All Sights by District
Moscow metro
TransportMoscow’s central district of Khamovniki is situated directly south-west of the centre and south of the Arbat District within a curve of the River Moskva. Its is considered a rather elite district of Moscow. Its main streets are Ulitsa Volkhonka which branches off into Ulitsa Preschistenka and Ulitsa Ostozhenka. After the Garden Ring, which is made up here by Zubovsky Bulvar and Krimsky Bridge, the two streets become Ulitsa Bolshaya Pirogovskaya and Komsomolsky Prospekt respectively. The very tip of Khamovniki is located beyond the Third Ring Road and is occupied by the Luzhniki Olympic Complex. The district is served by Kropotkinskaya to Vorobyovy Gory metro stations on the red line.
Sights in Khamovniki District
Around Frunzenskaya Metro
Ivan Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
- 2 Ulitsa Bolshaya Pirogovskaya
- Park Kultury, Frunzenskaya
- http://www.mma.ru/science/museum/ (Museum)
- 10:00 - 17:00. Closed on weekends, public holidays and the first Monday of the month (Museum)
Immediately behind Archangel Michael's Church among the Clinics are the clinics themselves - the Ivan Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, which was founded in 1758 as the medical faculty of the Moscow State University. Running all along the University's premises are several statues of leading Russian doctors: gynaecologist Vladimir Snegirev, paediatrician Nil Filatov (on the corner of Skver Devichievo Polya), field-surgeon Nikolai Pirogov and physiologist Ivan Sechenov;… Read more »
Pavel Korin House-Museum
- 6c2 Ulitsa Malaya Pirogovskaya
- Frunzenskaya, Sportivnaya
- http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru
- Currently closed for renovation (as of August 2013)
In a court yard off Ulitsa Malaya Pirogovskaya, which runs parallel below Ulitsa Bolshaya Pirogovskaya, is the former home and workshop of the artist Pavel Korin, which in 1968 was turned into the Pavel Korin House-Museum. The museum displays the work of the artist who is most known for his unfinished giant painting called 'Farewell to Rus' depicting the last service of Patriarch Tikhon in the Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin. The museum is run as a branch of the State Tretyakov… Read more »
Pogodin's Izba
- 12A Ulitsa Pogodinskaya
- Frunzenskaya, Sportivnaya
On the street above the State Medical University is one of the lesser-known architectural highlights of the Devichye Pole area: the wooden house known as Pogodin's Izba (an izba being a small Russian wooden house). The house was built in the Russian national style, including the ornate decorations known as wooden lace, in the mid-19th century and given to the prominent historian Mikhail Pogodin. During the Second World War the house was damaged by a bomb and only restored in the… Read more »
St Dmitri of Priluki's Church in Devichye Pole
- 6 Ulitsa Bolshaya Pirogovskaya
- Frunzenskaya, Sportivnaya
Also located on the premises of the State Medical University, although open to the public, is St Dmitri of Priluki's Church in Devichye Pole. The small church was built between 1880 and 1903 in the Byzantine revival style with a large squat central dome on a rotunda. The church was closed during the Soviet era and it was eventually given over for the university to use. The building was subsequently used by the organ transplant pioneer Vladimir Demikhov, who is most known for his… Read more »
Around Park Kultury Metro
Archangel Michael's Church among the Clinics
- 2 Ulitsa Yelanskogo
- Park Kultury, Frunzenskaya
The Archangel Michael's Church was built between 1894 and 1897 in the Neoclassical style. The church is known as 'Archangel Michael among the Clinics' due to its location in the Devichye Pole's medical district and it became the resident church for all clinics in the area. In 1922 the church was looted and in 1931 it was closed and had its domes removed. It was eventually returned to the Orthodox Church in 1992 and re-consecrated after being renovated in 1997. ►sights by… Read more »
Exaltation of the Cross Church in Chisty Vrazhek
- 8 1-y Truzhenikov Pereulok
- Park Kultury, Smolenskaya
Slightly north of Skver Devichievo Polya is the Exaltation of the Cross Church in Chisty Vrazhek. The church was built between 1701 and 1708 replacing an earlier wooden version. In 1798 a small central dome on an octagonal tower was added and an octagonal bell tower was built on between 1846 and 1852. Finally between 1894 and 1895 three large apses were built onto the back of the church. In 1931 the church was closed and converted for accommodation. It was returned to the Orthodox… Read more »
Lev Tolstoy Estate-Museum in Khamovniki
- 21 Ulitsa Lva Tolstogo
- Park Kultury
- http://tolstoymuseum.ru/museums/museum_branchs/khamovniki/
- 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mondays and the last Friday of the month.
Located on Ulitsa Lva Tolstogo (Lev Tolstoy Street) is a department of the Lev Tolstoy State Museum which is located in the early 19th-century estate which Tolstoy bought in 1882. After buying the house Tolstoy spent each winter here until 1901 (the summers he spent at his estate at Yasnaya Polyana) and he wrote over 100 stories at the estate. In 1920 the estate was made into a museum. Inside the estate's interior has been restored as to how it would have looked when Tolstoy lived… Read more »
Lev Tolstoy Monument
- Skver Devichievo Polya
- Park Kultury
Standing at the front of the small triangular-shaped park of Skver Devichievo Polya (Devichye Pole Gardens) is a statue of Lev Tolstoy. The monument was unveiled in 1972 and depicts the great author carved into large blocks of stone sat down cross-legged. Tolstoy is forever connected with the Khamovniki district of Moscow as he lived nearby in his city estate from 1882 and 1901. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District Read more »
Museum of Moscow
- 2 Zubovsky Bulvar
- Park Kultury
- http://www.mosmuseum.ru/
- 10:00 - 20:00 (Thursdays: 11:00 - 21:00). Closed on Mondays and last Friday of the month.
The Museum of Moscow was founded in 1896 and in 2008 it became the main museum of the Museum of Moscow Museum Association, which incorporates five other museums in the city. In 2011 the main department of the museum moved to its present day location in three large buildings which were formerly used as an arsenal. Here there is a permanent display on the history of Moscow from prehistoric times right up to the modern day. Also included are lots of interesting old photographs of… Read more »
St Nicholas' Church in Khamovniki
- 2 Ulitsa Lva Tolstogo
- Park Kultury
- http://nikolakhamovniki.ru
The St Nicholas' Church in Khamovniki was built between 1679 and 1682 although there has been a church at this location since at least 1625. In form the church comprises a standard cube structure attached to a small bell tower via a closed vestibule, but it is its style which makes it stand out. The church is an example of the Uzorochye style with elaborately decorated kokoshniks at the base of the domes and colourful details around the windows and on the bell tower. The church… Read more »
Around Sportivnaya Metro
Luzhniki Olympic Complex
- Luzhnetskaya Naberezhnaya
- Sportivnaya
Located in the bend of the River Moskva in the Khamovniki district of Moscow is the Luzniki Olympic Complex. The name Luzniki derives from the Russian word for meadows - luga. The complex's history goes back to 1956, when the area was developed with the construction of the Central Lenin Stadium (renamed the Grand Sports Arena in 1992 although usually just referred to as Luzhniki Stadium), the Small Sports Arena, the Palace of Sport and an Olympic swimming pool. The complex was used… Read more »
Novodevichy Convent
- 1 Novodevichy Proezd
- Sportivnaya
One of Moscow's most beautiful sights is the Novodevichy Convent which was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Novodevichy Convent, whose name translates as New Maiden Convent, was founded in 1524 on the orders of Grand Prince Vasili III of Moscow to celebrate Russia's recapture of Smolensk in 1514. The convent is dedicated to the Our Lady of Smolensk Icon. It was built as a fortified convent on the River Moskva. Later the convent served as a place of retirement or… Read more »
Novodevichye Cemetery
- 2 Novodevichy Proezd
- Sportivnaya
Located next to Novodevichy Convent, although not accessible from it, is the famous Novodevichye Cemetery. The cemetery was first opened in 1898 but in the 1930s it increased in size and stature when the graves of famous Russians were moved here from monasteries which were closed by the Soviets. Nowadays its gravestones read as a who's who of Russian history, politics and culture. The attraction in visiting this cemetery is not just in the famous names, but also the beautiful,… Read more »
Within the Garden Ring: Around Ulitsa Ostozhenka
Intercession Old-Believers Church of the Ostozhenskaya Community
- 4 Turchaninov Pereulok
- Park Kultury
- http://www.ostogenka.ru/
On Turchaninov Pereulok off Ulitsa Ostozhenka is the Intercession Old-Believers Church of the Ostozhenskaya Community. The Ostozhenskaya Old-Believers Community was established in 1907 after Emperor Nicholas II's enactment of the law on religious tolerance. Construction of the Intercession Church began shortly afterwards and was completed in 1911. However it was closed by the Communists in 1932 and only returned to the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church in 1994. ►sights by… Read more »
Ivan Turgenev Museum
- 37/7 Ulitsa Ostozhenka
- Park Kultury
- http://www.pushkinmuseum.ru/?q=node/1
- 10:00 - 18:00 (Thursdays: 12:00 - 21:00). Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and the last Friday of the month.
The Ivan Turgenev Museum was opened in 2009 in the mansion where Turgenev's mother, Varvara Turgeneva, lived from 1840 to the 1850s and where the author was a frequent visitor. The museum has exhibitions which detail the life and the creative work of one of Russia's finest authors. The museum is run as a branch of the Aleksandr Pushkin State Museum. There is free admission to the museum on the third Sunday of the month. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District Read more »
Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow
- 16 Ulitsa Ostozhenka
- Kropotkinskaya, Park Kultury
- http://www.mamm-mdf.ru
- 12:00 - 21:00. Closed on Mondays.
The Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow, or MAMM as it is known, was created in 2003 as part of the reorganisation of the museum of the House of Photography where the MAMM is based. The aim of the museum is to introduce people to contemporary art and multimedia technologies and it displays various photography and multimedia exhibitions by Russian and foreign artists. In addition the museum also holds festivals, lectures, film screenings and master-classes. There is free admission to the… Read more »
St Elijah the Prophet's Church on Obydensky Pereulok
- 6 2-y Obydensky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.hram-ostozhenka.ru/
St Elijah the Prophet's Church on Obydensky Pereulok, which is just off Ulitsa Ostozhenka, is often simply referred to as St Elijah Obydensky Church. The word Obydensky comes from the old-Russian for 'one day' as the first church to St Elijah was built here out of wood in one day in 1592. The current church dates from the turn of the 18th century and was built in the Petrine baroque style with a small dome on an 'octagon-on-cube' structure and a square bell tower. The church was… Read more »
Zachatievsky Convent
- 2-y Zachatievsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya, Park Kultury
The Zachatievsky Convent was founded in 1584 and dedicated to the Conception ('zachatie') of St Anne. However previous to this there was another convent located here which was founded by St Alexius (Aleksey), Metropolitan of Moscow, in 1360 but destroyed by fire in 1547. Shortly after the Zachatievsky Convent was founded it was subjected to the destruction of the Times of Troubles. Major construction work took place at the convent in the late 17th, mid-18th and early 19th century… Read more »
Within the Garden Ring: Around Ulitsa Prechistka
'Burganov House' Moscow State Museum
- 15/9 Bolshaya Afanasievsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.burganov.ru
- 11:00 - 19:00
The 'Burganov House' Moscow State Museum was founded in 2001 by the sculptor Aleksandr Burganov, whose work can also be found decorating the streets of Moscow. The museum's main exhibits are located in the open-air courtyard outside and can be visited for free. There are also some halls inside, one entitled the Small Louvre and another Pegasus House, both displaying more work of the sculptor. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District Read more »
Aleksandr Pushkin State Museum
- 12/2 Ulitsa Prechistenka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.pushkinmuseum.ru
- 10:00 - 18:00 (Thursdays: 12:00 - 21:00). Closed on Mondays and the last Friday of the month.
Not to be confused with the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art, the Aleksandr Pushkin State Museum is dedicated to Russia's favourite poet and the age during which he lived. The museum was opened in 1957 in its current location in the 19th century Khruschyov-Seleznev Estate. In addition to the temporary exhibition hall and the conference hall, the museum has two permanent expositions dedicated: 'Pushkin and his Epoch' and 'Pushkin's Fairy Tales', which is aimed at children. There is… Read more »
Anna Golubkina Workshop-Museum
- 12 Bolshoy Lyovshinsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya, Smolenskaya
- http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru
- 12:00 - 19:00 (weekends: 10:00 - 17:00). Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and the last Friday of the month.
Anna Golubkina was one of Russia’s most famous female sculptors. Her most famous work is the bas relief entitled 'The Wave' on the facade of the Moscow Art Academic Theatre (MKhAT) and she has other work on display at Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery. This museum to her was opened in 1934, upon the initiative of her elder sister, in the workshop where Golubkina spend many years. Inside it includes a memorial room which has been retained as it was when Golubkina worked here. This museum… Read more »
Dormition Church on the Graves
- 2/2 Bolshoy Vlasievsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya, Smolenskaya
The Dormition Church on the Graves is located at the intersection of four streets and may have got it names due to it being surrounded by a graveyard, although other theories as to how it got its unusual name also exist. A Dormition Church has existed here since 1560 but the current version was built between 1791 and 1806. The church was designed by the French architect Nicolas Legrand and features a large central dome on a rotunda and two parallel bell towers over the tall church… Read more »
Fridtjof Nansen Monument
- 6c2 Bolshoy Lyovshinsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya, Smolenskaya
Standing next to the Moscow office of the Red Cross is a statue of Norwegian explorer, diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen. Nansen is especially remembered in Russia due to his role in firstly helping First World War POWs leave Russia in 1920 during the chaos of the Russian Civil War and then by raising funds to tackle the massive humanitarian disaster which was the Russian famine of 1921. In the process the Nansen Passport was created which was identity cards… Read more »
Friedrich Engels Monument
- Ploschad Prechistenskie Vorota
- Kropotkinskaya
Standing in the centre of Ploschad Prechistenskie Vorota opposite to Kropotkinskaya metro station is a statue of Friedrich Engels - the German philosopher and translator who, along with Karl Marx, is one of the founders of Communism. The monument was unveiled in 1976 and depicts the philosopher deep in thought with his arms crossed standing on a small pedestal. In the 1990s there were calls to have the statue removed, but it was saved on the orders of the then-mayor Yuri Luzhkov… Read more »
Lev Tolstoy State Museum: Literary Museum
- 11/8 Ulitsa Prechistenka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.tolstoymuseum.ru
- 10:00 - 18:00 (Thursday: 12:00 - 20:00). Closed on Mondays and the last Friday of the month.
The Lev Tolstoy State Museum, which was founded in 1911, has several departments in Moscow dedicated to the giant of Russian literature. Located on Prechistenka is the Literary Museum which is located in the 19th century Lopukhin-Stanitsky Mansion. Inside the museum has displays and exhibits detailing the life and work of the author, including several themed halls. In the garden there is also a statue of Lev Tolstoy. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District Read more »
Russian Academy of Arts and Zurab Tsereteli Gallery
- 19 Ulitsa Prechistenka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://rah.ru/
- 12:00 - 20:00 (Friday: 12:00 - 22:00, Sunday 12:00 - 19:00). Closed on Mondays.
The Russian Academy of Arts has its headquarters on Ulitsa Prechistenka and it incorporates an art gallery which, apart from some ancient Roman and Greek statues, is dedicated to the work of the academy's current president - the controversial artist Zurab Tsereteli. The work of Tsereteli includes statues of well-known figures from Russian politics, Russian culture. and various tsars. Highlights include Vladimir Putin in his judo robe, former mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov as a… Read more »
St Blaise's Church in Old Konyushennaya Sloboda
- 20 Gagarinsky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya
The current version of St Blaise's Church in Old Konyushennaya Sloboda was first mentioned in 1644 although it is known that an older version stood here since at least 1625. The simple church comprises a single-domed structure attached to a small bell tower via a closed vestibule. During Napoleon's invasion the church was damaged to such an extent that it was re-consecrated after restoration work in 1815. In 1939 the church was closed and it fell into disrepair. It was restored in… Read more »
Vasili Surikov Monument
- 30 Ulitsa Prechistenka
- Kropotkinskaya
Standing in a small square opposite to the building of the Russian Academy of Artists is a statue of the artist Vasili Surikov. Surikov worked in the 19th century and is most famous for his paintings depicting historical scenes such as 'Morning of the Streltsy's Execution', 'The Conquest of Siberia by Yermak' and 'Boyarynya Morozova'. The bronze monument was unveiled in 2003 and depicts Surikov standing next to his easel. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District … Read more »
Within the Garden Ring: Around Ulitsa Volkhonka
Aleksandr Shilov Gallery
- 5 Ulitsa Znamenka
- Borovitskaya, Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.amshilov.ru/
- 11:00 - 19:00 (Thursday: 11:00 - 21:00). Closed on Mondays.
The Aleksandr Shilov Gallery is solely dedicated to the work of the portrait painter Aleksandr Shilov, who has painted prominent figures from Russian politics and culture as well as religious figures and war veterans. Although Shilov is undoubtedly popular among the ruling elite (and the staircase of the gallery proves this by being filled with photos of the artist posing with presidents, patriarchs, politicians and musicians), his work has been criticised by experts due to the… Read more »
Christ the Saviour Eparchial Cathedral
- 15 Ulitsa Volkhonka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://xxc.ru
The Christ the Saviour Cathedral is Russia's most important cathedral and its largest, having been designed to accommodate 10,000 people. The current version is actually the cathedral's second incarnation. Construction of the original version was started in 1839 under the project of the famous architect Konstantin Ton and the cathedral was consecrated 1883. However this version was famously demolished on the orders of Stalin in 1931. Afterwards there were plans to build an enormous… Read more »
Emperor Alexander II Monument
- 15 Ulitsa Volkhonka (in the park outside Christ the Saviour Cathedral)
- Kropotkinskaya
Located in the park next to the Christ the Saviour Cathedral is a monument to Emperor Alexander II. The monument was unveiled in 2005. The pedestal reads "Abolished Serfdom in 1861 and freed millions of peasants from many centuries of slavery. Carried out military and legal reforms. Introduced a system of local self-government, city dumas and zemstvo boards. Ended the long Caucasian War. Freed Slavic people from the Ottoman Yoke. Died on 1 (13) March 1881 as a result of a terrorist… Read more »
Gallery of 19th and 20th Century European and American Art
- 14 Ulitsa Volkhonka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.newpaintart.ru
- 11:00 - 19:00 (Thursdays: 11:00 -19:00). Closed on Mondays.
Located in what was once the left-wing of the residence of the Princes Golitsyn is the Pushkin Museum of Fine Art's Gallery of 19th and 20th Century European and American Art, which opened its doors in 2006. The Museum has twenty-six rooms displaying work by various European and American masters including Caspar David Friedrich, Francisco de Goya, Claude Monet, Vasili Kandinsky, Vincent Van Gogh, Cezanne, Rousseau and Marc Chagall among many others. The museum is run as a… Read more »
Ilia Glazunov Moscow State Art Gallery
- 13 Ulitsa Volkhonka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.glazunov.ru/
The Ilia Glazunov Moscow State Art Gallery was opened in 2004 to display the work of the artist Ilia Glazunov. Glazunov is most known for his specific style and giant collages dedicated to various periods in Russian history. These collages, including his masterpiece 'Eternal Russia', are on display here in a special hall. Other paintings include his series dedicated to the Battle of Kulikovo Field, illustrations for classic Russian literature and poetry, and scenes from ancient… Read more »
Mikhail Sholokhov Monument
- Gogolevsky Bulvar
- Kropotkinskaya
A few metres up Gogolevsky Bulvard is a wonderful monument to the author Mikhail Sholokhov, who is best known for his work 'And Quiet Flows the Don'. The monument was unveiled in 2007 and its centrepiece features a sculpture of the author sat in a boat which itself stands on a pedestal. However the best part of the sculpture is the waterfall feature behind it. The waterfall represents a river and just sticking out of the ground are the heads of many horses and one foal as if they… Read more »
Moscow Museum of Modern Art: Gogolevsky 10
- 10c1 Gogolevsky Bulvar
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.mmoma.ru/
- 12:00 - 20:00 (Thursdays: 13:00 - 21:00). Closed on the third Monday of the month.
Immediately behind the Mikhail Sholokhov monument is an art gallery which is one of several galleries run by the Moscow Museum of Modern Art which was established in 1999. The museum is located in a late-18th century estate house which once belonged to the Tsurikov-Naryshkin family. Various art exhibitions are held here as well as conferences on various themes. There is free admission to the gallery on the third Sunday of the month. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki… Read more »
Museum of Private Collections
- 10 Ulitsa Volkhonka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://artprivatecollections.ru
- 11:00 - 19:00 (Thursdays: 11:00 -19:00). Closed on Mondays.
The Museum of Private Collections was established in 1994 and it has been located in its present location in a specially-renovated mansion since 2005. The museum contains two floors of artwork all of which has been donated by private collectors of art. The collections have not been broken up and are displayed at the museum intact. The museum is run as a department of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. ►sights by districts ►sights in Khamovniki District Read more »
Nicholas Roerich Museum
- 3/5 Maly Znamensky Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.icr.su
- 11:00 - 19:00. Closed on Mondays.
The Nicholas Roerich Museum is located in the Lopukhin city estate which now houses the International Centre of the Roerichs and was set up in 1989 upon the initiative of the famous artist's son Svetoslav. The museum displays work of art of both Nicholas Roerich and his son George de Roerich, but also includes information on the Roerich family, including Nicholas Roerich's travels and his role in setting up the Roerich Pact which gives international protection to artistic and… Read more »
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
- 12 Ulitsa Volkhonka
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.arts-museum.ru
- 10:00 - 19:00. Closed on Mondays.
The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts is the largest museum of European art in Moscow and a must for art lovers. The initiative to open a museum of art in Moscow came from the professor Ivan Tsvetaev (father of the poet Marina Tsvetaeva) who managed to persuade millionaires to part with their cash in support. The museum eventually opened its doors in 1912 and was originally named after Emperor Alexander III. After the Revolution many works of art were transferred here from the Hermitage… Read more »
St Antipas' Church in Kolymazhny Courtyard
- 8 Kolymazhny Pereulok
- Kropotkinskaya
- http://www.hramantipa.ru
St Antipas' Church in Kolymazhny Courtyard has a rather eclectic appearance as it has been added to several times over the centuries. There is some confusion as to when the original part dates from but most believe the 1560s. A legend exists that Malyuta Skuratov (Ivan the Terrible's henchman) was responsible for the addition of a side chapel to repent for his sins and some say he might even be buried here in his family's crypt. In the 18th century, side-chapels to St Nicholas and… Read more »