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1. The Water, Weather, and Allergies
The water in Moscow is safe to drink. However, the mineral content of the water is actually visible and most westerns remark that it tastes funny. Bottled water can be bought fairly cheaply in most stores.
Weather wise, Moscow is a city of extremes. Winters do drop famously below zero for a good long while, so pack warm. It also snows quite often, creating ice and dirty sludge, so you should bring a good pair of hiking boots with traction. Summers in Moscow reach the other extreme in temperature - rising to over 90 degrees.Summers canalso be quite wet, so bring an umbrella.
Allergy sufferers should be aware that Moscow contains many poplar trees (apparently they were Stalin's favorites), creating "snowstorms" of little white cottony seeds (Russians call in "pukh"). Bring hay fever medication if you think you will need it.
2. Restaurants, Bars and Clubs
Below are restaurants, cafes, bars, and other spots that have come to our attention. Traditional gone Pop: Yolki Palki, Kish Mish, Shury Mury, Moo-Moo and similar restaurants with funny names offer an inexpensive buffets and entrees. Good value, decent food and entertaining if not exactly authentic atmosphere. These are everywhere, just keep Be sure to try the Yolki Palki at Pushkin Square where they have a Tatar grill (similar to Mongolian BBQ grills). You can even get horse meat!
More Traditional Traditional: The Pushkin Café (Tverskoy Boulevard, #26a;M. Tverskaya) serves exquisite Russian food in an atmosphere recalling the glory of Czarist times. The prices are very high, but as an experience this is recommended. Excellent Georgian food (which is excellent and friendly to both carnivores and vegetarians) can be had quite inexpensively at either of the “Mamas:” Mama Nina (8 Sechenovsky Per. - M. Kropotkinskaya) or Mama Zoya (6 Frunzenskaya Nab. - M. Park Kultury).
Urban Bohemian: Pirogi (12/1 Ul. Bolshaya Dmitrovka, Building 1 (M. Teatralnaya / Tverskaya) and Project OGI (8/12 Potapovsky Per. - M. Chistiye Prudy – enter through the courtyard) are stylish café-bars Fair-priced beer and decent snacks. Bookshops adjoin and sometimes they have live music.
For Music: Art Garbage (aka Zapasnik - 5 Starosadsky Per., Building 6 - M. Kitai-Gorod) and Kitaisky Lyotchik (aka Dzhao Da - 25/12 Lubyansky Proyezd - M. Kitai-Gorod). Are two of the genuinely hippest places in town currently and feature local and European bands. Drinks are decent and covers reasonable.
For the Homesick: Starlite Diner (16a Bolshaya Sadovaya Ul. - M. Mayakovskaya), open 24 hrs, is packed with American families and friendly Russian waitresses who understand a bit of English. They feature IBC root beer, $5 milkshakes (feel like John Travolta for a moment), Philly cheese steak, pancake stacks, etc. Coffee Bean (numerous locations and competitors) offers a good assortment of beans and tea and a quiet place to meet for cappuccino (cheapest in town).
Russian Home Brew: Pyaty Okean(20 Marksistskaya Ul., Building 1 - M. Marksistskaya) brews on-premises and pipes it directly to you. It flows from two taps (light and dark) at each table (how cool is that?). A meter measures your drink and subsequent bill – it’s not cheap, but not outrageous. Semi-formal nautical atmosphere, good food and classical piano are probably what keep this from turning into a beer brawl. Located near Taganskaya metro. Khamovniki is a bar on the premises of the Khamovniki beer factory. This is across from Kosmos bowling on Lev Tolstogo street, close to metro Park Kulturi. Good cheap beer, a primarily Russian crowd. Outdoor seating nice in summer. Inside there is billiards (including Russian billiards – impossible to play!).
Drinking Soviet Style: Zhiguli is a revived Soviet standby on the New Arbat, right below Yolki Polki. Very reasonable prices and they play Soviet retro at night in the back hall (front hall that you see from the street is more of a cafeteria. At the moment, this is our overall favorite.
Expat (foreigner) hangouts: the Sports Bar on Novy Arbat shows every game of every sport currently being played on the planet (ok, almost) but also features a high cover and expensive drinks. Karma Bar is also a very popular dance club with more-than-western prices. It’s popular probably because it’s very easy to meet new people there.
3. Everyday Needs Haircuts
Moscow now has an English-speaking salon!The prices are some of the highest in Moscow, but if you need a good cut from someone who know what the phrase "feathred in the back" will mean, try the Expat Salon(23 Skatertny Pereulok - near the Am. Embassy; Tel:291-6467).For more reasonably priced cuts from well-trained Russian-speaking professionals, try Persona, a chain of salons across Moscow (click here for locations, etc. - in Russian). If you are feeling lucky and exceptionally good with your Russian - try any building marked "ñàëîí êðàñîòû" or "ïàðèêìàõåðñêàÿ."
Dry Cleaners
Diana is the largest chain of dry cleaners in Moscow.They've achieved this postion by being inexpensive (though not of the highest quality). See thier sitefor pick-up points (in Russian: Ïðèåìíûå ïóíêòû). We highly recommend Contrast Cleaners, which offers an English-language website, dry cleaning and laundry,and a delivery service.
Internet
The largest and most reliable chain of Internet cafes in Moscow is CafeMax. The connection is reliable and all locations are open 24/7, with the exception of New Year's Eve and Day and Russian Christmas (Jan 9th). Cost is around $2-2.50 per hour, but is figured by the amount of computers available (how's that for market economics!). Web: http://www.cafemax.ru/.
For WiFi users, Moscow has more than 200 free locations. The connection tend to not be the greatest, probably designed to keep folks from using it any longer than their meal lasts. For a full list of locations - see the Yanex! WiFi list: http://wifi.yandex.ru/where_map.xml?lang=eng&type=16. Click on the metro stop to find a location near you!
Phones
Pay phones are available throughout Moscow and most require a special prepaid card with an electronic chip to be inserted into them in order to work. These cards can be purchased in any Metro station, at the ticket booth. These days, however, its much more convenient if you will be in Moscow for more than a few weeks, to just buy a cheap cell phone. Phones can be purchased from the Evroset storeat TverskayaSt., 17. (tel: 229-3011; web: http://www.evroset.ru/). Currently the investmentcan cost less than $60 - well worth it for the convenience and safety. If you will be traveling with SRAS, ask us about cell phone leasing.
Post
The main post office (in the Tsentralnyi Telegraf building) is located on Tverskaya St., 7. It's open from 8am to 10pm daily and offers stamps, envelopes, postcards, and other mailing services.For packages, etc.there is also a DHL office in this post office(tel: 956-1000; web: http://www.dhl.ru/).
4.Shopping
Red Square is now littered with high-end retail (such as in the famous GUM - worth a look, but the prices are prohibitive. Close by you will find Oxotney Ryad, a three-story underground mall with more realistic pricing. For antiques and cool souvenirs, try Ismilovsky Park, at metro of same name. Go into the side entrance flanked by wooden spires. The place will be full of westerners and collectors looking for good deals. For electronics and electronic media (CDs, DVDs, MP3, etc.), go to Garbushka. Prices aren’t great, but the selection is fantastic.
5. Transportation
Moscow is blessed with one of the most efficient systems of public transportation in the world, the Metro (subway, underground). Not only does it effectively transport a couple million people everyday, it also contains some of the city's best architecture (see "Museums" for more info). The Metro is open from 6 am to 1 am every day. For a map of the Moscow Metro in Russian click here, for a map in English click here. For a website devoted to the system's history, schedule, etc. try Metro.ru.
Above-ground transport is slightly less effective due to the growing number of cars in the growing metropolis. For schedules and maps of the city's tram (street-car) system, try tram.ruz.net.
6. Doctors
There is a clinic on campus and also many, many western-managed clinics around Moscow.The following is a list of clinics that offer western-educated, English speaking doctors. Your medical insurance will usually cover the cost, but not directly.Save your reciept (expect to pay western prices as well!) and make a claim when you get home.Those on SRAS programs with insuranceincludedwill have most services covered.
The American Clinic (recommended English language consultation*)
Address: 31 Grokholsky per.,First floor
Phone: 937-5757, 937-5774
Open: 24 hours a day. Option for direct billing to insurance.
Regular Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Saturday & Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact: Dr. Robert Young; E-mail: moscow@amcenters.com
Office visits: about 120 USD
Unimed Laboratories (*recommended forblood tests, including HIV)
Address:4, 4th Dobryninsky lane
Phone: 785-1025, 785-1023
American Dental Clinic
1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya St., 5
Tel: 7 (495) 730-4334
Email: adconline@hotmail.com
Web: http://www.americandental.ru/index?page=2&lang=ru
MosItalMed***
Arbat Ul., 28/1, Str. 1,
Phone: 956-1767/1768
Email: mostitalmed@mtu-net.ru
Web: http://www.mositalmed.ru/
***If cost is a major factor, and you don't mind having a doctor that doesn't speak English, MosItalMed is highly recommended for both general health issues and dental needs.The facility is Italian owned and managed and the doctors (all Russians) are top quality. An office visit costs around twenty dollars.
Dr. Charles Register (recommendedchiropractor)
Leontievsky Pereulok d.2, Entrance 3
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Tel.: 234-96-56, 202-65-87
http://www.moscowchiropractic.com/eng.htm
European Medical Center Moscow
Address: 10 2nd Tverskoi-Yamskoi Pereulok
Tel: 933-6655
General Practitioner Office Visit is around 120Euro
Dentistry Center address: 34 Konushkovskaya Ul.
Dentistry Center Tel: 797-6767
Dentistry Office Visit is around 50 Euro
MediClub Moscow (Canadian)
Address: 56 Michurinski Prospekt
Tel: 931-5018
Email mediclub@glasnet.ru.
Approximately $100 to see the Canadian family physician; $30-35 to see a Russian specialist.
7. Pharmacies
Moscow is strewn with little pharmacies, marked with the international symbol of a green cross (or the word "àïòåêà").These are generally good for general medications (aspirin, anitinflamatories), but you should know that Russian has different names for most medications and the folks working at these places don't usually know English. Also, not everything available in the West is available here so bring a supply of any prescriptions you will need.
"Western pharmacies" (which carry more prescription meds) can be found at:
- Pharmakon, Ul. Tverskaja 4, Tel 292 08 43, 292 03 01 (Most central)
- Drug Store House,4th Dobrininsky pereulok, 4 Tel 237 40 34 (same building as Unimed Labs - see "Doctors")
- Litpharm, Ul Tschernjachovskogo 4, Tel: 155 87 88, 155 70 80
- Sana, Ul. Nischn. Pervomaiskaja 65, Tel 464 12 54
8.Cultural Performances (Music, Theatre)
Russia is known for its performing arts. Take advantage and see all that you can. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre or concert hall itself. If you understand a bit of Russian, we highly recommend the new Internet http://www.kontramarka.ru/. You can reserve tickets for almost any Moscow or St. Pete theatre and pick them up at a kontramarka location near you. Tickets may also be purchased from the many, many theatre kiosks and tables around town. These are quite visible and say “Teatr” at the top and most have the schedules for all major theatres posted on two giant posters on one side (although their selection is usually for major theatres and theatres nearby). There are also little tables in the metro that offer tickets as well, they look shady but are perfectly real. If you want to see something on short notice, particularly something at the Bolshoi, you may find yourself at the mercy of scalpers. Expect to pay 600 rubles or more for the ticket, no matter what the ticket says it cost. You can also purchase advance tickets for the Bolshoi online at http://www.bolshoi.ru/ and pick them up later at the box office. For an extended list of theatre recommendations, see Theatres in Moscow.
9. Museums
This is a small sampling of Moscow’s plethora of Museums. If you are interested in taking guided excursions to any of these locations (or have requests for others), you may contact SRASabout arrangements. If you would like to simply visit these sites on your own, we have provided addresses, metro stops and telephone numbers for all of them. You should keep in mind that many of the smaller museums in Moscow tend to keep odd hours, and change them at will. You should call ahead to make sure your location will be open when you arrive.
Note: Those entries in red are “clickable” to the museum site.
Must Sees!
The State Tretyakov Gallery
(Lavrushinsky per., 10; M. Tretyakovskaya; Tel.: 231-13-62)
This is Moscow’s largest and most famous collection, started when the great Count Tretyakov gave his massive collection to the state. Open daily except Monday from 10 to 8pm (kassa closes at 6:30). The nearby special gallery occasionally hosts very interesting exhibitions of everything from icons to Shagal. Call to see what Many complain that this gallery tends to show mostly portraits of Russian aristocracy who, many times, were not Russian, painted by painters who were also not Russian. For a more art-centered museum, see the Puskin.
Mayakovsky Museum
(Lybyansky Proyezd 3/6; M. Lybyanka, Kitai Gorod; Tel: 921-9560)
They took the building Mayakovsky once lived and worked in, gutted it (save the small room he once lived in) and filled it with a profusion of colors, futurist structures, original manuscripts and photographs and other exhibits, which combine to make the visitor rather feel as if he is taking a stroll through Mayakovsky's bizarre and futurist brain! The museum is a real experience and shouldn't be missed!
Kremlin Armory
(M. Biblioteka Lenina, Aleksandrovsky Sad; Tel.: 921-4720)
Definitely worth a visit and be sure to bring your student card for a significant discount. There are always tons of tour groups, so you can listen in on several different guides, if you don’t want to pay for one yourself. There are always tons of intellectual-looking Russian outside who will tell you in perfect English that you cannot enter the facility without a guide (they are lying and will overcharge you for the experience). Located near the Armory is the Diamond Fund (tel.: 229-20-36), where a collection of precious stones and Russian jewelry, golden and platinum nuggets is displayed. It is somewhat pricey to get into this exhibition (no student discounts).
Victory Park and the Museum to the Great Patriotic War
(M. Park Pobedii - can't miss it)
Construction on this complex actually began just before WWII ended. The museum is a massive collection of arms, uniforms, propaganda and social history pieces from the war, and some interesting tributes to Stalin (the “Great Commander”). Unfortunately, all information is in Russian, so you may need a guide. The new park was finished in time for the 50-year celebration WWII. Makes for interesting stroll (or rollerblading - bring your own skates) and on summer weekends you can play “count the brides” due to the Russian tradition of visiting war memorials on your way from the cathedral.
Novodevichy Cemetary
Here lies Gogol, Shoskatovich, Kruschev, Tupolov, Maykovsky, Chekov and many, many others amongst impressive headstones. Exit Metro Sportivnaya and follow Luzhnetsky prospect to Novodevichy Convent, turn right and follow the wall. You will be charged a small admission and can (recommended) buy a map of the famous graves.
Quirky but Interesting
The Metro Museum
(Inside M. Sportivnaya; 3rd floor - past the militsya stand, up the stairs; Tel: 222-7309)
Dedicated to the history of the Moscow Metro, this is small and all in Russian, but has displays where you can take a picture of yourself (if you pay the extra photo fee) getting “run over” by the metro or driving one of the trains. The old guy that takes care of it will turn on the little cut-away model that shows you how the escalators work.
The Water Museum
(Sarinsky pr-d, 13; M. Proletarskaya; Tel: 276-92-13)
Shows the history of Moscow’s water system. A mecca for those who still wonder why the city shuts off their hot water for a month every summer to “clean the pipes.”
Moscow Zoo
(B. Gruzinskaya, 1; M. Krasnopresnenskaya; Tel: 255 5375, 253 6367, 252 3580)
Mayor Luzhkov, with all of his resources, finally decided to put some money in the Moscow Zoo. Doesn’t seem to have had much affect on overcrowding in the cages, but the entrance is clean and impressive, and there are more things to spend money on.
Museum of the Lend-Lease Program
(Zhitnaya Ul., 8; M. Oktyabrskaya;Tel: 238-75-89)
A small group of Russians organized this small museum in a public school as part of the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. The thing that makes it interesting is that the Land-Lease Program, hailed by western history textbooks as major contributor to that victory, is understated (if mentioned) in the Russian. This museum is one-of-a-kind here.
Art
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
(Volkhonka str., 12; M. Kropotkinskaya; Tel: 203-79-98)
While the massive reproductions of Egyptian and Greek art are a bit over-blown, this is our favorite museum of art. A good collection from ancient Russian art to a couple of Chagals and a Picasso on permanent exhibition.
The Metro
Some of Moscow’s most beautiful art and architecture is underground! Chances are you will see many of the nicer stations in the center without having to make a special trip, but you might want to make a point of visiting all of the stations on the ring line, as these are especially impressive.
The Tsaritsyno Museum
(Dolskaya Street, 1, "Tsaritsyno" or "Orekhovo" M Orekhovo, Tsaritsyno, Tel: 321-07-43)
This museum displays antique furniture and ceramics, and a fine collection of modern paintings.
The Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art
(Andronyevskaya Square, 10; M. Ploshchad Ilyicha; Tel: 278-1289). On display are the icons of Moscow's school of the 15th to 16th centuries, sculptures of the 12th–17th centuries, copies of frescoes. An affiliate of the museum is located at the Church of the Intercession (ul. Novozavodskaya, 6; M. Fili; Tel: 148-4552) whichdisplays the icons of the end of the 17th century painted by the Tsar's craftsmen.
All-Russia Museum of Decorative-Applied and Folk Arts
(Ul. Delegatskaya, 3; Tel.: 921-0139, 923-1741, 923-7725)
The State Museum of Oriental Art
(Nikitsky bulvar, 12;, M Pushkinskaya, Arbatskaya; Tel: 202-4555)
Contemporary Art Galaries
The following gallaries are considered to be the most prestigious show rooms among today's St. Petersburg artists (list contributed by E. Varshavskaya)
Stella Art Gallery
(Skaryatinksy Per., 7 and Mytnaya Ul., 62; Tel: 495-291-3407)
(Email: info@stellaartgallery.com)
Marat Guelman Gallery
Marat Guelman, Curator
(Malaya Polyanka Ul, 7/7, apt. 5; Tel: 495-238-8492)
(Fax: 495-238-4040 Email: polyanka@guelman.ru)
Aidan Gallery
Aidan Salakhov, Curator
(10th Tverskaya-Yamskaya Ul., 22, 3rd Floor; Tel:495-251-3734)
(Fax: 495-250-9166; Email: info@aidan-gallery.ru)
Gallery XL
Elena Selina, Curator
(Podkolokolny Per., 16/2; Tel: 495-917-8508)
(Email: mail@xlgallery.ru)
Yakut Gallery
Alexander Yakut, Curator
Nizhny Susalny Per., 5, str. 16; Tel: 495-514-2910)
(Email: mayakononenko@rambler.ru)
Victor Freidenberg's Art-Space
Laboratory of Conceptual Design (ARTStrelka)
(Bersenevskaya Emb., 14 - onthe siteof theRed October Chocolate Factory; Tel: 495-621-3317)
(Email: info@labvf.comartstrelka@rambler.ru)
Gary Tatintsian Gallery
(Ilyinka Ul.,3/8, str. 5 - enter from the courtyard Tel: 495-101-2102)
(Email: info@tatinsian.ru)
RuArts Gallery
Anastasia Matyushina, Director
(1st Zachatievsky Per., 10; Tel:495-201-4475)
(Email: info@ruarts.ru)
History
Red Square, Lenin Mausoleum, the Cathedrals of Basil the Blessed and the Intercession
(M Okhotny Ryad, all located on Red Square)
Lenin Mausoleum keeps odd hours. You will have to just go and see if it is open. The square is blocked off during “visitation” hours. Visiting “Dead Lenin” is a strange experience, not one that every one enjoys. If you are one of those people that sense “negative energy,” you will sense it here. Luckily, Stalin has been tucked away in the wall, or it would really be eerie. Talk still goes on about whether or not to bury Lenin, so, if you want, see him now. It could be anyone’s last chance. The churches are interesting and Basil the Blessed is that big, colorful, domed building you have seen acting as the Kremlin “poster child” for years.
KGB Museum
Located in the Lyubyanka prison, this museum is rather elusive when it comes to visiting. This occasionally gruesome but fascinating exhibit cannot be seen if you do not make an appointment and is not really affordable unless you have a group. You can contact SRAS for help in arranging a group.
Museum of the Revolution
(Ul. Tverskaya, 21 - M. Tverskaya Tel. 299-5217/6724)
This is a very interesting museum if you have a guide. Lots about the propaganda and the battles fought. Understandably, the communists went all-out.
State Historical Museum
(Red Square, ½; M. Okhotny Ryad; Tel: 292-8452)
A general collection of exhibitions from ancient to modern times in Russia. Affiliates of the State Historical Museum are located in unique 16th–17th century buildings. These are Red Square, tel: 298-3304); Palaces in Zaryadye (ul. Varvarka, 10, metro "Kitai-Gorod”, tel: 298-5018); Krutitskoye Podvorye (ul. Krutitskaya, 11, metro "Proletarskaya”, tel: 276-9256), Novodevichiy Convent (Novodevichiy Proezd, 1, metro "Sportivnaya", tel: 246-8526, open 10.30-5.30, except Mondays); "Izmailovo" estate (the metro "Izmailovsky Park", tel: 367-5579).
The Museum of the History of Moscow
(Novaya Ploshchad, 12; M. Lubyanka; Tel.: 924-84-90)
Those who are deeply interested in the history of Moscow may visit this museum. Those who are not can probably skip it.
Museum-panorama "Battle of Borodino"
(Kutuzovskyi prospekt, 38; M. Park Pobedii; Tel: 148-19-67)
Gives a few exhibitions and a very interesting panorama painting of the battle, which is viewed with sound effects and narration playing over loudspeakers.
Literature, Theatre and Music
The Palace-Museum of Serf Art in Ostankino
(1st Ostankinskaya Street, 5; M. VDNKh; Tel: 283-4645)
This is a brilliant monument representing the classic architectural style of the 18th century, as well as to once common-practice of serf theaters (rich counts kept serfs as professional actors, scene builders, etc., when the serfs were freed, these “kept” actors turned professional and helped found Russian theatre practices).
Bulgakov sites
If you don’t know Bulgakov (Master & Margarita, Heart of a Dog, etc.) go find his books immediately. Then, take note that many of the sites mentioned in Master & Margarita can be visited in an afternoon’s walk. Start with Bulgakov’s apartment near Mayakovskaya metro station. It has very recently been turned into a house-museum with a live “Behemoth” strolling the premises. It’s not easy to find, ask for directions from the Metro. The graffiti is also quite interesting in the podyezd (entryway). Then walk over to Patriarch’s pond for an image of the opening scene.
The A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theater Museum
(Ul. Bakhmshin; M Paveletskaya; Tel: 233 44 70)
This is one of Russia’s largest repositories of exhibitions and materials on theatre history. They host seminars on theatre history occasionally and other events. Well worth a look. They have an affiliation with The Theatre Salon as well (Tverksoi bulvar, 11, bldg. 2).
Tolstoy Museums (there are a handful)
First, at Tolstoy’s estate-museum, you can see the writer’s Moscow home, including paintings of his family and the bed he slept in. Ask the babushkas to play the audio recording of him playing with schoolchildren. (Ulitsa Lva Tolstovo 21; M Park Kultury; (095) 246-9444). Second, at the Tolstoy Museum, see original manuscricpts, first-edition prints and more artifacts. (Ulitsa Prechistenka 11; M. Kropotkinskaya; (095) 202-2190). Lastly, the true Tolstoy fan will not want to miss a day trip to Yasnaya Polyana, where his ancestral estate has been kept preserved.
The House-Museums
Russia has tons of these preserved apartments, estates, and houses which also house things like original works, first-edition prints, and other gems from the famous people who lived in the residences. These sometimes host special performances, concerts, and lectures. You will also probably find babushkas that have worked there for ages and can tell you lots of interesting facts. Here are a few that may be of interest, if you don’t find what you are interested in, you may contact us for more options.
Pushkin House-Museum
(Old Arbat, 53 M. Arbatskaya).
Memorial House of F. Shalyapin
(Novinskii bulvar, 25; Tel: 205-62-36, 252-25-30)
Scriabin Memorial Flat
(Ul. Vakhtangov, 11)
The Glinka Museum of Musical Culture
(Ul. Fadeyev, 4; Tel.: 972 3237)
Stanislavski House–Museum
(Leontyevsky Pereulok 6; M: Pushkinskaya; Tel: 229-2442)
The Chekov House-Museum
(Ulitsa Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya 6; M. Barrikadnaya; Tel: 291-6154)
The Glinka Museum of Musical Culture
(Ul. Fadeyev, 4; Tel: 972 3237)
Religious/Architechtural
The Pokrovsky Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed)
(Red Square; Tel: 298-33-04)
The “poster child” of the Kremlin, now fully restored to its early-medieval glory.
Novodevichy Convent
As you leave M. Sportivnaya, follow Luzhnetsky prospect till you get to the big Convent wall. Inside you may visit one or two of the cathedrals (depending on where they might be doing repairs). Much has been restored in the last few years. If you can catch a service, you will enjoy the women’s choir. See the cemetery connected with it
The Alms-house of Count N. Sheremetev
(Sukharevskaya .ploshad, 3; M. Sukharevskaya; Tel: 921-08-06)
Kolomenskoye Museum-Preserve
(Andropov Avenue, 39; M Kolomenskaya)
This architectural and historical preserve built in the 16th-17th centuries used to be a village residence of the Russian Tsars (Peter the Great spent his early years here – you can see one of his old houses). The museum is famous as an outstanding example of 16th-century tent-roof architecture, as the home of The Church of the Ascension (1530-1532) and for interesting samples of the Russian wooden architecture brought here from different regions of Russia. This is also the location of a yearly “Honey Festival” and Maslenitsa celebrations.
Science and Technology
Memorial Museums of Astronautics
(Prospekt Mira, 111; M VDNKh; Tel: 283-79-14, 283-18-37)
If this is a subject that interests you, think about taking a day trip to “Star City,” the command center and main training hall for Russian astronauts.
Moscow State University Museum of the Earth (Geology)
(Inside the Main MSU building at Sparrow Hills; M. Universitet; 939-29-76)
Vernadsky Geological Museum
(ul. Mokhovaya, 11, k. 2; Tel: 203-53-87)
Paleontology Museum
(Profsouznaya St., 123; Tel: 339-15-00)
Whether you just had a childhood thing for dinos or mammoths or are really into paleontology, you will certainly enjoy a visit to this well-designed museum. Ask about any courses or seminars. Many of them are mainly for kids, but it might be good language practice anyway.
Ostanikino
(M. Shabolovskaya)
This television tower is supposedly the largest under “Soviet” influence. Most recent fame is due to the storming of the tower in the last coup. Don’t bother going unless the skies are clear. Revolving restaurant up top is overpriced and not very good at last check.
Botanical Gardens
(26 Prospekt Mira; M. Prospekt Mira; Tel: 280-6765)
This park is not just for botanists. It is also a nice place to walk around or read a book.
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