Zaryadye Park
Zaryadye Park is a unique architectural project that served as a majestic reincarnation of the Moscow neighborhood of the same name. Until 2006, the Rossiya hotel complex stood on this site. After the building was dismantled, the territory was allocated for the organization of a “park of the real future”. Local residents and tourists come here for recreation and cultural and historical enlightenment. As of the end of February 2019, more than 15 million people have visited Zaryadye Park, and this figure continues to grow every day.
Video: Zaryadye Park
Contents- History of Moscow Zaryadye
- Park structure
- Zaryadye art objects
- Thematic routes
- Where to eat
- How to get there
History of Moscow Zaryadya
The first attempts to revitalize the once-great Zaryadye were made in the mid-20th century by erecting the Rossiya hotel complex on the site of the shopping rows. In the 1970s, it was mentioned in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest hotel in the world that existed at that time. The February fire of 1977 destroyed a significant part of the building and claimed the lives of 42 people. Although Moscow’s leading architects repeatedly proposed plans to modernize the destroyed building, it was decided to permanently dismantle it.
.
January 2012 was a turning point in the fate of Zaryadya. Vladimir Putin saw favorable prospects in the development of the abandoned district and proposed to the mayor of Moscow to implement a new project – a modern park zone for recreation and cultural entertainment. In February of the same year a competition for the project of the future green zone was announced. It was won by the public movement “Friends of Zaryadya”, whose members initially favored the creation of a park on the abandoned territory.
.
Construction work was carried out from 2014 to 2017. It took more than 20 billion rubles to realize the inimitable project. Despite sharp criticism, “Zaryadye” was awarded in three competitions: Popai Russia, Inavation and MIPIM. The original beauty of the park was also noticed by representatives of Time and ArchDaily online magazines. They placed the Moscow pearl at the top of the rating of the best sights of our time.
.’
Park structure
The architectural design was the embodiment of Wilde Urbanism, which combines urban and natural environments under its wing. On the territory of the park with the help of artificial microclimate 4 types of landscape typical for Russia are recreated: swamp, forest, steppe and tundra. They are closely intertwined with each other, descending in terraces in a southwestern direction.
.
“Zaryadye” has become home to 7 thousand representatives of local flora. During a walk you can find more than a hundred species of plants. The riot of emerald greenery eccentrically contrasts with the main cultural objects of the park.
Media Center
In the media center is located and information center for tourists. Here you can find out the latest information about the cultural and entertainment program of Zaryadya, order the services of a licensed guide and even plan a tour of the best cities in Russia!
. On the side of St. Basil’s Cathedral rises a pavilion – a place for creative master classes, exhibitions and informative lectures. The inner space of the Dome is represented by a round-shaped hall with a bypass gallery for temporary exhibits. QR codes, in which fascinating facts from the history of Zaryadya are encoded, are placed on the walls of the pavilion. It is also possible to “discover” a detailed guide to the park. Most often, admirers of digital photography gather under the “Dome”. So, in July 2019, the pavilion presented to the attention of visitors the exposition “Call of the ancestors”. It united photos that reveal the culture, rituals and traditions of Russia and Korea. The purpose of the photo exhibition is to tell about the national colors of the two countries and thus contribute to the development of international friendship.
The Dome
Ice Cave
To the northeast of the coniferous forest zone is Zaryadya’s most extraordinary cultural object. It is a visual imitation of Arctic caves. LED lighting emphasizes the graceful contours of the ice art installation. More than 70 tons of water were used to create it. The temperature in the room never rises above -4 °C. This is facilitated by an airtight airlock that prevents warm air from entering from the outside.
.
The ice cave is open all week from 10:00 to 21:00, on Mondays – from 14:00. Groups of visitors (no more than 15 people) rotate every 20 minutes. The cost of an adult ticket is 190 and 300 rubles on weekdays and weekends respectively. For tourists from 7 to 18 years old entrance will cost 95 and 150 rubles, for children under 7 years old – free of charge.
.
Conservation Embassy
Not far from the Ice Cave you can see a rounded building that resembles an alien ship. It houses a science and learning center. It offers more than fifty interactive activities for the study of geography, ecology, chemistry and biology. They are often visited by luminaries of modern natural sciences. They share with tourists up-to-date knowledge about the world around them.
.
In addition to lectures and quests, the Zapovednoe-posolstvo offers other activities.
.- “Drawing the Microcosm.” You will learn how to work with a microscope and use it to examine individual materials. Participation will cost 600 rubles. The event lasts 45 minutes. Children under 7 years old are allowed only if accompanied by an adult. .
- Visit Florarium. A walk through the experimental greenhouse will demonstrate how plants can be grown in an airy environment without the use of soil. Guests of “Zaryadya” will see an atypical for Moscow diversity of flora. It is possible to visit the Florarium as a part of excursion groups. The cost of an adult ticket is 190 and 250 rubles (on weekdays and weekends respectively). On Mondays and every third Tuesday of the month the greenhouse is closed for sanitary day. .
- Participation in bio-art. Tourists will be told about the methods of obtaining natural dyes and help to make a palette of pigments from plant materials. In the future, the resulting colors can be painted a picture. Art therapy will cost 800 rubles. The duration of the event – 45 minutes.
Underground Museum
The Zaryadya Archaeological Museum is located in the passage between the park and Moskvoretskaya Embankment. It was organized in the underground space around a part of the white stone foundation of the Kitaygorod Wall. Now the museum attracts connoisseurs of Russian history and culture of the XV-XVII centuries.
.The collection of artifacts is represented by weapons, household items, jewelry and treasures found during excavations. No less interesting is the interactive part of the composition. Tourists will be able to dress up in the clothes of a local nobleman, touch a weighty chain mail and even take a photo with Streltsy of the XVII century! With the help of digital technology you can learn how to load an ancient cannon, solve intricate puzzles and even develop a strategy to defeat the enemy.
.
The underground museum welcomes visitors from 10:00 to 21:00, opening 4 hours later on Mondays. Sessions take place every 20 minutes. The cost of an adult ticket is 190 and 250 rubles on weekdays and weekends respectively. Tourists aged 7-18 can visit the Underground Museum for 95 and 125 rubles.
.
Zaryadya Art Objects
There is something to see in Zaryadya for connoisseurs of architecture, both ancient and modern.
>
Glass bark
The massive structure rises above the concert hall hill like a makeshift umbrella. It is formed by more than 2,500 panels, 152 of which are designed to absorb solar energy. The glass bark helps to maintain a favorable microclimate at the top of the hill. Here you can shelter from the weather among heat-loving plants and enjoy picturesque views of Moscow.
.
Kitaigorodskaya wall
An example of fortress architecture was reconstructed in the second half of the 20th century. In ancient times it played the role of a defensive structure of Kitay-gorod – a cultural, craft and commercial center of the XVI-XVIII centuries. In the construction work used the experience and technology of Italian architects.
.
Kitay-Gorod wall suffered repeatedly from crushing fires and was in a deplorable condition. It was partially restored only in 1970. The structure became part of a permanent exposition showing samples of fortress artillery of the Moscow Tsardom.
Soaring Bridge
Immediately after its opening in September 2017, the Zaryadya Bridge became one of the most popular bridges in the capital. The reason is its unique design, which is notable for the absence of outriggers. Thanks to this, a huge “boomerang” floats above the Moskva River at a height of 15 meters and serves as a viewing platform for residents and guests of the capital. The bridge offers an amazing panorama of the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Stalin’s high-rise buildings and Osipov’s profitable house. From here you can admire the two embankments: Moskvoretskaya and Raushskaya.
.For safety reasons, the Soaring Bridge is “framed” by a glass fence. Although the structure can hold about 4,000 people at a time, visitors are allowed on the site in groups. This measure helps to avoid pandemonium and make for excellent photos.
.
Thematic routes
Engineering Wonder
Guests of the capital will have a chance to explore the main engineering objects of Zaryadya. Among them are the Dome, the Media Center, the Soaring Bridge, the concert hall near the hill and the Glass Bark adjacent to them. The route ends not far from the Kitaygorod Wall. The walk will take at least half an hour.
.Where to eat
After a fascinating tour of Zaryadya, it is worth taking a break for lunch and gaining strength. This is possible in two establishments of the park.
.Restaurant “Voskhod”
The authentic atmosphere of the best restaurants of the Soviet Union reigns here. The interior of Voskhod combines the motifs of space exploration in the 1960s and creative works of modern futurist artists. The menu is amazingly diverse. You can find almost everything in it: salads, cold and hot appetizers, soups, seafood dishes, pilaf, pickles, shashliks, cakes and pies popular in the USSR.
.You can enjoy your meal to the accompaniment of famous Soviet songs, surrounded by panoramic windows and magical views of the capital. The restaurant is open for visitors from 12:00 to 00:00.
.
Gastronomic Center
This institution resembles not a traditional restaurant, but a huge food market. It serves delicious meat delicacies and spit-cooked game. Traditional Russian soups, dishes with seafood, vareniki, dumplings, pastries and other desserts look no less appetizing.
.
The main feature of the gastronomic center is the opportunity to order an edible “souvenir”. They are unusual delicacies from all corners of Russia or eco canned food. The facility welcomes gourmets from 12:00 to 00:00.
.https://trevaladvisor.com/img%img/Park-Zaryadereterte/IMG_2441.jpg” alt=””/>‘
How to get there
There are three ways to get to the green corner of the capital:
.- by metro – take the Sokolnicheskaya line (branch #1) to the station “Okhotny Ryad”, go to exit #7; take the Zamoskvoretskaya line (branch #2) to the station “Teatralnaya”, go to exit #10; on Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line (branch #3) to “Ploshchad Revolutsii” station, go to exit #11; on Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya line (branch #7) to “Kitay-gorod” station, go to exit #8;
- by buses M5 and #158 (get off at Red Square); #255 (go to the stop “Zaryadye”); M5, M7-M10, M27, K, H1-N7, #144, 904, 38, 101, 158 (get off at Slavyanskaya Square near Kitay-gorod); .
- by private car, leaving it in the underground parking lot of the park (cost – 250 rubles per hour).
“Zaryadye” is a great way not only to relax among nature, but also to get new knowledge about the Russian capital, that’s why the park is so popular among tourists and locals. It is a vivid example of how to ennoble a once great Moscow neighborhood and breathe new life into it!
.
