Gorky Park

120 min.
3000 m.

The Gorky Park – is one of the most popular public places nowadays in Moscow – was founded in 1928, so this year it is selebrated its` 90 years anniversary. The name of Maxim Gorky was given to it in 1932. The plan of parter (the central part where we are going to walk today), was implemented by avant-garde architect K. Melnikov.

Route points

  • 1
    Main entrance
    The building of 18 meters height was constructed in 1955 while reconstructing of the park after the end of the World War II. Architects – Y. Shuko and A. Spasov. In the towers of the park were situated the park Directorate, cinema and photo studios. These premises were never available for tourists but recently the Park museum has been opened here.
  • 2
    Park museum
    The Gorky Park museum was opened in the left tower of the main entrance. Exposition is based on the events of the Park life in 1930th years, it`s «golden age». In 1929 26-year-old Betty Glan became the first general manager of the Park. This young woman, full of ideas and energy, accomplished several advanced projects which could not be compared with any others not only in Soviet Union but also abroad.
  • 3
    Observation deck
    The observation deck is situated on the roof of the main entrance of the Gorky Park at the height of 18 meters. Its` area is 555 square meters. With the help of binocular it is possible to examine the city and the park in all details.
  • 4
    Pioneer pond
    This pond was found before the Revolution under the name of Small and together with surroundings belonged to Meshansky college. Michail Chechov, the nephew of the famous writer, was of fond of fishing there in summer. And in winter the outstanding singer Feodor Shalapin skated there.
  • 5
    Directorate building
    This building has unique and complicated history. Initially it was built as a shipbuilding yard. Subsequently in 1923 the famous architect A. Shusev rebuilt it in the pavilion of all-russian agricultural exhibition. In 1933 Brazilian architect R. Dacoshta rebuilt it once more – in the first sound cinema in the city. In 1942 it was ruined by the bomb and it became necessary to build it almost from the beginning.
  • 6
    Ballerina
    For this statue the sculptor E. Yanson-Maniser chose as a model the legendary ballerina Galina Ulanova. Before the war 1941-1945 the Parachute tower - one of the symbols of the Park - had been situated here.
  • 7
    Observatory
    The first astronomic pavilion was placed here in 1929 and during many years the specialists of Moscow planetarium have been conducting sky tours there. Public observatory was closed for more than 20 years. And finally, in 2012 it was reopen.
  • 8
    Gorky monument
    Maxim Gorky was in the Park thrice - in 1929, 1931 and 1934. The first monument was installed in the Park soon after the death of the writer, in 1939. But it was ruined. The new one was built in 1974 by sculptor N. Nikogosyan.
  • 9
    Figure fountain
    The figure fountain was made in 1930th and became one of the first constructions of the Park of culture and rest. Initially at that place had been situated the legendary “The girl with a paddle”. Nowadays light-music shows are held here.
  • 10
    Openwork pavilion
    «White-snow» openwork, or «Music» under another name, the pavilion was built at the place of former circus tent at the beginnings of 1950th. In summer usually the grand piano was placed there and musical and poetical evenings were held. In 2011 this tradition was renewed and in 2017 the gazebo was restored in initial appearance according to its historic photos.
  • 11
    Pushkin embankment
    The embankment was named in honor of Pushkin to the 100th anniversary of the grand poet. In Soviet times a circus tent was organized here as well as pools and towers for jumping into the water. Competitions in swimming and passing GTO sport standards were performed there.
  • 12
    Golizin pond
    The pond is consisted of the Big and Small ponds, connected by narrow stream. The pond began to look so romantic like now in 1954. Many waterfowl birds dwell here. To prevent the pond from being overgrow by algae, more than 400kg of fish is cultivated there.
  • 13
    Golizin garden
    In 1796 several noble families united by Golizin dukes collected money to organize the hospital for poor. Nowadays this hospital exists under the name of The First City Hospital. According to idea of M. Kazakov, the architect of the building, between the hospital and the Moscow-river embankment the park was made for patients of the hospital.
  • 14
    Golizin hospital rotundas
    The borders of the hospital park were finished by picturesque rotundas installed by M. Kazakov at the embankment. Built at the beginning of the 19th century they are still exist at their initial appearance.
  • 15
    Historic toilet
    Public toilet as an important object of cultural heritage? Yes, exactly like this. It was constructed in 1933 by the project of architect A. Vlasov and represented a unique monument of socialist realism.
  • 16
    Розарий с фонтаном

    Разработанный архитектором А. Власовым проект был удостоен гран-при на Всемирной выставке в Париже в 1937 г. В розарии были собраны самые разные сорта роз со всего света. По центру благоухающего цветника били (и бьют сегодня) освежающие струи воды, а также установлены украшенные уникальным узором скамейки, на которых москвичи и гости столицы и сегодня любуются потрясающей красотой розария.

  • 17
    Andreevsky bridge
    In Soviet times the use of Andreevsky railway bridge was terminated and in the end of 20th century it was decided to move it on the territory of Gorky Park. The base of the bridge was delivered to the park by water and after the construction of modern glass crossing it became pedestrian.
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