Walks across center of Moscow

Kitai-gorod
Kitai-gorod is the most ancient district of Moscow, adjoining the Kremlin. Varvarka, Ilyinka and Nikolskaya streets are about 700 years old. Since the beginning of the 18th century only stone houses were built up here. Just at this spot the medieval chambers, which at a time belonged to the Romanov’s House, has been preserved here. Kitai-gorod is the succession of public agencies and shopping galleries.  

The Kremlin
The Kremlin is the heart of Moscow and the centre of Russia. The count of all Russian roads starts from here. The main events in the country’s political life take place here. The Kremlin towers with double-headed eagles and purple stars, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great, the Archangel Cathedral (the burial place of the grand dukes and tsars of Moscovia from Ryurik Dynasty), the Faceted Palace and the Grand Kremlin Palace, the Armory Chamber and diamond fund, Cathedral of Saint Basils the Blessed and the Lenin mausoleum. The Kremlin is the country’s symbol and the main object of tourist industry in Moscow. 

Zamoskvorechye
The name of Zamoskvorechye district literally means its location towards the Kremlin and the river. In other words – “over the Moskva river”. The river for cities was always an important trade channel. In 18th-19th centuries the warehouses were situated here, and at this very place the notable merchants and bargainers built up their houses. Today the two-storey constructions of the past centuries, the houses of famous Moscow and Russian figures, have been preserved in the yards of Zamoskvorechye. Among dozens of cathedrals, located in the territory of Zamoskvorechye, the Saint Nicholas cathedral in Tolmachi especially stands out. One of the most esteemed Russian icons the “Theotokos of Vladimir” or “Our Lady of Vladimir” is kept here. Also the world known State Tretyakov Gallery is situated here. As well as in the last century, in the streets of Zamoskvorechye there are many restaurants, cafes and people taking a walk in the evening.  

Ordynka, Prechistenka – Moskva river
This part of Moscow has most of all suffered from rebuilding over the last 10-15 years. The hi-tech style buildings have replaced the 19th century houses with furnished apartments. And though the ancient building’s fronts overlook the Prechistenka and Ostozhenka streets, a quartz silence of the most expensive Moscow bedroom district prevails in its deep yards. For this reason Muscovites call this part of the city the “Golden Mile”. Here one can find the main Russian cathedral the “Cathedral of Christ the Savior” and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. 

Arbat
Sometime ago the Arbat street inspired poets and artists, and set a Bohemian spirit to the neighboring yards and streets. At this particular spot the main events of capital’s cultural life in the 20th century took place. Today Arbat is one of the most popular tourist routes of Moscow. The Arbat yards and lanes, to the contrary, still keep their color of Moscow of the iron curtain times. The “New Arbat” street only by its name looks like the “Old Arbat”, being the embodiment of the progressive 70-s. Today one can find here the modern cinema, and a big book store, and a great variety of boutiques, and also restaurants and cafes for any taste and budget. 

Tverskaya
Tverskaya Street and its surroundings are the most appropriate places for shopping. Family clothing stores, boutiques, perfumery, jewelry and antiquarian showrooms, and art galleries are presented here in the whole variety. The doors of many bars and restaurants are open 24 hours. Tverskaya Street is also one the most kempt districts in Moscow, where the external architectural character of ancient buildings is maintained in the prime condition. The vanity of day shopping, the romance of evening walks and the high-energy of night clubs – this is the day’s routine of Tverskaya Street. Among the lanes, adjoining to Tverskaya Street, the Kamergersky lane deserves a special attention. Save that it is a pedestrian street with a great number of cozy cafes, also the world famous Moscow Academic Theater named after A.P. Chekhov (MKhAT) is situated here. 

Kitai-gorod
Kitai-gorod is the most ancient district of Moscow, adjoining the Kremlin. Varvarka, Ilyinka and Nikolskaya streets are about 700 years old. Since the beginning of the 18th century only stone houses were built up here. Just at this spot the medieval chambers, which at a time belonged to the Romanov’s House, has been preserved here. Kitai-gorod is the succession of public agencies and shopping galleries.  

Patriarchy ponds
Due to the intertwining of small similar streets and lanes this district is called the “Moscow labyrinth”. Patriarchy Ponds is the heart of this labyrinth and is connected with many mystic stories. The reason for this may lie in the historic past of ponds. In the 17th century this place was occupied by bogs. After the bogs were drained, the district was populated by Moscow noblemen, rich merchants and industrialists. At the present time it is one of the most elite residential districts in the city. 

Myasnitskaya - Pokrovka
Myasnitskaya Street (literally means the “butchers’ street”) for the recent two centuries has experiences a bunch of ups and downs. Before the 18th century the butchers took up their residence here. They used to throw off the wastes from slaughter yards to neighboring ponds and “Racha” river that was flowing nearby. The district has gained a special significance when it turned out to be on the way between the Kremlin and the palace village of Preobrazhenskoye. The ponds were cleared out and started to be called the “Chistiye Prudy” (literally means the “clear ponds”). The distinguished representatives of court began to build up their houses in the district. After the capital was transferred to St. Petersburg in the beginning of the 18th century, the district again fell to decay. In the 19th century the street again started to change, when it connected the centre of Moscow with three railway stations. In the first half of the 20th century the workers too up their residence here, and the district suffered greatly from industrial transformation. Today, walking along Myasnitskaya street and its lanes it is easy to notice all the historic stages in the life of this district. It is worthy of note that in modern Moscow this district is rather a well-balanced one, where we can equally find both offices, and residential buildings, and cafes, and parks, and “Chistiye Prudy” remain one the most picturesque and cozy places in the centre of Moscow. 

Pokrovka, Solyanka
This capital’s district has in a less degree suffered from changes and rebuilding in the context of the city evolution. Here we can easily imagine Moscow in the turn of the century. Old houses, narrow lanes and churches. Besides orthodox churches the temples of other confessions are situated here, for instance – a synagogue. The age of many streets is equal to several centuries. Many cafes and night clubs are situated in Pokrovka and Solyanka streets. During weekends these streets are always noisy and full of walking young people.