Historic Residences in Moscow
Despite Moscow's modern air, the city is home to many historic sites that date back centuries. We have compiled a list of residences that might be interesting to visit in early spring, combining unique preserved architecture and idyllic natural locations.
Tsaritsyno
Tsaritsyno is perhaps the most famous imperial residence in Moscow—it covers an area of over 400 hectares and is recognised as a protected area. The residence is a complex in the pseudo-gothic (or Russian gothic) style, originally built in the 18th century. The grounds span a large territory—there are several separate palaces and cavalier houses, gates and greenhouses, as well as gardens and paved trails alongside the property. Other than the complex, there is a large natural park area surrounding the residence, with ponds, grottos, and meadows.
Though it is worth seeing for the nature and architecture alone, you can also visit the museum complex located in the residence. Permanent and temporary exhibitions related to the history of the residence and Catherine the Second, demonstrating historical items, paintings, furniture, clothing, and more, are held there regularly.
Address: 1 Dolskaya Ulitsa
Metro Station: Tsaritsyno
You can visit the grounds for free
Tickets: museum tickets range between 100 and 630 RUB depending on the buildings you want to visit, or 1,120 RUB for a combined ticket that covers all the buildings.
More information is on the website
Lyublino
Lyublino demonstrates late 18th-century and early 19th-century architecture and landscape design in the form of an estate and a park. It has a long history—throughout the centuries it was inhabited by different owners who changed its appearance and added new buildings. The estate includes the central villa, which houses a museum, as well as a greenhouse and a serf theatre. Inside the central villa, you can see restored interior design elements and furniture. Small exhibitions—for example, ones showcasing local handicrafts—occasionally take place there as well.
Encircling the estate is a large park with a pond. In order to reach the villa, you have to go through the park—and it is a scenic walk.
Address: 1 Letnyaya Ulitsa
Metro Station: Volzhskaya
You can visit the grounds for free
Tickets: museum tickets cost 150 RUB (for students)
Purchase tickets here (website in Russian)
Izmailovo
This is one of the earliest remaining residences in a rather tranquil part of Moscow. Originally built in the 17th century, it is now a natural landmark and a protected historical area located on the Izmailovsky island—a stretch of land surrounded by a pond. It is associated with both tsar Alexis, who lived here, and his son Peter the Great, who was baptised in the nearby church.
Although the original tsar’s residence, which once crowned the centre of the island, was destroyed in a fire, the surrounding buildings (such as soldiers’ quarters, a hospital, and a church) are still there. Some of them are now occupied by a museum housing a collection of furnaces and tiles, as well as 20th-century hand-painted Orthodox icons. Other buildings occasionally host public lectures and workshops.
Address: 2 Gorodok imeni Baumana
Metro Station: Partizanskaya
It’s a five-minute walk from the station—you need to head towards the Izmailovsky Passage shopping centre and cross the bridge connecting the island.
You can visit the grounds for free
Tickets: museum tickets per exhibition cost 250 RUB (for students)
Tickets can be purchased here (website in Russian)
