Read the architecture of Independence Avenue

Start on Independence Square beside the Government House and the Red Church, then follow the avenue past the Central Post Office, GUM, October Square and the circus to Victory Square. This is one of Eastern Europe’s most coherent post-war urban ensembles; notice the corner towers, arcades, shopfronts and shifts in scale between ceremonial squares and residential blocks.

The route is about three kilometres and free. Finish at the memorial hall beneath Victory Square or cross into Gorky Park.