Center Of Moscow
When friends take you to center of Moscow, chances are you'll follow that same old route - The Kremlin, The Red Square, some of Manezhnaya Ploschad, a bit of Marshal Zhukov monument and yeah, I forgot Arbat!
Don't get me wrong - these Moscow sights are great, especially when that's your first visit. But do you really want to be like everyone else? I guess not!
You won't find the true spirit of Moscow in shiny guides and booklets. It's well hidden even from the locals. Come on, let me show you that sleeping beauty!
I wasn't aware of those places myself. I didn't think the city had any spirit at all. Two revolutions and a World War, you know...not much left of Tsar times. Moscow spirit is gone - at least that's what I kept telling myself.
So there I was, walking in center of Moscow, minding my business, when suddenly I realized how beautiful the place was. That was the true Russian capital, standing right before me. It was not gone. It just hid beneath the skyscrapers!
So where was I walking? Alright, alright, I'll tell you. The place's called "Krivokolenny pereulok". This neat side street is the keeper of old Moscow - at least what's left of it. Walk around slowly, take your time - and hopefully you'll understand what I felt.
"Krivokolenny pereulok" is small, but don't just pass it through. There are many tiny yards and adjusting streets you should look at. Get everywhere you can - the place holds many surprises. It would be a real shame to walk by them, so don't miss your chance!
A great thing about "Krivokolenny pereulok" is that there aren't many people around. Moscow is crowded, and sometimes it's great to escape the big city to a retreat like this. In fact, you don't even realize you're in a big city!
To be honest, there are too much people around. Moscow center is covered with cars, parking lots, offices, and lots of people. It's hard to enjoy anything when there's a constant rush hour around. That's why you need such quiet places to truly grasp the essence of the city.
Once you're done picturing two stories buildings that have seen the Tsar, get out to "Miasnitskaya" st. It holds a bit of history as well, mine personal favorite is the coffee shop. Alas, the street is much more crowded.
Got hungry, but too bored with usual cafes and eateries? There's a great place called "Project OGI", right next to "Krivokolenny pereulok". Veeeery exotic, got different bands performing there almost every evening, plus a book shop. Hard to describe - you have to see for yourself. It sits at 8/12 "Potapovskiy pereulok", building 2.
Bon appetit!
Update: see the new page I wrote about Moscow historic center.
Related posts:
- Tsaritsyno Park and Estate in Moscow
- Russian Souvenirs Guide
- Vozdvizhenka Street in Moscow
- Seven Sisters in Moscow - The Seven Stalin's Skyscrapers
- Historic center of Moscow
- Kolomenskoye Estate and Park in Moscow
- Izmailovo Kremlin in Moscow - right next to Izmailovo Vernissage
- Bolotnaya Square in Moscow
- Luzhkov Bridge in Moscow
- Gorky Park in Moscow - Summer 2011
- Alexander Garden in Moscow
- Moscow International Business Center - The Wonders of Moscow-City
- Moscow Sparrow Hills (AKA Vorobyovy Gory)
- VDNKh Revisited
- How to Avoid Black Moscow Guides
