Images of Moscow

Moscow is a beautiful city. It has history, a variety of architecture, and a major river running through it. Architects and planners are also working hard to make it more people friendly and 'comfortable' for residents and tourists. Here are some of my favourite photos from my recent trip.
By Day

The Hotel Ukraina is the second tallest of the 'Seven Sisters' which were built starting in the late 1940s. I was surprised to read that it was the tallest hotel in the world from the time of its construction until Peachtree Plaza was built in Atlanta in 1975. Today it is a Radisson Hotel, and the home base for river boat cruises that run throughout the year, even in winter, when an 'ice-breaker' model is used.

A poor view of the existing downtown financial centre which as noted in an earlier blog is going to be augmented by a more suburban financial centre. Some of the buildings are quite attractive, while some are quite strange.

The Four Seasons Hotel, just off Red Square looks like an old building, but it isn't. It opened on October 30, 2014, with a facade that replicates the historic Hotel Moskv.I like the following story from Wikipedia:
The Hotel Moskva was constructed from 1932 until 1938, opening as a hotel in December 1935. Designed by Alexey Shchusev, it was built to be one of Moscow's finest hotels and was lavishly detailed with works of art and mosaics by some of the finest artists of the Soviet Union.
The original hotel was notable for its use of two different designs for the wings off the central structure. The most popular (possibly apocryphal) explanation is that Shchusev submitted to Stalin a single drawing of the façade, with one half showing one design and the other half a different design for the wings of the building. However, Stalin put his signature exactly in the middle of the drawing, likely not observing the two choices. Afraid of informing Stalin that he had failed to select a design, the decision was made to simply construct one wing of each on either side of the building. One included large windows and a more ornate façade, while the other maintained smaller windows and the simpler details of the rest of the hotel's façade

There's something quite special about this series of buildings near Red Square, with their distinctive arches that create some very special places inside.

In a number of places in the downtown, the streets have been covered with various designs which create a wonderful sense of place both during the day, but especially at night.

One of the most spectacular buildings in the world. It's hard to believe it's real and not just a Disney set.

At the other end of Red Square

At night Moscow is really quite magical.

Inside the main Tsum department store. I gather at one time there were few items on the shelves...today the complex houses some of the most exclusive and expensive stores in the world.

When I saw this sign, I decided I had to visit. It cost about $3 to go inside but I thought it might be worth it. It was!

Experimenting with my new camera!