Moscow Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Moscow

Moscow (Russian: Moskva) is the capital and the largest city in Russia. Cosmopolitan as such, it is the nation’s political, economic, cultural, scientific and religious center. The city's name is thought to have derived from that of the Moskva River upon which it stands.

The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 and is associated with Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city's founder. The settlement grew fast to become prosperous and powerful, and soon emerged as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow and later the Tsardom of Russia. Moscow continued to play a key role in the political and economic life of the Tsardom throughout most of its history.

Following the Tsardom's reformation into the Russian Empire by Peter the Great, Moscow ceased being the capital when the government moved to the newly-built Saint Petersburg in 1712. After losing its status, both the influence and the population of Moscow had diminished. In 1813, following the destruction of much of the city during the French occupation, a great program of rebuilding was launched, including partial re-planning of the downtown area. Among many buildings constructed or reconstructed at that time was the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Upper Trading Rows (today's GUM) and more.

The capital moved back to Moscow after the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the city once again reemerged as the political center of the Soviet Union. The Soviet period was marked by some drastic changes in the architecture of Moscow. Many of the old buildings were mercilessly destroyed to clear space for “new Moscow” manifested in the arrival of Metro in the 1930s, broad avenues, such as Tverskaya (Gorky), and other projects.

Today's Moscow is an “alpha” world megacity and one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world. Red Square with Saint Basil's and Kazan Cathedral are undoubtedly must-see attractions and a natural place to start your visit. You wouldn't want to miss the Moscow Kremlin with its UNESCO-listed museums either. Under the ground, Moscow metro stations are outstanding examples of the Soviet period constructions and are well worth the time to explore just as well. If you intend to acquaint yourself with these and other notable attractions in Moscow at your own pace, take this self-guided walk.