- Early History
- Moscow first mentioned in 1147, founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky
- City developed along Moskva River as border point with wooden Kremlin walls
- Moscow's name derived from Moskva River
- Major Events
- 1812 Napoleon's invasion destroyed much of city
- 1917 Kremlin heavily damaged by artillery shelling
- 1931 traffic jam led to underground network construction
- Architectural Legacy
- Church of Nativity remains Moscow's earliest surviving building
- Church of Ascension built in 16th century as first tented roof church
- Seven Stalin Empire-style high rises built after WWII
- Modern Era
- Moscow became Soviet Union's capital in 1922
- City expanded significantly in 2012, reaching 255,000 hectares
- New districts planned to restrict high rise construction
- Moscow became world's largest city in 2012