Bolshoi Theatre Historical Tour, Highlights of Central Moscow and Russian Lunch

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Bolshoi Theatre, Teatralny dr., 1, Moscow 109012 Russia

It's time to start the tour with a highlight - visiting the Oldest Russian Ballet and Opera theatre - Bolshoi theatre. Marvel at the magnificent facade of the grand Bolshoi Theatre. Enter the main hall and admire a 6–tier auditorium elaborately decorated with crimson and gold embellishments. Receive an insightful introduction to the theatre's turbulent history, hearing of the fires and neglect that threatened to destroy the building forever. The tour will be led by a professional guide who will give you a detailed overview of the theatre history and traditions as well as its everyday life. Gold and crystal, velvet and skilled imagery, wealth and luxury - now you can admire all this brilliance yourself. Imagine the Royal Family sitting in the Royal Box, listening best arias of Shalyapin and delighting the glorious production of Marius Petipa ballet performances. You will see the orchestra pit with conductor's stand and scene mechanisms, which are very necessary to lift up curtain and change decorations. Probably you will have a unique chance to visit make-up workshops and rehearsal room, if it suits to the theatre plans because of preparation for the evening performance. Beethoven Hall, Government, Royal and Guests Boxes, Small and Grand Imperial Foie, White Hall - everything is now to your attention for this 1 hour. Feel the atmosphere of the real theatre daily life - life full of rises and falls, harassing work and appreciative applause! Feel the soul of this place - listen to the theatre's heart beating in the creative impulse and you will not want to leave this incredible place!

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Red Square, Krasnaya Sq., Moscow 109012 Russia

Now move to the centre of Moscow - Red Square - main plaza of Russia. It separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia. Red Square is often considered to be the central square of Moscow since Moscow's major streets, which connect to Russia's major highways, originate from the square.

Red Square originated in the late 15th century. In 1493, to stop the constant fires, Ivan III ordered to clean the walls of the Kremlin from the propped up their wooden buildings, and on the east side to arrange a big market.

In Soviet times, the Red Square gained new, sacred to the state values. It began to carry out major country parades and demonstrations, including the Victory Parade June 24, 1945 Mr .. In 1930, the square was designed by architect Shchusev was built of granite Mausoleum of VI Lenin.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Manezh Square, Near Red Square, Moscow 613310 Russia

Manezh Square is located near the Kremlin and the Alexander Garden. The name of the area comes from building an arena, built in 1817 in honor of the fifth anniversary of Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. It is worth saying that the name "Manezh" appeared only in 1937 after the demolition of standing in this place shopping areas of buildings, separated by a two-lane - patchwork and insatiable. Prior to that, the area was densely built up. In the nineties of the twentieth century under the Manege Square was built a large underground shopping complex "Ryad".

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Aleksandrovskiy Sad, Near Kremlin, Moscow 119072 Russia

The first public park in Moscow, Alexander Garden sits along the Kremlin’s western wall. Colourful flower beds and impressive Kremlin views make it a favourite strolling spot for Muscovites and tourists alike. Back in the 17th century, the Neglinnaya River ran through the present gardens, with dams and mills along its banks. When the river was diverted underground, the garden was founded by architect Osip Bove, in 1821.

The garden is famous for its architectural monuments, incredibly beautiful flowerbeds and history. It commemorates Russian victories and those that died in war of 1812 with Napoleon and in both World Wars. Highlighted by Kremlin Kutafya Tower is the eternal flame memorial (in memory of the fallen heroes in World War II 1941-1945) and the big fountain with horse sculptures. They were created by popular Moscow architect Zereteli. In hot weather the fountain becomes a water attraction for teenagers.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Lenin's Mausoleum, Red Square, Moscow 613310 Russia

Lenin's Mausoleum - one of the greatest symbols of Russia for many years.

The idea of ​​creating the mausoleum was based on the ideology of socialism: the party leaders wanted to create a new religion for the Soviet people, which would be closely linked to the party, so the dead body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was decided embalmed and placed in a mausoleum.

At first, the building was wooden and is a cube with a pyramid on top, then it was attached to the platform of the need speeches on Red Square. And in 1945 he acquired a modern look. Some time in the mausoleum was also the body of the great leader Stalin, but was later buried.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: GUM, Red Square, 3 Metro Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Moscow 109012 Russia

GUM (Main Department Store) - the largest shopping mall in the center of Moscow. This is one of the most famous sights of the capital.

Until 1921 GUM was called "Upper Trading Rows". GUM building is an architectural monument of pseudo-federal. Sheer building of the Upper Trading Rows were built parallel to the Kremlin wall in the 1890-1893 years. His built by architect AN Pomerantsev and engineers Shukhov and AF Loleyt. Grand opening of the Upper Trading Rows held in 1893.

In this huge three-story building housed over a thousand stores. GUM building has been renovated several times.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square 2, Moscow 109012 Russia

St. Basil's Cathedral is not only the main temple of the Red Square, but also a symbol of all Russia. It was built in 1555–1561 by order of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the capture of the Kazan Khanate. The storming of Kazan began on October 1, 1552, on the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, therefore the “official” name of the temple is the Church of the Protection of the Mother of God.

The cathedral is a symmetrical ensemble of eight churches surrounding the central church, topped with a tent. Each of the eight churches is named after the saint, on whose day this or that significant event of the Kazan campaigns of Ivan the Terrible took place. There are nine iconostases in the cathedral, in which there are about 400 icons of the XVI – XIX centuries.

The architects who built the cathedral, the chronicle indicates some Barma and Postnik Yakovlev. However, there is a theory that in fact there was one master, Ivan Yakovlevich Barma, nicknamed Postnik for adherence to a strict post. There is a famous legend that, having seen a wonderful temple, Ivan the Terrible ordered to blind the masters so that they would not repeat their masterpiece anywhere else. But this is rather a myth, as Postnik’s name is later found in the annals in connection with the creation of other remarkable architectural monuments.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Bolshoi Theatre, Theatre Square, 1, Moskva, Russia, 125009

The sightseeing tour finishes in the city centre. It's time to get something to eat. The guide will accompany you to the restaurant, it is time to say goodbye to your guide. Centrally located just near the Bolshoi theatre perfect restaurant is waiting for you to offer the Real Traditional Russian 3-course Lunch with Vodka. Full of emotions, looking at your exclusive photos, sitting in the halls made as the Royal Palace, richly decorated with ornate tracery - take a delight in the Real Russian Cuisine - feel yourself Real Russian!

When the lunch ends you can get a taxi to come back to your hotel (own expense) or go for walk around the city centre, admiring one of the Anсient and Beautiful Russian cities!

Duration: 1 hour