Overview:

Moscow City Hall is a government building located in Moscow, Russia. It houses the central government of the city and is the main administrative center of the capital. The building is also the home of the Mayor of Moscow and is the headquarters of the city government. It is located near the Red Square and the Kremlin and is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Russia
Prominent Features:

1. Constructed in 1903 in a neo-Russian style. 2. Brightly coloured facade with details in red and white. 3. Coated in marble with four symmetrical steeples topped with onion domes surrounded by a halo of smaller domes. 4. Gilded statue of St. Basil the Blessed in the centre of the main facade. 5. Large entrance hall decorated with intricate frescoes, paintings and sculptures representing the history of the city. 6. Balcony overlooking the Kremlin and Red Square. 7. Hall of Columns – ornamental colonnade linking the chamber of the mayor and the corporate meeting hall. 8. Hall of the Coat of Arms featuring a large granite griffin – the symbol of Moscow City. 9. Large staircase carpeted with carpet depicting coats of arms of Moscow historic districts. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Russia.

History:

The first Moscow City Hall was built in the late 16th century, and by the early 17th century it had become a central power in the city. In 1733, Catherine the Great issued a Charter of City Hall setting out its powers and responsibilities. The charter transformed the City Hall into an important institution, as it was now responsible for overseeing the financial, economic, cultural, and administrative aspects of Moscow life. In the mid-18th century, during the reign of Empress Elizabeth, the City Hall was further improved and expanded. It was made the largest government building in the city of Moscow. During this period, it also took on some of the responsibilities of the Czar’s Cabinet of Ministers and became its most important representative in the city. By the late 19th century, the City Hall had become one of the three branches of government. It was the place where the city’s elected officials convened and finalized the management of the city’s affairs. The City Hall also became a major cultural center, hosting music recitals, public lectures, and other events. In 1917, after the Bolshevik Revolution, the City Hall of Moscow was closed and its functions were taken over by the newly formed Soviet government. However, it retained some symbolic importance as an important administrative building in the city. In 1933, after the death of Vladimir Lenin, the City Hall was renamed the Lenin State Historical Museum. In 1989, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the museum was reopened after a long period of renovation and is now one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Visit one of the famous monuments of Russia with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Moscow City Hall is located in the very centre of the city, facing the famous Red Square. 2. It was built by Konstantin Thon in 1867-1870 and is considered a unique example of Russian Empire style architecture. 3. The building contains a huge 71-meter high central tower crowned with a bronze statue of Tsar Alexander II, a two-storey stone staircase, and numerous statues and sculptures. 4. In 1922, the building was declared a 'Historic Monument of Architecture'. 5. After a couple of renovations, it serves as the mayor's office, the headquarters of Moscow's ruling council, and the city's main registry office. 6. The main building is surrounded by two side buildings, forming the larger Moscow City Hall and Government complex. 7. In front of the building stands a marble statue of Tsar Alexander III on a granite pedestal. 8. On 14 April 1985, part of the City Hall was destroyed by a fire. Although it was the first such tragedy in the history of the building, it was successfully restored and today serves its original purposes. One of the historical monuments of Russia, it tells the story of a bygone era