Please note that the Russia Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Moscow has been at the heart of Russian history for many years, and walking through the streets can feel like taking a step back in time.
Andrei Rublev Museum of Ancient Russian Art
Please note that the Russia Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Situated on the grounds of the 14th-century Andronikov Monastery, the Andrei Rublev Museum of Ancient Russian Art is home to some of the country's best and most important pieces of Russian Orthodox artwork. More than 5,000 pieces of art are displayed in the museum, including the famous Our Savior of Gavshinka, a Yaroslavl icon whose exact age is still not known. The museum is open from 11:00am until 6:00pm every day of the week except for Wednesdays and the last Friday of each month, and guided tours in either English or Russian can be arranged for a fee.
Andronyevskaya Sq., 10, Moscow 105120, Russia, Phone: +7 495 678-14-89
Golosov Ravine
Please note that the Russia Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State is at Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Running right through the heart of beautiful Kolomenskoye Park, the Golosov Ravine sits between Kolomenskoye Hill and Dyakovo Hill. The ravine has been considered a place of mystery since the early 15th century; people have reported seeing hairy human-shaped creatures here, and more than one local legend tells the story of a thick mist descending on the ravine to warp time. The ravine is also home to two large sandstone rocks known as Diviy and Gus, which are believed to be an ancient Slavic shrine. However, the ravine is also a pleasant place for a simple stroll, and it offers several good pathways.
Izmailovsky Park
For hundreds of years, Izmailovsky Park has been a prime relaxation destination for the people of Moscow, and this is perhaps truer today than ever before. The park offers peaceful birch forests, plenty of walking and cycling trails, and a beautiful lake that has plenty of paddleboats for rent. The natural beauty of the park is a good enough reason to visit, but another highlight is the Pokhorovoskiy Cathedral on Silver Island, which dates back to the 17th century. Most visitors combine a trip to the park with a stop at the nearby Izmailovo Market, which sells a variety of trinkets and souvenirs.
Alley Bolshogo Kruga, 7, shosse Entuziastov & Glavnaya alleya, Moscow 105187, Russia, Phone: +7 499 166-61-19
Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics
Occupying the base of the Monument to the Conquerors of Space, the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics is dedicated to Russia's achievements in space. The museum opened in 1981 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person to orbit the earth, and it contains approximately 85,000 different artifacts from the Soviet period. Exhibits cover everything from the history of flight to space technology, but highlights include the flight control center, a display on the international space fleet, and several taxidermied space dogs.
Mira Ave., 111, Moscow 129515, Russia, Phone: +7 499 750-23-00
Red Square
Considered by many to be the heart and soul of Russia, Red Square is home to several of Moscow's must-see tourist attractions but is well worth a visit in and of itself. Not only does the square offer an excellent view of St Basil's Cathedral, but many of the most important events in Russian history have occurred here. Together with the Kremlin, the cobblestone square has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. The square is often closed for special events or for their rehearsals, so anyone who wants to visit is advised to allow some flexibility in their schedule.
Tsar Bell, Moscow
With a height of just over 20 feet and a diameter of 22 feet, the Tsar Bell is the largest bell in the world. It was created in 1735 at the request of Empress Anna Ioannovna, who had previously commissioned two other large bells that were both destroyed by fires.
Ruarts Gallery
Ruarts Gallery is one of Moscow's leading contemporary art galleries, originally opened to the public in 2004 by art collector Marianna Sardarova. As one of the largest galleries within Moscow's museum quarter district, the gallery spans over 800 square meters and is acclaimed for its exhibits of modern art by world-renowned regional and international artists. Exhibitions showcase Russian and international artists working in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, multimedia works, and site-specific installations. The gallery takes part in a number of annual art fairs and events, including the Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art, the International Biennale of Street Art, and the Moscow Biennale for Young Art.
1st Zachatievsky per. 10, Moscow, Russia, 119034, Phone: +7 (495) 637-44-75
Yuri Orlov Paleontological Museum
Named in honor of Russian scientist Yuri Alexandrovich Orlov, the Yuri Orlov Paleontological Museum is one of the world's largest and most extensive natural history museums.