HSE Students’ Favourite Places in Moscow, Part 2
Below, students of the HSE School of Foreign Languages who worked as interns for the HSE English-language website team share their favourite places in Moscow. Elizaveta invites everyone to discover the Library for Foreign Literature, an iconic place for language lovers and learners from different countries, and Venera suggests taking a stroll in the historic Tsaritsyno Park.
Venera Alikhotzhina
Library for Foreign Literature
Here you can check out rich collections of books. Not interested in reading? Then delve into the versatile multinational community and explore the art, history, philosophy, or languages you are curious about.
The Library for Foreign Literature is a perfect choice if you are interested in literature, art, and intercultural communication. There you can find not only a great collection of books written in more than 150 languages but also join numerous speaking clubs, attend lectures, and find a multicultural community. There are separate reading rooms devoted to different languages, and there are corresponding departments named Cultural Centres (the American Cultural Centre, the Francothéque Cultural Centre, the Iberoamerican Cultural Centre, and others).
The library holds exhibitions of local artists, lectures, plays in foreign languages, concerts, workshops, and forums. This is a space where everyone can discover something captivating and useful. The library also offers thematic tours of the building. Once, I had a chance to watch a play performed entirely in Spanish with the HSE Spanish Club. We had a short but interesting tour of the Iberoamerican Cultural Centre before that and participated in a discussion of the play afterwards. This was a wonderful experience of immersion in such a diverse culture surrounded by like-minded people. I am sure that spending an evening here at this time of year will be very cosy and inspirational.
Visit the official website for details and prices for all types of events (some activities may be free).
Open: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri: 11 am–9 pm
Holidays, Sat, Sun: 11 am–7 pm
Address: 1 Nikoloyamskaya Ulitsa, Moscow, Russia
How to get there: The easiest way to get to the Library for Foreign Literature is by metro. It takes 15–20 minutes on foot from either Kurskaya or Taganskaya metro stations.
Elizaveta Atrashkevich
Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve
The fast pace of life in Moscow sometimes calls for seeking solitude and calmness. One of the places that helps me recharge the batteries is Tsaritsyno Museum & Nature Reserve. Located in the south of Moscow, Tsaritsyno was a 18th-century summer residence commissioned by Catherine the Great. The site combines grand architectural forms with ponds and walking routes.
Spanning more than 400 hectares, the ensemble includes over 20 historical buildings. The centrepiece of the park is the Grand Palace, a brick building framed by arches and staircases. Inside, you’ll discover exhibitions of Russian decorative arts and history. Nearby stands the Small Palace and the massive ‘Bread House,’ which once housed kitchens and service rooms and today serves as a space for exhibitions and concerts. The historic greenhouses are open year-round too, displaying exotic plants and botanical collections.
In winter the estate features a seasonal programme of festive events and illuminated installations. There is also an open ice rink with skate rental, ski trails across the park, and tubing slopes.
The official website of the museum-reserve is available in English, with historical background, information about exhibitions, and other details.
Address: 1 Dolskaya Ulitsa
How to get there: Take the metro (green line) to Orekhovo or Tsaritsyno or D2 to Tsaritsyno. The journey from the station to the main entrance takes about three minutes and is signposted.
Cost: Entry to the park itself is free. The palace, greenhouse complex, exhibitions, and guided tours require tickets, which cost 250–750 rubles depending on the venue. There are discounts for students. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or online via the museum’s site (in Russian).
Photos: Elizaveta Atrashkevich, mos.ru, Tsaritsyno Museum, Wikipedia.
For Part 1, please see this page.