Moskva River

The Moskva River is the main water artery of the capital, around which the appearance of Moscow has been formed for centuries. Once it protected border fortresses and served as a busy trade route, and today it has become one of the main venues for recreation, walks, and city excursions. The riverbanks are adorned with the Kremlin walls, modern Moscow-City skyscrapers, parks, embankments, beaches, and dozens of picturesque bridges — all this makes the Moskva River a must-visit point for getting to know the city.

Geography and Key Characteristics

The Moskva River originates on the Smolensk-Moscow Upland, flowing from a small stream in the Starchkovo area (sometimes Mikhalevskoye Lake is considered the source). Passing a complex winding path through the entire capital, it forms picturesque loops and bends, creating a unique city landscape. In the Kolomna area, the river flows into the Oka, being its left tributary. The river has mixed feeding, but thanks to the Moscow Canal, which connected it to the Volga, the water level remains stable, making the city a “port of five seas”. Main parameters of the water artery:

• Length of the river: 473 kilometers (according to some sources up to 502 km).
• Basin area: about 17,600 square kilometers.
• Maximum depth: up to 14 meters (in the lower sections).
• Width within the city: from 120 meters (near the Kremlin) to 200 meters (in Luzhniki).
• Main tributaries: Ruza, Istra, Pakhra, Yauza.

Historical Significance

In ancient times, the river served as a natural defense for fortresses and the most important trade route connecting the city with other principalities. Until the 20th century, it looked different: the banks were earthen, and the water level often changed, leading to floods. Radical changes occurred in the 1930s with the adoption of the General Plan for the Reconstruction of Moscow. The banks were “clothed” in granite, monumental embankments and new bridges appeared, and the construction of the Moscow Canal solved the problems of water supply and navigation.

Famous Bridges of the Capital

Dozens of bridges are thrown across the river, each with its own architectural style and history. They not only connect the banks but also serve as the best viewing platforms in the city.

Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge

Built in 1937 near the Kremlin walls, this bridge connects Vasilyevsky Spusk with Bolshaya Ordynka Street. It is one of the best spots for panoramic photos: from here you can see the Spasskaya Tower, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and Zaryadye Park.

Borodinsky Bridge

A structure erected in 1912 to mark the centenary of the victory over Napoleon. The bridge is decorated with majestic colonnades and obelisks bearing the names of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. It stands on the site of the old Dorogomilovsky Bridge, through which French troops entered Moscow and Russian troops left it.

Floating Bridge

A unique architectural object in Zaryadye Park, opened in 2017. Technically it is not a bridge but a cantilevered viewing platform in the shape of a boomerang, overhanging the water without a single support. The concrete and glass structure has become one of the most photographed places in modern Moscow.

Embankments and Places for Walking

Kilometers of well-maintained spaces stretch along the river. If earlier the embankments were primarily transport routes, now priority is given to pedestrians.

• Krymskrymskaya Embankment: a fully pedestrian zone in Muzeon Park with bike paths, fountains, and an artists’ vernissage.
• Vorobyovskaya Embankment: a green area at the foot of the Sparrow Hills, ideal for ecological walks and sports.
• Presnenskaya Embankment: the center of business life at the foot of the Moscow-City skyscrapers.
• Kotelnicheskaya Embankment: famous thanks to one of the Stalin-era high-rises that forms the classic postcard view of the capital.

Water Transport and Navigation

The river is an active transport highway. Navigation is divided into summer (main) and winter. Thanks to ice-class vessels, tourist cruises in the center are available year-round. Types of river transport:

1. Sightseeing riverboats and river trams (from Soviet models to modern liners).
2. Floating restaurants (famous fleets with panoramic glazing).
3. Regular electric river transport (innovative electric vessels operating as city transport year-round).
4. Private boats and yachts for individual rental.

River Terminals

Two major ports operate in Moscow, both reconstructed and transformed into public spaces.

Northern River Terminal

A masterpiece of Stalinist Empire style resembling a huge ship. After a large-scale restoration, the terminal has become a popular park with an embankment, cafes, and a rooftop observation deck. Cruise liners to Saint Petersburg, Astrakhan, and other cities depart from here.

Southern River Terminal

Located in the Nagatinskaya floodplain. The Soviet modernist building was renovated in 2023. It is now an important transport hub and recreation area with exhibition halls and a media facade.

Beach Recreation and Fishing

Despite the river’s urban status, swimming and recreation areas are equipped in its upper reaches and bays. Due to environmental factors, swimming is recommended only in specially designated areas in the northwest of the city. Popular recreation areas:

• Serebryany Bor: an ecologically clean island with sandy beaches (No. 2 and No. 3), pine forest, and picnic areas.
• Stroginskaya Floodplain: a vast water area popular for windsurfing, SUP boarding, and beach recreation.
• Rublevo: a paid, well-maintained beach in the Zhivopisnaya Bay.

Fishing on the Moskva River is also popular, especially as a “sporting interest.” Anglers are often found on the embankments in Maryino, Kolomenskoye, and Brateevo parks, where professional fishing tournaments are regularly held. Catches include roach, perch, bream, and zander.

Conclusion

The Moskva River is the living history of the capital and its modern showcase. A walk along its embankments or a riverboat ride allows you to see Moscow from a new angle: from the Kremlin and ancient temples to the futuristic towers of Moscow-City. It is a space where the past, present, and leisurely relaxation by the water harmoniously blend.