Moskva

The Red Square

No communist country is complete without a Red Square however Moscow's Red Square pre dates the Soviet era by a few hundred years. The square was originally named 'krasnaya' square. A word which translates to both red and beautiful. Having been originally named 'Beautiful Square' it is believed that that translation was lost sometime during the 17th Century.

The Red Square sits next to the Kremlin walls and contains a small church, the state museum, St Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's mausoleum and a department store housing many of the world's most known designers. Surprisingly this store, 'Rym' (pronounced gum), continued business during the Soviet era and now, in what I found to be very comedic, the entrance sits directly across the square from Lenin. 

St Basil's Cathedral

Probably the most iconic building in Russia this church was beautiful and a marvel to look at. Interestingly inside there is not one main chamber with many little alters of to the sides like most Christian churches but many smaller chapels. Inside is almost a labyrinth of chapels on multiple levels each decorated differently. In one of the larger chapels we were lucky enough to hear a group of men sing a Russian hymn.

The Kremlin

Putin's helipad in the distance

St Isaacs' Cathedral

The Abbey where Peter the Great sent his not so beloved wife.

Souvenir Hall

Truth be told I have no idea behind the history or purpose of this building. What I do know is is that it was situated next to our hotel, it contained a church, a vodka museum and a place to get married and behind were souvenir and flea markets. Confusing purpose and history aside it was a very cool and extremely Russian building.

This was the view from our hotel room I'm not entirely sure in what direction but I don't think it was looking towards the centre. Moscow is a huge city with an official population of 11.5 million people and an unofficial population of anything upwards of 17 million. According to some it is entirely possible that Moscow and Australia could hold the same number of people.

Fun fact: my hotel complex was built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

A blurred photo of the red stars atop the Kremlin wall at night.