Z is for Zamoskvoreche

Z is for the Zamoskvoreche (literally "beyond the Moscow River") area of Moscow.  And so we are nearly back where we started, with the Kremlin on the opposite bank of the Moscow River.

My only mistake on this trip was not staying in this area and opting instead to stay farther afield.  Note to self:  Don't always believe online reviews of hotels.

Walking to the Tretyakov Gallery:

Entrance to the Tretyakov Gallery, holding the largest collection of Russian art in the world:

The gallery had some wonderful iconostases.  Unfortunately, it was another no interior picture places.

Vodootvodnyy Canal, built in 1783-86 to cope with flooding from the Moskva river.  In the distance on the left you can see a church spire in the Kremlin.

Lock tree on the bridge where newlyweds place a lock to symbolize their union:

Another view of the Canal with the Peter the Great Monument in the distance:

Peter the Great:

Tolkien Bonus:  Z is for Zirakzigil, one of the Mountains of Moria, where Durin's Tower was built and where Gandalf slew the Balrog.

And so we end.  

Thanks for travelling with me through 
the cities of far-eastern Europe 

and the places of Middle-Earth.