History of Currency

The ruble is the currency of the Russian Federation and the two partially recognized republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Nowadays in the coins of rubles there is represented the emblem of the Banco of Russia, a two-headed eagle. In the coins of kopeks San Jorge is represented killing with a lance to the dragoon, like in the beginning of the history of these coins.

Sights to see in Moskow

The Moskow Kremlin has always been perceived as a symbol of power and might of the Russian state, the national idea expressed in stone. It is the oldest part of the city, its political, historic and cultural centre, and the seat of the country's highest bodies of power.

The Red Square of Moskow together with the Kremlin make a harmonious architectural ensemble. The old Russian "red" meant "handsome", "the best", "the main". The Red Square witnessed many important events in the history of the Russian state. The Red Square is famous with brilliant St.Basil's Cathedral, the State History Museum, Lobnoye mesto, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky (Russian national heroes, defenders who led the people's volunteers in 1612). You can visit too the Museum of Applied and Folk Art, The State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, The State Tretyakov Gallery.

Belka and Strelka

During the 1950's and 1960's the USSR used a number of dogs for sub-orbital and orbital space flights to determine whether human spaceflight was feasible.

Belka (Squirrel) and Strelka (Arrow) spent a day in space aboard Sputnik 5 on August 19, 1960 before safely returning to Earth. All passengers survived. They were the first Earth-born creatures to go into orbit and return alive.

Flag

The three colours purportedly came from the coat of arms of the Gran Duchy of Moskow, which depict Saint George wearing white (silver) armor, riding a white horse, wearing a blue cape and holding a blue shield, on a red field. According to another version, these three colours were associated with the robes of the Virgin Mary, the holy protectress of Russia.