The Moscow Circus

The Moscow State Circus Every summer we look forward to seeing the circus train roll through town. Sometimes it's the Cole Brothers, and other years we'll see Barnum & Bailey. Often we'll spend an afternoon visiting with the animals and taking in the astounding acts within the circus rings, but never do we dare imagine what life would be like if the circus were a permanent attraction. Enter, the Moscow Circus.

The History of the Great Moscow State Circus

The circus in Russia has existed for hundreds of years, beginning with the rule of Catherine the Great and continuing eternally. Charles Hughes, an odd Englishman, presented the first troupe of circus entertainers to Catherine, who was immediately spellbound and demanded that circus rings be built in St. Petersburg.

When Hughes finally left Russia, many of his performers stayed behind. They were able to teach and train Russian performers, who over time turned the circus into an art held in esteem as high as the ballet. The Nikulin Moscow Circus formed in the late 1800's and continued to provide entertainment for the public long after the country was rocked by disturbing wards and turmoil.

Russia is now the home to several permanent circus buildings and also features a number of traveling circus troupes that regularly visit foreign countries. The most notable of which is the Great Moscow State Circus.

The Great Moscow State Circus

The main circus building is the Great Moscow State Circus. The building, which opened in 1971 stands 36 meters high and has the capacity to seat over 3,000 people. There are, of course, significant advantages to having a permanent circus building as opposed to a removable tent. One such advantage is the ability to include technology that allows for moving floors, rings, and props that might not otherwise be available at a traditional circus. This gives performers the tools and ability to perform even greater feats.

The Great Moscow State Circus employs hundreds of workers and performers year round. You'll find gymnastic performers, clowns, jugglers, and a number of other honored and award winning performance artists. Parts of the circus group tour the world annually, visiting more than 20 countries to show off their incredible skills.

Visiting the Moscow State Circus

The Great Moscow State Circus hosts two performances each and every day. The first begins at 3pm and the second at 7pm. The building can be reached from any of the Moscow apartments by taking the Universitet branch of the Moscow Metro. Arrive early for an opportunity to tour the Circus grounds, catch a sneak peek of the actors warming up, and perhaps to meet the featured animals and participants.

Be sure to visit the circus at least once during your stay. You'll never witness an event quite like the Great Moscow State Circus, no matter where you live. Contact the concierge at your Moscow hotel for help navigating the Metro system, and you'll be well on your way to the performance of a lifetime.

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