Russia -

The capital of Russia, less serious side of Moscow

Gosia — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:46:00 +0000

It would seem that visiting Moscow is constrained only to the Red Square, Cathedral of Vasily the Blesseed, Kremlin, Bolshoi Theatre and other must-see places. Travel guides skip the places showing the capital of Russia from a slightly different perspective than this exclusive and full of splendor in a style characteristic of the Russians. Meanwhile, there are many beautiful places in Moscow, some of which are located close to famous tourist attractions. One of them is the popular Arbat district. Most tourists visiting this place head straight to the main boardwalk – Arbat street, which is the oldest in Moscow. Unfortunately, looking for Moscow from the old years is in vain, the street is the main point of shopping and dining. The true charm of old Moscow lies in the side streets where we won’t meet tourists. In addition to the ancient houses, there’s a gallery of interesting sculptures in the courtyard of one building. An interesting gallery called the Garden of Fallen Monuments is located right next to the New Tretyakov Museum.You can see there many banished monuments presenting: Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Brezhnev and many other “former idols”. An interesting place adjacent to the Garden of Fallen Monuments is the Red October arts center, located on Bolotny Island. The characteristic red buildings, which are the remnants of the old Alenka chocolate factory, the numerous restaurants and bars create a specific atmosphere of this place. Right next door is the huge statue of Peter the Great. The list of unique places includes also Izmailovski Kremlin, I wrote about it here. In addition to the colorful palaces and the bazaar, there you can see numerous murals and visit cosy restaurants. There’s also a characteristic monument of Stalin and Lenin, which hasn’t been moved to the Garden of Fallen Monuments. I guarantee it won’t miss anyone’s attention. Some exhibits in the main square of izmailovo can be really scary. Don’t let yourself be enchanted by the colorful facade of Izmailovsky Kremlin, because on its other less representative side there’re real gems- neglected bizarre monuments. In Moscow you can see many interesting murals, some of the a little bit scary while othershave political backround. An interesting 3D mural is located on the facade of one of the buildings opposite the Red Gate metro station. A lot of murals are located in the Winzavod Centre, in the area of Chkalovskaya metro station. Winzavod was once a wine and beer factory that was transformed into the centre of contemporary art. There are numerous galleries promoting young artists and some interesting dining options. Near Winzavod you canfind another gem – ArtPlay. As the name indicates, it is the main hub of street art. There are numerous murals on the walls of the old manometers factory. There’re also various shops that offer both products and used products. In winter, you can skate on the roof of building no. 3, while in the summer you can sip there drinks and listen to music. For coffee, go to the Flakon Factory – former renovated glass factory, which used to produce perfume bottles. In the old production buildings are numerous shops, restaurants and interesting galleries. The Square around the factory was designed as a creative space for street art. A slightly different climate has the restaurant Petrovitch, which I mentioned here. Petrovitch is the best guarded secret of Moscow. Inconspicuous entrance makes this place inaccessible for many.Nevertheless, it is worth going here to see Moscow from another side, the more human, more homely. Find out more about Moscow here:

Artykuł The capital of Russia, less serious side of Moscow pochodzi z serwisu .

Parks in Moscow are quite cool!

Gosia — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:54:41 +0000

After visiting Moscow, it’s best to relax in one of the many interesting parks which are scattered around the city. Moscow parks are not only the places where you can relax, there you can also find many nice viewpoints and outdoor galleries. Excellent views of the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Vasil the Blessed and the Moscow river can be seen from the special platform platform in Zaryadye park. The amazing Panorama of Moscow can be seen from the Sparrow Hills, which you can access by the cable car from the Luzhniki Stadium. The hills are 721 ft high what makes them the highest point in Moscow. The visit can be combined with a walk to the University of Moscow – the highest of Seven Stalin sisters, which I wrote about here. A good view, especially on the business part of Moscow, is from Park Pobedy – Victory Park. It was founded in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Here you can visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, which I wrote about here. In addition, while parks in other cities are adorned with flowerbeds, fountains or palaces, Moscow offers other attractions. The Russians went all the way, placing in one park: Vostok Rocket, SU-27 or Yak-42 😉 Such attractions can be seen in the Vdnkh Centre. The Centre was created in 1935 by Stalin’s decree as an agricultural exhibition. Then in 1959 the Exhibition of the Achievements of the National Economy of the USSR was created there. Only in 1992 The Centre was given the current name. During the USSR times, there were numerous, richly decorated pavilions in which numerous exhibitions were presented, showing the culture of the Soviet Republics. You can now look here to buy products and souvenirs. There are also some museums in the park: like the famous Museum of Cosmonautics or the Museum of Illusion. There’s also no shortage of fountains and monuments. At the entrance every visitor is welcomed by comrade Lenin and the modern monument to the Conquerors of Space. Certainly, very impressive is the Fountain of Friendship, surrounded by 16 gilded figures, dressed in national outfits representing the former Soviet Republic. There is another fountain decorated with figures of birds and fruits or mosaics made of semiprecious stones from the Ural. It is also worth taking a look at the iconic Gorky Park, the most popular meeting place. Gorky park borders with the Muzeon Park, where you can visit a Garden of Fallen Monuments removed from the streets of Moscow. More about this place here. In a small Bolotnaya Square there’s a controversial monument called: Children of Victims of Adult Vices. It consists of 13 figures that represent the adults’ sins such as alcoholism, drug addiction, prostitution, ignorance, poverty or war. While in the center it presents two children and the sculpture symbolising “indifference”. The best way to finish your trip is an evening walk in the fabulously lit park located near the metro station Chistyye Prudy.

Artykuł Parks in Moscow are quite cool! pochodzi z serwisu .

Moscow – Gallery of the Fallen Sculptures

Gosia — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 15:40:18 +0000

It was about 5 years ago or more when for the first time in my life I saw Lenin’s monument somewhere on the streets of Hanoi. That hit the spot! I’ve always been interested in history and such monuments are the symbol of an ideology that has long changed the fate of the world. However, I have to admit that after visiting Belarus and Moscow this year, Lenin has ceased to impress me. In Moscow you can meet him mainly at metro stations. There’re numerous mosaics or paintings. What’s interesting, Lenin is presented there as a proud chief looking straight, or what is incomprehensible to me, to the right. In addition, on the streets of Moscow, you will find a lot of monuments presenting the comrade. The most grandeur can be seen in the square in front of the Luzhniki Stadium or in the area of the VDNKH exhibition centre. Of course, also the statue of Marx could not be missed, it’s located in the square opposite the Bolshoi Theatre. However, the large part of statues can be seen in the Gallery of the Fallen Monuments, located close to the New Tretyakov Gallery. There are many monuments that have been removed from the streets of Moscow. You can see here statues presenting: Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky or Brezhnev. However, the real attraction is a parade organised on the streets of Moscow on Labour Day. Thousands of people take part in this important event. The streets of Moscow are filled with flags and balloons then. Red Square is closed to the public then because a solemn ceremony with the participation of dissidents takes place there. Many war veterans also attend this event. Some of them play and sing old songs. Find out more about Moscow:

Artykuł Moscow – Gallery of the Fallen Sculptures pochodzi z serwisu .

Russian cuisine – what and where to eat in Moscow?

Gosia — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 17:45:53 +0000

Russian cuisine consists of many different dishes. A large number of nationalities in the area of both the former Soviet Union and the current Russia have contributed to the culinary tradition of this country. Russian cuisine is influenced by European, Siberian, Caucasian or Asian traditions. Therefore, in the traditional set of recipes we can find simple potato pancakes or Uzbek pilav. Appetizers Appetizers are mainly composed of cold cuts, herrings, salads, caviar and pickled vegetables. Russians are well-known for pickling everything. I suspect that it’s no longer a surprise that they “pickle” even their former dissidents. But can you imagine, for example, a pickled tomato? That’s the idea! Soups Soups play an important role in Russian daily menu. The most popular soups are:– shchi – soup made of either fresh cabbage or sauerkraut, served with cream and rye bread,– borscht – served with vegetables and meat, mostly beef or pork,– solyanka – thick, spicy soup with cabbage, pickles, olives and meat. It’s usually served with sliced lemon,– rassolnik – boiled on water with cucumbers, with meat and vegetables,– kholodnik – cold soup made from beets, served with egg and cream. Meat dishes Russians eat a lot of meat. The most popular are:– beef served for example in Beef Stroganoff, – pork and poultry served mainly in the form of meatballs or chops and game. The best place to taste game meat is Chemodan Siberian Restaurant. Personally, I recommend a yak steak. Chemodan is more expensive restaurant, for the steak and tea I paid about 30€. However, it was a unique experience worth its price. Among restaurants serving very delicious food at affordable prices I can recommend Varenichnaya No 1*. Dishes cost around 200-400 RUB, which is around 2-5€. Furthermore, in canteen called Stolovaya 57 in the GUM shopping centre on the Red Square you can eat budget traditional meals. Prepare for long queues and hearty portions. Flour dishes and desserts Flour dishes are often found on Russian tables and include a wide range of meals. Most popular flour dishes are: pelmeni – dumplings stuffed with meat, blini – pancakes with various filling, and pirozhki – small buns stuffed with meat, cabbage with mushrooms or mushrooms. Desserts are made with fruit in season. Russians bake excellent cheesecakes. I recommend delicious cheesecake in the previously mentioned Varenichnaya No 1*restaurant located in Old Arbat district. Very good confectionery can be tried in the Volkonsky Cafe, I recommend very good croissants with fruit. Popular drinks, besides vodka, include: kvas and delicious tea with various ingredients. In some places, such as the Siberian Restaurant – Chemodan, tea is served in an interesting way, under a traditional cover to maintain a suitable temperature for brewing. However, the best, dense pear tea you can drink in KK12/10 Cafe, located at Krivokolennyy Pereulok 12/10 street. In front of the cafe there’s a shop – Chay-Kofe, where you can buy excellent tea. The choice of tea in the store is impressive no less than its decor. A unique place to try Russian cuisine or just a simple beer is restaurant Petrovich (Myasnitskaya Ulitsa, 24/3). It is worth going here, as it’s a popular spot among local residents. You can watch them dancing to old Russian hits. It’s highly probable that you won’t spot any foreign tourist there. It’s really difficult to find this restaurant, most tourists probably miss it without even realizing it exists.Below the photo of the entrance to the restaurant. The restaurant has an interesting decor, the main room contains various souvenirs from the previous USSR era, while the other two look like cosy living room or kitchen. Traditional Russian cuisine and delicious horseradish vodka are served here. I can give you a tip: ask the bartender for a real local vodka and don’t be surprised when he starts opening a plastic bottle 😉 Don’t have much time to eat? Forget about Mcdonalds! In Moscow you’ll find many Teremok restaurants – the Russian equivalent of the famous American fast food chain. More importantly, instead of hamburger or fries you can try there traditional Russian food like solyanka, Ukrainian borscht, potato pancakes or syrniki – excellent cheese pies and instead of coke, drink kvas! On the streets of Moscow you can also find many food trucks with snacks. Some stands have a typical Russian character. An ideal place to buy local products is Danilovsky market, located a little further from the centre, right next to Tul’skaya metro station. About 20 years ago, it was the main shopping place in Moscow, and even now it’s eagerly visited by residents, due to the large selection of food and its quality. The market itself is a kind of tourist attraction not only because of its authentic, slightly old decor, but also in view of the opportunity to explore Russian cuisine and Muscovites’ everyday life. In addition to vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, fish and seafood, you can purchase here pickled vegetables, honey and excellent bread. There’s also a flower stand and a variety of food trucks, serving local and foreign dishes. Many food fairs are also organised on the streets of Moscow. My visit to the Moscow capital coincided with Easter. Near The Kremlin, opposite the Bolshoi Theatre a big Easter fair, with local food and products, was organised. More demanding customers will surely be satisfied with shopping in the Eliseevsky Gastronomy. The shop attracts crowds of tourists due to its splendid decor. Spacious interior, crystal chandeliers, golden decorations, marble columns and paintings resemble rather a ballroom than a regular “grocery”. Here you can find luxury products, which aren’t available in ordinary stores, although Eliseevsky has a very rich offer of canned products 😉 Are you interested in Moscow? Check out other posts!

Artykuł Russian cuisine – what and where to eat in Moscow? pochodzi z serwisu .

Moscow, museums – places worth visiting

Gosia — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 15:03:32 +0000

Moscow has been on my mind since visiting St. Petersburg which was about 5 years ago. Like most tourists, I wanted to set my foot on the Red Square. For many, such an expedition is comparable to setting foot on the moon. Personally, I didn’t make a giant leap for mankind, but I realised the main purpose of my trip. I reconsidered my stereotypes about Russians. Russia, and above all Moscow are treated a little standoffishly by foreign tourists. It’s particularly visible in tourist places where apart from Russian, almost you cannot hear any other language. I only heard Polish once during all week, however sometimes it seemed that I was a kind of “tourist attraction”. Muscovites didn’t hide their surprise with my nationality and each time they reacted very enthusiastically. It’s impossible to hide that our relations are defined by politics and bitter history, but if we try to put these issues aside, then we will see a completely different, surprising face of the Russians. I don’t want to talk about politics because it’s a shaky ground, but it’s not possible to escape while being here. So for contrast, it’s worth visiting a few places to see how the times of World War II, Cold War and after the collapse of the USSR are presented in Russia. Honestly, I must admit that my notions have largely been confirmed, but at the same time some things have surprised me. It’s said that the winners write history, I would also add that each country writes its version of history. Taking this into account, I can briefly describe the nature of the places dedicated to events since 1939 (or more precisely since 1941), to the present times. The one of such places is the Central Museum of the Armed Forces, also known as the Soviet Army Museum, which covers the exhibits from the Soviet revolution till the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008. The first exposition was opened by Lenin himself in 1919, as the collection got bigger, the museum was moved in 1965 to the current location, right next to the Central Theatre of the Russian Army. The main part of the museum was dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, to clarify, this war differs from World War II because it began much later on 22th June 1941, along with the invasion of the Third Reich on USSR. In the so-called Victory Hall you can see the replica of the flag that the USSR soldiers put on Reichstag in May 1945. In the central place of exhibition you can see the Nazi eagle and a huge photo presenting the parade organised in the Red Square, just after the end of the War. The next four rooms are dedicated to the military history of Russia during the Soviet period. Here you can see exhibits related to the Cold War such as the wreck of the American spy aircraft Lockheed U-2 shot down in 1960, or exhibits from Russia’s participation in various armed conflicts: Vietnam, Korea, Syria, Afghanistan and Chechnya. There are also flags and equipment captured from Georgian soldiers during Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008. Outside there’s a large collection of tanks, combat planes and artillery. Admission costs 120 RUB – data from 2019. More information about the museum and opening hours is available here. Unfortunately, information about exhibits is available only in Russian. Following the footsteps of the World War II, it is worth visiting Park Pobedy – the Park of Victory. At the central point of the park, at the top of the hill of Poklonnaya Gora you can visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. The tour begins with a huge, monumental Hall of Comrades, which honours the former commanders who were awarded the Order of Victory, including those outside the USSR like: Eisenhower or Montgomery. Then the way leads up the marble, wide stairs to the Hall of Glory, decorated in a typical Russian grandeur style. In the centre of the hall there’s a huge sculpture of the Soldier of the Victory, while on the walls are the names of the Heroes of the Soviet Union. The further part of the exhibition consits of Hall of Sorrow, commemorating fallen soldiers and 6 separate halls presenting huge images of key battles and moments during the war:– the battle of Moscow– the battle of Stalingrad– the siege of Leningrad– the battle of Kursk– the battle the Dnieper– the decisive battle of Berlin An amazing impression is also made by the model of the bombarded building in the Third Reich. The Museum is open every day from 10 am. to 7 pm., except Mondays and last Thursdays of the month. Admission costs 250 RUB – data from 2019. More information can be found on the website, unfortunately only in Russian language. An interesting place is the VDNKh – Russian Exhibition Centre (Ros. Vserossijskij vystavočnyj centr), a huge former Stalinist complex composed of pavilions representing the Soviet Republics. At present, there’re souvenir shops and products from countries that were the part of the USSR, like Armenia or Belarus. An interesting place commemorating the Soviet conquest of the Space is the interactive Museum of Cosmonautics. The entrance to the museum is just below a huge monument to the Conquerors of the Space. Part of the exposition commemorates the breakthrough moment in space exploration – the date 12th April 1961 when the rocket “Vostok” with Yuri Gagarin on board was launched into space. In addition, the museum presents the reconstruction of the space station “Mir” which is open to visitors. Its size corresponds to the Mir actual size. The Museum also features the Module Soyuz – TM 7, which enabled to transport the crew to orbital Mir station on 28th November 1988. It was the research mission. You can also see the propulsion unit, which is part of the spacesuit, used for the so-called spacewalk. Among interesting exhibits, there are also the Salyut-6 Station, and the Lunokhod Soviet Moonrover controlled from earth, which was designed for the moon exploration. Unlike the previous museums, all information about exhibits is translated into English. The Museum of Cosmonautics is a fascinating, interactive museum even for those who aren’t interested in this topic. It’s a unique place to see while being in Moscow. The exhibits here are no less surprising than the cost of admission which is 250 RUB (which is about 4€). The good news is that in Moscow there are no separate fees for Russians and foreign citizens, which is common practice in Saint Petersburg. Find out more about Moscow here:

Artykuł Moscow, museums – places worth visiting pochodzi z serwisu .

The capital of Russia, less serious side of Moscow

Gosia — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 19:30:43 +0000

It would seem that visiting Moscow is constrained only to the Red Square, Cathedral of Vasily the Blesseed, Kremlin, Bolshoi Theatre and other must-see places. Travel guides skip the places showing the capital of Russia from a slightly different perspective than exclusive and full of splendor, in a style characteristic of the Russians. Meanwhile, there are many beautiful places in Moscow, some of which are located close to famous tourist attractions. One of them is the popular Arbat district. Most tourists visiting this place head straight to the main boardwalk – Arbat street, which is the oldest in Moscow. Unfortunately, looking for Moscow from the old years is in vain there, the street is the main point of shopping and dining. The true charm of old Moscow lies in the side streets where we won’t meet tourists. In addition to the ancient houses, there’s a gallery of interesting sculptures in the courtyard of one building. An interesting gallery called the Garden of Fallen Monuments is located right next to the New Tretyakov Museum. You can see there many banished monuments presenting: Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Brezhnev and many other “former idols”. An interesting place adjacent to the Garden of Fallen Monuments is the Red October arts center, located on Bolotny Island. The characteristic red buildings, which are the remnants of the old Alenka chocolate factory, the numerous restaurants and bars create a specific atmosphere of this place. Right next door is the huge statue of Peter the Great. The list of unique places includes also Izmailovski Kremlin. In addition to the colorful palaces and the bazaar, you can see numerous murals and visit cosy restaurants there. There’s also a characteristic monument of Stalin and Lenin, which hasn’t been moved to the Garden of Fallen Monuments. I guarantee it won’t miss anyone’s attention. Some exhibits in the main square of Izmailovo can be really scary. Don’t let yourself be enchanted by the colorful facade of Izmailovsky Kremlin, because on its other less representative side there’re real gems- neglected bizarre monuments. In Moscow you can see many interesting murals, some of them are a little bit scary while others present political backround. An interesting 3D mural is located on the facade of one of the buildings opposite the Red Gate metro station. A lot of murals are located in the Winzavod Centre, in the area of Chkalovskaya metro station. Winzavod was once a wine and beer factory that was transformed into the centre of contemporary art. There are numerous galleries promoting young artists and some interesting dining options. Near Winzavod you can find another gem – ArtPlay. As the name indicates, it is the main hub of street art. There are numerous murals on the walls of the old manometers factory. There’re also various shops that offer both products and used products. In winter, you can skate on the roof of building no. 3, while in the summer you can sip there drinks and listen to music. For coffee, go to the Flakon Factory – former renovated glass factory, producing perfume bottles. In the old production buildings are numerous shops, restaurants and interesting galleries. The square around the factory was designed as a creative space for street art. A slightly different climate has the restaurant Petrovitch. Petrovitch is the best guarded secret of Moscow. Inconspicuous entrance makes this place inaccessible for many. Nevertheless, it is worth going here to see Moscow from another side, the more human, more homely. Find out more about Moscow here:

Artykuł The capital of Russia, less serious side of Moscow pochodzi z serwisu .

Izmailovo Kremlin – welcome to the Moscow fairytale!

Gosia — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 19:25:25 +0000

Tourists getting off on the metro station have no doubt which way leads the Kremlin. In the distance they can see colorful palaces and gold turrets. However, something does not fit in this image, there’s no Red Square or St. Basil’s Cathedral. Moscow has a lot of secrets and can really surprise. I won’t hide that I previously believed in an erroneous idea that the Kremlin is one of a kind. The spell was broken when I discovered there were so many more! This word was once used to decribe fortifications, so it’s highly probable that there‘re quite a few Kremlins in Russia 😉 However, the Kremlin at metro station Partizanskaya, like the one at Red Square is an unusual place that literally moves into Disney’s fairytale world. Can’t believe it? Let’s see the alternative reality of Izmailovo Kremlin… Izmailovo looks like an superbly restored tsar’s court and seems to be the place where time has stopped. However, appearances can be deceptive, the complex was created in 2007 on the basis of the sketches of the original Kremlin from the 17th century, which was burned. The main purpose of reconstruction of the former complex was to create a cultural and entertainment centre. The “glamorous” part of Izmailovo is surrounded by bazaar, also known as the Izmailovo Vernissage. Here you can buy various souvenirs, such as Russian nested dolls, colorful wraps, leather, paintings and crafts. The Bazaar teems with life mainly during weekends. The range of goods is then enriched with things usually available only at the flea markets. In addition to the typical ” made in China ” souvenirs, you can find some products dating back the Soviet Union times, such as: medals, coins, magnets, icons, ceramics, hats, military uniforms, national outfits, Lenin busts or old photo equipment. After shopping, go to vodka museum where you can learn about the production of this liquor. Among the exhibits you can see distillation equipment, old recipes, bottles or advertising posters. The tour also includes tasting of 3 types of vodka. In addition to the vodka museum, there’re several others: Chocolate, Bread and Folk Toys. But it’s not the end of Izmailovo attractions. You can visit many workshops which specialise in wood processing, blacksmithing, ceramics and soap production. Izmailovo seems to be an ideal place for marriage ceremonies, so the Palace of Weddings couldn’t be missed in such an amazing scenery. There’re also many restaurants and cafes offering various snacks at affordable prices. In The Palace of Russian Food you can taste many traditional Russian dishes. It is worth visiting the Church of St. Nicholas – currently the highest wooden structure of this type in Moscow. Transport Izmailovo is a bit further from the centre of Moscow. Take the line no. 3 and get off at Partizanskaya station. It takes about 20 minutes or less to reach it from the centre. Izmailovo is about 10 minutes’ walk from the station.

Artykuł Izmailovo Kremlin – welcome to the Moscow fairytale! pochodzi z serwisu .

Moscow – seven sisters

Gosia — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:53:39 +0000

Reportedly, after the war, Stalin was going to say the following words: ” we won the war… foreigners will come to Moscow, go for a walk, and there’re no skyscrapers.” I don’t know if this quote is true, but the fact is that just after WWII, USSR set the wheels of great rebuilding machine in the motion, including the realisation of the great Stalin’s vision – project called Seven Sisters. Seven Sisters are in fact seven skyscrapers which were designed to be higher, prettier and more modern than these in the United States during that time. However, the name of seven sisters is not popular in Moscow, Muscovites have their own term, they call them ” Stalin’s skyscrapers”. The architecture of Seven Sisters is simple as a socialist ideology. They’re characterised by monumentalism, symmetry and mandatory the Soviet star at the top. This style was meant to express not so much “elegance” as the power and strength of the working people! In short – modern Soviet design 😉 How do sisters look like nowadays? You don’t need to visit Moscow, just a trip to the centre of Warsaw will do the trick, however it’s worth reaching the source of this ” architectural mainstream” Moscow University Building Moscow University Building was built in 1953. It’s 240 meter high which makes it the highest of the seven sisters. It’s said that it was the highest skyscraper in Europe until the 90’s. It was designed by the same architect, who designed the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. The University of Moscow lies at the top of the Sparrow Hills, form which you can admire panorama the city. Ukraine Hotel and Leningrad Hotel In the competition for the most beautiful surroundings the winner is the former Ukraine Hotel (206 meters) built in 1957, located right on the banks of the Moscow river. Until the mid-70’s it was the highest hotel in the world. The 5-star luxury Radisson hotel is now located here. A slightly different look has the lowest of the sisters – former Leningrad hotel (136 meters), now Hilton. Its architecture was inspired by the American skyscrapers like Tower Terminal in Cleveland. Kotelnicheskaya building If someone likes “Stalin design”, it’s always possible to move into Kotelnicheskaya building. It was presented many times in the Moscow films, and it was once occupied by many cinema and theatre stars. It’s a 32-storey condo reaching 176 meters, on the Kotelnicheskaya embankment. The building has about 700 -800 apartments, there’re also: post office, shops, restaurants and even the cinema. From the higher storeys you can admire the beautiful view of Moscow and the estuary of the nearby river. Anyone interested? 😉 Building on Kudrinskaya Just a little further from the centre of Moscow, there’s a second residential block of flats, reaching 160 meters. It’s occupied mainly by state officials. Red Gate building The two last sisters are government buildings. The first skyscraper is the seat of the Ministry of Agriculture. It’s 133 meters high and located on the Red Gate Square. It’s a little bit crooked, due to the unstable ground on which it was built. Ministry of Foreign Affairs The last skyscraper is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, built in 1952 r. and reaching 172 meters. It can be recognised by the characteristic Soviet Union emblem on the facade. The plans were to build the 8th sister, which was supposed to be one of the tallest buildings in the world. Although the project of this building was done, it has never been built. The main reason was that such a huge construction would dominate the Kremlin. However, the project was used to build the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw. Warsaw Palace is basically the continuation of the great Stalin’s vision and the “gift of Soviet nations to Polish people”. However, such gifts were lavishly given in other former USSR countries for instance: The House of the Free Press in Bucharest, Družba Hotel in Prague, or the Palace of Culture and Science in Riga, which I visited a few years ago.

Artykuł Moscow – seven sisters pochodzi z serwisu .

Moscow metro – welcome to royal chambers!

Gosia — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:58:34 +0000

I didn’t take me long to decide what my first post from the trip to Moscow would be about. Of course I heard a lot about the Moscow metro before visiting it, but you need to see this place to believe! 😉 Some facts The entire system consists of 12 lines, with a length of more than 300 kilometres and includes more than 200 stations. Some stations are transfer points even for 3 or 4 lines. What’s more, the metro is constantly under construction. Currently the extensive second ring line is underway. Some stations are so deep that the connections between them can consume a lot of time, especially during rush hours. There’s also an unimaginable amount of people commute every day. It’s said that more than 7 million passengers use the subway daily! In order to alleviate underground traffic, passengers follow the designated routes. Don’t even try to go under the current, I experienced it once and I don’t recommend it 😉 In addition, on each station you can encounter special railings marking the directions of entry and exit. Some history The first subway line was built long time ago. It was opened by Stalin on 16 may 1935. Since then, Moscow metro has not operated only one dayon 16th October 1941, due to the threat of bombardment by the Germans. During World War II, the metro was used as an underground shelter. Moreover, it was even extended during this time! It’s said that the subway stations were like underground towns then, there were numerous shops and service points, let alone library. Fans of conspiracy theory say there’s a secret metro line in Moscow. According to them, it was built by Stalin, as a emergency way in the event of attack. Let’s get down to business What makes Moscow metro exceptional are amazing interiors with various mosaics, sculptures and crystal chandeliers. It can take up to half a day to visit these chambers. It is best to start the trip as suggested by Lonely Planet guide. Start the tour with the Komsomolskaya station on line 5 (brown) which surrounds the city and get on a train moving in the opposite direction of the clock, disembarking at each station. Komsomolskaya Station is literally breath-taking, its interior looks like a ballroom in Versailles. Huge crystal chandeliers, mosaics on the ceiling and interesting colours make this station unique. When looking closer, on the ceiling you can see mosaics showing Russian struggle for independence, while at the end of the station there’s a bust of comrade Lenin. Mira Prospect station surprises with bright interior. Ceiling is decorated with coffers and crystal chandeliers. Another station – Novoslobodskaya, also known as ” an underground fairy tale ” is characterized by interestingly shaped columns, decorated with colourful stained glass. There’s also an interesting mosaic called “Peace in the whole world”. Belorusskaya station presents images related to the history and culture of Belarus, depicted on 12 ceiling panels. Here you can switch to green line 2 (Zamskvoretskaya) in south direction to the centre and then get off at the first station – Mayakovskaya. This station presents mosaics illustrating 24 hours on Soviet land. Its depth reaches 33 metres, which makes it one of the deepest stations in Moscow underground system. Following the green line, you should get off at the Teatralnaya station, where you need to switch to blue line 3 Arbatsko – Porovskaya. The equivalent of the Teatralnaya station for line 3 is Ploschad Revolyutsii station, which is decorated with numerous sculptures. Next station – Arbatskaya, reaches 250 metres length which makes it the longest in Moscow undergound. It was bombarded by Germans in 1941. On the other hand on, Kievskaya station there’re images presenting the 300-year-old Russians cooperation with Ukrainians. The last station – Park Pobedy is located at a depth of 84 metres and is the deepest station located in Moscow metro. You can access it via the longest escalator in Europe, which is 126 metres long. There’s no problem with keeping the left side free for pedestrians there. I didn’t see anyone willing to climb 740 steps 😉 However, it takes up to 3 minutes to ride by the escalator alone. At the station there’re also two mosaics depicting events from the war in 1812 and World War II. In addition, with any luck, you can spot special trains. The first called Aquarelle (Watercolor), is actually a gallery of art on rails, while the second one looks like trains from the 30’s. Unfortunately, I didn’t have luck to ride any of them and to make matters worse I was almost robbed two times! The metro is an ideal place for pickpockets because of the number of people and tourists’ distraction by a lot of the attractions. In overcrowded trains and passages between stations, as well as when taking photos, special attention should be paid. Practical info: The Metro is open from 5.30 am to 1 a.m. , stations have different names depending on the line, it facilitates navigation. For example, one station can be called Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya or Pushkinskaya depending on the line. Wifi works in all trains.

Artykuł Moscow metro – welcome to royal chambers! pochodzi z serwisu .