The morning call., 1893-05-28
RUssIA's ANCIENT CAPITAL.

Moscow, the old capital OF Russia and the
wealthiest city of the empire. affords one OF
the most famous and picturesque urban views
in Europe II is The commercial metropolis of
the empire, contains three quarters of mil
lion people and is beautifully situated on the
Al oslva River.
1t is the railway center Of Russia and as it Is
approached over any of these routes of travel
It's first appearance is a strikiDg one. From
long Gistan ce the air is seen bristng with bur-
nished and sparkling spires, domes, towers,
cupolas and mnarets. They are of many col
ors and the effect is rich aud magnificent.
As the ci Y is neared through highly culti-
waited country and attractive suburbs the hills
and forests about ii give picturesque variety to
the scene. The banks of the liver that winds
through the southern portion OF the city are
high, and still higher eminehces farther back
rear themselves, clothed in gardens. forests
and palaces From any point which affords
partial View Of the city the most no iceable
feature becomes the famous Kremlu situated
on kIemlin Hin. near he center OF the city
end about 100 feet above the river. This is
the ancient citad i OF fortress. 1t is sur
rounded by massive white walls with five won-
aefful gales, eigh cen towers and picturesque
baltlements. The vast inclOsure is filled with
palaces, churches. mosques and Government
and business buildings, and this overlooking
cluster OF massive structures presents mag
niiicent ana Impressive scene from "a distance.
he EideG dome of the Tower OF Ivan, with its
chime If thiity-four bells, rises to a height of
200 feel, and among the prominent structures
are the Cathedral Of the Annunciation and the
Cathedral OF tue Assumption. The great Pal
ace of IN EmperOrs lifts its massive white
fronts and gided cupolas and van 5 and tur-
rets, fantastic. silvered, gilded, fill the air 1t
is mainly about the Kremlin that the old. hon.
ored and sacred historical assoca ions of the
city cluster.
PERHAPS the best view of Moscow is obtained
from lie VOrobiovy bills across tile river in the
southwestern suburbs OF the city. From there
broad avenues are seen TO radate in all drec-
tons from the Kremlln and all over the broad
city are painted roofs anG strange towers, mIn-
arets aud domes That stand out against the sky.
Ga denS and ponds are scattered amid The
clusters OF houses. The beautiful parks and
picturesque suburbs that surround the city are
lald out before the eye. There are woods about
the subntba palaces. ana little further away
forests valy The yirw OF the fertile surrounding
country. a mile away across the river is the
ancient NovO- DyeVilchiy convent. erected in
1925, The chief burial place of til aristocracy
of Moscow for centuries. The forest OF Sako-
loni is IN full view TO the north, and the rregu-
lar banks of the winding rIyer add 10 the pic
turesquenrss of the scene.
The streets and lanes OF Moscow radiate
from The Kremlin, around which also are broad
bouIevardS, and many OF these lead to an OBJ
ject of interest which every one who visits that
city makes II po nj TO see, that is the great
bell Tsar Kolok0l. standing on massive
granite pedestal at the foot of the mighty
tower of Ivan, Inc Great Around the triangu-
lar piece of ground on which is built the Krem-
liz, runs a red brick wall ancient and pic
turesque, with its many quaint baitlements
and towers. II Is pierced with many gateways,
chiefly among these IS the Redeemer Gate. over
which Is faded picture OF the Redeemer of
S0mleusk. Ali passersby show their rever-
eDce by barring the head In passing under The
picture.
To The right of the Kremlin is another pic
ture with The clouds for background. 1t is
the outlines of kitai Gotod, the Chinese Tower
as It is called by many, the place that was built
by or0er of Ivan the Terrible when the Krem-
In became overcrowded
Between he kremliu aud Kitai Gorod Is stu
ated lie Great Red Place, Oh which Is erected
the monument TO Minin and fojarsky, the prin-
cipal ore aniZers of the national rising against
the Poles who, IN 1911, occupied Moscow, and
who were about to subjugale the whole OF Rus
sla. Another striking object chat impresses
The stranger is the extraordinary piece OF archi-
lecture, the cat hedra OF ST. Basil, erected over
the remains OF the b atied Basil. The founda-
ti0n OF this edInce, or cOuglOmeration OF edi-
fees. was laid In 1855. and it was TO have been
destroyed by the order of Napoleon, but es-
capped ny The same good fortune that saved the
81. Nicholas Gate of the Kremln, which the
French engineers attempted to destroy.
Moscow is not city OF activity certain
dreamy air generally pervades the great bazaars
ana the thoroughiaTes, ana the inhabitants seem
never to be i'll d hurry. They gaze in amaze
ment when told of the rush and hustle which
characterizes the American people. They
smile and say 'they should not hurry so they
VIII not gel out OF The world any sooner"