Moscow Express Tour

Travelers sometimes describe the Kremlin as the Eighth Wonder of the World. A historic fortress complex, this principal symbol of Russia sits on the banks of the Moscow River. Its origins trace back to the very foundation of Moscow in 1147, when it was a “grad” or fortified settlement, with walls built from wood. The Kremlin walls (interspersed with 20 towers, some literal objects of art) encompass the country’s most important ceremonies and meetings, all the while serving as one of its most exhilarating tourist destinations. There are so many sights to see, from its palace buildings to its places of worship, that the better part of a day should be budgeted in any attempt to view it all. A good example of just one important sight is Cathedral Square, the fortress’ most breathtakingly beautiful location. Centered here are the limestone-faced Cathedral of the Dormition (the location of imperial coronations), the gilded-domed Cathedral of the Annunciation (personal chapel of the Imperial Family), and the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael (burial location of many of Russia’s tsars).

St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most famous works of architecture in Moscow. This colorful cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, was built between 1555 and 1561. Read on

The Armoury Chamber - a treasure-house, it is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex, and is one of the oldest museums of Moscow, established in 1808. The museum collections were based on the precious items that had been preserved for centuries in the tsars’ treasury and the Patriarch’s vestry. Some of the exhibits were made in the Kremlin’s workshops, others were accepted as ambassadorial gifts. The Armoury Chamber preserves ancient state regalia, ceremonial tsar’s vestments and coronation dress, vestments of the Russian Orthodox Church’s hierarchs, the largest collection of gold and silverware by Russian craftsmen, West European artistic silver, ceremonial weapons and arms, carriages, horse ceremonial harness. The State Armoury presents more than four thousands items of applied art of Russia, European and Eastern countries of IV-early XX centuries. The highest artistic level and particular historical and cultural value of the exhibits have made the State Armoury of the Moscow Kremlin a world-wide known museum. Read on