17 Places to Visit in Moscow Russia in One Day

 

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So a few months ago, I got the chance to visit a country that I honestly thought I would never visit. Not because I didn’t want to, but because it just didn’t seem likely that it would ever become a reality. You know what I mean? This was Russia for me. It just seemed like it was in the stratosphere and I would never get there. But, I did and the places to visit in Moscow Russia were epic!

Why epic you ask?

One word answer for you. Architecture. The beautiful and unique architecture!

Russian architecture is full of color and…onion domes. Yep, that’s right. Onion domes. Interesting concept, huh? You may already know what I’m talking about, but if not, you will see them in some of the photos below. Essentially, they are the domes that are fatter in the middle than on the ends and come to a skinny point at the top.

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Even though Russia is full of history, it is the architecture that I’ve always wanted to see. And see it I did. So back to that epic word…here are the places to visit in Moscow Russia for that epic experience!

Oh and if you are heading there soon, this Russia travel guide has some great tips!

Red Square

The Red Square, considered to be the main square of Moscow, separates the Kremlin and the historic merchant quarter called the Kitai-gorod.

The Square served as the main marketplace for Moscow, held public ceremonies and sometimes coronations for a Tsar.

You would think there wouldn’t be much mystery as to why it’s called the “Red” Square. But, the color of the surrounding buildings actually had nothing to do with how it got its name. The bricks were even whitewashed at times. The name krasnaya (Russian for “red” and “beautiful”) was given to a specific area inside the square and the Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich applied the name to the entire square.

About to walk through the arches into the Square

Looking back on the other side of the arches

Already starting with that architecture!

The Red Square is located at Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012

St. Basil’s Cathedral

The Cathedral of Vasily of the Blessed, commonly known as St. Basil’s Cathedral, is the most stunning building I saw while I was in Russia.

It took six years to build and was completed in 1561 under Ivan the Terrible and is now a museum.

Remember those onion domes?? Here they are!

I am just simply mesmerized by this building. It was the #1 site I wanted to see in Russia! I am amazed a lot when I travel overseas. I think it’s just because here in the US, we’re a young country and don’t have styles like this.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located within the Square at Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012

Spasskaya Tower

The Spasskaya Tower overlooks the Red Square and is the main tower sitting on the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin.

Commissioned to be built by Ivan the Great, its name means “Saviour Tower” and was once the main entrance into the Kremlin.

The Spasskaya Tower is located at Red Square, 3, Moscow, Russia, 109012

GUM

Okay, so not the stuff people chew until it’s flavorless…not that gum! This GUM is actually an acronym for three Russian words that mean “Main Universal Store”.

There are lots of them around Russia, but the most famous GUM is located inside the Square and it’s a gigantic shopping mall!

They had some SERIOUS flower power lining the entrances!

Inside are countless stores and a lot of them are very high-end. It also has several restaurants and a fountain with a beautiful dome in the center!

The GUM is open daily from 10am-10pm and is located at Red Square, 3, Moscow, Russia, 109012

Around Moscow

Colorful Arched Doors

I feel very certain that the name of this place is right here in this photo. 😉 In Russian. I tried to figure out what it was, but never could find it or translate it. However, the point of the photo is how colorful, unique, and ornate the door is!

Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is a historic theatre that opened on October 20, 1856. Holding both ballet and opera performances, it is the world’s largest ballet company with over 200 dancers.

The Bolshoi Theatre is located at Theatre Square, 1, Moscow, Russia, 125009

Karl Marx Monument

Located in Teatralnaya Square, this is the last Karl Marx Monument in Moscow which was erected in 1961. Apparently, the communist party still holds the occasional rally here and it’s rumored there has been discussion to replace it, but as of now, it’s still there.

The Karl Marx Monument is located across the street from the Bolshoi Theatre in the Theatre Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012

Lubyanka Building

The Lubyanka Building is famous because it is the former offices of the KGB. Post-KGB, it became headquarters for the Border Guard Service of Russia. It also has a prison onsite and houses a part of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.

The Lubyanka Building is located at Moscow, Russia, 109012

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Monument to Prince Vladimir

President Putin unveiled the 56 ft (17 m) Monument to Prince Vladimir in November 2016. It honors Prince Vladimir who is credited with bringing Orthodox Christianity to Russia as well as being the founder of the state.

The monument is controversial for a couple of reasons. It interferes with the Moscow site lines and clashes with Ukraine as they, too, believe he was the founder of their state. This has deepened the rift between Russia and Ukraine.

Monument to Prince Vladimir is located in Borovitskaya Square, Moscow, Russia, 125009

Alexander Gardens

The Alexander Gardens is one of the first urban public parks in Moscow. All three sections of the gardens run along the western wall of the Kremlin. Probably its most interesting fact is that in the upper garden, there is a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier along with an eternal flame.

Alexander Gardens is located right outside the Kremlin along its western wall.

The Kremlin

Kremlin means “fortress within a city” and is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation who is currently, Vladimir Putin.

The main entrance to the Kremlin

The Kremlin is open daily (except Thursdays it’s closed) 10a-5p and is located at Moscow, Russia, 103073

Trinity Tower

This is the back of the Troistkaya Tower, or Trinity Tower, where we entered after clearing security. Completed in 1499, it stands 260 ft (80 m) tall and its gate serves as the main entrance into the Kremlin.

Approaching Trinity Tower

A guard at Trinity Tower

The Great Kremlin Palace

The Great Kremlin Palace is the official residence of the Russian President, although it isn’t usually used as such. There are ceremonies and meetings held here, but President Putin lives primarily in Novo-Ogaryovo as well as several vacation homes.

Great Kremlin Palace is located inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia

Tsar Cannon

Also located within the Kremlin, the Tsar Canon is a Russian monument of artillery casting art. Cast in 1586, it is pure bronze, weighs 39 tons and is 17.5 ft (5.3 m) long. The barrel’s external diameter measures 47.2 in (1200 mm) and its internal diameter measures 35 in (890 mm).

It was never used in war but does have evidence of having been fired. It is the largest bombard by caliber in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Tsar Canon is located inside the Kremlin across from the Great Kremlin Palace.

Tsar Bell

The Tsar Bell, or Royal Bell, was commissioned by Empress Anna Ivanovna, the niece of Peter the Great. It is 20.1 ft (6.1 m) tall, has a diameter of 22 ft (6.6 m) and has never been rung or suspended. Have to admit my first thought was why make a bell if you aren’t going hang it and ring it? I guess if I was an Empress, I would know!

The Tsar Bell is located inside the Kremlin just steps away from the Tsar Cannon.

The Cathedral of the Archangel

The Cathedral of the Archangel was built between 1505 and 1508 and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It is located in the Kremlin right next to the Ivan The Great Bell Tower.

There are 54 burials with 46 tombstones in the cathedral. The most famous of these is the burial tomb of Ivan the Terrible.

Cathedral of the Archangel is open daily (except Thursdays it’s closed) 10a-5p and located inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 103073

Ivan The Great Bell Tower

The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was completed in 1508 and built for three Russian Orthodox Cathedrals: the Archangel, Annunciation, and Assumption. These cathedrals don’t have their own bells or bell towers.

Ivan the Great Bell Tower is located inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 103073

Cathedral of the Annunciation

The Cathedral of the Annunciation is also a Russian Orthodox Church and is dedicated to the Annunciation of Theotokos. It was built in 1484-1489 as part of the Grand Duke Ivan III’s renovation plans for the Moscow Kremlin.

Look! It, too, has several of those onion domes! They are so cute to me for some reason. And these are gold ones which remind me of a genie…that comes out of a bottle. Pretty sure I have my cultures mixed up here. 😜

Cathedral of the Annunciation is located inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 103073

Cathedral of the Assumption

Constructed in 1475-1479, the Cathedral of the Assumption, or Cathedral of Dormition, is another Russian Orthodox church and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos. It is the burial place of most of the Moscow’s Patriarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Cathedral of the Assumption is located inside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 103073

PIN IT!

We saw all of this in our only day in Moscow! That one day was actually a day trip from St. Petersburg so there was 8 hours round-trip travel on a high-speed train involved. This 18-hour day was absolutely worth it though!

So thankful for this day trip because I’m not sure if I will get back to Russia, but I hope to. I would love to go back and see both St. Petersburg and Moscow at night in the wintertime!

Have you been to Russia? If so, where and when did you go and what was your favorite thing to see?

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Heather