- Moscow City Bus/Minibus/Car Tour
- Walking tour in the city center
- The State Tretyakov Gallery
- Moscow Kremlin (Ground and Cathedral)
- Moscow Kremlin (Grounds, Cathedrals and visit to the Armory Chamber)
- Kolomenskoe tour
- The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts
- The Holy Trinity Lavra
- Stalin’s Bunker museum
Moscow City Bus/Minibus/Car Tour
Our half-day panoramic bus tour of Moscow gives you an overview of the most important sites in the city including: the University of Moscow, the Bolshoi Theater, and the Olympic Stadium. We continue on to the impressive Red Square where you see St. Basil's Cathedral, with its vividly painted onion domes, Lenin’s Tomb, and the famous department store GUM.
During the tour a special visit to the Park of Fallen Idols can be included, where you will see the unique collection of monuments from the Soviet period which were removed from their pedestals during the coup of 1991; monuments to Stalin, the KGB Chairman Dzerzhinsky and many others.
Walking tour in the city center
We start from the main street of the city — Tverskaya; then stroll through the Alexander Garden along the Kremlin wall arriving in Red Square, where we stop and see the highlights such as the Historical Museum, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Tomb, the impressive department store GUM. Continuing to the famous Bolshoi Theatre, we then go to the ancient Kitai Gorod, filled with churches from the 17th-19th centuries, or cross the Moskva river to see the old Zamoskvorechye district or saunter along the attractive pedestrian Arbat street with it’s souvenir shops, numerous cafes, and street painters.
The State Tretyakov Gallery
The State Tretyakov Gallery is the national treasury of Russian fine arts and one of the greatest museums in the world. It is located in one of the oldest districts of Moscow — Zamoskvorechye, not far from the Kremlin. The Gallery’s collection consists entirely of Russian art and works of artists who have made significant contribution to the history of Russian art. This is how it was conceived by its founder, the Moscow merchant and industrialist Pavel Mikhailovich Tretyakov (1832–1898) and how it has remained to this day. The date of its foundation is usually taken to be 1856 when the young Tretyakov first acquired works by Russian artists of his day with the aim of creating а collection, which might later grow into а museum of national art. “For me, а true and ardent lover of painting, there can be no finer wish than to found а universally accessible repository of the fine arts, which will benefit many and give pleasure to all”, — wrote the collector in 1860, adding “I… should like to leave а national gallery, that is, а gallery with pictures by Russian artists”.
The years passed and the young collector’s desire was brilliantly put into practice. In 1892, Tretyakov presented to Moscow and the whole of Russia, а large and already famous gallery containing about 2.000 paintings, drawings and sculptures of genuine works of Russian art.
Nowadays, the Gallery’s collection contains more than 130.000 works of painting, sculpture and graphics, created throughout the centuries by successive generations of Russian artists. Two separate buildings at different locations — at Lavrushinskiy Pereulok, and at Krymskiy Val, — house the works selected for display.
Russian art works, ranging in date from the 11th to the early 20th century, are on show in the Gallery’s historic building on Lavrushinskiy Pereulok. Here, one can see the outstanding collection of Russian Medieval icon painting, works by best-known Russian artists of the 18th — first half of the 19th century, masterpieces of national art dating to the second half of the 19th century, collection of art works from the turn of the 20th century.
The Gallery’s complex located at Lavrushinskiy Pereulok incorporates the Engineering Building, which regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, the “Church of St. Nicholas at Tolmachi ” and the Museum, a masterpiece of 17th — 19th century architecture. The latter contains a collection of icons from the 15th through 19th century, and the Russian national treasure: the 12th century icon of “The Virgin of Vladimir”.
Moscow Kremlin (Ground and Cathedral)
The history of thе Moscow Kremlin reaches back to old times. The first written record of Moscow dates back to 1147, to the reign of Great PrinceYuri of Kiev, Vladimir Monomakh’s son. He was nicknamed “Dolgoruky” (Long-armed), reaching out to other principalities for his unification policy. Yuri Dolgoruky is considered to be the founder of Moscow and in commemoration of this an equestrian statue by the sculptor S.V. Orlov was erected in Tverskaya Street in 1954.
Since time immemorial the Moscow Kremlin has been the centre of Russian statehood, the residence of Russian tsars and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Under Dmitry Donskoi in 1367–1368, the white-stone walls and towers of the Kremlin were erected and Moscow began to be called “white-stone town”.
In 1485–1495, the Kremlin was totally rebuilt. It was then that the first brick buildings appeared there and it largely acquired its present appearance and dimensions.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Peter the Great transferred the capital of Russia to St. Petersburg; however, according to tradition, the Russian tsars were crowned in Moscow in the main Kremlin Cathedral.
In 1917 the Soviet government transferred the Russian capital back to Moscow. The Kremlin became the seat of the highest state bodies, a sort of preserve, where only those who lived or worked there were admitted. It was only in 1955 that its unique museums have again become accessible to everyone. Church services have recently been resumed in the old cathedrals and the Kremlin bells which have been silent for over 70 years have come to life.
The Kremlin has been the residence of the President of the Russian Federation and his Administration since 1992.
The Kremlin has been and remains a unique monument of Russian culture and a symbol of Russian statehood.
Moscow Kremlin (Grounds, Cathedrals and visit to the Armory Chamber)
A world-wide known treasure-house presents ancient Russian regalia, ceremonial tsar’s dresses, church hierarchs’ vestments, gold and silverware by Russian, European and Eastern masters, arms and armors, royal carriages and ceremonial horse harnesses.
The famous museum’s exhibits are of special interest because of their precious materials, high artistic level and their special historical and cultural value to the Russian State.
One of the most remarkable exhibits of the Kremlin museums linked to the genealogy of Russian princes is the Cap of Monomakh, the Russian Tsars' inherited crown. It even had its own proverbial saying: “How heavy you are, the Cap of Monomakh!”, referring to the heavy burden of responsibility accompanying it.
NOTE: for students with valid student IDs, the discount for entrance fee to the Kremlin Grounds is 50%.
Kolomenskoe tour
The first written reference to the Kolomenskoe village is found in the will of the Grand Prince of Moscow, Ivan Kalita (Ivan the Moneybag) and dates back to 1339. Initially, it was a patrimonial estate of the grand princes of Moscow, later the estate of tsars.
Vasily the Third built the renowned hip-roofed Church of Ascension in 1529–1532 in honour of the birth of his son, the future tsar Ivan the Terrible. The Temple of Ascension also probably served as a watchtower in case of Tatar raids: an alarm signal was given in such an event (a smoke signal in the day time and a fire signal at night); if watchmen on the bell tower of the Church of Ascension saw such a signal, they repeated it, in turn, and it could be seen by the guards on the Bell tower of Ivan the Great in the Kremlin. The Church of Ascension in Kolomenskoe is one of the first hip-roofed churches built of stone in Russia. Along with a hip roof, buttressing pylons were applied in the architecture of this edifice, which allowed the construction of a then tremendous building with “levitating” architectonics. The Church of Ascension is designed with a round tower, 62 meters high. The church has a Greek cross plan. A two-story traditional gallery with three high ascending stairs surrounds the church.. Extended flat pilasters with capitals typical for the early Renaissance, decorate the corners of the church on the facade. The temple is built of stone, with multiple white stone decorative elements. The Church of Ascension has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage since 1994. Renovation works were completed in the end of 2007, and the ground level of the temple was opened for visitors.
(temple usually refers to holy places prior to the establishment of Christianity, ie, Temple of Apollo, or Stonehenge might be a temple. Also, in the Jewish religion, the synagogue is referred to as “Temple”, but Christian religious buildings are usually churches, or sanctuaries or chapels, etc. I think, anyway. Let me know what you think)
After the tour you will have the unique opportunity to take a part in a Russian Wedding ceremony as a guest, best man or even a bride or a groom! A professional folk group will entertain you with authentic Russian songs and games.
The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts
The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts has one of the most representative collections in Russia of foreign art dated from the ancient times to modern days. The exposition of the Museum includes a vast collection of tinted plaster casts of famous ancient, medieval and Renaissance sculptures and a collection of original works of foreign artists, sculptors and graphics together with objects of decorative arts.
The rooms of the ground floor present mainly original works: works of art of Ancient Egypt, antiquities, European paintings of the VII-XVIII centuries. The first floor rooms acquaint the public with art of the 19th and 20th centuries; the collection of French impressionists is one of the best in the world.
The Holy Trinity Lavra
St. Sergius, the founder of the Holy Trinity Lavra, was born of wealthy Rostov boyars on May 3, 1314. On the fortieth day the local priest baptized the child, naming him Bartholomew. From his childhood he grew accustomed to solitude and sought his salvation through prayer, fasting and work. In 1337, at the age of 23, after his parents’ death, he decided to leave for the wilderness, together with his elder brother Stephen. The brothers chose to found their hermitage in a clearing surrounded by thick forest on a low hill, later called Makovets (a term often used to indicate the top of a hill). They built for themselves a cell and a small church, which they dedicated to the Lifegiving Trinity. That was the birth of the monastery, which later served as a source of pride and inspiration to the people of Russia. The life of a hermit was very difficult and required a good deal of perseverance and will. Stephen could not take the rigours of winter and the scarcity of food. He preferred life in an urban monastery and left Bartholomew for Moscow. For about two years Bartholomew remained alone in the wilderness, and in silence and prayer he prepared himself for his monastic vows. After taking them with the name of Sergius, he lived an even more austere, ascetic life in solitude, reading the Bible, working in his garden and praying unceasingly. Despite the remoteness of his hermitage, word concerning the exemplary ascetic life of St. Sergius soon spread everywhere and pious monks began coming to him in search of guidance. Later, farmers and city dwellers used to come from all over for St. Sergius’ blessing and advice and then settled in the area of the monastery. The Mongol yoke, which weighed heavily on the country, caused its ruin and forced people to leave the most exposed regions and seek refuge in the wilderness.
The visit to the Monastery lasts 1.5 hours, followed by lunch in a traditional Russian restaurant.
And last, but not least is the Master class of Russian Matreshka Doll painting.
Those attending the class will have a chance to get acquainted with the most popular Russian souvenir — the Matreshka doll. And what is more, with the help of local artists you will create your own unique master piece, a painted-by-you Matreshka doll, which you can take back home and show to your friends.
Stalin’s Bunker museum
Stalin’s Bunker museum is located in Izmailovo and represents a war-time underground head quarters. In 1930’s a whole underground town was built under the stadium and was used by Stalin, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as an emergency command centre during the years of the World War II. Here you will find some personal belongings of Stalin and items connected with the war events, most of which are original.
Main attractions
The complete collection of Stalin’s orders and awards. Items and pictures of the military period.The exhibition that displays the history of the Bunker as a unique military construction.
Capital Tours is the first and the only tour management company in Russia with an established name organizing the Moscow city and the Kremlin tours on regular daily basis to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers to Russia.
This unique service for Russia offers daily Moscow Bus Sightseeing tours and Kremlin tours led in each case by the licensed English-speaking guides. Regardless of the number of people tours depart four times a day from the very heart of Moscow — the Red Square with our guides to show you the best of what you can see in Moscow in one day!
If you are not familiar with the capital a sightseeing tour is an excellent way to see the exterior of famous buildings and places to which you may return at your leisure!
Underground Command Post ”Tagansky„ — Cold War Museum
We invite you to visit an Exposition complex «Confrontation», which was a secret signal office centre in the past.
You will see one of the most secret sites of USSR- a Secured Command Post ”Tagansky„.
We operate individual and group tours.
During the excursion you will pass trough the secret tunnels. You will see samples of arming and communication facilities. You will watch a documentary movie about The Cold war time.