Moscow

St. Basil's Cathedral (by Chad Briggs) and the Cathedral of the Assumption (by Rob Lee).

Moscow (Москва́´), is Russia's capital and largest city, with a rapidly growing population of more than 11 million people. Moscow is the country's primary transportation hub and home to its most renowned cultural, political and religious institutions.

Founded in the 12th century as the capital of a minor principality, Moscow eventually emerged as the center of a unified Russian state in the 15th century. The capital was moved to the new city of St. Petersburg in 1703 under Peter the Great, but Lenin moved the capital back to Moscow in 1917.

Moscow has been a site of great spiritual importance for most of its history. It has long claimed the title of "Third Rome," regarding itself as a spiritual successor to the imperial Christian capitals of Rome and Constantinople. The city is still the center of Russian Orthdodox Christianity. The Patriarch of Moscow, whose residence is the Danilov Monastery, serves as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Moscow Map
Our detailed, interactive satellite map of Moscow in very high resolution, plus more of the best online Moscow maps.

Moscow Fact Sheet
Some quick facts and stats on the city of Moscow.

Moscow Guided Tours & Excursions
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Moscow Hotel Bookings
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Moscow Hotel Reviews
Unbiased reviews, ratings and price comparisons on hotels in Moscow.

Moscow Travel Forum
Travel advice and insider tips on Moscow from fellow travelers.

	Andronikov Monastery Andronikov monastyr was founded in 1360 by Metropolitan Alexei in fulfillment of a vow and named for its first abbot. The famous icon painter Andrei Rublev (d. 1430) was a resident here.
	Cathedral of the Annunciation Blagoveschensky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1484-1489 by Russian architects for use by the royal family. Inside are murals from 1508 and a spectacular iconostasis painted by Russian masters.
	Cathedral of the Archangel Arkhangelsky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1505-08 by an Italian architect. Inside are frescoes by Russian artists from the 16th and 17th centuries.
	Cathedral of the Assumption (Dormition) Uspensky sobor in the Kremlin was built 1475-79 by an Italian architect. The relatively austere gray facade hides an interior covered in frescoes on every available space.
	Cathedral of Christ the Savior khram Khrista Spasitela may well be the largest Orthodox church in the world. The building is magnificent, but not as old as it looks: it was rebuilt in 2000 after the original was demolished by Stalin.
	Choral Synagogue Built in 1886, this Orthodox synagogue represents the turbulent status of Moscow's Jewish community over the years. The interior is a fine example of Moorish synagogue architecture.
	Novodevichy Convent and Cemetery New Maiden's Convent was founded in 1524 by Tsar Vasily III to commemorate the capture of Smolensk from Lithuania. Thanks to its magnificent buildings and historic cemetery, it is a very popular tourist destination.
	Novospassky Monastery The New Monastery of the Savior was founded in 1491 but entirely rebuilt by the Romanovs in the 1640s. Its cathedral contains frescoes by the best 17th-century painters.
	St. Basil's Cathedral This famously colorful "confection" in the Kremlin was built 1534-61 by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate a military victory over Kazan. It consists of nine chapels connected by maze-like painted galleries.