MOSEOW, RUSSIA - RUSSIA

The Kremlin, meaning “citadel” or “fortress”, has seen dramatic upheaval since it was a mere wooden stronghold that arose beside the Moscow River in the 12th century. Today, its role is to serve as the official residence of the president of Russia, though it is perhaps better known for its magnificent architecture and for the dazzling treasures it houses.

DESIRE TO BE HERE….

Russia, always been a controversial head of history takes you to explore the powerful and strong leaders and its military forces. The one thing I would like to see is the Kremlin and of course it’s surroundings which give you an outlook of life in an unstable political era. The must see would be Lenins Masoleum, Red Sqaure and obviously the historical Hotel National, with a peep in Suite 107, where Lenin once resided!

RECOMMENDATIONS…..

  • The magnificent Red Square, stands just outside the Kremlin’s east wall.
  • In the shadow of the Kremlin is the Lenin Mausoleum, where the first Soviet’s leader embalmed body has been eerily lying in state since his death in 1924.
  • At the far end of the cobblestoned square stand the exuberant, candy coloured pinnacles and onion domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the mid-1500s
  • A visit to the Hotel National in its original Art Nouveau splendor, and the newly built Ritz Carlton Moscow has an imperial location on Tverskaya Boulevard known for its upscale shopping.
  • The best time to visit this place is May – September for nice weather; early September for Den Goroda (City Day), which features a parade, live music, and fireworks.

Highlights

  • Enclosed by high, 15th century brick walls that run for more than a mile with 19 watchtowers, the sprawling 68 acre complex served for decades as the epicenter of the Soviet Union, beginning when power was transferred here from St. Petersburg in 1918.
  • The Armory Museum, its most visited site, offers a dizzying crash course on the lifestyles of the rich and famous czars: Its 4,000 objects, dating back to the 12th century, include exquisite Faberge eggs, the jewel-studded helmet of the first czar, Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, and the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible. View the baubles and regalia of the Romanovs in the Almazny Fond (Diamond Fund), where you will find the scepter of Catherine the Great – topped by the 190 carat Orlov Diamond, a gift from her lover Count Orlov and her diamond-encrusted coronation crown.
  • Three cathedrals are among the Kremlin’s star attractions. The 15th century Assumption Cathedral (aka Cathedral of the Dormition), with five glittering gold domes and a marvelous collection of icons, is where reigning princes swore fealty and czars were crowned. The majestic Archangel Cathedral was a burial site for princes and czars. Lording over them, the Cathedral of the Annunciation claims the tallest structure in the Kremlin – the octagonal, 266-foot-high Ivan the Great Bell Tower.