Location: Red Square & Kitay-gorod
Top Things to do in Red Square & Kitay-gorod
The 10 Best Museums in Red Square & Kitay-gorod, Central Russia
The political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of Russia, Moscow displays the country's contrasts at their most extreme. The ancient and modern are juxtaposed side by side in this city of 10 million. Catch a metro from one of the ornate stations to see Red Square, the Kremlin, the nine domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, the KGB Museum and other symbols of Moscow's great and terrible past, then lighten up and shop Boulevard Ring or people watch in Pushkin Square.
Restaurants in Moscow
1. Art-Souz Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Moscow Kremlin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,891 reviews
Moscow's most famous historical and political landmark, the Kremlin is a walled-in complex of cathedrals, palaces and government offices, with several buildings open to the public, including the Armoury, Patriarch's Palace and the State Kremlin Palace.
Reviewed By CAPerth
The Kremlin is a collection of several attractions, the Architectural Ensemble (basically the main Kremlin grounds, museums and several historic Orthodox Cathedrals), the Armoury (the Treasury including carriages, Faberge eggs, jewellery, armour and ceremonial clothing), the Diamond Fund (basically a collection of individual stones and some set pieces) and the Ivan Bell Tower. We purchased our tickets on line for the Architectural Ensemble (day ticket) and Armoury (timed ticket, different day) from the official website as soon as our dates were available (17 days prior). The Diamond Fund tickets are purchased from inside the Armoury. Prices are quite cheap given the world class exhibits. We did not attempt to buy tickets to the Bell Tower following advice on line and confirmed by our guide that it is like winning the lottery and you have to hang around for hours on the one in a hundred chance that you might score tickets. Note that even though you buy in advance, you still have to queue up to exchange your “voucher” for a ticket and you will need your original passport as ID. Not sure if this is much quicker than buying tickets direct but since we were in peak time and Armoury tickets are quite limited, advance purchase is highly recommended. We visited the Cathedrals as part of a tour with Viki Tours (Armoury we did ourselves, audio guide is free and very good but covers the main exhibits only – to get detailed commentary on everything would take a whole day) and we had planned our visit to coincide with the Ceremonial mounting parade of Horse Guard and Foot Guard of the Presidential Regiment at midday on Saturday. This is a worthwhile addition if you can plan it, but may have also accounted for the very large crowd there that day (or that could be normal in June). Unfortunately, no photography is allowed inside the cathedrals or the Armoury Museum.
3. Armoury Chamber
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,933 reviews
A dazzling array of treasures from the 4th to the 20th century are housed in this Kremlin museum, including thrones and carriages of the tsars, the works of Moscow silver and goldsmiths, arms, jewels, precious Russian Easter eggs and other Russian and foreign decorative arts.
Reviewed By RitaC651 - Melbourne, Australia
We were overwhelmed by the treasures we saw and were surprised that such an amazing collection survived Russia’s turbulent history. Hundreds of objects made of gold and silver were encrusted with gems. The gold carriages were unbelievable. The collection of crowns was my favourite. So many display cases were filled with items that showed the wealth and lavish lifestyle of the Tsars. There were displays of clothes worn by the royal family, some famous Faberge eggs and many other items. Everything was beautifully styled. There were military uniforms, weapons and horse armoury that were all heavily decorated. There was also a number of religious items. This museum shows the connection between the wealth and power of the Tzar, the church and the state. No wonder there was a revolution in Russia.
4. Cathedral of the Archangel (Arkhangelsky Sobor)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
This church at Cathedral Square is most notable for what lies underneath it - the burial grounds of most of Russia's rulers up until the 1690s - as well as the muraled walls showing who lies beneath.
Reviewed By drogilmour - Guatemala City, Guatemala
St. Michael Archangel’s cathedral had been a burial place of Moscow Princes and Tsars. The tombs of the Ryurikovich dynasty are located endlong the cathedral's walls. The tombs of the Romanov dynasty are situated near the south-western and north-western pillars. You will find signs in English, placed on top of the gaskets The first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible (Ivan the IV) and two his sons are buried in a special tsar's shrine set in the altar part of the cathedral. Here also look for the sign. Russian tsars were buried here until the capital was moved to St. Petersburg. In 1333, the first Great Moscow Prince Ivan Kalita ordered to lay the foundation of church devoted to St. Archangel Michael, respected in Rus as a guardian of soldiers and Russian princes in their feats of arms. A new majestic cathedral was erected on this site in 1505-1508, Built with five onion shape caps, the central golden one represents Jesus and the four tin coloured ones, each of the evangelists.
5. Cathedral of the Annunciation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
The magnificent interiors of this chapel belonging to the royal family include spectacular frescoes, icons painted by the masters and a gleaming agate jasper tiled floor.
Reviewed By KatrinaMolini - Corciano, Italy
This was a private church of Russian princes and tsars. I was very impressed by the multi-tier iconostasis that includes almost a hundred icons situated in six rows and the stunning blue western portal with carved ornament.
6. Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,804 reviews
The Orlov Diamond, a gift to Catherine the Great from Count Orlov, her lover, is only one of the many diamonds and jewels on display in this incredible collection at the Kremlin.
Reviewed By supermic - Hoogland, The Netherlands
The treasures of the Almaznyy Fond include items that were used during the coronations and other special occasions, which were designed to demonstrate the glory and richness of the Russian empire. The question of how this wealth was obtained is of course not answered here. The Diamond Fund collection includes the so-called crown jewels including the Great Imperial Crown, which was made for the coronation of Empress Catherine II in 1762 The Diamond Fund collection contains the seven world-famous gems. The Orlov diamond is the largest and most famous of them. It adorns the imperial scepter of Empress Catherine II. The collection also includes jewelery masterpieces from the 18th-20th centuries, rare gems, insignia, gold and platinum gold nuggets of invaluable value. Tickets for the Diamond Fund cannot be obtained online, but can be purchased at kiosk numbers 4 and 5 (and in the Armory in possesion of a armoury ticket) and cost 500 RUB. Note that the Kremlin is closed on Thursdays. The entrance is at by the Borovitskaya Tower (number 20) and it is recommended to use the 45 min audio guide.
7. Chambers of The Romanov Boyars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
The house was a birthplace of Mikhail Fyodorovich, the first Tsar in the Romanov dynasty.
Reviewed By ioanalauran
Small but very interesting museum, where you can see the old rich boyard’s way of living. A good option if you don’t want to stay in a queue at the Red Square.
8. Kremlin State History and Culture Museum Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By 323aleksandarp - Belgrade, Serbia
Architecture of Kremlin fortress with its red walls and twenty towers including Saviors tower with clock on it, Trinity tower and others leave strong impressions. There is huge tzar cannon and tzar bell with impressive 40 and 160 tons weight even if they never worked is intersesting to be seen. Worth to bee seen is Patriarch palace with its marble stove for preparation of chrism, iconostatis in its chapel, robes, watches and furniture used by patriarchs. Beside palace is two churches burial Archangel Michaels where is tombs of moscowian princes and tsars including Ivan IV the Terrible, Dmitri Donskoy and first Romanovs, before Peter the Great, others Romanovs is in St. Peters and Paul church in Sankt Petersbourg. Other church is Dormiti on cathedral with miracle icon of Holy virgin of Vladimir, Monomach throne, tsars praying place, patriarch and tsarina praying place. State armory with collection of golden chariot, tsars throne, crowns, jewelry and faberge eggs. On exit, in front of St. Basils cathedrale with its pictoresque, flame shape towers on Red square there is nice monument of Prince Pozarski and merchant Kuzma Minin who liberated Moscow from Poles.
9. The museum of the Patriotic War of 1812
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
The Museum of Patriotic War of 1812 was opened in honor of the 200 Anniversary of the war. The exhibition consists of several thematic sections and is arranged in chronological order: from the events before the War of 1812 to foreign campaigns of Russian Army in 1813–1814. There are awards and uniform of French and Russian soldiers, maps and documents, household items and equipment among the rarities.
Reviewed By ginsengNewYork
This unique museum is fascinating for history lovers. It is located in the heart of Moscow, across from the Museum of State History, near Red Square, It tells the amazing story of the brilliant Russian victory over Napoleon in 1812 : Indeed, when Napoleon, after conquering most of Europe, invaded Russia with his humongous army (the "Grande Armée" numbered 680 000 soldiers, the largest army ever known at that time), he had no clue it was the beginning of the end for him and his men! The tsar, and mostly General Kutozov, head of the not so strong Russian army, avoided most bloody battles, and abandonned and set fire to Moscow, their sacred city, before Napoleon got there, preventing him from finding food and shelter, right before winter! When Napoleon finally realized the tsar would neither surrender, nor negociate, nor fight, but practised the "scortched earth" tactic, leaving no food for his troops, he had no choice but go back to France! This lengthy retreat, in the middle of a torturous early winter, turned to a gigantic nightmare! Kutozov's brilliant strategy was to wear them down by incessant minor engagements while retreating and preserving his army, and letting "General winter" do the rest. He first blocked Napoleon's attempt to retreat along a fertile, southern route, forcing the disintegrating French army to leave Russia by the very path it had totally devastated when entering the country, with nothing left to forage! The French retreat was a true descent into Hell (only 1/10th of the Great Army made it back home!) This invasion is very important in the Russian psyche, because it roused an immense wave of patriotism amongst all Russians, and because they are rightly proud to have defeated an indomitable ennemy and facilitated the freedom of Europe from Napoleon’s grasp. The Museum comprises modern spacious halls, with many fascinating artifacts – authentic documents like Napoleon's speeches to his men, period paintings, Russian and French uniforms, weapons, canons, with descriptive plaques in both Russian and English, as well as some movie sequences ("War and Peace" mostly in Russian) The exhibition space shows the structure of both French and Russian armies, their battle tactics, successfully supplemented with interactive touchscreen kiosks. Highly recommended!
