Exchanging Money
by ratherton
The rouble is a closed currency so you can't get hold of it until you arrive in Moscow. Once there you have the following choices:
1. ATM Machines are everywhere. Some of them limit you to a small amount per withdrawl but you can always put your card in again.
2. Change cash at any of the exchange bureaus around Moscow. They are all over the place, usually with large signs advertising rates in Euros and US Dollars. However, a number of them do take a huge range of other currencies.
3. Banks - you can definitely change cash at them and I think it is also possible to draw money on your credit card.
4. Hotels - Your hotel will almost certainly be able to offer currency exchange for travellers cheques and cash.
In all cases (apart from the hotel), you will need to show your passport but as you have to carry it anyway, that won't be a problem.
Uspensky Cathedral
by bugulma
The main symbol of Kremlin. It's the most ancient cathedral of Kremlin, which was laid in 1326 by the first Moscow patriarch Peter. In 1475-1479 the cathedral assumed the present-day view when Ivan III joined all Russian fields under Moscow power. Wall painting inside is of the middle of XVII century. Uspensky cathedral was burial-vault of Russian patriarch in XIV-XVII centuries. Nowadays the temple, as other cathedrals in Kremlin, are mainly touristic sight-seeing but there are still ceremonies and rites (since 1990), devoted to memory of patriarchs who was buried here.
The Kremlin, The Archangel's Cathedral
by kris-t
The history of the Archangel's Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin dates back to the XIV century: in 1333, the first Great Moscow Prince Ivan Kalita (Money-bag) ordered to lay the foundation of a white-stone church devoted to St. Archangel Michael respected in Rus as a guardian of soldiers and Russian princes in their feats of arms. The cathedral was first adorned with wall-painting in the reign of Ivan the Terrible.
The ancient murals have not survived except small fragments on pillars and several compositions of the altar and the tsars shrine. In 1652-1666, the cathedral was painted a new by a big team of Russian masters.
Cyrillic Cypher
by Kariba
I'm sure many others have mentioned this before, but... anyone travelling to Russia should try to learn the Cyrillic alphabet. All signs, including place names, station names, street names etc. are in Cyrillic so it's essential if you want to know where you're going.
While it's quite a difficult language, it also goes a long way if you try to learn some of the basics. Greetings, how to ask for directions, how to order things etc. While most of the younger generation, especially in the cities, speak English - if you're venturing further afield or travelling without a local to guide or assist you, then it's advisable that you know the rudiments.
In addition to the benefits of knowing where you're going, making an effort to speak Russian will be appreciated.
It might be some sort of a...
by Lalique
It might be some sort of a cultural tip ;))) Whilst in Moscow (and in Russia) pay strict attention to the taffic when on zebra crossings, especially if there is no traffic light at all. On Moscow streets a pedestrian doesn't have a priority at all...
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The Glass Dome
The Museum of Paleontology, Moscow
Kutuzovskiy Prospekt: Building at number 26
Paveletsky train station in Moscow
