h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Kremlin in Moscow is located right in the city centre of the Russian capital, on the banks of the Moskva-River, right next to the Basilius Cathedral (the colourful onion-roofed church on the red-square), Lenin-Mausoleum, The Red square and the GUM (a huge and unfortunately slightly decrepit shopping mall). In fact, the Kremlin is the seat of the russian government, and by definition the centre of the city (Kremlin is a general word meaning something like 'The city centre fortress' - there are many Kremlins in other cities too). It was originally conceived as a fortress, so it is more a building complex than a single building, defended by a huge red brick wall. Many parts of the Kremlin are open to public (entrance fees vary according to the visitor's nationality - former Soviet Union residents pay a fraction of the normal tourist price whic is about 10-50 american bucks, depending on the parts of the Kremlin one would want to visit).

The Kremlin accomodates many museums: The russian diamond fund (with impressive gems in the exposition), a museum of Czar-Stuff, basically crowns, gowns and gold-dishes, a museum for ancient weaponry and a museum of orthodox clerical stuff like unthinkably valuable icons and golden ceremonial-service-dishes. In essence lots and lots of golden stuff. The Kremlin also accomodates many churches, in which the czars (like Ivan the terrible) are buried. When walking in Kremlin one is constantly made aware of the gigantic Russian soul. The Kremlin is concentrated Russian history, and a perfect start for anyone interested in Russian history.

Last but not least, western Tourists (like me) can feel the James Bond aura, since many parts are still decorated in the good old soviet style (i.e. the hammer, the sickle and red-stars).

Cautions to be taken: Since the Kremlin is the seat of the russian gov't there are lots of military people in there taking care for you not to smoke or cross the street on unmarked places. They whistle out loud when you do that. And it's not really tourist-friendly, so one would probably need a guide. Anyways: The Kremlin is just majestic.