Travel to Russia

Church of the Intercession in Fili

This two-storied stone cathedral is an excellent example of Moscow baroque - red-bricked and golden-domed- the structure is a geometric feast amid drab surroundings. Many of the icons inside were painted in 1693-1694 by the master of the Armoury Museum, K. Zolotarev. The furniture in the lower church was made in the early 19th century. The church was shut down in 1930 and, since 1980, has been a branch of the Andrei Rublev Museum of Early Russian Culture and Art. Services are not held but you can pray and thanks god for those amazing master pieces!.

All-Russian Exhibition Centre

This sprawling exhibition site was once host to a complex of exhibitions showing off the economic and technological fruits of the Soviet world. These days the 68 pavilions are full of pretty ramshackle stores with all sorts of household goods.  It hosts some 350 exhibitions each year and 40 to 50 of them are international.

Church of the Archangel Michael in Troparevo

This church was built in 1693. It was closed in 1937 and reopened at the beginning of 1989, making it one of the first Moscow churches to be returned to believers in Gorbachev's time. The church is home to the Donskaia icon of the Virgin and fragments of the remains of St. Nicolas. Boris Yeltsin and his wife Naina regularly attended the Easter Day services here but is not likely to be able to see them for safety matters I guess. Services are held daily at 8a and 5p. Liturgies on Sundays are at 7a and 10a.

Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Putinki

At the very beginning of Malaia Dmitrovka street, stands this magnificent church. It was constructed in 1649-1652 and looks almost as if it were twisted together out of lace. A long time ago, this area was called Putinki (from the word 'put', meaning 'way'). This was because it stands at the junction of two major roads, one going to Dmitrov and the other to Tver' (Tverskaia ulitsa). This church was the last building in Moscow to employ the tent-roofed architectural style.

Armenian Apostolic Church of the Resurrection

This church was closed by Stalin in 1937 but re-opened later during his rule in 1951, at the insistence of the then Armenian Patriarch Vazgen I. The exquisite golden dome with white walls combination are striking, and the fact that the church central place of worship for Russia's Armenian community gives the interior a distinct air.

Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War

When Hitler moved the German forces into Russia in the summer of 1941, the Great Patriotic War began for the Russian people. The part of the country invaded by the Germans was devastated and millions of people killed. This museum is dedicated to keeping the memory of the war alive so nothing like it will ever happen again. The museum organizes thematic tours through the galleries of honour, remembrance and military traditions. The museum owns two lecture halls of 200 and 500 seats with synchronized interpreting, a scientific library, plus an archive and a database of all of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war. Entry is free.

Museum of Horse-Breeding

Over 35 hundred works of art plus countless photos and documents trace the history and outline the significance of horse-breeding in Russia. Many deal with the Russian cavalry and hunting on horseback. There are paintings by Vasilii Polenov (known for his Moscow landscapes) and sculptures by Piotr Klodt . Of the breeds, those native to the former Soviet Union are in focus here. Paintings of various breeds by Nikolai Sverchkov make up an enthralling gallery. The museum also houses a library on horse-breeding. There is also a unique collection of badges, bags, T-shirts, stamps, envelopes and postcards - all featuring horses! The museum building is part of the mid 19th century park estate belonging to the Timiriazev Farming Academy.

Armed Forces Museum

Russia has been one of the world's great military powers for centuries now, so this museum draws on a rich fund of history. Their stocks include 800,000 military and historical items, presented across 24 galleries. The exhibits are dedicated to the most important events of Russian history and illustrate the Russian Civil War, pre- and post-WWII periods and the development of the Soviet military machine. The museum organizes guided tours that cover topics such as the Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk battles.

Thursday nights at Propaganda

This place boasts the trendiest Thursday nights in Moscow. It brings together the Russian middle class, local and foreign students, expatriates and anyone else who can appreciate the DJ's tunes and the club's relaxed atmosphere. It's widely known as one of the best clubs in Moscow. Normally quite busy, it gets packed by midnight when the disco begins. The music played is mainly acid jazz and all manner of variants, with the occasional switch to non-techno hits. Cover charge depends on the night of the week and the talent.

Radisson-Slavjanskaia Children's Club

Every Sunday, the Radisson Slavjanskaia hotel organizes family brunches with hot and cold dishes, fruit and unlimited champagne for adults. A fruit buffet is available for children and they can be entertained by clowns, watch good movies and listen to music. The specially trained personnel take good care of the children, so parents can feel confident about leaving their offspring here for a while. This place is popular with foreigners because the staff speak good English.