Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in the country. It is a huge metropolis which is the historical, political and spiritual heart of the Russian Federation. Moscow is the largest capital of Europe filled with monuments, history and culture, as well as world-class museums. It is a city of incredible dynamics and size that cannot be reached in a single trip.
It is a charming modern city with a wealth of landmarks and points of interest from its ancient fortress and grand cathedrals to beautiful parks and futuristic skyscrapers. The capital of Russia has existed for about nine centuries. On its streets you can find ancient sacral monuments and palaces which are adjacent to the monumental buildings of Soviet architecture and state-of-the-art buildings...
But not only is Moscow famous. The capital has a huge number of theaters, museums, galleries, as well as great restaurants, cozy cafes and trendy clubs. Therefore Moscow is able to long stay any tourist.
Interestingly Moscow is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Landscaping is more than half of its territory. The capital of Russia has several hundred parks and woodlands. The largest of them are Losiny Island National Park, Izmailovsky Park, Timiryazevsky Park, Moskvoretsky Park, Filevsky Park, Tsaritsyne, Kolomenskoye.
History
The exact age and date of foundation of Moscow are unknown. At the end of the first millennium BC, Slavic tribes of the Vyatichs and Krivichs settled here. Archaeological findings "say" that settlement on the site of the modern city existed in the 11th century. The first mention of Moscow dates back to 1147 when Prince Yuri Dolgoruky received allies here led by Prince Novgorod Prince Sviatoslav Olgovich. After decades settlements were surrounded by wooden fortifications. In the 12th century Moscow was referred to as Kuchkov. In the 13th century during the Tatar-Mongol invasion the town was ransacked and burned.
In the 13th century Moscow became the capital of the principality of the same name. During this period the city grew and developed rapidly. In the 14th century several other principalities were annexed to the Moscow Principality. There is the rise of Moscow as the center of. In the 15th century during the reign of Ivan Kalita, the first stone buildings appeared in the future capital.
Moscow became the capital of the Russian state under Ivan III Vasilyevich in the late 15th century. After the death of Ivan the Terrible the city was first occupied by the troops of False Dmitry I then besieged by the troops of False Dmitry II and subsequently captured by the Poles. Moscow was liberated in 1612 by a militia led by Minin and Pozharsky.
In the 17th century Moscow expanded even more. The Kremlin is acquiring modern features. In 1712 under Peter I Moscow lost its capital status. The capital of Russia is St. Petersburg. At the same time Moscow remains the seat of coronation of the Russian emperors and one of the most important cities in the Russian state. In 1755 Moscow University was founded here.
How to get there
Moscow is served by four international airports:
Sheremetyevo located 32 km northwest of Moscow city center in the city of Khimki. It is possible to get to the city by air-train which follows the Belarusian railway station as well as by buses 851, 949, 817 and 948.
Domodedovo located 45 km southeast of the center of Moscow. Aeroexpress runs between the airport and Paveletsk railway station. The 308 bus will deliver to the subway.
Vnukovo located 30 km southwest of the center of the Russian capital. At the airport you can reach the Kiev railway station. The metro station can be reached by buses 911, 611, 32.
Zhukovsky is the smallest among the airports serving Moscow. It opened in 2016.
Moscow is the country's largest railway junction. It has rail connections with all major cities of Russia as well as with most European capitals including: Paris, Prague, Budapest, Minsk, Helsinki, Vienna, Warsaw, Berlin.
Transportation
The center of Moscow is better explored on foot so it is better to choose hotels and apartments closer to its central part. To overcome long distances it is better to use a subway that is relatively inexpensive and has an extensive network. Moscow's public transport also includes trams, trolleybuses, buses and a monorail line.
The public transport of the capital has a single ticket. Tickets can be purchased at any subway station. The most advantageous solution is to use a rebooted Triple smart card which can also be used on NFC smartphones. Many Moscow subway stations are a true work of art. The most beautiful of them:
Ring Line - Komsomolsk, Kyiv, Novoslobodsk.
Red line - Kropotkin and Red gates. Also on this line are the oldest stations opened in 1936.
Dark blue line - Kiev, Arbat, Revolution Square. The green line is Mayakovskaya.
Shopping
Moscow is the real center of European shopping. Here you can find almost all world brands and the number of stores in the Russian capital is no less than in New York or Milan. Moscow's most popular shopping malls:
Hunting Row is one of the best shopping centers in the capital, located near the metro station of the same name. It has 163 stores, including premium brands and online stores.
Vegas is one of the largest shopping malls in Europe with an area of about 400,000 square kilometers. Located near Domodedovo Airport at the 24th km of Moscow Ring Road.
GUM is one of the most famous shopping centers of the capital located on Red Square. It is home to world-renowned premium brands.
European - the most visited shopping center in Moscow. Has 8 levels and spacious parking.
Afimall City is one of Moscow's most famous shopping malls with interesting architecture. It is one of the largest shopping centers in the capital and has 450 points including shops, cafes, clubs, cinemas.
Crocus City Mall is one of the best premium shopping malls with more than 150 boutiques.
TSUM Moscow's largest market is Gardener located at 14 km Moscow Ring Road. It covers a vast area of 40 hectares and includes 8,000 stores. 36.5 million buyers visit the Gardener annually.
