Moscow

The date of the foundation of the capital was conventionally determined by the Ipatiev Chronicle. According to this document, in 1147 Prince Yuri Dolgoruky of Suzdal called Prince Svyatoslav Olgovich of Chernigov for a feast in the settlement of "Moscow". The fact that the two princes chose the city as a meeting place proves that Moscow had been built much earlier. Modern research confirms that it is about 1000 years old, but when and by whom the city was founded is not known.

Gaps in the capital's history were easily filled by legends and tales of the founding of Moscow. In the Tale of the Conception of Moscow and the Bishopric of Krutitsy, the fictional Prince Daniil Ivanovich searches for a place to base the capital city. In the woods he meets a spotted beast with three heads and takes it as a good sign: to know that the kingdom will be triangular, and people of different tribes and peoples will live there. In the "Legend of the founding of Moscow by Oleg" voivod Rurik - the ruler of North-Western Russia - is called the founder of the city. According to another version, the capital was founded by the biblical hero Mosokh - grandson of Noah - and was named in honor of the couple: Mosokh and his wife, named Kwa (if these names seem exotic, recall that their son was called Ya, and his daughter - Wuza).

One can deny the existence of three-headed feathered beasts, but the city was indeed destined to become crowded and multinational. For many centuries, Moscow has remained one of the largest commercial, industrial and cultural centers in Russia, provided its inhabitants with a record number of jobs and actively invited specialists from near and far abroad. As a result, today representatives of more than 130 nationalities live in Moscow and the Moscow Region, and there are places of worship for each of the world's religions and their numerous branches in the capital. For example, there are over 900 Orthodox churches and chapels, 3 Catholic, 11 Reformed and 3 Lutheran churches, 4 Muslim mosques, 4 Buddhist temples and 5 Jewish synagogues.

It is no secret that the capital is one of the twenty most visited cities in Europe. To interest the traveler it is enough that the "heart" of Moscow is a 600-year-old and the largest functioning European fortress, and within the city there are more than 440 private and state museums and their branches, no less than 200 theaters and concert venues, and even 1 national park. Architectural diversity captivates travelers both on the streets and underground: 44 stations of the Moscow Metro are recognized as cultural heritage sites.

No less than other ancient cities, Moscow is imbued with mysticism, mystery, and speculation. Patriarch's Ponds, Kuznetsky Most, Nemetskaya Sloboda, dozens of streets and alleys form a bizarre and frightening pattern for lovers of chilling stories. Perhaps the hard fate of the capital itself favors the creation of urban legends: Moscow has countless times burned, captured more than once, during World War II experienced eight devastating air raids. Despite the seasonal renovation of facades, traces of bombing can still be seen on the walls of the cathedral on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street and house number 10 on Mokhovaya Street (its shell fragmented into two separate buildings).

Moscow is a fusion of cultures, eras, styles, beliefs, and traditions. Noisy and bustling, every year it welcomes about 20 million visitors, each of whom decides whether to love the capital with all their heart or to see it with a cursory, cautious, "just for show".

The editorial staff of "Not only bears" will help you to understand your attitude to this city. Check out our following sections to pick up leisure activities, experiences, itineraries, and food. Let's get a taste of Moscow!