Muscovites may get married in zoo

MOSCOW, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Moscow authorities have included the capital's zoo in the list of cultural institutions for the state registration of marriage "in a solemn atmosphere," the municipal office said Thursday.

A corresponding order was published on the website of the mayor's office.

In Russia, marriages are normally registered in special civil registry offices. However, from 2006 they can also be registered in a number of historical monuments, palaces and museums.

The Moscow zoo was founded in 1864 has over 6,500 animals on an area of about 21.5 hectares (0.215 square km).