Moscow Cathedral Mosque

About this place

Moscow Cathedral Mosque is the main mosque of the Russian capital, on Olimpiysky Avenue in the city centre. The present building holds ten thousand worshippers, and it is among the first places Muslim travellers seek out in Moscow. You can see it from far off thanks to its big golden dome and two tall minarets, above a wide avenue near the station. The original mosque was built in 1904 to a design by the architect Nikolay Zhukov. It was sometimes called the Tatar Mosque, as most of its congregation were Tatars, and it was viewed as the central mosque in Russia. It was demolished in 2011 amid controversy, and a new building on the site was officially opened on 23 September 2015 with leaders from several countries present. You face a tall white front with long blue-green windows, topped by a golden dome and small turquoise domes. On either side rise slender minarets ending in gilded tips, which shine at night under the lights. The details include Arabic inscriptions and Islamic patterns on the fronts and doors. It is about 2.8 km from Red Square in a straight line, and Prospekt Mira is the nearest Metro station. This is a place of worship, so dress modestly, women should cover their heads, and avoid prayer times. Crowds are very heavy on Fridays and at Eid, so plan for that. Ask before taking photos. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia, and non-Russian bank cards may not work, so read the current advice before you plan.