Over a long history of Moscow, our capital city has earned a few epithets. It is probably obvious why Moscow is often called the First Throne. Moscow was the first city which became the center of all united Russian lands and later the capital of all Russia. White-stone nickname was given to highlight the architectural image of medieval Moscow built of white stone including the Kremlin wall of the XIV century.
Why is it often referred as The Third Rome? The term describes the idea that Moscow is the successor to the legacy of the Roman Empire (the "first Rome") and its successor state, the Byzantine Empire (the "second Rome").
Another completely mysterious epithet attached to Moscow is the Forty Forties. In the 17th century, the German scientist and traveller Adam Olearius wrote: "In the Kremlin, the head of churches are covered with smooth gilded tin, which in the light of the sun, shines brightly and give the city a magnificent look." One hundred years later French ambassador, Count Louis Philippe de Segur wrote about Moscow: "The view of Moscow, such a wide city, with its thousands of golden domed churches, the diversity of sounds of its bells, with the mixture of its houses, rich merchants' houses, magnificent palaces." No wonder why by the beginning of the XX century Moscow numbered up to the Forty Forties churches. Our Moscow tour guide will be glad to share some more curious facts about the capital while you are on a Moscow tour.
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