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Theodore Duncan (Bob) Preece was born in Sydney’s seaside suburb of Manly on the 6 May 1923. During the Second World War Bob Preece served in the Merchant Navy as a Radio Telegraph operator on board a vessel supplying Australian and American troops stationed in the South Pacific Islands. After the war Bob rented a small garage in Rolfe Street Manly and established his own business, making telegraph keys. In 1952 Preece and Moir Engineering C o had been formed, making a range of tools for the automotive industry as well as hobby lathes. The partnership was dissolved with TD Preece & C o being registered as a company during 1954, with a move being made to newly purchased premises at 256 Condamine Street Manly Vale in 1955. Using the brand name PREECO, the company produced a large range of precision tools for the automotive rebuilding industry, which included tension wrenches, valve lifters, timing gear, harmonic balancers and steering wheel pullers, king pin reamers and windscreen removing fitting tools. During 1957 the Glenn range of automotive spare parts was introduced. The company also produced evaporative coolers, 5BX exercise equipment, industrial fans, and stainless-steel oars. Bob Preece had been introduced to diving by a friend and on 1 October 1958 opened the Manly Scuba Service at his Condamine Street premises. A range of diving equipment was offered for sale as well as Scuba instruction, then in 1959 he was awarded the contract to clean, maintain and look after the Australian Navy’s compressed air breathing apparatus. Later on, the Navy’s equipment servicing contract was given to Phillips Diving Services who continued servicing the navy’s equipment until they shut down in 1992. In 1959, under the brand name of Sea Hornet the company made its first item of diving equipment, a two-piece hand spear made from brass tubing. In 1960 the Sea Hornet CO2 speargun went into production. First produced with aluminium fittings, in 1963 it was changed to all brass construction.

January of 1961 T.D. Preece announced their all new, all-Australian Sea Hornet aqualung with the following features - Amazing ease of breathing, long, high pressure hose ensuring unencumbered movement, simplicity of design, ease of maintenance, rugged construction, corrosion resistant finishes and materials, quick release safety belt, and zinc sprayed cylinders. The Sea Hornet demand valve was based on the design used in the earlier Dawson FloMatic Scuba with the high-pressure reducer utilising a diaphragm design. A large quantity of ex WW2 26 cu. ft. nitrogen cylinders had been obtained and these had the protective wire binding removed and given a coating of zinc. These cylinders were fitted with a valve of more compact design than the medical oxygen valves that were in widespread use at that time.

In March 1961 ex-navy diver Wally Reynolds, while using Sea Hornet scuba accomplished a dive to 327 feet, about 12 miles east of Newport. In 1962 the company announced a lung changeover plan, exchanging full bottles for empty bottles. Believing that he could make a better speargun than any currently on the market Bob turned his attention to the design and manufacture of spearguns. In January of 1966, his first rubber Powered Speargun was introduced to the market. It was made from Tasmanian Oak and bronze coloured polypropylene fittings with a stainless-steel trigger mechanism cartridge. This speargun was later to be known as the Sportsman. In September, a tubular stainless steel speargun was introduced with black polypropylene fittings. This was later to be known as the Pacific. A succession of different models followed with the Tourist being next, using a tubular aluminium barrel and then the Premier, Recruit, Lazer, Magnum, Competition, Sea wolf and others. All were available with a range of barrel lengths and in deluxe versions. After twelve years of concentration on the development and marketing of its speargun range, Sea Hornet re-entered the Scuba business in 1978 when it became the exclusive Australian distributor for the Sportsways Waterlung range of products. Sportsways was founded in the USA in 1958 by Frenchman Sam Lecocq, who designed and manufactured a single hose two stage regulator he named the Waterlung. In following years, the company’s range was extended to include tank valves, depth and pressure gauges, buoyancy control vests and basic equipment.

Then Peter Katz commenced working at Sea Hornet. Born in Czechoslovakia, Peter had begun diving with a gasmask, welding gas regulator and a few small cylinders of air during 1956, later progressing to making twin hose regulators. In 1962 Peter began working at the Research Institute of Engineering Studies at the Prague Technical University, where it was possible to continue to develop regulators in his free time. In 1969 the Sportlimex company was established making a prototype of a single hose regulator named the Tajfun. As it did not perform as expected Peter was approached to remedy its performance and was offered a position in its R&D department, which Peter accepted in 1970. During its production run some 30,000 Tajfun regulators were made. In 1972 Sportlimex merged with Aquacentrum where Peter designed their Tornado high performance single hose regulator. In 1979 Peter, with his wife Hana, escaped communist rule in Czechoslovakia to West Germany. He arrived in Australia in 1980, and two weeks later was working at Sea Hornet. When Peter commenced at Sea Hornet the company was servicing its imported Sportsways regulators, but had no means of testing their performance. Peter designed and constructed a test panel to measure air flow and breathing performance. As T.D. Preece had no design office Peter left after eight months to work for PM Anderson Industries, but continued to work for T. D. Preece on a contract basis. The first Sea Hornet regulator for twenty years, the Sea Hornet Mk1, was introduced to the market in 1981. The Mk1 first stage was designed by Peter Katz, with the second stage being a slightly modified Waterlung unit. In partnership with Hana, Peter began assembling and testing all Sea Hornet regulators from his home. This was in 1985. In 1988 the factory was modernised and extended with a frontage in Kenneth Road. With a design office now created within the complex, Peter began full time work with the company as Chief Engineer and was responsible for the design of all their breathing equipment until his retirement in 2003. Early in 1987 the diving community was shocked to learn of the passing of Bob Preece. Bob had contacted a staph infection while in hospital and died on the 2 February 1987.

T.D. Preece & Co Pty Ltd continued to be managed by his wife Pam Preece (now deceased) and his three children, Kim, Glenn and Anne. The range of products became extensive in scuba, including the manufacture of high-pressure cylinder valves for various gases, and the distribution of aluminium and steel scuba cylinders. It also included the manufacture and supply of military scuba diving equipment for the Australia’s defence forces, and a range of centrifugal blowers for the air-conditioning industry. Kim left TDP in early 1991 and joined Uwatec AG in 1992, a Swiss dive instrument manufacturer. Glenn continued managing T.D Preece & Co Pty Ltd until early 2009 when he then purchased the company. The company eventually ran into financial difficulties and for a while was in receivership during 2009.  Financial problems continued with the company premises subsequently sold to recover debts. T D Preece & C O Pty Ltd was deregistered in September 2018. Today the company and its assets, tooling and plant still belong to Glenn Preece.

Author's note - A large and diverse range of Spearfishing and scuba diving equipment was supplied under the Sea Hornet brand and it has not been possible to cover their full range of products in this review. Mel Brown

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SEA HORNET Screw bridle Speargun Rubber - Blue 3"6 (45cm) is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.

SEA HORNET Style No tools required to fit, simply unscrew the bridle and slide through your guns muzzle

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AB BILLER Teak Speargun

$ 289.00 – $ 689.00

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Shown with optional Reel. The A.B. Biller Sea Hornet, built in the U.S.A. and in use all over the world, has proven itself as the foremost production speargun on today’s market. The stainless steel trigger mechanism is unsurpassed in reliability and smooth action. The high-grade grooved mahogany, teak, or padauk barrel provides pinpoint accuracy, and easy underwater maneuverability due to its neutral buoyancy and absorbs 80% of the firing noise the gun will create.

• Hardened Stainless Spring steel Tip, with double barb, swivel, and safety cap.
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• Redesigned, patented safety allows for easy, one-handed operation featuring silent lock and unlock. Adapts for both right and left-handed positions.
• Improved, patented trigger mechanism manufactured from hardened stainless spring steel and housed in a Nylon cartridge provides smooth and reliable trigger action.
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“EVOLUTION” Spear shaft for AB Biller, Ocean Rhino, Sea Hornet, Spearfishing Specialties guns

Do you shoot an Ocean Rhino, Biller, or Sea Hornet speargun?

If so, then you absolutely need to have the revolutionary new shaft called the “Evolution”. The Evolution is being called a “total game changer” by many industry leaders.

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*Freeshaft to Lineshaft or Lineshaft to Freeshaft instantly! * No increase in Hydrodynamic resistance due to slide rings, bushings or cones  * Shaft pairs with our exclusive "Evolution slide ring" (sold separately). * No increase in hydrodynamic resistance over a normal 5/16" shaft. * Can be rear-loaded into muzzle since there is no additional hardware on shaft  * Shaft tips are threaded point

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• Vintage Diving & Equipment

Refinish Vintage Sea Hornet Gun

• Thread starter pgoodgreg
• Start date May 2, 2011

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• May 2, 2011

I have AB Biller Sea Hornet Speargun and believe it is a 40"(35" of wood between trigger housing and Muzzle) I believe the wood is teak but was varnished because it shows when taken apart. The trigger has TD Preece & Co on it besides Sea Hornet. I want to refinish this gun to then sale. What is the best way to go about it?  

james croft

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I've taken my teak gun apart and lightly rubbed it down with very fine grade steel wool. I refinished mine with teak oil. I have some old sea hornet guns but never thought of even my older gun as vintage. I see some spearguns sell for a lot when posted on ebay. Some sell for a lot more than they are worth. The gun you have has a pretty good resale value.  

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AB Biller Spearguns

The speargun of choice for the serious hunter, a.b. biller mahogany.

The A.B. Biller Speargun, built in the U.S.A. and in use all over the world, has proven itself as the foremost production speargun on today’s market. The stainless steel trigger mechanism is unsurpassed in reliability and smooth action. The high grade grooved mahogany, teak or padauk barrel provides pinpoint accuracy, easy underwater maneuverability due to its neutral buoyancy and absorbs 80% of the firing noise the gun will create.

A.B. Biller Teak

A.b. biller padauk, a.b. biller ltd.

The A.B. Biller LTD is handcrafted from selected Mahogany, Padauk or Teak woods with the trigger mechanism and safety fitted directly into the gun barrel. It is extremely difficult to obtain large quantities of truly straight barrels in these precious woods and therefore makes this speargun the limited edition it is named for. The A.B Biller LTD is available in 4 sizes and three different woods Mahogany (M), Padauk (P) and Teak (T).

A.B. Biller Floridian

The Floridian is a result of the partnership we maintain with our patrons, their experience, knowledge and their love for the sport of underwater hunting. Designed with the ever growing open water and deep water hunters in mind, we are introducing the “Floridian” and claim that it is the longest shooting, powerful, accurate, easy to use and most affordable speargun on the market today.

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In the making of A.B. Biller tubular spearguns, specially manufactured, sandblasted 1″ diameter stainless steel is used exclusively. A unique sealplug prevents water seepage into the gun barrel and is guaranteed to withstand pressure to a 200′ depth. One to three Nylon guide rings (depending on the length of the speargun) assures accurate and quiet projection of the shaft when released.

The stainless steel speargun is available with the same standard features as its wooden counterpart, including hardened stainless spring steel shaft; hardened stainless spring steel double barb, rockpoint, swivel tip; two 9/16″ gun bands; and the redesigned grip and trigger mechanism, with a safety that can be installed to accommodate both right- and left-handed divers.

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• Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. 

So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port.  I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit.    So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide?   If a private guide, who and would you recommend them?  Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?  

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete.  Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info.  Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.  

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow.  And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks!   I will check.  We are in Moscow May 16.  I know May 9 is a holiday. 

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred. 

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer! 

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel.   This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!! 

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg. 

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit.  😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  You are right...we just want a taste of both cities.  In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste.  We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.  

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train.   Come back the same way.   From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.  

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). 

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).    Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?  

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too.  A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160.  I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa.  We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that. 

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow.  I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2.   Seriously considered them.   I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.  

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248   (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500. 

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30 

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs. 

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30). 

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50. 

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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90+ Moscow tourist attractions: what to see in Moscow, Russia

A huge list of the best Moscow tourist attractions.

Before the pandemic I used to visit Moscow every year. I would usually go there for a week, and I would still find new places to visit and things to do. Many people don’t realise how huge Moscow is and how many tourist attractions are there. Unfortunately, not all of these fantastic places are maintained, some are abandoned and can be enjoyed from outside only. Still, Moscow has attractions to satisfy the taste and requirements of any tourist and here I have a huge list of more than 90 places.

But let’s start with one of the most famous Moscow landmarks: the Kremlin!

NB : the post is very long, so just go to the table of contents and click on the section that interests you.

The Kremlin and its surroundings

The Kremlin should be in every list of Moscow tourist attractions 😊 You can easily spend a day exploring it and the surroundings.

1. The Kremlin : here you should definitely visit the Cathedral Square with its ensemble of old churches. Their interior is truly amazing with painted icons and graves of famous Russian rulers (in the Archangel Cathedral) – as Ivan the Terrible, for example. You can climb Ivan the Great Bell Tower to see the square from above. Then there is the Armoury Chamber with its huge collection of royal regalia and gifts and everyday objects and the Diamond fund with, well, diamonds and other jewelry.

2. The Mausoleum . Frankly, despite visiting Moscow so many times, I have never been to the Mausoleum. Somehow, the thought of seeing Lenin doesn’t seem appealing to me, but, maybe, you want it. The entrance is free, at least.

3. The Red Square is the first place where every tourist goes. It is the center, the heart of Moscow and many tourist attractions are located there.

4. GUM is a huge shopping center on the Red Square. It is quite expensive, so not so many people go there for shopping. Still, it is a fancy place. In addition, there is a huge supermarket there and the famous canteen Stolovaya 57, so go there for a quick lunch.

5. Kilometer Zero of Moscow is at the Resurrection (Voskresensky) Gates at the Red Square. It symbolises the beginning of all roads in Russia. It is a square with a circle in the center: the edges have depictions of animals.

6. Aleksandrovsky Garden is at the Kremlin walls. It has amazing flower beds, fountains with fairytale sculptures, and there are lots of benches to rest your feet. The garden is famous for the monuments of the wars in 1812 and 1941-1945. And the eternal flame is here.

7. St Basil’s Cathedral is the most famous one in Moscow. Its colourful onion domes are easily noticed from afar. Ivan the Terrible ordered its construction to commemorate the capture of two cities, Kazan and Astrakhan. Now it is a symbol of Russia alongside other notable monuments.

8. Kazan Cathedral is another church on the Red Square. It’s not as lavishly decorated as St Basil’s, but it is a functioning church, so everyone can go inside. It’s not the original church, but a reconstruction: the original one was destroyed by Stalin’s order.

9. Change of guards happens every hour at the eternal flame in Aleksandrovsky Garden. It is quite a show with soldiers marching and music playing and many tourists gather at the spot to see it.

10. Monument to Vladimir the Great is a recent addition to the list of tourist attractions of Moscow: it was mounted in 2016. Vladimir the Great is one of the greatest rulers of Kievan Rus. The monument is 17,5 meters high and is located close to the Kremlin.

Parks and gardens

11. Zaryadye is not far from the Kremlin on the historical Varvarka Street. In addition to being a park, its floating bridge offers spectacular views of the Kremlin, the Moskva River, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and one of Stalin’s skyscrapers.

12. Gorky Park : shadowy alleys with benches to rest, fountains with music, a roller-skating rink, a pond with boats: Gorky park has everything! You can rent bicycles, skateboards, rollers, boats, and have some fun!

13. Sokolniki Park is huge and has numerous activities on offer like skateboarding, roller-skating, bicycles, ping-pong tables, a swimming pool, etc. Sometimes concerts and performances are held there.

14. Museon is next to Gorky Park and is famous for its weird sculptures and statues of Soviet rulers.

15. Aptekarsky Ogorod or the Apothecary Garden is the most famous garden in Moscow. It was founded by Peter the Great as a place to grow medicinal herbs, but expanded its collection of plants greatly.

16. Ermitazh Garden is one of the most beloved in Moscow. It was opened in 1894 and offered open-air concerts. Today performances and art exhibitions are held in the park. There are a couple of theaters in the territory and classes for kids.

17. Yekaterininsky Park is a monument to garden art. It has amazing flower beds and a huge pond with boats for rent. There are designated places for doing sports and a covered stage for live performances.

18. Patriarch’s Ponds are surrounded by trees today, but about 300 years ago it was a marshy place. At the end of the 17th century these marshes were dried and three ponds were dug. Later two of the ponds were filled up and trees were planted around the remaining one. The ponds became famous because namely here Mikhail Bulgakov’s masterpiece ‘The Master and Margarita’ starts.

19. Ostankino Park is now a part of VDNKh. It is huge and has plenty of facilities like bicycle tracks, paths for horse riding, open-air gyms, and the biggest open-air skatepark in Europe. Naturally, locals love it and it’s always full of people.

20. Clean Ponds : in the 17th century the place was called ‘Filthy marshes’ or ‘pagan marshes’ (depends on the interpretation). Later it was cleaned and nowadays it is a long pond which turns into a skate-rink in winter. Quite often artists put their paintings alongside the pond for passers-by to see. And there is an amazing song by famous I. Talkov about the place.

Did you know that there are more than 400 museums in Moscow? Of course, you can’t visit them all, so here I have a list of the most well-known and beloved ones in the city.

21. Tretyakov Gallery has several buildings, one of them dedicated to the 20th century art of Russia and the Soviet Union, and the other one to the Russian art at much earlier period till the 19th century. The latter one exhibits Vasnetsov’s, Shiskin’s, Serov’s, Ayvazovsky’s masterpieces. The vaults of the museum house a huge collection of old icons, the majority from the 14th century.

22. State Historical Museum : the dark red building of the museum on the Red Square is hard to miss. It houses huge collections of gold artifacts, manuscripts, jewelry, ceramics, old books, religious paintings, historical costumes, etc. Its coin collection has more than 1,7 million units!

23. Just like Tretyakov Gallery, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is the right place for art lovers. There are about 700,000 exhibits in the museum collection, including masterpieces of Matisse, Renoir, Picasso, Degas, Rubens, etc. It includes a huge collection of sculptures and archeological objects.

24. The Archaeological Museum of Moscow is an underground museum and is dedicated to the archeological diggings in the city. There are about 2,000 exhibits from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic ages.

25. Moscow Museum of Modern Art . It is the project of the famous Zurab Tsereteli and his private collection is the core of the museum. There are numerous paintings and sculptures by the artists of the 20th century, including those of Picasso, Dali and Miro.

26. State Darwin Museum . This huge museum houses a collection of 400,000 exhibits, mostly stuffed animals. From what I have seen kids enjoy it immensely.

27. The Orlov Museum of Paleontology : as the name suggests, it houses everything related to paleontology. There are more than 5,000 exhibits from the Precambrian, Palaeozoic, Mezozoic and Caenozoic ages: ammonites, reptiles, skeletons of dinosaurs, etc.

28. The Museum of Cosmonautics is not far from the VDNKh and its collection includes technical devices, documents, personal belongings of cosmonauts, pictures, paintings, stamps, coins, etc.

29. The State Museum of Oriental Art was founded in 1918 to preserve the cultural heritage of the Eastern republics of the Soviet Union. Now it houses huge collections of Japanese, Korean, Arabian, Indian art in addition to those of the Soviet republics. In 2017 the famous Russian painter Nicholas Roerich’s collection was handed over to the museum.

30. Bulgakov Museum : the museum is dedicated to the famous writer Mikhail Bulgakov, the author of ‘The Master and Margarita’. It includes about 3,000 exhibits: letters, documents, pictures, furniture and personal belongings.

31. Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines : do you want to play an old Soviet arcade game? Just go to this museum! At the entrance you buy coins/tokens that you can use to play on any machine inside the museum.

32. Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Hill is dedicated to soldiers who fought and fell during the war of 1941-1945. It has several thematic halls, panoramas and a memory book.

33. Military exhibition on Poklonnaya Hill : this is another museum on Poklonnaya Hill and has a huge collection of military equipment, including tanks, planes, artillery, etc.

34. Museum-panorama “Battle of Borodino” : this museum is dedicated to one of the most famous battles of 1812 during the war between the Russian Empire and France. It is interesting that both sides claimed later that they won this battle.

Other places

35. Varvarka Street : there are some magnificent churches on the street and some historical buildings like the Old English Court, the oldest office of another country in Moscow, and the Chambers of the Romanov Boyars exhibiting the residential and household interior of the 16th-17th centuries.

36. VDNKh or the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy or All-Russian Exhibition Center is one of the most popular places in Moscow. It was built in the 1930-ies to showcase the achievements of the Soviet Union in the field of agriculture. Every building has its own style and was to either represent a Soviet republic or house a specific collection. The highlight is the fountains with famous sculptures like the Friendship of Peoples and the Stone Flower on the central alley. And, I guess, everyone is excited to see the replica of the famous Vostok rocket.

37. Moscow Planetarium is the oldest one in Russia. It houses multiple exhibits and replicas, but my favorite parts are the hall with a huge dome for watching movies and the exhibits on the roof.

38. Poklonnaya Hill : its name can be translated as bow-down hill and the monuments and park on it are dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). Wait here until it gets dark: the fountains and columns get illuminated with red color, which is a magnificent sight.

39. Monument to Peter I on the Moskva River designed by the famous Zurab Tsereteli is 98 meters high. It is quite noticeable, but while it looks imposing, not everyone likes it. They even wanted to dismantle it and move it to another place, but it proved to be too expensive. By the way, this monument was in the top 10 of the ugliest ones in the world according to Virtual Tourist platform.

40. Krutitskoye Podvorye . This is the place where the spirit of olden times still lives: the buildings are old, it is quiet and cosy here. This courtyard belonged to Krutitsky Metropolitans, and a couple of churches from the 17th century are preserved along with palaces and houses.

41. Izmaylovsky Kremlin . You just have to see the colorful buildings, which replicate terems, houses in the traditional Russian architectural style. The Kremlin is packed with museums, there are several places to eat, so you won’t starve there. The biggest part of the Kremlin is a flea market with dozens of stalls with souvenirs, matreshkas, coins, boxes with traditional ornaments, furs, paintings, clocks, amber, shawls, clothes, books, icons, Soviet times items.

42. Stalin’s Bunker in Izmaylovo was built in the 1930-ies. There is a 17 kilometer long underground road that leads from the bunker to the center of Moscow. There is another bunker in Taganka.

43. Bolshoi Theater is one of the most well-known opera and ballet theaters in the world. It’s located not far from the Red Square, so just take some time to see it. If you are lucky to get tickets, lucky, because you should buy them long in advance, then you will see some of the best performances.

44. Metro tour . Moscow metro is one of the most beautiful in the world, it’s a fact. You can see everything here: stucco, paintings, sculptures, chandeliers, gilded walls, vibrant colours… some stations are true masterpieces! Pay a visit to Mayakovskaya, Kievskaya, Novoperedelkino, Komsomolskaya, Rasskazovka, Elektrozavodskaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square), Novoslobodskaya, Novokuznetskaya, Arbatskaya, etc.

45. Trubnaya Square/Tsvetnoy Boulevard is a magnificent place! Just make sure you go there in summer when everything is green and flowers are blooming. The boulevard is famous for Nikulin’s Circus. I have not been to the circus, so I like the boulevard for its park with circus-related sculptures and arches with blooming flowers and the views from the nearby Trubnaya square.

46. Strastnoy Boulevard is one of the most important streets in Moscow. It is a nice area with an alley and monuments. And there are many notable buildings along the boulevard.

47. Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow: it starts at Smolenskaya metro station and runs almost till the Red Square. Arbat is full of fancy buildings and restaurants.

48. Alley of the rulers of Russia  is a place to see all the rulers at once. It is a small exhibition of busts hidden from the eyes of tourists. When I was there, I saw only three other people around. This is the place to see Ivan the Terrible, Alexander Nevsky, emperors from the Romanov family, Lenin and Yeltsin.

49. Triumphal Arch at Poklonnaya Hill was erected in the 1830-ies to commemorate the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812.

50. Moscow Mosque . The first mosque was built in 1904, but in 2011 it was demolished to erect a new one. Now it is a huge building with vibrant colors and minarets of different sizes. By the way, they used 12 kilograms of leaf-gold to decorate the dome and minarets.

51. In Russia there were many merchant courts ( gostinyy dvor in Russian), where people used to sell their goods. The one in Moscow was built in the 17th century, but it suffered a lot during the years, especially during the siege of Moscow in 1812. Now the building doesn’t house shops anymore, it is used for exhibitions.

52. Eliseyevskiy Supermarket isn’t a simple supermarket, it’s an experience. The interior is amazing, with intricate decoration, columns, chandeliers. Some people visit it like a museum. There are rumours that they want to close the supermarket, because it’s unclear who the actual building belongs to.

53. The teahouse on Myasnitskaya Street is a special building as well. It is easily recognisable thanks to the pseudo-Chinese decorative elements on its facade. At the beginning of the 20th century it was a tea shop and had apartments for rent. Now the first floor is a shop and they still sell tea there.

54. Bogdan Khmelnitsky (Kievsky) Pedestrian Bridge : this pedestrian glass-covered bridge offers stunning views of Moscow. And, naturally, it is more beautiful at night, when the lights are on.

55. Zhivopisny Bridge : this bridge is famous for its bright red arch, which is very photogenic at night.

Panoramic decks

56. Sparrow Hills : this panoramic deck is right in front of the Moscow State University building. From here visitors can see the famous Luzhniki Stadium, Stalin’s skyscrapers, Moscow-City, etc. Getting there requires a bit of effort: first you have to get to Vorobyovy Gory metro station which is under the bridge and then follow a path up the hill. Frankly, it is better to follow the crowd after exiting the station.

57. Deck at the Academy of Sciences is closer to the city center and offers views of Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow-City, the Kremlin, the statue to Peter I, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Frankly, this view is much better than the one from Sparrow Hills. Getting here is easier: just get to Leninsky Prospect metro station and follow a straight road to the deck.

58. Moscow City is a group of skyscrapers at the riverfront. Every skyscraper is built in its own fashion and has a name. Many of them are higher than 330 meters! The highest one is Vostok Federation Tower: it is 374 meters high! The 360 panoramic deck in the above-mentioned Federation Tower offers stunning views of Moscow.

59. Ostankino Tower : this place offers the farthest view of Moscow and it is not a wonder: the panoramic deck is at about 330 meters height. Personally, I prefer the other three decks, as this one is quite far from the city center.

Estates and mansions

As you probably know, Peter the Great moved the capital from Moscow to St Petersburg in 1712, so, naturally, many noble families built estates in the new capital, and the royals erected palaces there. Still, there are some in Moscow, and you should definitely see them.

NB: I have another post on some of the residences below with more information: click here to read it.

60. Kolomenskoye : before Peter I moved the capital from Moscow to St Petersburg, Kolomenskoye was the main royal residence. Michael I Romanov loved the place, but it was his son Alexis I the Quietest who built a magnificent wooden palace. While almost all the buildings in the area were erected in the 16th-18th centuries, the wooden palace is not the original one: Catherine the Great ordered its demolition to build another palace. The one visitors see now is an exact modern replica built between 2008-2010. However, the majority of the objects inside the palace are authentic.

61. Izmaylovo under the Romanovs started as a farm and a production unit and included glass and brick plants, bee garden, linen manufacture, livestock, etc. In addition, they built churches, towers and a wooden palace. According to some historians Peter the Great was born in Izmaylovo. Anna of Russia opened a zoo there, the biggest one in the empire, and tigers and lions lived there. During the reign of Catherine the Great many buildings were demolished, and many years after that Nicholas I ordered to build an asylum for the military. Some of the gates, churches and the asylum can still be seen today. Izmaylovo estate is close to the Izmaylovsky Kremlin I mentioned above.

62. Tsarytsyno is strongly associated with Catherine the Great. Though St Petersburg was the capital of the country during her reign, Catherine the Great bought Black Mud manor, renamed it into Tsaritsyno (tsaritsa is czarina is Russian) and ordered the construction of a huge complex. She died before the construction finished, and her son wasn’t interested in the project.

63. Liublino is located quite far from the center of Moscow. In 1800 a rich merchant Nikolay Durasov bought the place and built a palace in the form of a cross. It is luxurious, with exquisite furniture, silky drapes, columns, but what makes it special is its decoration. Nicholas Durasov adored theater so he decorated his home with scenes from ancient mythology. Just lift your head up, look at the ceilings and walls and you will see the muses, Apollo, Cupid, Gratiae…

64. Kuskovo Manor was a summer residence of the Sheremetev family, one of the wealthiest in the Russian Empire. There are many buildings in the complex, including the palace itself, kitchens, the Dutch house, the Grotto with naval decorative elements, the Italian house with some exhibits and the Great Stone Orangery. The main palace is built right in front of a pond. The decoration is rich, with tapestries, colorful fabric wallpaper, chandeliers, furniture. One of the most beautiful parts of the palace is the Mirror Hall.

65. Vorontsovo estate belonged to many people, including Ivan the Terrible. The place was first mentioned in the 14th century and since then changed owners frequently, until it was gifted to N. Repnin in the 17th century: he and his heirs erected the main buildings of the estate. At the beginning of the 19th century the place was rented out as summer residences and one of the tenants planned to build a dirigible there, but it didn’t work out. During the Soviet period it served as a collective farm, prison, then a scientific institute. Many buildings were either destroyed or reorganized, so not much is left of the original estate. Nowadays Vorontsovo is more of a park with different facilities, but some buildings are still there to see like the entrance gates, service premises and the church.

66. Kuzminki-Blachernae was a huge residence that belonged to Golitsyns, one of the most prominent noble families in the Russian Empire. The complex included numerous buildings, but at the moment almost all of them are in decay. The main palace burnt down in 1916, and after the revolution they gave the estate to the Institute of Experimental Veterinary. Many buildings were converted into laboratories and administrative premises, but the place is abandoned now, except one building that houses a museum.

Monasteries

Monasteries in Russia weren’t only places for religious ceremonies and monastic life. No, many of them were built to serve as fortifications to defend the city, and sometimes the defenders would find shelter behind its walls. That’s why don’t be surprised when you see thick walls: if it weren’t for church domes, one would think that it is a proper fortress. All the monasteries and convents were extremely important and the rulers of the country would usually donate money to build additional premises and decorate the churches.

The ones I mention below are very old. Some of them were used as prisons for the members of the royal family, some served as shelters during wars, others had facilities to care for the wounded, but many of them were located outside the city walls and served as a barrier: during attacks they would take the first blow giving Moscow time to prepare. Nevertheless, when the Soviet rule came, they all shared a similar fate.

67. Novodevichy Convent is the most famous one in Moscow. It was founded in 1524 and the buildings are still preserved. Many noble women took monastic vows and ended up living in the convent, some were forced to do it. During troublesome times, the royals hid there. The monastery was rich: for example, at the beginning of the 18th century 15,000 serfs belonged to the convent. Its cemetery is well-known as well, some notable people are buried there, so many people visit it just to see the graves. The convent was declared a UNESCO site.

68. Novospassky Monastery was founded in 1490, but became popular after the Romanovs came to power as it was their family burial vault. Before Peter I moved to St Petersburg, it was a burial place for many noble families like Naryshkins, Sheremetevs, Trubetskoys, etc., but during the Soviet times many graves were brought to ruin or moved to other places. The monastery was turned into a prison, and later was given to the NKVD.

69. Donskoy Monastery : this red-walled monastery was founded in 1591 after the victory over a Crimean khan, but many buildings were added later by tsars and noble people. During the siege of Moscow in 1812 soldiers were stationed there and they ruined the monastery and stole many valuables. Many famous people are buried in its territory, including Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. When the Soviets came to power, they turned it into a museum.

70. Conception Convent or Zachatyevsky Monastery: the fate of this monastery wasn’t easy. It was founded in the 1360-ies, but its main cathedral was built at the end of the 17th century. This very cathedral was later destroyed to erect a neo-gothic one. During the Soviet times it was turned into a prison, the cathedral and other premises were demolished, so after the collapse of the USSR they had to build a new one. Now the main church of the monastery, the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God, is a recent addition.

71. Vysokopetrovsky Monastery is hidden behind walls and few people, even fewer tourists, know of its existence. Founded in 1315 by Metropolitan Archbishop Peter, its first churches were wooden, the stone ones were built later. In 1812 the French ransacked the monastery, they passed death sentences here and buried people at the bell tower. In the 1920-ies monks organised a backstreet monastic community here, but some of its members were later executed. The Soviets opened a library, a plant and shared flats in the monastery. It would be fair to say that restoration works started during the Soviet rule.

72. Andreevsky Monastery : the fate of this monastery is weird, frankly. It was founded in the 17th century, but there weren’t many monks there. In 1724 Peter I ordered to move the monks to Donskoy Monastery, and turn Andreevsky one into an orphanage and prison. Later it became a home for the insane and an asylum. In the meantime, some churches of the monastery were still active, and in 1991 it became a fully functioning monastery when all its churches opened.

73. Danilov Monastery : the monastery got its name because its founder was Daniel of Moscow, one of Alexander Nevsky’s sons. It was founded in 1282, but shortly after that it was moved to another place. Ivan the Terrible gave the place a new life and ordered to build a new church close to Daniel’s grave. Because the monastery was at the epicenter of many battles, it was ransacked often. During the Soviet times it was turned into a warehouse and Charles Crane, an American businessman, bought its bells and took them to Harvard University, but they were returned in 2008.

74. Sretensky Monastery was founded in 1395. Initially, there was only a church, but, according to a legend, an icon from the church helped to avoid the invasion of khan Tamerlane, so the ruler of the country ordered to build a monastery around it. It was enlarged during the next centuries, but in the 18th century it lost its significance and fell to decay, but the situation changed in the middle of the 19th century when the area was renovated. By the end of the 19th century it was the most famous monastery in Moscow. During the Soviet times some of its premises were demolished, icons were handed over to museums, and the rest of buildings were given to the NKVD. A new cathedral was built in the 21st century, but to do it they had to demolish some of the remaining buildings.

75. Ivanovsky Convent : it was founded as a friary, but was later turned into a convent. It served as a kind of prison as well for royal wives. When the capital was moved to St Petersburg, the convent fell into neglect, in 1812 it was burned and restored in 1865 only. Soldiers wounded during Russo-Turkish war would be sent to the convent. During the Soviet times it was given first to the NKVD and turned into a concentration camp, and later to the Department of Internal Affairs. Even nowadays, when many buildings are restored and religious services are held, some of the premises still belong to the department.

76. Simonov Monastery was named after boyar Stepan Khovrin, who donated lands to start it. He later became a monk and took Simon as his monastic name. Just like in the case of the monasteries above, the new buildings were added gradually, and the monastery was quite rich: at the end of the 17th century about 25,000 serfs belonged to it. During the reign of Catherine the Great it was turned into a sickbay, but the place was later restored. During the Soviet times many buildings were blown up to build a Hall of Culture.

Personally, I am a big fan of the Slavic church architecture. The churches are so vibrant, have intricate decorative elements, and just please the eye. Whenever I go to a Russian city, I dedicate some time to exploring churches. If you aren’t like me, just skip this section, but, maybe, a couple of pictures will change your mind 😊

77. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour : this is the main cathedral in Moscow, and you definitely have to see it. Its white walls and golden domes are seen from afar, inside it’s vibrant and bright. For a price you can climb up to its dome. In addition, get to the bridge nearby: the views of Moscow are stunning!

78. St Clement’s Church : this red and white church with blue and golden domes is located at Tretyakovskaya metro station relatively close to Tretyakov Gallery, so you might as well spend some time to admire its colors. It is built in Baroque style, which is unusual for Moscow, and is dedicated to Clement, a Roman pope, which is surprising as well.

79. Cathedral of St Nicholas in Klenniki is relatively close to the Kremlin, but if you are not in the area, there is no need to go to specifically see it. My hotel (I loved it, by the way), was nearby, and I passed by the church a couple of times a day. The church was built in 1657, but was damaged a lot in fires, so was constantly restored and renovated.

80. Temple of the Holy Trinity in Ostankino : this one you should definitely see! It is not far from the Ostankino Tower and VNDKh, so you can easily do it. The church was built at the end of the 17th century, and its distinctive feature is its decorative elements. It’s a monument of old Russian cult architecture.

81. All Saints Church in Kulishki : this one is really close to Zaryadye Park, so you can walk another 200 meters to see it. Its architecture is quite interesting as well, when you look at the windows, you can easily recognize old Russian style. When the Soviets came to power, they wanted to demolish the church, but used it for state security needs.

82. Resurrection Church in Kadashi Sloboda : this is another church not far from Tretyakov Gallery. It has peculiar architecture, and some parts of its facade are different from the other churches. It was ransacked in 1812, and during the Soviet times it housed the archive of the KGB. But today, after being restored, the golden domes of this red- and orange-walled church are seen from afar.

83. The Church of St. Vladimir in the Old Gardens : if you come to visit Ivanovsky Convent, this church will be across the road. The original church was built in 1516, but was rebuilt in the 17th century and lost almost all of its original elements. In 1980 a fire destroyed the books and frescoes and it was restored later. Today it is hard to miss this church with white walls.

84. The Church of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple in Barashi isn’t far from the Clean Ponds I mentioned above. It was built in Naryshkin’s baroque style in the 17th century and was richly decorated. During the Soviet times they handed the most previous icons over to Tretyakov Gallery and wanted to demolish it, but changed their mind and turned it into an electrical goods plant.

85. The Church of Deposition of the Robe on Donskoy : this church is close to Donskoy Monastery and Gorky Park, so you can as well go to see it. The stone church in Moscow baroque style was built in 1680 and was restored at the end of the 19th century. Interestingly, it didn’t close during the Soviet rule.

86. The Church of the Epiphany in Elokhovo : this one is quite far from any other Moscow landmarks, so it is unlikely you will go to see it 🙂 Unlike the churches I mentioned above, the walls of this one aren’t red, but light blue. It is said that Alexander Pushkin was baptised there.

Amazing buildings in Moscow

If you are into architecture or old Russian architectural style, you can spend some time looking for these buildings. Unfortunately, they can be enjoyed from the outside only (as far as I know, but I may be wrong), but if you are not far from them, why not have a look? 😊

87. House of Pashkov : it will be really hard to miss this white colossus not far from the Kremlin and the monument to Vladimir. It was built at the end of the 18th century and was later turned into a university. Now it houses the Russian State Library and it is possible to visit it during a tour : it is expensive and it looks like they accept groups only.

88. Egg house on Mashkov Street : this truly weird building looks like … an egg and was inspired by Faberge eggs. It was built in 2000-2002, so it is a relatively new addition to the architectural masterpieces of the city. Because it is weird, many people don’t like it and criticize the architect. And, frankly, it looks totally out of place. Nobody lives there: as the architect himself claims, the house isn’t very comfortable. If you have about 409 million rubles, you can buy it 😊

89. Arseny Morozov Mansion : the first owner of the building Arseny Morozov was inspired by Pena Palace in Sintra. Some say that Casa de las Conchas from Salamanca served as an inspiration as well, because there are shells on its façade. In any case, you won’t miss this snow-white building on Vozdvizhenka Street. By the way, the building was so weird for its times, that it was called ‘a fool’s house’. I think it is amazing!

90. Apraksins-Trubetskoys House at the Clean Ponds: the first owner of the baroque building was Count Apraksin, but it was later sold to the Trubetskoy family, hence the name of the mansion. In 1861 it became a school where some famous people like C. Stanislavsky studied. During the Soviet period the mansion was turned into an apartment building and then into a student dormitory. Now it could use some kind of renovation.

91. Volkov-Yusupov Chambers : unfortunately, this amazing building in Bol’shoy Khariton’yevskiy Pereulok (relatively close to the Egg house) isn’t open to the public, so you can see its façade only. It was turned into a museum for a couple of years, so it was possible to see its lavish interior, but not anymore. Now this building with red walls is hidden behind a neglected garden.

92. Stalin’s Seven Sisters or skyscrapers are 7 buildings commissioned by Stalin. There should have been 8 of them, but they didn’t finish the last one. These monumental buildings are a representation of the so-called Stalinist empire architectural style and are easily recognizable as they are so different from the surrounding cityscape. Sparrow Hills are a nice place to see them: actually, one of these skyscrapers, the building of Moscow State University, will be behind you 🙂 Another one you will see from the bridge in Zaryadye Park.

93. Averky Kirillov Chambers : if you come to see the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, just cross the Patriarshy Bridge and turn left. After about a hundred meters you will see an old house with red walls which can easily go unnoticed because of the huge buildings nearby. It belonged to Averky Kirillov, a notable merchant and state official. Built in the middle of the 17th century, it boasted exquisite decoration, but time and new owners didn’t spare it. It housed the Russian Institute of Culturology, but I am not sure what is there now.

Are there any other tourist attractions in Moscow that I missed? Tell me about them in the comments! 🙂

What to do in Moscow for free

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From Moscow to the sea: Notes from an exciting road trip

Many Russians discovered the joys of car travel as a cheap alternative for  reaching their holiday destinations at the peak of the beach holiday season long before the pandemic. Every year, car travel enthusiasts drive to Crimea, Sochi and other seaside resorts - from Moscow, St. Petersburg and even (oh, horror!) Siberia, covering enormous distances. But it was the coronavirus that made those who previously recognized only air or – at a stretch – rail travel to get behind the wheel, too.

However, for most of them, time spent on the road is literally ticking in their minds as time wasted, as time that they could be spending on the beach. That is why they - like professional long-haul drivers - drive for 12 hours non-stop, then take a quick nap right in the car either on the side of the road or in a parking lot before hitting the road again.

The M4 highway

I am fond of driving, but not to that extent! That is why I decided not to regret the loss of precious days on the beach and to stop on the way, every time I got tired or bored. Thus, my road trip lasted 12 days! But this long trip to and from the sea has become perhaps one of my best vacations. My boyfriend, who, by the way, does not drive, agrees. But you can judge for yourself.

The Upa River embankment and the Tula kremlin

The first stop from Moscow when you head south is Tula. It is an old city that once even competed with Moscow for the title of Russia’s main city. These days, it is a small and very nice provincial town. It has its own Kremlin and, in addition, is known as the birthplace of Leo Tolstoy. His family estate, where he lived most of his life, is located not far from Tula - in Yasnaya Polyana .

Metallistov St. (L), Iskra gastro-space

But what interested us in Tula most was the new embankment of the Upa River. A must for every visitor there is to take a picture on a swing with the Tula Kremlin in the background. After a visit to the Museum of Weapons (whose building resembles a helmet), we went to have dinner at the fashionable gastro-quarter Iskra.

Read more: 5 awesome reasons to visit Tula for the weekend

Old wooden houses of Yelets

I bet you have never even heard of Yelets. Well, it is not very well known to Russians, either. It is a small, very provincial town in Lipetsk Region and with a small population. However, once it was a rich merchant town and it has a well-preserved historical center, many old houses, wooden huts and incredibly beautiful churches.

Inside the Ascension Cathedral in Yelets

You can spend a whole day here just wandering the streets and admiring the carved platbands. If you get bored, you can always check out the local park of culture and recreation and enjoy its amusement rides. By the way, you will find parks like this in all provincial towns.

The first battleship of the Russian fleet

At first glance, it may seem that Voronezh is an unremarkable industrial center. Indeed, it is not a very popular tourist destination, but it is a city with a million-plus population and, one might say, the cultural and intellectual capital of Russia’s south: It has a university, a theater, and is home to a considerable share of the modern space industry. Also, it is the birthplace of Russian writer and Nobel laureate Ivan Bunin!

Downhill streets on route to the Voronezh River

You can take a very atmospheric walk from the city center to the Voronezh River along steep downhill streets lined by wooden huts and full of content stray cats. On the embankment, there is an old ship - the first battleship of the Russian fleet, which was built at the Voronezh shipyard in 1698 under the supervision of Peter the Great himself!

The Church of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God in Divnogorye

Voronezh Region is home to a unique natural phenomenon, the chalk mountains. Hidden in these mountains is a beautiful place called Divnogorye (from Russian for wondrous mountains) and a secluded Divnogorsky monastery dating back to the 17th century. The name of the place speaks for itself, the views and scenery here are indeed amazing.

The Divnogorsky monastery

The only way to get to the monastery is by foot, furthermore, the way back will be uphill. But what wouldn’t one do for the sake of a perfect Instagram shot with the monastery’s main attraction in the background - the Church of the Sicilian Icon of the Mother of God, which is hewn out of the chalk rock! It is an amazing place, the likes of which you are unlikely to find anywhere else in Russia (in a way, it is not unlike ancient Petra in Jordan).

Rostov-on-Don

The Rostov City Hall

Rostov-on-Don is a place that will not leave anyone indifferent!!! It hits you with its heat and incredibly lush greenery. There is a promenade on the long embankment of the Don full of cafes, street musicians and strolling crowds.

Rostov is simultaneously a little shabby, a bit like Naples, but is also full of beautiful historical buildings and pedestrian zones... almost like Moscow. A must for any visitor to Rostov is to try local crayfish, which is served in many restaurants here (for example, Raki i Gady (Crayfish and Reptiles)).

The Don River and the local speciality, crayfish

Here, too, you can take a boat trip along the Don and then have a swim on the other bank of the river from the city center.

The Sharonov mansion built in Art Nouveau style is a small copy of the Moscow's Yaroslavsky railway station

In one comedy show, the city was nicknamed “handsome Taganrog” and the name has stuck. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1698 and became the first base of the Russian navy, as well as the first city to be built according to a regular plan. You could say that Peter used Taganrog as a training ground before the construction of St. Petersburg.

Anton Chekhov's monument in Taganrog and the house where he was born

In the 19th century, Taganrog became a major port and trading city and wealthy merchants built themselves houses here according to the latest fashion. That is why, walking the streets of this now provincial city, you will not stop wondering at its incredible mansions built in a variety of styles from Art Nouveau to classicism to eclecticism. It is simply amazing! One of the strongest impressions of Taganrog for me was the tiny house where Anton Chekhov was born and raised.

Sea of Azov

It goes without saying that the most popular southern sea for Russians is, of course, the Black Sea. Its long coastline is dotted with numerous resorts. And it is beautiful. However, when we were planning our holiday, a storm and floods were raging on the Black Sea coast, so we prudently decided to go to another sea (which also happens to be much closer to Moscow). I bet you have never been to the Sea of Azov! We first encountered it in Taganrog, but let me tell you more about it.

Dolzhanskaya beaches on the Sea of Azov

In fact, this is the strangest sea in Russia. Its maximum depth is only 13 meters and it is practically freshwater. That is why in Russia it is affectionately called a big puddle and a child’s sea. There is a theory that in prehistoric times, it did not exist and that it was formed around 5,000 BC by water overflowing from the Black Sea, which just filled this lowland in the Don River delta.

Sunset cormorants

Many of the resorts on the Azov Sea are located in Krasnodar Territory. It greets visitors with fields of sunflowers and corn and a mercilessly scorching sun. A popular resort on the Azov Sea is the coastal city of Yeysk. But it may be better to leave a crowded city behind and travel a bit further, though it would be difficult to do without a car. For example, a car is practically the only way of getting to the remote village of Dolzhanskaya, which is located on a picturesque spit - in a place where the Sea of Azov meets with the Taganrog Bay. It is windy there, which is why there is a windsurfing and kitesurfing camp on the north side of the spit.

The Dolgaya Spit on the Sea of Azov

Things to do in a typical Russian sea resort town include: spending time at the local market, bargaining and choosing juicy fruits like cherries, apricots and watermelons. I would advise against buying homemade wine from local residents, but would recommend trying the produce of local winemakers. Typical beach food here are chebureki (filled pies) and boiled corn on the cob with salt, while the best pastime is to watch sunsets on the beach, since in most places here the sun drops right into the sea.

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