Bolshoy Theatre

To truly experience Moscow at its best you would need to see a classic opera and ballet at the historical Bolshoy Theatre. The theatre was constructed during the 18th century and was used the same way that it is used today. In 1805 the theatre caught on fire - which completely destroyed it.

7 years after the theatre was destroyed a raging fire ran across Moscow destroying most of the city. During re-construction - in 1824 - Andrei Mikhailov decided to re-build the theatre. Giving it a whole new design - Mikhailov built the new theatre on the site of the Theatre Square. In 1853 the theatre caught on fire again - but did not suffer as much damage.

The Bolshoy Theatre was used as a place to hold political meetings during the Soviet takeover. On December 30th, 1922 it became famous for the ‘birth of the Soviet Union' when it held the First All Union Congress of Soviets. Since then it has been home to some of the best operas and ballets that Moscow has to offer.