Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia, its political, economic, commercial and cultural centre. It was founded 8 centuries ago by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Historians have accepted the year of 1147 as the start of Moscow’s history. Gradually the city became more and more powerful. In the 13th century Moscow was the centre of the struggle of Russian lands for the liberation from the tartar yoke. In the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible Moscow became the capital of the new united state. Though Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg in 1712, Moscow remained the heart of Russia. That is why it became the main target of Napoleon’s attack. The most territory of the city was destroyed by the great fire, but by the mid-19th century Moscow had been completely restored. And after the Revolution Moscow became the capital again. Now Moscow is one of the largest cities in Europe. Its total area is about 9 hundred square kilometers. The population of the city is over 8 million. Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The heart of Moscow is Red Square. It has more historical association than any other place in Moscow. There are a lot of beautiful places, old mansions, cathedrals, churches and monuments in Moscow. Now Moscow is being reconstructed and we all hope that in few years the city will become even more beautiful. There are more than 80 museums in Moscow. The largest museums are the Pushkin Museum of the Fine Arts and the State Tretyakov Gallery. Other unique museums in Moscow include the All-Russia museum of Folk Arts, the Andrey Rublev Museum of early Russian Art and many others. Moscow is famous for its theatres. The best-known of them in The Bolshoi Opera House. Drama theatres and studios are very popular. Moscow is a city of students. There are over 80 higher educational institutions in it, including several universities. Moscow is the seat of the Russian Parliament and the centre of political life of the country.