Bolotnaya Square

Bolotnaya Square is one of the most atmospheric places in the center of Moscow, where history intertwines with modernity. This location attracts tourists with its unique combination of architectural monuments, cultural sites, and picturesque views of the Moskva River.

Where is Bolotnaya Square located

Bolotnaya Square is situated in the very heart of the capital, in the Yakimanka district. It occupies the area between the Moskva River to the north and the Vodootvodny Canal to the south. On the west, the square is bordered by Serafimovicha Street and the famous House on the Embankment, while on the east and north it meets Bolotnaya Street. Thanks to its central location, you can reach it from the Kremlin in just a few minutes on foot via the Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge.

History of Bolotnaya Square: from marshy meadows to the present day

Ancient times and the origin of the name

The first mentions of Bolotnaya Square date back to the 14th century. The name comes from the marshy nature of the area — in ancient times there were meadows here that were regularly flooded by spring high waters. In the 11th century, this was indeed a real swamp along which the ancient Volotsk road passed. In 1495, by order of Ivan III, after yet another fire, a large fruit garden was laid out here, tended by palace gardeners. The garden stretched from the Vodovzvodnaya Tower of the Kremlin to the Moskvoretsky Bridge. It was then that Muscovites began calling the place “Boloto” (Swamp), and in 1514 the name first appeared in written sources.

The era of executions and public festivities

In the 17th–18th centuries, Bolotnaya Square was the scene of dramatic events in Russian history. Not only folk festivities and fist fights took place here, but also public executions. The most famous was the execution of the leader of the peasant uprising, Emelyan Pugachev, in January 1775. The historian and memoirist Bolotov left a detailed description of the event. He recalled that a wooden scaffold was erected in the middle of the square, onto which Pugachev and other convicts were brought. The entire area was packed with people watching. However, the execution went unusually: the executioner first beheaded Pugachev instead of quartering him as the sentence required. There is a version that Empress Catherine II secretly ordered the shortening of the condemned men’s suffering. Participants of the Copper Riot of 1662, the elder Avraamiy in 1670, and the remains of Stepan Razin after his quartering on Red Square were also executed or displayed here as a warning to citizens. Under Peter I, rebellious streltsy were executed on Boloto.

Transformation into a trading hub

In the 18th century, after the construction of the Vodootvodny Canal, the area was drained, although the name “Boloto” stuck forever. In 1786, Moscow’s commander-in-chief Yakov Bruce proposed turning the area into a trading square. Soon Bolotnaya Square became Moscow’s most important trading center, where bread, grain, oats, groats, and other goods were sold. After the war of 1812, the square was restored and expanded. In the 1830s–1840s, stone warehouses, shops, and storehouses were built, which is why the square was sometimes called “Labaznaya” (Storehouse Square). The main structure was the Gostiny Dvor, designed by architect Mikhail Bykovsky. The market was so important that prices for the entire Moscow Governorate were set here.

20th century: from market to park

In Soviet times, the square underwent various transformations. In the 1920s it was a thriving market with huge storehouses selling fruit, greens, and other produce. There were ambitious plans to turn the square into a central market with a high-rise building, but the project was never realized. In the 1930s, the Gostiny Dvor was dismantled, and the storehouses housed warehouses and dormitories. During the Great Patriotic War, the seventh anti-aircraft battery was stationed on the square; it was destroyed by a direct German bomb hit in December 1941. After the war, various development projects were considered, including building a Pantheon or even flooding the area. In the end, in 1947, in honor of the 800th anniversary of Moscow, a park designed by architect Vitaly Dolganov was opened here. The ceremonial entrance was decorated with granite columns and a cast-iron grille, and a fountain was installed. In 1958, a monument to Ilya Repin appeared on the square, and in 1962 it was renamed Repin Square. However, the historical name proved resilient, and in 1993 the square regained its name Bolotnaya.

Sights of Bolotnaya Square and its surroundings

Today Bolotnaya Square attracts tourists with its rich cultural heritage and numerous interesting objects:

Architectural monuments

• Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge — one of the oldest bridges in the capital, connecting Bolotnaya Square with the city center
• Church of St. George the Victorious — an Orthodox church distinguished by its graceful architecture
• House on the Embankment — a famous residential complex with a rich history
• Bolotnikovskaya Hospital — an architectural monument founded in 1711

Cultural sites

• Muzeon Park — the largest open-air sculpture museum with contemporary art objects
• Tretyakov Gallery — the world-famous museum of Russian art, just a few minutes’ walk away
• Gorky Park — one of Moscow’s main parks for relaxation and walks
• Red October — the center of Moscow’s bohemian life with galleries, cafés, and bars

Monuments and sculptures

• Monument to Ilya Repin
• Satirical sculptures of Ostap Bender and Kisa Vorobyaninov
• Contemporary art objects in Muzeon Park

How to get to Bolotnaya Square

By metro

Bolotnaya Square is within walking distance of several metro stations:

• “Aleksandrovsky Sad” — the closest station, 9 minutes on foot
• “Tretyakovskaya” — one of the convenient stations for visiting
• “Novokuznetskaya” — about 800 meters from the square
• “Polyanka” — a short walk to the square
• “Borovitskaya”, “Kropotkinskaya”, “Biblioteka imeni Lenina” — also within walking distance

By surface transport

To the stop “Kinoteatr Udarnik” you can take:

• Buses № 144, Н1
• Trolleybuses № 1, 1к, 4, 33, 62
• Routes е10, м1, н11, м9, 538, 297 from various metro stations

On foot from the Kremlin

The most scenic route is a walk across the Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge from the Kremlin. The journey takes only 10–15 minutes and offers magnificent views of the Moskva River and the city center.

By car

From the center, follow the route: Mokhovaya Street — Teatralnaya Square — Nikolskaya Street — Ilyinka — Varvarka Street — Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge — Bolotnaya Embankment. There are parking spaces on and around the square, but in central Moscow they are often occupied.

By taxi

Popular taxi services (Yandex.Taxi, Uber, Gett) will take you to Bolotnaya Square for 300–500 rubles depending on the starting point and traffic.

Useful information for tourists

What to see nearby

1. Stroll along the picturesque embankments of the Moskva River and Vodootvodny Canal
2. Visit the Tretyakov Gallery — the largest collection of Russian art
3. Relax in Gorky Park, where you can ride a bicycle or a catamaran
4. Drop into trendy cafés and restaurants on the Red October territory
5. Explore contemporary sculptures in Muzeon Park

Best time to visit

Bolotnaya Square is beautiful at any time of year. In summer the fountains work and it’s pleasant to walk along the embankments. In autumn the square is surrounded by golden park foliage. In winter the place acquires special charm with views of the snow-covered Kremlin. In spring the square comes alive with the city after winter.

Cultural events

Bolotnaya Square and the adjacent parks regularly host:

• Cultural festivals
• Contemporary art exhibitions
• Open-air concerts
• Public events

Conclusion

Bolotnaya Square is a unique place where every stone keeps the memory of dramatic events in Russian history. From marshy meadows and royal gardens to a site of executions and a bustling trading center, from wartime to a modern cultural space — the square has undergone a long path of transformations. Today it is one of the favorite spots for Muscovites and guests of the capital for walks, relaxation, and getting acquainted with Moscow’s historical heritage. Visiting Bolotnaya Square will become an unforgettable part of your trip to the capital of Russia.