Top 10 - Moscow!

Olga, a friend from Russia, wrote
this Top 10 list of things she
encourages people to see in Moscow!

1.  Red Square.  The square is both literally and figuratively the center of Moscow, because all of Moscow's major streets, and connecting major highways, begin at Red Square.

2. GUM (Glavnyi Universalnyi Magazin).  This is Russia's "Main Universal Store" housing approximately 200+ stores.  It is a beautiful glass-roofed building located in Red Square dating back to the late 1800s.  It currently features many (expensive) fashionable brand names that locals jokingly call "Exhibitions of Prices." 

3. The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.  Celebrating it's 100 year anniversary since opening its doors in 1912, this is the largest museum of European art in the city.

4. The State Tretyakov Gallery.  The building itself is a work of art, designed in Russia's fairy-tale style.  It houses the world's largest collection of Russian fine art.  In addition, there is the "graveyard of fallen monuments."  This is a sculpture garden full of former Soviet Union statues.

5. The Bolshoi Theatre.  Built in 1925 in Russia's iconic neoclassical design, this "Grand Theatre" holds performances of The Bolshoi Ballet and Opera, two of the most famous in the world!  The ballet can be very expensive, but worth every ruble!  If you can't afford to go, at least pick up a 100-ruble banknote, which displays a picture of the Theatre!

6. If you like music:  Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and The Moscow Conservatory.  The latter, founded in 1866 is an institution of higher education, where the famous Tchaikovsky was a professor. It has great performances!

7. Old Arbat Street.  This Pedestrian walkway is 1km long and is lined with historical buildings and residences dating back to the 1400s.  The lantern lined streets, full of restaurants and cafes, is perfect for a relaxing evening stroll after a day of sightseeing.

8. All-Russia Exhibition Centre.  When I lived in Russia, this place was full of crafts and arts.  The area is amazing with lots of fancy buildings, fountains and flowers (if you're there in the summer).

9. Last but not least (in Moscow)!  My dearest Lomonosov Moscow State University.  Housing one of the tallest educational buildings in the world, it is located in a beautiful area has a nice view of the Moscow River.

10. No visit to Russia would be complete without seeing St. Petersburg also!  There will be a post on this in the future - check back!