Moscow is the capital of Russia, the heart and the pride of the country. Compared to other capitals of the world, Moscow has its own characteristic features. It is the main political, economical and cultural centre of our country. Moscow is situated on the Moskva river. It was founded more than 800 years ago by Yuri Dolgoruky, but long before the first mention of Moscow in chronicles (the year 1147) a settlement of artisans and traders arose at the site of the present - day country Kremlin. The Moscow Kremlin is an architectural example of Russian style. It is a piece of living history and an ensemble of masterpieces of Russian architecture. The Kremlin's red - brick walls and towers with the ruby stars are unique an appearance. Built in 1485 the Tainitsky Tower is the oldest. The highest is the-Trinity Tower which is 80 meters high. The Saviour Tower with its famous clock is one of the five Kremlin towers topped by ruby stars. The star beams are from 3 to 3,5 meters long. The Moscow Kremlin has twenty towers. The walls are 2235 meters long. A thickness of the walls varies between 3 and 6 meters. The Kremlin still plays the main role in the country's political life as it is the residence of the President of Russia. The part of the Kremlin has been turned into museums. One of the most interesting museums in Moscow is the State Armory, where you will find work of art connected with the history of the Russian state: richly decorated arms, gold and silver plates, Faberge Easter eggs, ambassador gifts, the Tzar carriages and Ceremony robes. The Armory building contains a permanent exhibition entitled "The Diamond Treasure". It’s a collection of precious stones and diamonds jewellery of great historical and artistic value. Only a few meters away from the Armory is another of the Kremlin's architectural masterpieces - the Great Kremlin Palace which is now used as the residence of the Russian President. The main square in the Kremlin is Cathedral Square, where one can visit a lot of buildings of historical importance: the Assumption cathedral, Annunciation Cathedral, the Archangel Cathedral and the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. Most cathedrals date back to the 15-th century. The neighboring area is known as Ivan Square. There're also a lot of small churches, but the most famous is the Ivan the great Bell - Tower, which is 81 meters high. On a stone base at the foot of Ivan the Great is the largest bell in the world- the Tzar Bell. It weighs 200 tons and is 6 meters high. A little further of stands the famous Tzar Cannon. It weighs 40 tons and is 5 meters long. For conferences and congresses the modern Palace of Con­gresses was built in 1961. Now it’s one of the capital’s centers of the arts, where top theatre companies perform, and festival' concerts are a regular feature. Right outside the Kremlin is Red square. The square Itself Is not very big (it is 700 meters long and 130 meters wide), it impresses by the richness and variety of its forms. The ensemble is dominated by the Kremlin and the History Museum. The roofs of the Saviour and St.Nicolas towers link the old ensemble with the present day. Echoing the Kremlin is the picturesque multi - domed In­tercession cathedral (or the Cathedral of St.Basil the Blessed). To the East the square is bordered by the long building of the Upper Trading Rows (now the GUM Store, the largest department store of the country). The Lenin Mausoleum still occupies a key position in the composition of the whole square. Red Square has been The arena of many historic events in the life of the capital and the state as 2 whole. The square is mentioned for the first time in a fifteen - century chronicle as a trading place. It acquired its present name in the 17-th century. The word "Krasnaya" meant "beautiful", as well as "red". This impressive and uniquely picturesque square is one of the most famous architectural en­sembles in the world. Its composition is based on the horizontal lines of the Kremlin walls with the vertical lines f its towers and the domes of the Intercession Cathedral. At the foot of the Cathedral is the first sculptural monument in Moscow - the statue of Minin and Pozharsky, who were the leaders of the Russian people's struggle against the Polish invaders in 1612. The monument was set up on funds collected by public subscription. All the important announcements were proclaimed from the place of Brow, the circular stone dias which is situated nearby. The State History museum stands at the north end of Red Square opposite the Intercession Cathedral. It contains more than 4 500 000 exhibits The museum' possesses extremely rich archaeological collections, the collections of arms, items of metal, wood, glass, ceramics, manu-scripts and old books, early Russian painting and graphic art. The Upper Trading Rows were erected in 1893 to complete the ensemble of Red Square. Moscow with its more than 14 million inhabitants is one of the largest cities in the world. It offers its citizens and visitors a rich variety of architecture, history, culture and leisure. And it's always fascinating to watch the life of this world metropolis. The Moscow life is special.