History of Moscow

Moscow was founded by Prince Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky in 1147 on the banks of the Moskva River. Nine years later, the prince ordered the building of wooden walls around the first settlement. At first, the city occupied a very small part of the future city, where the Kremlin is now located. It was on the crossroads of the main trading routes of all Russia. After the final battle against the Mongol-Tatars, Dolgoruky ordered that the first stone buildings be built.

Dmitry Donskoy, the Great Prince of the Moscow Principality (1359-1389), ordered the building of a stonewall around the city.

Ivan III (1462-1505), the great-grandson of Dmitry Donskoy, completed the unification of the Russian principalities in Moscow and ordered the construction of more stone buildings, as well as the construction of the Dormition, Anunciation and Archangel Michael (Arkhangelsky) cathedrals. A new stonewall was built around what is today called the Kremlin. A separate wall, which still exists, was built around the Kitai-gorod (China Town) trading area.

Starting in 1583, new streets were built around the trading area and the Kremlin, as well as new settlements. A decade later, in 1593, a white stone wall was built around all of the settlements by the architect of the moment, Fedor Kon, and the area became known as the White Town.

The city developed outwards from the White Town, surrounded by a new wall made of wood to prevent the Tartars from attacking the city. However, the troubles brought by the end of the Tsar dynasty included a civil war as well as foreign aggressors.

After this period of troubles, Mikhail Romanov was made Tsar of Russia in 1613 and this marked the start of the Romanov Dynasty.

One hundred years later, Russia's capital was moved to St. Petersburg by the city's founder, Peter the Great. Moscow, however, remained important.

In the 18th century, Russia's main architects used European architectural style in order to create many great buildings. The city had experienced dramatic growth, and even had a bank on its borders charged with collecting duties on vodka.

The whole of Russia united in Moscow at the beginning of the 19th century to fight against Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812.

The Soviet system of government began after the October revolution of 1917, bringing many changes to Russia. Communist leaders ordered the reconstruction of Moscow up to four times. This reconstruction was based on the building of new roads, metro stations and bridges, as well as Moscow's first skyscrapers. At the same time, many ancient buildings and churches were destroyed. Moscow lost many of its architecturally historic buildings and monuments, but today stands out in great splendour at the centre of Russia.