FOREIGNERS IN MUSCOVY OF THE LATE XV-XVI CENTURIES: PERCEPTION OF DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHITECTURE OF RUSSIAN CITIES

The article considers the peculiarities of foreigners' perception of Russian cities, their development, planning and architecture during the late XV-XVI centuries. The restoration of a single state, called Muscovy in Europe, has attracted the attention of many countries, communities, and individuals seeking to establish profitable political, commercial, and cultural ties with Russia. Russian cities, especially the capital, with unusual layout, buildings and architecture fall into the sphere of attention of foreigners. In their assessments of Russian realities, the authors proceeded from their own ideas and interests that developed in other historical and cultural conditions. For this reason, they often preferred European cities and buildings. As Russia's contacts with foreign countries develop, foreigners' knowledge of Russian cities becomes more accurate.