Moscow Facts

Red Square and the Kremlin

Visiting Moscow is best in late spring or autumn when the weather is warm and sunny, and there is simply no better place to begin your exploring than its historic heart: the Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad'). Much of Russia's turbulent history has played out either in public on the Red Square itself or in private behind the walls of the Kremlin (Kreml'). The Kremlin is a powerful mix of church and state, of European and Russian styles, and of historic and modern-day Russia. The Red square is an impressive and famous city square separating the Kremlin from the city's merchant center. Entering from the north end past the State Historical Museum, you will instantly recognize...

...has matured over a millennium into a richly layered, ever-expanding, and never-sleeping metropolis. Its sporadic growth has left it without a compact downtown, which means that great sights, hotels, and restaurants can be found in nearly any corner of the city. Its vast territory requires a good bit of walking and plenty of rides via metro (subway), taxi, or tour bus. Take along a copy of War and Peace for distraction during traffic jams or long subway rides.