by Olga on March 10, 2013
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful metro stations in Moscow is Arbatskaya (dark blue line). Completed in 1953, the year of Stalin’s death, it was intended to be used as a bomb shelter, if necessary. Look at that bomb shelter! The long 250 meter platform is also very deep - 41 meters underground. The station represents an example of Stalinist baroque style, its opera clothes include white arched ceilings, bronze chandeliers, ceramic bouquets of flowers, red marble decorations, and glazed tiles. Arbatskaya station can boast a unique design. It was not yet time for austerity and criticism of luxury in Soviet architecture. Up to 1955 metro stations were built on the individual projects. They looked like palaces. Later, between 1955 and 1970 mostly functional aspects prevailed.
Before 1955 in one of the escalator vestibules one could see a mosaic portrait of Stalin (sculptor G. Opryshko).
The same place today:
by Olga on February 13, 2013
I’ve got a question:
- Olga, can you tell me how to walk from the Metro station to the observation platform?
It’s my pleasure to answer:
1. I recommend to leave subway station “Universitet” by escalator, which is close to the last carriage if you come from the city center.
2. Outside look around. You will find at some distance a spire of the main MSU building. It will help you to orient yourself.
3. Cross the road and go to the left along Lomonosovsky prospect as if to the main building (you can see the spire).
4. Turn right at the first crossing. Very soon the main building will be on your left, go forward, pass the building and turn left.
5. Now you are at the opposite side of the main MSU building. Turn right and keep going in this direction up to the observation platform. If you pass the fountain (does not work in winter 
), you are on the right way.
by Olga on August 10, 2012
The church of the Intercession of the Virgin at Fili, a lithograph of the early 19th century.
The Church of the Intercession of the Virgin at Fili is located at Novozavodskaya Street. Fili metro station is a short walk, not more than 200m. The church was built between 1689 and 1693 by a boyar Naryshkin, the uncle of Peter the Great. Actually it consists of two churches, a winter one in the basement and a summer church above it, which was never heated. The new architectural style was formed at the end of the XVII century in Moscow. It is known as the Naryshkin Baroque and is also called Moscow Baroque style.
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The exhibition of Konstantin Korovin (1861-1939), Russian Impressionist painter, dedicated to his 150th birth anniversary is open till August, 12 at the Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val, 10. The last exhibition like this took place in Moscow in 1922.
Konstantin Korovin. Gurzuf, 1914
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Independent travelers sometimes complain that it is difficult to find the entrance to the Kremlin museums. It’s quite easy.
The main entrance is through the Kutafya tower.
1. First of all, please, do not try to enter the Kremlin from Red square. It is useless and even unsafe if you insist.
2. Look at the map. There are two entrances for us (shown by red arrows), both are located on the side of Alexandrovsky gardens (Alexandrovsky Sad in Russian). The main one is through the Kutafya tower (1). To visit the Armoury chamber and the Diamond Fund go to the end of the Gardens along the Kremlin wall to the Borovitskaya Tower (2).
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by Olga on March 11, 2012
Honey fair in Manezh will be closed on March 14th.
This time most of all I liked linden honey of the Matvejev family.
Look at the photo. Yes, this is their traveling apiary with a lot of beehives.
by Olga on March 10, 2012
View of the Bolshoi Theatre before the fire of 1853, a lithograph of L.J.Arnu.
The original building designed by Joseph Bové was opened in 1825.
After the fire the new building of the Bolshoi was constructed by Alberto Cavos in 1856.
The Bolshoi Theatre in 2012:
Ostankino in the XIXth century.
Ostankino in 2011
by Olga on January 31, 2012
The Caravaggio exhibition at the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum runs until February 19, 2012.
If you want to escape long queueing and freezing come at 10am.
by Olga on January 27, 2012
“Snowshow” by Slava Polunin is in Moscow again.
I recommend you don’t miss it!
He is a magician. He will turn you into children.
