domed chapels representing the 8 assaults on Kazan.

The Cathedral was built between 1555 and 1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible.

The Statue to Minin and Pozharsky which now stands in the garden of the Cathedral was first erected on Red Square in 1818, but was moved to its current position by the Soviets in 1936.

Address:
St. Basil's Cathedral, 4 Krasnaya Ploshad, Moscow

Directions:
St. Basil's Cathedral is located at the southern end of Red Square. The nearest metro stop is Kitai Gorod.

Tsaritsyno Palace Tsaritsyno Estate Review

The history of the Tsaritsyno Palace dates back to the 16th century when Tsarina Irina, the wife of Tsar Fyodor had an estate here.

In the following centuries it changed its owner several times. In the late 18th century the complex was partly torn down and rebuilt after plans of empress Catherine the Great.

The whole complex, which was never finished is located in a large park which is also home to several pavillions, churches, pergolas and bridges. The park is a popular place for excursions.

Directions
The Tsaritsyno Palace and park are situated in the southeast of Moscow. The nearest metro station is "Tsaritsyno" on the dark green line.

If you have some time I recommend to get off at "Orekhovo" and enter the park from the backside. This way you can stroll through the whole park and leave via "Tsaritsyno".

Address: Tsaritsyno Palace, ul. Dolskaya 10, Moscow

Website: http://www.tsaritsyno-museum.ru/

Danilov Monastery

The Danilov Monastery is said to be the oldest monastery in Moscow, as it was founded in 1282 by Prince Danil, son of Alexander Nevsky.

The classical monastery is the officiall residence of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. During the Soviet era, the Danilov Monastery was the last monastery to be closed (1930) and it was also the first one to be reopened under president Gorbachev in 1983.

Directions:
The Danilov Monastery is situated in the south of Moscow. The nearest Metro stop is "Tulskaya" on the grey line. Another option to get there is a pleasant 20 minutes walk from the Donskoy Monastery (see seperate tip) along the wide Serpukhovskiy val.

Address: Danilov Monastery, Danilovsky Val 22, Moscow

Website: http://www.msdm.ru/

Donskoy Monastery Donskoy Monastery Review

The history of the Donskoy monastery dates back to the late 16th century, when it was part of Moscow's city fortification. On the monastery grounds stand several churches, with the massive red brick Great Cathedral of the Don Mother of God being the dominating one.

Oddly enough, near the entrance to the monastery grounds a few white painted Soviet tanks can be found. These commemorate an armoured unit which was formed by the church during the Great Patriotic War (WWII).

Adjacent to the monastery, the 19th century Donskoy cemetery is well worth a visit. It is noteable for the Monument to the Victims of Repression.

Directions:
The Donskoy Monatery is located in the south of Moscow. The best way to get there is to take the Metro to "Shabolovskaya" (orange line). From there it is a 10 minute walk to the street Donskaya ulitsa.

Address: Donskoy Monastery, Donskaya pl. 1, Moscow

Peter the Great Monument Boat Trips Review

The surreal 94.5 m tall Peter the Great Monument was created by the sculptor Zarub Tsereteli to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Russian fleet.

The bronze monument consists of various ships and a giant statue of Peter the Great.

Directions
The Peter the Great Monument is situated at the western end of the island in the river Moskva (Metro: Polyanka).

The White House The White House Review

The White House (Beliy dom) is a government building which played a starring role in two important politcial confrontations of Russia.

The building was completed in 1981 and just ten years later in August 1991 it was the rallying point for the democratic opposition in the putsch against Gorbatchev.

In October 1993 the building saw an uprising of about 200 deputies against Boris Yeltsin, which finally ended in an artillery bombardment and a fire.

Another building which was involved in these "October events" is the Ostankino TV centre. Please read my "Off the Beaten Path" tips for more information about this.

Directions:
The White House is located on the banks of the river Moskva, just west of the city centre. The nearest metro stops are Smolenskaya (blue line) or Krasnopresnenskaya (brown line).

VVT All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNKh) VDNKh Exhibition Review

The All-Russia Exhibition Centre was formerly known under its Soviet title: Exhibition of Economic Achievements (VDNKh).

Under the Soviets the area used to be a display of the achievements of Socialism including Stalinist architecture.

Nowadays the area is used as a large recreation park with a funfair. In the the former exhibition pavillions all kinds of shops and stalls can be found.

Directions:
The VVT is located north of the city centre in the suburb Ostankino. The nearest metro stop is VDNKh (orange line).

Website: http://www.vvcentre.ru/

MGU (Moscow State University) Vorobievy Hills Review

The MGU (Moskovskij Gosudarstvennyj Universitet) was founded in 1755 by the Russian scientist M. V. Lomonosov.

Since 1953 the main departments occupy the largest of Stalin's seven skyscrapers. At 240 m in height it was also the tallest building in Europe at that time.

Directions:
The MGU main building is situated on the Sparrow Hills (Vorob'evy Gory) south of the city centre. The nearest Metro stops are Universitet or Vorob'evy Gory (red line).

Website: http://www.msu.ru/