Moscow Attractions: Kitay-Gorod Sights

Kitay-gorod is of the most ancient capital’s district, adjacent to the Moscow Kremlin walls; Kitay-Gorod is rich in architectural monuments: the history of churches, cathedrals, estates and tenement houses goes back centuries.
Originally a Jewish village, it was demolished after the Communist revolution . Stalin planned to build another skyscraper there but again failed.

Gostiny Dvor

An entire block in Moscow’s very center is occupied by Gostiny Dvor, which is one of the most ancient and remarkable historical and architectural monuments of the capital. There was a lively trade here. There were warehouses, and the merchant life was buzzing in Zaryadye district. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the wooden Gostiny Dvor was replaced with a stone one. Later, a new building was added to the Old Gostiny Dvor. In the 18th century, the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi created a new building for Gostiny Dvor. Completed by 1830, and was functioning for almost two centuries.

English Court

Under Ivan the Terrible, the English embassy was located here and diplomatic missions took place. Under Peter I, one of the first arithmetic schools in Russia was opened here. At the same time, in the Soviet era, communal apartments filled the old building. The building was rebuilt for public needs, but during the restoration in the 70s of the XX century, the monument’s historical basis was discovered, hidden under the ugly communist walls. The chambers were restored to their historical appearance. The original kitchen with ovens of the 16th century survived and the Treasury Chamber, where business receptions were held.

Church of the Great Martyr Barbara on Varvarka

An example of Russian classicism, the Church of Varvara on Varvarka, has created a special atmosphere for the entire Kitai-Gorod for centuries. This is one of the most fascinating and well-known churches in Moscow.

Varvarka Street was named after the ancient church of the Great Martyr Varvara. She had the most extraordinary life – being the only daughter of a wealthy Phoenician. He rejected all the suitors’ offers and adopted Christianity despite the pagan family, which pissed many off.
The cruelest tortures would not change her mind. Her own father executed her .

Znamensky monastery

The monastery territory and the part of the street on which it is located belonged to the Romanov boyars in the 16th century. There were a boyar courtyard and a house church, constructed in the name of the Mother of God “. After Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich became Tzar, the chambers on Varvarka changed its name to Old Tsar’s court.

Chambers of the Romanov Boyars

In the only building that has survived from the Romanov boyars’ estate. It is a perfect place if you want to dig into history a little deeper and learn about the roots of Russia’s most ancient family.

The museum’s exposition shows the life of the rich boyar families of the second half of the 17th century. The wards are divided into male and female parts, utility rooms, a library, storerooms. There is an underground archaeological museum with a pottery workshop built between the 15th and 17th centuries in the museum’s basement.

Zaryadye Park

The thought behind the park was to show the essence of a Russian soul. To create space where one can feel at peace with nature and at the same time see ancient sites and the buzz of the capital. The park is framed by the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Moscow River – you can see Moscow’s core all at once. It is among the best parks in Moscow
Most parks in Russia have the same plan. Zaryadye was built to give visitors the freedom to wander in any direction.

Each park area represents Russian diverse landscapes: birch forests, tundra, the steppe, the wetlands.
Kremlin’s views are perfect for photos, and a remarkable boomerang-shaped bridge that looks like it’s floating in the air over the Moscow River. Locals call it the floating bridge.

Nikolskaya Street

If you plan to visit Moscow, you should probably include Lenin’s mausoleum in your program as there is no saying how much longer it will be there.

Nikolskaya Street passes through Kitay-Gorod. The Nikolsky Gate of the ancient Kremlin was considered Nikolskaya Street’s beginning before Red Square’s construction.
It is currently the business center of Moscow.
Unlike the business Ilyinka and the trading Varvarka, Nikolskaya Street was formed as an area of spirituality and enlightenment, becoming a prestigious area.