Moscow is a capital city, a city that never sleeps, and a city that, of course, has a huge historical heritage. It was built up over the centuries, literally rose from the ashes, and today pleases us with its architectural diversity, which includes both the oldest monuments of Moscow and the most modern buildings. Today in our rating we will consider exactly the first, that is, those buildings that date back to distant centuries. Often they are lost in the abyss of modern skyscrapers, but still we were able to find them and bring them to your attention.
Position one - the Kremlin
Everyone who comes to our capital for the first time starts his tour from the very center of the city, from its heart, that is, from the Kremlin. It is here, no matter how trite, that the ancient monuments of Moscow are located, which are a symbol of the whole country, an important cultural and architectural heritage and pride. Mostly these are churches that were built in the period from the 14th to the 17th centuries. For example, the Archangel Cathedral, which can now besee on the territory of the Kremlin, was built in the 16th century. It is believed that earlier on this place there was a temple of the same name, which was erected in 1247. After the Time of Troubles, it was destroyed and later rebuilt. It is followed by the Assumption Cathedral - the main Patriarchal Church of the country, which was built in 1479. As a rule, when examining the ancient monuments of Moscow, we can see only renewed buildings, but the Assumption Cathedral is the only church that has survived to this day in its original form from the moment it was founded. The Kremlin also has the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which during the reign of Boris Godunov was considered the tallest building in Russia (81 meters). The foundry art of our state is captured in the Tsar Bell, which was made in the 18th century. There are several more churches and palaces in the Kremlin, which are now the residence of the President of the Russian Federation, and the whole ensemble is completed by the Spasskaya Tower with Chimes, which begins its history back in 1491.
Second position - Red Square
Having partially finished with the sacred heritage of the city, we begin to consider the secular ancient monuments of Moscow. Photos of most of them are often presented on postcards, leaflets and flyers, and almost every citizen of the world knows the names of these buildings. In the first place, we will single out St. Basil's Cathedral, which in ancient times was called Jerusalem. Today it is the brightest and most extraordinary church in the capital. It is followed by the Resurrection Gate. Previously, they were part of the defensivefortresses of the city, today they serve as the main entrance to Kitay-gorod. In 1625, the Kazan Cathedral was built on Red Square, which now houses one of the most famous icons in the world - the Kazan Mother of God. Well, you can not lose sight of the main shopping center in Moscow - GUM. Its construction was planned during the reign of Catherine II, but the building, which was built under her leadership, caught fire. It was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century, and since then GUM has been the place where the most expensive goods in the country are sold.
Third position - buildings of special importance
Some of Moscow's oldest monuments are not as famous as, say, the Kremlin or other central ones. However, these buildings are masterpieces of architecture, which are protected not only by representatives of our government, but also by UNESCO. Among them, the main place is occupied by the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye (Southern Administrative District), which was built in 1532. It is generally accepted that this is the first stone hipped temple in Russia, which, by the way, is considered the place of baptism of Vasily the Third. Another description of a monument in Moscow, which is probably known to everyone, always begins with the words "on the Maiden's Field, in the bend of the Moscow River …" - of course, we are talking about the Novodevichy Monastery, which is now located near the Luzhniki Stadium.
Fourth position - Arbat
It is believed that the most extraordinary, beautiful and truly Russian monuments in Moscow were built within18th century in the current municipal association Arbat. It includes the most important streets of the city - the pedestrian Arbat, the Garden Ring, Novy Arbat and Vozdvizhenka. Of course, in the vastness of this one of the oldest parts of the city, skyscrapers now rise, which were built both in Soviet times and today. However, ancient buildings continue to delight the eye among them. Here is the Melnikov House - a beautiful architectural structure. There are also two house-museums - the apartment of Pushkin and Andrei Bely. Not far from them, there are two ancient churches - the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on the Sands.
Fifth position – Zamoskvorechye
The district of Moscow, which began to be built up during the offensive against Russia of the Golden Horde, was located on the opposite bank of the Moscow River from the Kremlin. It was then called the District and was famous for its swampy terrain, which, however, was part of the Horde's direct route to the north. Today, the oldest monuments of Moscow, which were rebuilt in that era, are located precisely in Zamoskvorechye, and they stand on the streets of Pyatnitskaya, Novokuznetskaya and Bolshaya Ordynka. Among a number of noble houses, estates and museums, we will single out the most important building - the Church of John the Baptist, which was founded here in 1200. According to its parameters, it is not great, but it is definitely worth visiting, because the temple is fraught with not only the sacred spirit, but also the history of our people.
Number six in the ranking is Pokrovka
If you want to take a closer look at the monuments of the city of Moscow of the eramodern, then go to another pedestrian street - Pokrovka. Walking along it, you can stop near each house and enjoy its unique beauty and originality. Rachmaninov's house is considered to be an example of the aforementioned style. Not far from it is the Apraksinsky Palace and the Temple of the Trinity on Gryazeh. Most of the buildings that are located here in the past centuries were hotels, tenement houses or acting estates of princes and barons of noble families. All of them were built by order of European architects, therefore, such qualities as gloss, charm, beauty, charm and, of course, architectural uniqueness, are not lacking.
Kuznetsky Most Street - seventh place in the ranking
One of the oldest streets, where the oldest monuments of Moscow, houses and museums are located, is Kuznetsky Most. It was designed back in the 15th century, and immediately the area, due to its prominent geographical position, acquired the status of a profitable trade route. In the period from the 18th to the 20th centuries, profitable houses, estates, as well as buildings intended for trading in the most expensive and luxurious things and household items were built on its territories. People came here to shop from all over Russia, including from St. Petersburg. Years passed, and under Soviet rule, shops began to open here, which also offered their visitors the most expensive goods. It is easy to guess that today Kuznetsky Most is a place of accumulation of expensive boutiques, jewelry departments and other branded stores.
Eighth position - Andronikov Monastery
Literally a hundred years ago, the most ancient monuments of Moscow, which could be called religious, were located outside the city. Today, the capital is growing inexorably, and already within its borders, on the left bank of the Yauza River, the Andronikov Monastery flaunts from the 14th century, which was previously a refuge for all renounced men. This sacred building has a very interesting history. Over the centuries, literally new walls and premises were completed to it. Gradually, the area where he was located began to be built up with new chapels, temples, and as a result, a very diverse architectural complex was obtained, which everyone can now admire.
Ranked number nine - Triumphal Gate
Above, we examined the oldest monuments of Moscow, which date back to the 13th-17th centuries. Now let's move on to more modern monuments, among which the Triumphal Gate on Victory Square (Kutuzovsky Prospekt) definitely stands out. This arch was erected in the first half of the 19th century in honor of the victory over the French army of Napoleon in 1812. With the advent of the Soviet regime, much has changed in the country, and the gates were dismantled. Soon they were renewed, and in the 60s of the last century, the arch again began to show off in the central part of Moscow, reminding us of the history of our ancestors.
Tenth place - the wonders of modern architects
Unusual sights of Moscow, which were built in our time, to see in the same waycurious, as are the ancient churches and monasteries. Among the masterpieces of architects of our time, it is impossible to lose sight of the Picturesque Bridge in Serebryany Bor, which passes through Marshal Zhukov Avenue and crosses the Moscow River. This place is famous for its grandiose metal arch, at the highest point of which there is an observation deck. It is worth noting that many designers planned to organize restaurants, bars, cafes there, but all proposals were rejected, because it is very difficult to install sewers at such a great height. Subsequently, it was decided to open another registry office on the observation deck.
