Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in terms of population. Moscow is the center of the Russian government. Moscow Kremlin, which is now the working place of the Russian President, is one of the important structures in the city.
When did Moscow Become the Capital?
Moscow, which became the center of the Orthodox Church after the collapse of the Byzantine Empire, took the name of the Third Rome and played an important role in Russia’s history. The city, once the center of the Soviet Union, is the capital of modern Russia, with the new elite that has survived to the present day and the unique atmosphere it brings with it.
The first settlement began as a historic trading center of Moscow, which dates back to the 10th-century Slavic communities. Moscow’s name is first recorded in the year 1147, when Prince Yury Dolgoruky, who at that time was in control of the region, sent an invitation to his allies. Moscow, which was invaded by the Mongols in the 13th century with the rest of Russia, became a power which, after 200 years, was saved from the invasion by Ivan III and managed to conquer the country under its own will. In the renovation works initiated by Ivan in honor of his accomplishments, the present-day famous brick walls were added to the Kremlin. Moscow, the political center of the country, also came to a religious center. The Russian Orthodox Church, independent of the Greek Orthodox Church in the 15th century, increased its activity throughout the country after the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
While Tsar I Petro moved the capital of the country to St. Petersburg in 1712, Moscow became the official capital again after the revolution of 1917. In the 1800s, Napoleon invaded Moscow after defeating the Russians in Borodino. It is said that the people had set fire to the city instead of seeing it under occupation. Napoleon’s armies entered the city, but never managed to cross the Kremlin’s walls. After the defeat of Napoleon, it is possible to see the monuments erected in the memory of this salvation in the rebuilt city.
Twentieth Century
With the first steps of industrialization, the population of Moscow in the 1900s exceeded one million.
In 1917, the Moscow-based Bolshevik revolution took place over a thousand deaths. The city, which became the capital city again, experienced a huge population increase with the serious industrialization steps of Stalin. Many historical buildings were demolished for this purpose. Stalin did not prevent Hitler’s armies from entering Russia in 1941 and the German armies reached the borders of Moscow. With the help of the early winter, the Russians won the Nazi forces and saved the city from being invaded again.
Although many bloody events occurred during the fall of communism, Moscow suffered less than the rest of the Soviet Union. Together with the new economic order, a new rich segment emerged and formed the basis of today’s Moscow society. In the continuation of this process, different economic classes started, and Moscow became the metropolis of today.
Features of Moscow
Moscow has a population of 12.47 million according to 2019 estimates. Moscow has a surface area of 2,511 square kilometers. Moscow is a city less affected by the cold Russian climate. Temperate continental climate shows the influence in the city. Strong frost, destructive temperatures are quite rare. In January, the coldest days of the month, while the average -7.5 degrees, the hottest days in July, the average temperature is 18 degrees.
One of the most important metro cities in the world, Russia has more than 160 stations over 11 lines. The Moscow subway, which is awarded the Grand Prize in international exhibitions, has a unique historical and unique architecture.
In Moscow, performing arts, ballet, theater and film activities are quite common. We can say that Moscow International Center for the Performing Arts has revolutionized the performance of classical music. The Moscow Circus and the Moscow State Circus are carrying out activities that carry the city to the upper classes on the circus.
Russian cuisine was influenced by many cultures and formed a mixture. But Russian cuisine is not very rich. Especially for winter days, meals are more fatty and heavy. But when you go to Moscow, one thing that needs to be tasted is of course Russian salad. One of the flavors that reflects the Russian cuisine is Solyanka. This soup consisting of beetroot, garlic, cabbage and cucumber pickles can be delicious for you. Kotletip Kievski, Kiev Chicken may be an alternative for those who like meat dishes.
Important Places to See in Moscow
Russia is home to many historical events and, as one of the oldest civilizations, it has many important values in the country campus. And Moscow, as the capital of Russia, is home to many of these values. Although we cannot evaluate the beauty of nature, Moscow leaves us a memory of the past at every step with its architecture, and historical cities. Moreover, they are seen not only in a way that is scattered all over the city, but with the possibility to see many of them together. Red Square, Kremlin Palace and Arbat Street are the places to see in Moscow.