Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre, meaning 'Big Theatre' in Russian, stands as one of the world's most prestigious performing arts institutions and a symbol of Russia's artistic identity for nearly 250 years. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1776 and housed in its current neoclassical masterpiece since 1825, the venue is home to the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera companies, celebrated for their distinctive athletic virtuosity and grand productions. Its iconic façade, crowned by the Quadriga of Apollo, is an architectural landmark of Moscow and appears on the Russian 100-ruble banknote.