2012, SEPTEMBER 7: RUSSIA, MOSCOW - CITY TOUR

Prince Yury Dolgoruky

Founded in 1147 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky near the confluence of Moskva and Yauza Rivers, has now grown into the most important political, economic and cultural powerhouse of Russia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multistory, Stalinist-style buildings line its wide avenues.

 

 

 

But getting anywhere on its traffic-congested roads seems to be quite slow, anytime of the day.

 

 



Traffic Congestion, Moscow

 



Today, we went out on a city tour of Moscow. After getting away from our hotel, we went along one of the major arterial, Leningrad Avenue.

From the parking area near the Bolshoi Theater we walked by the Old City Hall, towards the Red Square. I will write about this part of our tour next time.

Bolshoi Theater, Moscow

 

On the way back, we passed by be the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Situated on the banks of the Moscow River, it is the largest Orthodox Church in the world. But this magnificent building was erected only in 2000, as the original building had been demolished by Stalin.

 

 Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow

 

Also we saw the Peter the Great Monument. It was erected in 1997 at the confluence of the Moskva River and the Obvodnoy Channel, to honor Peter the Great on the 300^th anniversary of the Russian Navy, which had been started by him. Believed to be the eighth tallest statue in the world, it is considered by some also to be one of the ugliest structures. Also some Muscovites do not like it because Peter the Great, had moved the Russian capital from here to St Petersburg.

 

 Peter the Great Monument, Moscow (Open Stock Photo)

 

Our last stop of the day was the pedestrians-only Luzhkov “Kissing” Bridge, across one of Moskva River's bypass channels.

 Luzhkov "Kissing" Bridge

 

Fountains in the Bypass Channel by Luzhkov Bridge

 

 

A remarkable feature about this bridge is its “Happiness” trees of locks.

A "Happiness" Tree of Locks

Moscow wedding tradition requires newly married couples to kiss on a bridge on their wedding day. Since other bridges are very crowded, this bridge was dedicated to this tradition.

 



 

Moscow’s another wedding ritual is to attach to a metal tree a lock, engraved or painted with the new couple’s names, and to throw the key into the river. In the beginning there was only one tree, but since the place for the locks ran out quickly, new trees were added. Now, there is a whole forest of these trees.