Historic Residences in Moscow—Part 3
In our third and final compilation of Moscow’s historic residences, we cover a range of places—from a tsar’s impressive estate to distinct 19th-century architecture right in the heart of the city.
Kolomenskoye
Kolomenskoye might be one of the most famous historic museum complexes in Moscow. Its historic layers are manifold—there are wooden structures conserved from various time periods, 16th-century churches (the Church of the Holy Ascension and the Church of Beheading of St John the Baptist), and 18th-century ruins. Most well-known is the 17th-century residence with an ornate wooden palace where Tsar Alexey Romanov lived with his family. Experts were able to restore the palace, so now it closely resembles the original one, both on the inside, with historically accurate interior furnishings, and on the outside, with its elaborate roof shape, embellished windows, and decorative carvings. The separate gates, as well as the kitchen and servants’ quarters, were also restored. Later, in the 18th century, another palace was built and frequented by Catherine II, though now only a small part of the original buildings remain.
The museum hosts a diverse range of permanent and temporary exhibitions that shed light on the history of the place, its architecture, the people associated with it, and life in the 17th century. Occasionally, themed ones are held too—for instance, there is currently an exhibition of Russian artists who work in the style of traditional Chinese painting, open until May 17. What’s more, the residence is surrounded by a park that overlooks the steep banks of the Moskva River.
Address: 39 Prospekt Andropova
Metro Station: Kolomenskaya, Kashirskaya, or Klenovy Bulvar
Park entry is free
Exhibition tickets (for students): 100–350 RUB, depending on the exhibition (open Tue–Sun, from 10 am to 6 pm). You can find more information on the website.
Neskuchny Garden
This garden is considered the historic part of Gorky Park, since it once housed several aristocratic estates that date back to the 18th and early 19th centuries and are now collectively known as the Neskuchny residence. The oldest buildings that still remain include count Trubetskoy’s hunting lodge, count Orlov’s summer house and grotto, a bath house near a pond, an outdoor theatre, a fountain, and several stone bridges. The most impressive building is perhaps the 18th-century Aleksandriysky Palace, which was owned by an aristocratic family before it was bought by Emperor Nicholas I and rebuilt. Entry is not permitted, but visitors can admire it from the outside. There is also a 1950s round gazebo built to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Moscow’s founding.
Surrounding the buildings is a large park spanning forty hectares. Neskuchny Garden connects to Gorky Park in the northeast and to the Vorobyovy Gory area in the southwest, forming a vast green swathe of land near the Moskva river.
Address: 9 Krymsky Val
Metro Station: Leninsky Prospekt or Shabolovskaya
Park entry is free
The Usachevykh-Naidenovykh Residence
This small yet distinct residence is located in the centre of Moscow, near the Yauza River. Since its grounds are elevated, it is also known as ‘High Mountains’ (Высокие горы). Its origins are peculiar—it was built in the 19th century by the Usachev brothers, a wealthy merchant family, as a symbol of affluence and status. The brothers intended it to be an aristocratic estate, which was markedly different from a merchant residence, and thus hired a renowned architect to build and furnish the grounds—including the main building, horse stables, a carriage house, and the stretch of land that comprises the park.
Although the residence was recently restored, it is not open to visitors; inside is a medical facility. Still, it’s possible to enter the park grounds and see the buildings from the outside as well as enjoy the peace and quiet of the park.
Address: 57 Zemlyanoy Val
Metro Station: Chkalovskaya
Park entry is free
