Gorky Park

The Central Park of Culture and Leisure named after M. Gorky, known to Muscovites and visitors of the capital as Gorky Park, is the heart of Moscow's cultural life. Hundreds of thousands of people visit it every week. Since its foundation in 1928, it has undergone many changes but has always remained a symbol of progress and leisure.

History of the Park's Creation

The history of Gorky Park began in 1928, when the "Culture Combine" was created on the site of the former All-Russian Agricultural Exhibition. Designed as a symbol of the Soviet future, it became the first park of such scale in the country. In 1932, the park was named after the writer Maxim Gorky, who became not only a national pride but also the embodiment of the ideals of the new era. Throughout its history, the park developed and modernized. In the 1950s, the famous arch appeared at the central entrance — an architectural masterpiece that later became home to the Museum of the Park's History. In 2011, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out, making the park a modern and comfortable space for recreation.

Territory of Opportunities: From Neskuchny Garden to Sparrow Hills

Today, Gorky Park is a vast territory that combines several areas, each with its own character:

• Parterre: The central and most lively part of the park, with fountains, flowerbeds, cafes, and attractions. Major events and holidays take place here. Once, this area was a regular meadow where fist fights were held, and later it became a dump. Thanks to preparations for the agricultural exhibition in 1922, the area was beautified and became the foundation of the future park.
• Neskuchny Garden: A unique historical zone of the park that conveys the spirit of noble estates of the 18th-19th centuries. Here, you can enjoy a walk along shady alleys, see old architectural objects such as the Summer House of Count Orlov, Catherine's Pond, and the Hunting Lodge, which now houses the famous TV club "What? Where? When?". Neskuchny Garden is suitable for both peaceful walks and active leisure: it has sports grounds, a children's club, and a coworking space.
• Sparrow Hills: A nature reserve that became part of Gorky Park in 2013, offering a cozy and picturesque space perfect for sports, outdoor walks, and enjoying stunning views of Moscow. The area features a viewing platform, a waterfront, eco-trails, and a year-round sports center.
• "Museon": An art park located on the other side of Krymsky Val, near the New Tretyakov Gallery. It is an open-air sculpture museum showcasing works by both contemporary and Soviet artists. "Museon" regularly hosts festivals, exhibitions, film screenings, and other cultural events.

Gorky Park Today: A Place of Meeting and Inspiration

Modern Gorky Park is a multifunctional space where everyone can find something to enjoy:

• Active Leisure: The park has all the facilities for sports: cycling and running tracks, sports grounds, rental points for sports equipment. In winter, one of the largest artificial ice rinks in Europe is set up here.
• Cultural Leisure: Gorky Park regularly hosts concerts, festivals, exhibitions, film screenings, and other cultural events. The park's territory houses the Gorky Park Museum, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and "Museon".
• Leisure with Children: For young visitors, the park has playgrounds, attractions, and entertainment programs.
• Nature Walks and Relaxation: Gorky Park is a great place for peaceful walks in the fresh air, picnics on the grass, and enjoying scenic landscapes.

Interesting Facts and Attractions:

• "Girl with an Oar": A famous sculpture, which became a symbol of Soviet art, was installed in the park in the 1930s.
• Historic Toilet: The park has a unique public toilet, built in 1933. It is a monument to the architecture of the socialist era.
• Main Entrance Arch: The 18-meter arch, built in 1956, is one of the park's symbols. Inside the arch is the Gorky Park Museum and a viewing platform.
• "Gorky Park" Rose: A rose variety, specially bred by a French breeder and resistant to frost, was named after the park in 2012.

Special Places in Gorky Park Worth Visiting:

• Main Entrance: A monumental arch topped with a viewing platform, offering a stunning panoramic view of the park and the city.
• Neskuchny Garden: A cozy place with historical buildings, ponds, and picturesque alleys. The Hunting Lodge, where the filming of the TV game "What? Where? When?" takes place, is located here.
• Sparrow Hills: A viewing platform with a breathtaking view of Moscow.
• Museon: An open-air sculpture park where you can see works by famous Russian and foreign artists.
• Golitsyn Ponds: Picturesque ponds where you can rent boats and catamarans.
• Rose Garden: A beautiful garden with fountains and many varieties of roses.
• Green Theater: A summer venue for concerts and performances.
• People's Observatory: A place to observe stars and planets.
• Krymskaya Embankment: A walking area along the Moskva River that connects Gorky Park with other parts of the city.

Visitor Tips:

• Entrance to the park is free.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in the park.
• The park has cafes and restaurants.
• There are rental points for bicycles, rollerblades, and other sports equipment in the park.
• Various events are regularly held in the park, so be sure to check the announcements on the official park website.

How to Get There

Gorky Park is located in the center of Moscow at Krymsky Val St., 9. You can get here by metro, getting off at the "Oktyabrskaya" or "Park Kultury" stations.

Locations for Beautiful Photos:

• The viewing platform on the roof of the main entrance.
• Andreevsky Bridge.
• The ornate gazebo on Pushkinskaya Embankment.
• The Museon Park.

Gorky Park is a vibrant and dynamic space that constantly evolves and changes, while remaining one of Moscow's main symbols and a favorite leisure spot for locals and visitors alike. It combines history and modernity, nature and culture, sports and recreation, offering each visitor a unique experience.