The tour takes you to the impressive Red Square, where you will see the St.Basil’s Cathedral from 16^th century, the Lenin Mausoleum, the Historical Museum, the GUM Department store. You will stop at the Sophia Embankment where you will enjoy the most beautiful view of Moscow Kremlin. The car will take you to the historical areas of Moscow, such as Prechistenka Street, the Novodevichy Convent, and the Vorobyev Hills – former Lenin Hills – the highest point of Moscow with a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

It was founded in 1912 by professor of Moscow University Tsvetayev. In the beginning it contained only original size plaster copies of the world famous pieces of art. Now there is also a marvelous original collection of the Egypt art and French impressionists, Dutch paintings from the 17^th century, including several Rembrandts, as well as the collection of Western European Art of the 13^th to 19^th centuries.

KREMLIN AND ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL

The tour will take you on a visit to the Kremlin, the former residence of Russian czars, and an architectural ensemble of unique beauty, which took shape between 15^th and 20^th centuries. Cathedral Square – the center of Kremlin with the 15^th century Assumption Cathedral, the main church of Russia, the 15^th century Annunciation Cathedral, private church of Russian czars and the 16^th century Archangel’s Cathedral, the burial place of the czars. The highest structure in the Kremlin is the 80-meter high Bell Tower of Ivan the Great. You will also be amazed by the sizes of the world’s largest Czar Bell (18^th century) and Czar Cannon (16^thcentury).

The tour will take you on a fascinating interior visit to the Kremlin, where its foundation in the 12^th century signified the birth of Moscow. You will visit the Armory Chamber, the treasury of Russian czars with the unique collection of gold and silver items of the 12-19^th centuries, Russian arms and armor of the 12-16^th centuries, the state regalia, thrones, carriages and coronations dresses of the 16-19^th centuries, as well as ambassadorial gifts of the 16-19^th centuries, fire weapons, table ware, Faberge eggs.

The now world famous state Tretyakov Gallery began with two pictures by obscure Russian painters purchased in 1856 by Pavel Tretyakov, a prominent Russian merchant, art lover and collector, who in 1912 donated his private art collection to the city of Moscow. Since then the Gallery has always been one of the largest collection of Russian art ranging from the 12^th century Kiev Mosaics and ancient icon paintings to contemporary pictures.

Cathedral of the Intercession or St.Basil’s Cathedral is a gem of Russian Architecture and famous landmark known all over the world. It was built in the 16^th century on order of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the victory over Kazan Khanate. The architectural composition includes 10 chapels – 9 of them placed on a single foundation symbolize saints on whose feast day Russian army achieved a victory. Its 10^th chapel was added at the end of the 16^th century over the grave of the well-known holy man named Basil, hence the name given finally to the cathedral complex.

It was founded in the 19^th century on public initiative. It is the national treasury of Russia, which reflects the main pages in the Russian history and culture from the earliest times up to our days. The museum collection with 4,5 million exhibits includes the masterpieces of Russian, West European and Oriental jewelry, unique collections of semiprecious stones, porcelain and glass, gold and silver items, paintings.

In this country it is the only specialized museum of icon-painting which numbers more than 3000 icons. It was opened in 1960 when the 600^th birth anniversary of the great Russian icon-painter Andrey Rublyov was celebrated. The museum is located on the grounds of the former Our Savior-Andronnikov Monastery, an architectural ensemble of the 15-19^th centuries which includes Moscow’s oldest church of Our Savior (1420). The museum collection includes icons representing different schools of the 15-18^th centuries.

It is the former summer residence of Russian Czars and Grand Princes since 13^th century located one-half hours drive from the city center. Today it is a historical and architectural State Museum Reserve. The architectural ensemble of the Estate includes a tent-roofed Clock Tower and the Entrance Gates, the Bell-Tower Church of St. George the Victor (16^th cent), the Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan (17^th cent), a water pumping tower (17^th cent).

The most outstanding monument on the grounds of the Kolomenskoye Estate is the tent-roofed Church of Ascension (16^th cent) The Museum’s stock repository includes icons, drawings, old Russian printed books, items of metal works, woven fabrics, etc.

The tour takes you to the southwestern part of Moscow, where the Grand Prince Vassili III founded the convent on the Novodevichy field in the 16^th century. It was established to commemorate the Russia’s victory over the Polish-Lithuanian invaders at Smolensk and to honor the reintegration of this old city into the Russian State. One of the oldest structures at the Convent is the Cathedral of the Icon of Our Lady of Smolensk. There are some churches built later in the 16^th and 17^th centuries in the old Moscow baroque style. In those times the Convent was turned into the exile for the noble ladies. The Convent is connected with the major events in the Russian history, such as the coronation of Boris Godunov, the fight over the Russian throne between Peter the Great and his power-seeking sister Sophia, the events of Russo-Napoleonic War of 1812 (it was occupied by the Napoleon troops). As all Russian monasteries and convents, Novodevichy Convent served as fortress protecting the city. After the October Revolution of 1917 it was closed and turned into museum. Now it is again a functioning Convent and the residence of Moscow Metropolit. Located near the Convent is Novodevichy Cemetery where outstanding writers, poets, artists, scientists, public figures, politicians and military men are buried.

It is the former summer residence of Prince Petr Sheremetjev used for receptions and festivities. It is situated about 45-min. drive from the city center. The 18^th century architectural ensemble has survived to our days and includes the Main Palace, the Church with the belfry and such pavilions as Dutch House, Italian House and Grotto, Orangery, and Hermitage. The 18th century interior of the Main Palace has been fully restored.

Between 1743 and 1917 this country estate was owned by the Sheremetev Counts. Serf architects built the palace and park ensemble in the Classicist style. The main building is adjoined by the Egyptian and Italian pavilions. The theatre dominates the interior of the palace. The interior decorations include painted plafonds, white molding on the ceilings, and sculptured bas-reliefs. Displayed in the Picture Gallery are 17^th – and 18^th – century Western-European paintings.

Tsaritsino is a former country estate located in the southeast of Moscow, an architectural landscape ensemble in the Neo-Gothic style. In the 17^th century it belonged to the Streshnev Boyars and later to the Kantemir Princes. In 1775 Tsaritsino was purchased by Catherine the Great and during her rule it was almost completely built to a design of the outstanding architect Vassily Bazhenov. Tsaritsino has many beautiful buildings and sculptures, among them the Greater Cavalry Building, the Bread House, the Minor Palace of Catherine II, the Opera House, the Figured Gates, and the Figured Bridge over the road leading to Kolomenskoye.

Sergiev Posad (or still better known as Zagorsk), one of the most interesting old towns of the Central Russia, is situated 70 km from Moscow. The town was built in the 14^th century as a settlement around the St. Trinity Monastery established by reverend Sergius of Radonezh. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church and became one of the most honored Russian Saints. The St. Trinity Sergius Monastery was one of the largest monasteries founded in Russia in the 14-15^th centuries. In 1774 it was elevated to the status of Lavra i.e. the monastery of the highest rank. The St. Trinity Sergius Lavra played an important role in the history of the formation of the centralized Russian State and in the development of the Russian culture. Due to its wealth monastery could afford to invite the best architects and icon painters for the construction and decoration of the buildings. The architectural ensemble of the monastery was created during the period of 14^th – 19^th centuries and represents a wonderful combination of different styles. The town became world famous under the name of Zagorsk given to it in the Soviet times. Not so long ago the original name was given back to monastery. Today it is considered to be spiritual center of Russian Orthodox Church and has one of the most interesting historical museums, which displays old Russian icons, ancient church plates, needlework, embroidery, church books, etc.

Danilov (St. Daniel) Monastery is the official residence of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. Prince Daniil of Moscow, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, founded it at the 13th century. Daniil is the only one of the Moscow princes to have been canonized by the Russian Church. The present constructions of the monastery date back to the 17^th century. The most interesting sights in the monastery are the St. Daniel Church, Cathedral of the Holy Fathers of Seven Ecumenical Councils and the Trinity Cathedral. After the October Revolution of 1917 the monastery was closed and turned into a prison for children from the families repressed by Stalin regime. In 1985 the monastery was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.

The museum building is an architectural monument. Its collections include paintings, original documents, household objects, utensils, tableware, photographs and many other things. The exhibition in the first room tells about the history of Moscow, in the second – of the period between 1914 and 1917, the First World War. Most interesting, however, is the third room devoted to the tragedy of the imperial family. Here one can see unique materials relating to their life.

The palace dates back to the 16-17^th centuries. It was rebuilt several times and in the 19^th century it was restored in the old Russian style. Today, it is a museum of Moscow old everyday life and applied art.

The museum is located in the building where the writer lived during the period 1823-1837. On display there are some photos, documents and his personal belongings.

Anton CHEKHOV MUSEUM and house

A small, two-story detached house of terracotta color and unusual design was built in 1873. Chekhov himself called it "chert house". He lived and worked there in 1886-1890. Many of his stories and plays were written in this house. The building survived the reconstruction of Moscow of the 30’s and the Chekhov’s Museum was established in the house in 1954.

The house is a masterpiece of the art-nouveau style of architecture. It was built for the merchant Riabushinski at the beginning of the 20^th century. Later Stalin gave it to Maxim Gorki, his favorite "proletarian" writer. Here Gorki spent his last years (1931-1936). The museum is interesting both as a Gorki museum and as an architectural monument.

The museum is unique for its great collection of musical instruments of all times and nations. There is an interesting archive and a manuscript division as well. All musical instruments are in the working order. There is a concert hall in the museum where one can enjoy music of different epochs. Some special tours devoted to a certain epoch can be arranged there.

The mansion has been preserved just as it was at the times when Leo Tolstoy lived there with his family from 1882 to 1901. It was built in 1808 and survived the Napoleon invasion. For nearly 20 years the writer spent the winter months there, leaving for Yasnaya Poliana in the summer. A big number of his works was written in this house, including the novel "Resurrection" and the plays "The Living Corpse", "The Power of Darkness" and "The Fruits of Enlightenment".

The building of Battle of Borodino Panorama was designed by architect Korabelnikov in 1962 to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the battle at Borodino during the War with Napoleon in 1812. From the observation platform visitors can witness the battle between Russian and French Armies. The canvas painted by Franz Roubeaud in 1912 is 115m. long and 15m. high and it is a vast model of the surrounding landscape with burning peasant huts, damaged guns and the earth pitted by cannon shots.

The Polytechnical Museum is one of the oldest scientific and technological museums in the world. It was established on the initiative of the Society of Natural History, Anthropology and Ethnography Lovers in 1872. The museum resources include more than 150 fundamental collections of nationwide importance, such as collection of microscopes, steel typewriters, musical coin machines, various mechanisms, instruments developed by Russian inventors and designers. The Polytechnical Museum conducts extensive excursion and educational activities.

The museum was created on the basis of private collections and articles from other museums as a Museum of Oriental Art. Today the museum’s reserves contain more than 50000 items including collections of decorative and applied art of the peoples of the Caucasus, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Siberia, Middle, Near and Far East. The biggest collections are of the Chinese and Japanese art, of unique articles made of gold and bronze, and paintings.

Displayed in the museum is a broad range of objects relating to the history of the Russian army, a rich collection of exhibits of the period of the Great Patriotic War.

The museum reserves include weapons and military equipment almost from every country in the world from the 18^th century to this day, among them a unique collection of weapons, awarded personal and given as a gift, belonging to state and military figures. Also on display are banners, sculptures, paintings, drawings and valuable military history monuments.

You can take a ride in one of the most beautiful metros in the world. Moscow metro stations look like underground palaces richly decorated with marble, granite, mural, and sculpture. The first metro was opened in 1935. Since that time more than 150 metro stations have been built, and the construction is still in progress. New metro lines connect outskirts of Moscow with its center. The metro remains the fastest and the most convenient public transport in Moscow. During the tour you will see the most beautiful stations such as Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Belorusskaya, and Mayakovskaya, and Kropotkinskaya, the last two marked by UNESСO as unique architectural monuments.

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