Each nation has a particular identity, which makes it unique in environments, landscapes and culture. But among all of them, Russia powerfully draws our attention. Not only is it the largest country in the world, but it has a particular idiosyncrasy that makes us want to stop and learn more. Already in Supercurious we talked to you once about the best curiosities of Russia. But this time we want to go one step further. Tour the streets and corners of its capital, navigate its history and introduce you to the most interesting curiosities of Moscow. Will you join us on this trip? Well, let’s get started!
30 Curiosities of Moscow that you should know
1. A great place to study
We begin this trip through the curiosities of Moscow by telling you that it is one of the best Russian cities and the world if you are a student. Its universities, as well as the preparation that everyone who trains there obtains, They are at the top of the most prestigious lists.
2. An artistic metro system
One of the things that will catch your attention the most is, without a doubt, the Moscow metro. Some of the stations are true works of art that will not go unnoticed on your trip and it will be worth immortalizing them.
3. Plans at all times
In this city there are activities to do at any time of the day, even late at night. Since there are countless plans for all kinds of people, dFrom going to clubs or going on a night out on the town.
4. The starting point of the city
Another of the curiosities of Moscow is that its famous Red Square is considered as the kilometer 0, the point from which all roads in Russia start.
5. The name of Red Square
This square received the original name of Krasnaia, which meant “beautiful” although the current meaning of this word is “red”. This is the reason why everyone knows it as the red square.
6. A very populated city
After istanbul, It is the second city in population of the entire European continent. Did you know this curious fact about Moscow?
7. And northern!
It is also, the northernmost mega-city on the entire planet. This means that Moscow is the northernmost city in the world.
8. Capital on many occasions
The importance of this city has been demonstrated throughout its history, since It has been the capital at numerous times since its foundation. to this day.
9. The origin of the name
Another of the curiosities of Moscow is that Its name comes from the river that runs through the entire city, called the Moscova. As you may have already guessed, the name means, literally, the city of the Moskva River.
10. The Great Plague
In the middle of the 17th century, the population of Moscow suffered a great sieve, since half of its inhabitants died from the plague.
11. Warrior Citizens
One of the curiosities of Moscow, which speaks of the fierceness of its citizens, is that When Napoleon’s army reached their border they preferred to set fire to the city and abandon it, so that the enemies would die without supplies.
12. City of old
This city is very old. There are the first references to it as a town from the beginning of the 12th century.
13. And very populated!
Its population reaches the immense number of seventeen million inhabitants.
14. The architects of the Cathedral
There is a legend about the architects of the famous Saint Basil’s Cathedral and it is that Ivan the Terrible, one of the most legendary characters in the country, he killed the creators of the church so that they would not repeat it anywhere.
15. An unsafe city
We add to our list of the most interesting curiosities of Moscow, one that is quite unfortunate, and that is that it is one of the most insecure cities in all of Europe. Not in vain, the statistics reveal that many crimes or settling of accounts are carried out throughout the year.
In its counterpart, we invite you to know the safest countries in the world.
16. Giant escalator
Another curious fact about the city is that one of its famous metro stations has the largest escalator in all of Europe.
17. Sports infrastructure
After the World Cup in 2018, Moscow and the whole country have undergone a huge renovation in terms of sports facilities.
18. A huge library
One of the most shocking curiosities of Moscow is that the National Library of Russia has almost 300 kilometers of bookshelves. In its spaces and corridors there are more than 45 million documents. Amazing!
19. Communist, but expensive!
Curiously, despite communism, During the first decade of the 21st century, Moscow became the most expensive city in the world. This speaks of the great changes that have taken place in Moscow throughout its entire history.
20. Religion
Various types of religion are practiced in this European city, but the most important is Orthodox Christianity. Of this branch of Christianity, Russia is considered the capital in the whole world.
21. Mixed cultures
Despite the mixed race in Moscow, the government has not encouraged each different nationality to live in separate neighborhoods. That is to say, efforts have been made to avoid ghettos. Something that helps all cultures mix throughout Moscow.
22. The Goose Pass
Something worth seeing in this city and that represents one of the curiosities of Moscow, is the typical Paso de la Oca performed by the military during the changing of the guard on the walls of the Kremlin.
23. The ugliest statue in the world
In Moscow you can find the ugliest statue in the world, at first it wanted to commemorate the discovery of America, although later the face of Tsar Pedro I was placed instead of that of Christopher Columbus. How about? If you do not agree with this statement, would you consider it one of the most beautiful sculptures in the world?
24. The Seven Sisters
They are known as the Seven Sisters the large skyscrapers that were built during Stalin’s time to prove that the power of the Russian Empire was the greatest in the whole world.
25. Prohibited gifts
Another of the curiosities of Moscow related to its culture is that it is frowned upon to give away knives, watches or scarves, as they are considered bad luck. The scarves are said to herald tears. Knives herald enemies and trouble. And the watches are an omen of farewell. So if you are going to give something to a Russian, better skip these items.
26. Local superstitions
The Russians have very interesting superstitions that feed their culture. One of them is that if you have left home and have to return for some reason, this is considered a bad luck omen. So, to combat that bad energy, when you return you should look for a mirror and see yourself in it, straight into the eyes. It is a way to deceive bad omens.
27. They love to give flowers
Also in the realm of Russian superstitions, Russians love to give flowers. In fact, They are considered a symbol of energy and good luck.. Now, it is important that they are always given in an odd number. This is because flowers in even numbers represent funerals.
28. Do not sit on the table
Another of the funniest curiosities of Moscow has to do with the fact that the Russians are annoyed when people sit on the table or put their shoes on it. And not just because it’s unsanitary, but because it is considered an omen of death or poverty.
29. The mysteries of the subway
The metro system occupies some of the best sights in Moscow. For example, it is said that there is a whole hidden subway line, through which several military bunkers are connectedto respond and mobilize in the event of a nuclear war.
30. It’s very cold!
And we close our trip through the curiosities of Moscow, telling you that it is not the best city for those fleeing the cold. In fact, it’s so cold starting in October that when it really starts to freeze they cordon off the buildings so that the ice that forms on their roofs or on their cornices like stalactites does not fall on the sidewalk and kill someone.
As you will have already observed after reading these curiosities of Moscow, the Russian capital is one of the most attractive cities in the entire globe. Amazing infrastructure, which goes from history to modernity, a powerful culture and a thousand corners to discover, make it a very interesting option for intrepid travelers. And you, would you dare to explore Moscow? Do you know of other curiosities of the city that you would like us to incorporate into our article? Go ahead and leave us all your opinions in a comment. We will be happy to read you!
Other Curiosities of Cities
Do you want to know more secrets of the different countries and their beautiful metropolises? Join us to discover more curiosities about Europe and more curiosities about America by exploring the most surprising facts about a city as wonderful as Buenos Aires! For example:
As you can see, the capital of Russia hides many interesting places to discover. What do you think of our selection of Moscow curiosities? Do you know of any that we have not taken into account? Tell us about it and so we can expand this list of curiosities.