Kremlin. The former residence of Russian tsars, it is an architectural ensemble of unique beauty which took shape between the 15th and 20th centuries. Cathedral Square - the center of the Kremlin with the 15th century Assumption Cathedral, the main church of Russia, the 15th century Annunciation Cathedral, the private church of Russian tsars and the 16th century Cathedral of the Archangel, the burial place of the tsars. On the grounds of the Kremlin there are famous Tsar Cannon of the 16th century and Tsar Bell of the 18th century - 1 hour; Armory Chamber - the treasury of Russian tsars with unique collection of gold and silver items of the 12-19th centuries, Russian arms and armor of the 12-16th centuries, the state regalia, thrones, carriages and coronation dresses of the 16-19th centuries, as well as ambassadorial gifts of the 16-19th centuries - 5 hours;
Grand Kremlin Palace - the present day residence of the President of Russia. This ensemble includes Granovitaya Palace of the 15th century, the Terem Palace of the 17 century, the residence of the tsars, St. George's Hall and the Vladimir Hall, which today are the sites of the ceremonial signing of important international documents - 2 hours;
Diamond Fund - a unique collection of gold and platinum nuggets, diamonds from Siberia, as well as Crown Jewels of the 18-19th centuries - 1.5 hours;
The State History Museum was founded in the 19th century by public initiative. It is the national treasury of Russia which reflects the main pages in Russian history and culture from the earliest times up to our days. The museum collection with its 4.5 million exhibits includes the masterpieces of Russian, Western European and Oriental jewellery, as well as unique and fascinating collections of semiprecious stones, porcelain and glass, gold and silver items, ancient implements and furnishings, and many other works of art - 2 hours.
BRANCHES OF STATE MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Novodevichy Convent - one of the finest examples of the 16-19th century architecture, is located on the territory of a former convent for ladies of noble birth. The convent is connected with the major events in Russian history, such as the coronation of Boris Godunov, the fight over the Russian throne between Peter the Great and his troublesome sister Princess Sophia and the events of the War of 1812. There is a history and arts museum on the grounds. It is the residence of the Moscow Metropolit, and a home for nuns who are restoring the tradition of nunnery - 2 hours;
State Tretyakov Art Gallery - it is the national museum of Russia founded in 1856 by Pyotr Tretyakov. The collection, with its 100 thousand exhibits, includes 5,000 works of ancient Russian art and world famous paintings by Russian and Soviet artists, as well as sculptures and graphic art - 3 hours;
Pushkin Fine Art Museum was founded in 1912 by professor Tsvetayev of the Moscow University. It has a fine collection of Western European Art. Ancient Greece and Rome are also well represented through wonderful reproductions. The pride of the museum is the collection of ancient Egyptian art collected by Golenischev, as well as famous Fayoum Portraits of the 1st-4th centuries A.D. The French art of the 18-20th centuries is fully represented and illustrates different schools and trends such as the "barbison" school, impressionism, postimpressionism, cubism and much more - 2.5 hours;
Kuskovo Museum Estate is the former summer residence of Prince Pyotr Sheremetyev used for receptions and festivities. The 18th century architectural ensemble has survived to the present and includes the Palace, the Church with the belfry, the Dutch House, the Italian House and the Grotto, the Orangery and the Hermitage. The 18th century interior of the Palace has been fully restored - 3.5 hours;
Kolomenskoye Museum Estate is located on the territory of the former summer residence of Russian tzars. The architectural ensemble includes the famous Church of the Ascension of the 16th century built in the old Russian "tent" style. The summer residence of tzar Alexei Romanov, the Kazan Church of the 17th century has remained, as well as the Office and the Kitchen. An open-air museum includes examples of Russian wooden architecture of the 17-18th centuries. The museum boasts the collection of icons, metalwork, tiles and so on - 3 hours;
Moscow Metro (walking tour) with its stations decorated with marble, mosaics, stained glass panels and bronze sculptures looks like a vast art museum - 1.5 hours;
Boat ride on the Moskva River (May-September) - 1.5 hours;
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Built to commemorate the victory of the Russian army over Napoleon troops a cathedral began to be built in 1839. Its construction was financed by private donations from the Russian people and was finished 44 years later. Well-known Russian artists of the past century painted its interior: the scenes from the Old Testament and Russian history were executed in high relief. The temple was consecrated in May 1883. In 1931 the cathedral was blown up and an open swimming pool Moskva was set up in its place in the 1960s. Today, Christ the Saviour Cathedral has been restored and tourists can get a non-forgettable view over the city from a 46 m-high observation platform up the temple - 1.5 hours.
