Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
203
Day Excursions for Everyone
Stalin's World War II bunker
—hidden beneath a football stadium but big
enough to accommodate and entire tank battalion—has been open to the pub-
lic since 1996. When it was build 1934-1936, in response to increasing German
militarism, newspapers announced the construction of a 120,000-seat stadium,
academy and art institute—none of which was ever completed. Whether taste-
less Soviet kitsch or a unique insight into the cult of personality, Stalin's bunker is
simply surreal. At $160 each for a group of two (dropping to $55 for groups of
three-plus), it's easier and cheaper to visit with an organized tour. Russkie Prostori
(
&
495/983-0334; www.russkieprostori.ru) make regular visits.
Restreat of the Tsars since the 14
th
century (and childhood home of Peter the
Great),
Kolomenskoye
is host to numerous free festivals throughout the year.
These include Maslenitsa (the orthodox answer to Mardi Gras) and an Easter
Sunday procession to the white-steepled Church of the Ascension. Entrance to
Kolomenskoye's grounds is free. Purchase tickets for the museums to the right
of the Front Gate—prices vary but start from 200 rubles (
&
499/615-2768
).
Much of
Star City
is still accessible only to its employees—or to “space tour-
ists” willing to pay. But ordinary earthlings can get access to the world's largest
centrifuge, a full-size model of the
Mir
space station, and a well-stocked
museum chronicling the glory years. Thos old enough to remember Gagarin's
flight will feel a pang at the sight of the model Vostok capsule: and anyone
under the age of 10 will be fascinated to learn, once and for all, how astronauts
cope with no toilets in space. Best seen as part of an organized tour. Patriarsky
Dom Tours visits every two months or so ($85 or 2,100 rubles). Visitors to the
museum will need to contact its administration department separately, in
advance (
&
495/536-2612;
www.gctc.ru/eng/).
10
For day visitors, try lunch in the Writers' House, at Children of the Sun (Deti Solntsa;
4 Pogodina Ulitsa;
&
495/731-2216;
www.detisolntsa.ru), with a lovely summer
veranda overlooking the pine forest. Prices are high, with a full meal at least 1,500 rubles,
and service slow, but the surroundings are exceptional. And anyone hankering for
24-hour sushi can try nearby Tanuki (31 Borovskoye Shosse;
&
495/733-0100;
www.
tanuki.ru).
