What Can See Foreign Tourists in Moscow

What Can See Foreign Tourists in Moscow

Moscow is one of the most fascinating cities in Europe to visit.

World famous sights are all on offer, from the Kremlin and Red Square to fine art museums and historic treasures of the state and churches, as well as incomparable religious icons.

One of the things stranger is to do is to pay a visit to the Lenin Mausoleum to peer at the embalmed body of the former Soviet leader. This is extremely popular with locals, who come to pay their respects, so expect to queue with hundreds of them for at least 40 minutes before being ushered into the Mausoleum single file.

Guards are positioned at various points to guide people through the dark tomb. A quick walk around and you are out again. It almost seems inappropriate to stop and stare at the body for any length of time. The whole experience is rather bizarre, not only because you are looking at a dead Lenin, but also from the atmosphere created by the strict entry formalities and rather stern looking guards.

The Kremlin is what Moscow is most famous for. Once the home of the Tsars and the old headquarters of the Soviet Union, it is now the residence of the Russian President. The Kremlin has been the architectural focus of the city since the first wooden Kremlin was built in 1156. 

Now it houses several cathedrals and churches, the Faceted Palace, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, plus the magnificent State Armoury with its stunning collections of costumes, golden chariots and paintings, as well as the State Diamond Fund. A reminder of the Soviet era exists too with the grey modern concrete building, the Palace of Congresses that was built next to the historical palaces and onion domed churches.

The other well-known landmark is the Red Square with the famous onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral at the southern end. The square is around 500 metres in length and was originally a market square for the Kremlin in the late 15th century. It has long been a place of protests and processions, but is now used more often for cultural events, firework displays and concerts. The cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible and completed in 1561.

Combine these world-class cultural sights with a thriving entertainment scene including ballet, opera, theatre and a wide choice of lively nightlife venues, and Moscow is a great choice.