If you grew up like I did during the cold war, Moscow holds a certain fascination which is why we opted for the all day trip via high speed train (the national airline seemed like a poor choice). We boarded our train at 6:40 a.m. for our 3 hour 50 minute ride which included a slightly unusual breakfast of sausages and grilled veggies.
Our local guide led us on a bus tour of this city with 10 million inhabitants. Like any modern metro area there's apartments, shopping centers, hotels, fast food (no Starbucks in sight) and lots and lots of cars. The landscape is also dotted with those famous guilded onion domes atop of the Russian Orthodox Churches that we often associate with Russia. What's strikingly missing is any symbol of the Soviet era, no Lenin statutes and only a few leftover sickles and hammers. The Czars are the only history they want to tell.
We stopped at a working convent to tour the grounds and also learn of the many famous people burried near by. They are very proud of the writers and artists hailing from here. There were several chapels located within the walls of the convent, all topped by the signature domes and crosses. One cross would never do if 5 or 10 can fit on a roof. All the money they would have spent on the absent pews (standing only during the service) and organ (accapela music only) is spent on the gold adornments inside and outside the church.
We also had a chance to ride the metro and more importantly see two metro stations. With churches discouraged during Soviet rule, metro stations were used to depict daily life in both paintings and mosaics. With the heavy traffic on the streets, the metro is a very popular mode of transportation which seems to run on time and is very modern.
The Kremlin is nothing like I expected. A central focus in this ancient walled fortress is a beautiful church. This is also home to a museum housing many artifacts from czarist Russia such as crowns, church vestments, coranation clothing (they were always crowned here), carriages and state gifts. But probably the most viewed items are the 10 royal Fabrege Eggs, the only ones on display in the country. These eggs sure beat the ones my kids decorated at Easter!
Our last stop before heading back on the train was Red Square and Miscow's most famous cathedral, Saunt Basels. I'm sure you've seen pictures of both, one with tanks parading on May Day and the other with it's candy like domes. We couldn't actually go in either, but I have a much better perspective of what and where they are.
We both loved this day trip and I would highly recommend it if you get the chance.
Our local guide led us on a bus tour of this city with 10 million inhabitants. Like any modern metro area there's apartments, shopping centers, hotels, fast food (no Starbucks in sight) and lots and lots of cars. The landscape is also dotted with those famous guilded onion domes atop of the Russian Orthodox Churches that we often associate with Russia. What's strikingly missing is any symbol of the Soviet era, no Lenin statutes and only a few leftover sickles and hammers. The Czars are the only history they want to tell.
We stopped at a working convent to tour the grounds and also learn of the many famous people burried near by. They are very proud of the writers and artists hailing from here. There were several chapels located within the walls of the convent, all topped by the signature domes and crosses. One cross would never do if 5 or 10 can fit on a roof. All the money they would have spent on the absent pews (standing only during the service) and organ (accapela music only) is spent on the gold adornments inside and outside the church.
We also had a chance to ride the metro and more importantly see two metro stations. With churches discouraged during Soviet rule, metro stations were used to depict daily life in both paintings and mosaics. With the heavy traffic on the streets, the metro is a very popular mode of transportation which seems to run on time and is very modern.
The Kremlin is nothing like I expected. A central focus in this ancient walled fortress is a beautiful church. This is also home to a museum housing many artifacts from czarist Russia such as crowns, church vestments, coranation clothing (they were always crowned here), carriages and state gifts. But probably the most viewed items are the 10 royal Fabrege Eggs, the only ones on display in the country. These eggs sure beat the ones my kids decorated at Easter!
Our last stop before heading back on the train was Red Square and Miscow's most famous cathedral, Saunt Basels. I'm sure you've seen pictures of both, one with tanks parading on May Day and the other with it's candy like domes. We couldn't actually go in either, but I have a much better perspective of what and where they are.
We both loved this day trip and I would highly recommend it if you get the chance.
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