The Institute of International Education conducted an educational tour for foreign students around the historical part of the capital

On September 21, foreign students of the Institute of International Education of the RTU - MIREA from Vietnam, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan took part in an educational excursion to the historical center of Moscow.

During the excursion, organized by the staff of the Department of the Russian Language (as a Foreign Language), the students had a chance to visit the very heart of the capital of Russia - Red Square. The students learnt interesting facts about the origin of Moscow, its history, inextricably linked with the history of Russia, original architecture, Orthodox cathedrals and the origins of the Russian national character.

The excursion route started with Manezhnaya Square. Foreign students learnt about the history of the first shopping arcades and urban development on this site; they also came to know that numerous fires were a frequent occurrence in those times, so the appearance of the city often changed. Modern Manezhnaya Square is strikingly different from what it used to be several centuries ago.

Then a group of foreign students from the Institute of International Education headed towards the Alexander Garden. The students were surprised to learn that in the 19th century the garden was created as a memorial complex dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812. Hence, the Italian Grotto, one of the attractions of the Alexander Garden, is built from the columns of destroyed Muscovite houses and symbolizes the revival of the capital after the devastating fire of 1812.

The obelisk dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Romanov reign aroused particular interest: foreign students were trying to guess the eagle crowning the obelisk has two heads.

The Alexander Garden also houses the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, a memorial architectural ensemble near the Kremlin wall, dedicated to the events of the Great Patriotic War. This is a place of grief and memory for every Russian. It was important for foreign students to see this place, the Eternal Flame, the Alley of Hero Cities and the Cities of Military Glory, it was essential to hear the history of the opening of the memorial.

And finally, the group of tourists went to Red Square with the most important tourist attractions of Moscow: Lobnoye Mesto (the Execution Place), St. Basil's Cathedral, the monument to K. Minin and D. Pozharsky, the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin, and GUM (the State Department Store).

The excursion ended in Zaryadye Park, one of the symbols of modern Moscow. The floating bridge, a real botanical reserve, and the Great Amphitheater made an unforgettable impression on foreign students.

The students arrived at the conclusion that it is impossible to love Moscow, a city that is amazingly beautiful, modern, and open to everything new, without understanding its origins and history.