Across Moscow’s sprawling landscape, 12 million people live amongst the contrasting symbols of Soviet conservatism, (as seen in the austere simplicity of Lenin’s Tomb) and Tsarist flamboyance, (illustrated in St. Basil’s Cathedral’s brilliant colors and sensual curves). The Kremlin, the city’s iconic center, is a city unto itself. Its towered walls enclose an array of churches, castles and military buildings The end of Soviet rule inspired a rebirth of Russia’s cultural heritage, as evidenced in the reconstruction of historical buildings like Christ the Savior Cathedral, which was destroyed by Stalin’s regime in 1937. The Red Square’s regal presence exemplifies Russian majesty.
To recover from historical overload, visitors can relax on a cruise on the Volga, or go diamond shopping at Almaznyi Dvo. A city that never sleeps, Moscow’s nightlife offers everything from decadent clubs to disco bowling.
