Moscow, Capital metropolis in Central Russia.

Moscow is the capital city in Central Russia, featuring the Kremlin complex with government buildings, palaces, and cathedrals enclosed by distinctive red walls along the Moskva River. The sprawling metropolitan area extends well beyond this historic core with museums, parks, and important structures spread across numerous neighborhoods.

The city originated as a wooden fortress in 1147 and grew to become the center of Russian power and authority. Though it temporarily ceded the capital role to Saint Petersburg, it later reclaimed this position and has remained the nation's political and cultural heart.

The Tretyakov Gallery displays centuries of Russian artistic expression through religious icons and contemporary paintings that tell the story of creative development. Visitors experience how art reflects the values and imagination of people across different periods.

The metro system with its many stations across multiple lines serves as the main transportation network for moving around the city. It helps to keep a map handy and pay attention to station locations as you navigate the sprawling metropolitan area.

Seven massive high-rise buildings constructed during the 1950s form a distinctive architectural ring encircling the central area of the city. These towers were built as symbols of Soviet power and remain visible from various vantage points throughout the metropolitan region.