Moscow: Discover the Kremlin, churches and parks

The Kremlin, cathedrals and Red Square

The Moscow Kremlin lies at the geographical and historical heart of Moscow and is the oldest part of the city. Cathedral Square is home to the Cathedral of the Dormition, the Cathedral of the Archangel, the Cathedral of the Annunciation and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. They are considered the Kremlin’s most important churches. The five-domed Cathedral of the Dormition was built between 1475 and 1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was a venue for weddings and coronations of grand princes, tsars and emperors.

The locations of the Kremlin and Red Square also help put the historic buildings into context: Red Square lies below the eastern Kremlin wall; at its southern end stands Saint Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Intercession Cathedral. It was built between 1555 and 1560 to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s victory over the Khanate of Kazan. The area’s varied locations and building histories make it a focal point for visitors wishing to explore Moscow’s religious and political history through its architecture.

Monasteries, palaces and historic architectural styles

In southwest Moscow, the Novodevichy Convent dates from the 16th and 17th centuries; its architecture belongs to what is known as the Moscow Baroque style. The convent was part of a chain of complexes in the city’s defensive system and is the only old nunnery that also served as a fortress. Its description also includes richly furnished interiors. Here, monastic architecture and a historic military function stand side by side.

Kolomenskoye is one of the oldest human settlements in what is now Moscow. It is home to the Church of the Ascension, one of Russia’s first tent-roof churches; it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. The Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, built in 2010, offers a different combination of history and architectural style: the full-scale historic replica was built on an undeveloped site within the museum reserve, and its façades and overall layout exactly match the original 17th-century building.

The Tsaritsyno Palace complex, dating from the 18th century, is also part of Moscow’s architectural landscape. It was built for Empress Catherine II in the Neo-Gothic style by Russian architects Vasily Bazhenov and Matvey Kazakov. Those interested in the development of historic architectural styles can compare these buildings with the Moscow Baroque at Novodevichy and the early tent-roof churches at Kolomenskoye.

Parklands and nature

Tsaritsyno is a large nature and history park in southern Moscow. The grounds include a historic landscape park, an experimental park with a nursery and Moscow’s oldest cascade of ponds. The landscape park offers views of an 18th-century palace ensemble, bringing together designed landscapes and historic architecture.

Nature and history also meet at Borisov Pond, which was created during the reign of Boris Godunov. Rare waterbird species listed in Moscow’s Red Data Book can be observed along its banks. An observation is a possibility, not a guaranteed sighting. Visitors can walk among relict plants in Biryulyovo Forest Park. These places offer a different focus from churches and palaces, with more emphasis on water, plants and landscapes.

VDNKh: architecture and facilities

The Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy opened on 1 August 1939 and, over the years, was also known as VSKhV, VDNKh USSR and VVTs. Its architectural masterpieces together form a monument to the Soviet era and illustrate the styles that prevailed in different periods. The grounds include the “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman” monument and the “Friendship of Peoples” and “Stone Flower” fountains.

In 2015, the Moskvarium Centre for Oceanography and Marine Biology, the “Russia – My History” historical park, the “City Farm” educational and entertainment centre and the “Robostation” opened at VDNKh. The “Cosmonautics and Aviation” centre was established in 2018 in the restored “Space” pavilion. These dates place the facilities in the more recent history of the site; if you are planning a specific visit, check the current operating status of each facility in advance.

Choosing a hotel based on your interests

Consider whether you mainly want to explore the Kremlin, churches and historic architecture, or whether parklands such as Tsaritsyno and Biryulyovo are more important to your trip. Then compare the locations of the hotels you are considering with the places that matter to you. This way, your choice of accommodation starts with your own travel plans, rather than with a general idea of which sights must be the main focus.

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More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Airports in Moscow, Parks in Moscow, Shopping in Moscow – from luxury to the weekend market.