Victory Day in Russia

On the 9th of May whole Russia celebrated its most significant holiday - the Victory Day - established due to the great victory in 1945.
During the long years of the war Russia experienced a lot, millions of people were killed...

This Day is a special Day for everyone.
How do the Russians celebrate it?

Almost every state organises a parade - mostly military technique is demonstrated.
Naturally, the most important parade is at red Square in Moscow. The President and all the civil servants are present there. Moreover, veterans, honoured heroes of the war, are present there and receive congratulations and enjoy this great for them holiday. However, almost every big park of Moscow becomes a place for celebrations (Park Gorkogo, Park Pobedi)

After it some veterans go to the Theatre Square, near Bolschoy Theatre, where festive, sincere atmosphere is set...You may here military songs and see dance.. A lot of people gather here, most of them are young, they come to congratulate veterans with their holiday and say "THANK YOU"...

In Russia there is a song "Victory Day" with the lines "Victory Day is the holiday with tears on your eyes..."
Yes, indeed, hardly no one can hold back their tear when then they hear military stories...

The day end with bright fireworks. People usually shout out loud "Ура!" (Ura!) which means "Hooray!"

Hotels and Hostels in Moscow. Park Kultury. Kropotkinskaya.

If you are exploring the central district of Mosow "Hamovniki", it would be very convenient to live somewhere here. Because it's almost the center of the city and you can easily reach any sightseeing in the center, on your feet!

There is a list of hotels and hostels near the metro stations Park Kultury and Kropotkinskaya.

Hotels:

Grosshotel - a min hotel providing 29 rooms for any taste.
Address: m. Park Kulruty or Kropotkinskaya. Prechistenskaya nab 15, building1

Cost: varies from 3200 rub to 6800 rub per day...

Official website: http://en.deluxehotel.ru/

NB: calls are free. 

Versal in Ostozhenka - a mini hotel.

Address: m. Park Kultury; Str. Ostozhenka 7, apt. 54

Cost: from 2900 per night.

Official website: http://en.gmhotel.ru/

Bagration - a big hotel with 46 rooms.

Address: m. Park Kultury. Sechenovskiy Pereulok 7a

Cost: from 2000 rub per night

Official website: http://bagrationhotel.ru/

NB: the site is in Russian only. It's better to write a letter to book a room and ask all the necessary questions.

Hostels:

Kolumb - a hostel providing 4 rooms for 12 and 8 people.

Address: m. Park Kultury, Zubovskiy Boulevard, 35/ 1, apt. 1.

Cost: 500 rub for one night. If you are going to stay there longer, it'll be 400 rub per night.

Official website: http://kolumb-hostel.com/

NB: the site is in Russian. 

Fabrika - a hostel and a gallery at the same time.

Address: m. Kropotkinskaya (the opposite bank of the river). Bersenevskiy Pereulok 5 bld .3/

Cost: 550 rub per night

Official website: http://fabrika-hostel.ru/

If you need any help, be free to ask Explorer.

All the information is provided by the hotels ans hostels mentioned above.

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

The Cathedral  in front of Kropotkinskaya is Russian main orthodox church.
It is placed on the bank of Moskva-river so that its grand golden dome may be seen from everywhere.

The history of the cathedral deserves special mention.
In 1832 its first project was confirmed by architect Konstantin Ton. It took about 40 years to build this church, which was to honour the war of 1812 between Russia and France.
Unfortunately, it was detonated in 1931. Soon a new swimming-pool appeared at that place.
Only in the 80s the government decided to restore the temple. Five years later the construction was over. Only in 2000 it was hallowed.

The height of the cathedral is 102m, the width - 85 m. It can seat 10,000 people at a time.
What is interesting, is that that the gold cupolas resemble an onion which in their turn look like helmets of great Russian epic heroes - Bogatir.

Tourist may visit the cathedral, order excursions, enjoy a marvellous sight of Moscow from the cathedral's observation deck.

Address: Volkhonka St, 15
It works daily 10.00-17.00. On Fridays 13.00-17.00
Official website: http://www.xxc.ru/english/index.htm

"Bogatiri" by V. Vasnetsov, 1898

Current Exhibitions in Moscow. March'13

Recently we have found some recommendations on which exhibitions to visit during the March, 2013 in Moscow.

Here is the list of the so called best exhibitions of March.

1) What: Dior Couture. The exhibition of photos by a French photographer Patrick Demarshelje, who in his works presents the history of Dior. 
  When: 7 March - 3 April
  Where: Exhibiting Center "Manezh" (Манеж.) . Address: Manezhnaya Square, 1. Metro stations: Ohotniy Ryad, Biblioteka imeni Lenina, Aleksandrovskiy Sad.
  Admission fee: 200-300r.

2) What: Best of Russia'12. Annual photo exhibition devoted to the most relevant events of 2012.
    When: 14 February – 24 March
    Where: Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art. Address: 4th Syromyatnicheskiy Lane, 1, bld 6. Metro station: Kurskaya.
    Admission fee: 200.
    Website: http://www.winzavod.ru/eng/

3) What:  It's Paris! the photo exhibition of the French photographers of the 20-50th. 
    When: 21 February - 19 May.
    Where: Multimedia Art Museum. Address: Ostozhenka,16. Metro Stations: Park Kultury, Kropotkinskaya.
    Admission fee: 50-300r. the 3d Sunday is free!

4) What: Design Territory. The exhibition is devoted to urbanisation and the cities' improvement. 
     When: 25 February - 24 March
     Where: Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art. Address: 4th Syromyatnicheskiy Lane, 1, bld 6. Metro station: Kurskaya.
    Admission fee: free
    Website: http://www.winzavod.ru/eng/

Moscow Explorer is sure to visit at least one of the exhibitions. Follow us!

Brief History of Moscow

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation.
Does anybody know how many times it got and lost this status? How old is Moscow?

It is universally recognized that the first record of Moscow dates back from 1147. Russian prince from the Rurik Dynasty Yuri Dolgorukiy is considered to be the founder of Moscow. Dolgorukiy means the Long-Armed as he managed to acquire vast territories which then made Kievan Rus' with the political center in Kiev.

Moscow has a long and complicated history with many difficulties and invasions. Many times it was under the threat of being conquered, many times it was rebuilt... But still it proved to be a strong city.

Only in the 15th century Ivan the Great (Ivan III) made Moscow the capital of all Rus. This Grand Prince of Moscow is known as the gatherer of the Russian lands as he managed to unite all the Russian principalities under one authority and save Rus from the Golden Horde which had been dominated Rus for more than one century.

Till the 18th century Moscow was a political center of Russia under Ivan IV the Terrible and his successors. The time of the 16th century is to be one of the hardest for the city. Moscow experienced the Times of Troubles and then the establishment of the new dynasty - the Romanovs.

Under Peter the Great Moscow lost its status of the capital of the Russian Empire. In 1712 Saint-Petersburg acquired this status, however, Moscow still remained a spiritual and cultural center. For example, Moscow State University was founded in this city in 1755 under Elizaveta Petrovna, the Empress of Russia, Peter's daughter.

1812 is a memorable day for Moscow. During this year the Moscovites courageously fought against the Frenchmen led by Napoleon. After long exhaustive battles Moscow was free. In 2012 a big fest was held in Moscow - 200 Years of the Battle of Borodino, the most difficult fight with the French armies.

A century later, in 1918, Moscow became the capital, but not of the Empire, but of the The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and later of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Moscow developed in every field: transport system, architecture, culture, science...

After the Great Patriotic War Moscow is recognised as one of the Hero Cities of Russia which fearlessly defended themselves.

Since 1991 Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation and along with Saint-Petersburg is a federal city.