Varvarka Street

Varvarka is a unique place in the heart of the Russian capital, where over the course of just 550 meters, architectural monuments from the 15th to 18th centuries are concentrated. The street begins at Staraya Square near the Kitay-gorod metro station and ends at Vasilyevsky Spusk, just a few steps from Red Square. A walk along Varvarka is a true journey into medieval Moscow, where every building holds centuries of history.

Origin of the Name and Key Historical Milestones

The history of the street’s emergence dates back to the distant past. Originally, the road ran along an ancient route connecting the Kremlin with Vladimir. In documents from 1434, the street is mentioned as “Varskaya,” which is associated with two versions of the origin of the name. According to the first version, the street was named after the Church of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr, built in the 15th century. The second version suggests the name comes from the word “varey” — a term for the production of alcoholic beverages that local craftsmen were engaged in. The transformation of the street’s name occurred multiple times:

• In the Middle Ages it was called Vsekhsvyatskaya after the Church of All Saints on Kulishki
• In the 16th century it was named “Varvarsky Bridge” after being paved with logs
• In the 17th century it was called Znamenskaya after the monastery of the same name
• For a time it bore the name Bolshaya Pokrovka
• From 1933 to 1990 it was Stepan Razin Street
• In 1990 the historical name Varvarka was restored

Architectural Appearance and Features of Development

Varvarka is traditionally called both devout and mercantile. From the moment the street was founded, trading rows were located on one side and Orthodox churches on the other, creating a unique combination of spiritual and commercial life in medieval Moscow. Initially, the buildings were mostly wooden, which led to frequent fires. From the 16th century, active stone construction began, thanks to which many buildings have survived to this day. In the posad part above the street, noble boyar families settled, including the ancestors of the Romanov dynasty.

Soviet Period and the Present Day

In the 1960s, the appearance of the district changed dramatically — the Rossiya Hotel, the country’s largest hotel complex, was built on the site of the Zaryadye trading rows. The building stood for about 40 years and was demolished in 2006. In its place, the modern Zaryadye Park was created, becoming a new landmark of the capital. Most historical buildings and churches in Soviet times were repurposed as warehouses, offices, and residential premises. Since the 1990s, systematic restoration of cultural monuments began, churches were returned to believers, and large-scale restoration work was carried out.

Church of Saint Barbara the Great Martyr

The church that gave the street its name was erected in honor of the Christian martyr executed in 306 AD for refusing to renounce her faith. The first stone building was constructed in 1514 under the direction of the Italian architect Aleviz Novy, and its modern appearance was acquired in the early 19th century thanks to the Russian architect Rodion Kazakov. In the early 1930s, the church was closed, the dome and bell tower were demolished, and the premises were used as warehouses and offices. The church was returned to believers in the early 1990s, after which restoration work began based on archival documents. The interior of the church is decorated in calm pastel tones and adorned with ancient icons. The church is distinguished by its bright interior space due to numerous windows, including openings in the drum under the dome. Today the church is active, and services are open to everyone.

The Old Gostiny Dvor — Center of Moscow Trade

At the intersection of Varvarka and Ilinka streets in the 15th century stood Moscow’s main trading center. The originally wooden structure frequently suffered from fires, leading to the construction of a stone building in the 18th century. The name “Old Gostiny Dvor” became established in 1839 after the New Gostiny Dvor was built nearby. The building was designed by the talented architect Osip Bove and served as a model for similar structures in other Russian cities. Today the combined complexes occupy an entire block, including:

• Offices of well-known brands
• Restaurants and cafés
• Shops and beauty salons
• A spacious 12,000-square-meter atrium under the central dome

Various exhibitions are regularly held in the atrium — from doll and weapon exhibitions to fashion shows. Permanent art exhibitions operate, and food fairs with tastings of honey, beer, meat, and confectionery products are organized.

The Old English Court — History of Trade Relations

In the mid-16th century, one of the residential houses on Varvarka was designated as the Moscow residence of English merchants. Trade deals were concluded here and goods were accounted for: gunpowder, weapons, cloth, and tinware were imported from England, while timber, leather, furs, hemp, and ropes for shipbuilding were exported in return. At the end of the 20th century, a museum showcasing the history of Russian-English relations was opened in the white-stone chambers of the 15th–16th centuries. The exhibition includes:

• Copies of documents and old books
• Reconstructions of household items
• Interiors recreated from archival data
• The Treasury chamber with a massive iron door for important meetings
• Chest-benches for storing money and valuables

The museum can be visited independently or with a guided tour. Guides engagingly tell about the intricacies of trade relations between the two countries in the 16th–18th centuries. The entrance fee is 350 rubles.

Church of St. Maxim the Blessed — the Pearl of Zaryadye

The small single-domed church was built more than three hundred years ago with funds from Moscow and Kostroma merchants. The altar was consecrated in honor of the Moscow holy fool who lived during the times of Tatar raids and became famous for denouncing those in power and comforting the destitute. The main shrine of the church is the relics of St. Maxim the Blessed, kept in a silver reliquary under a canopy. They were considered lost and were discovered only during the restoration of the building. In the 1930s the church was looted and was scheduled for demolition under the 1935 Moscow reconstruction plan. Stalin’s death saved the building from destruction. The church’s appearance is simple, without special architectural refinements, but the prayer-soaked place attracts believers with its special energy.

The Chambers of the Boyars Romanov — Museum of the Tsarist Dynasty

Moscow’s first historical museum opened in the 19th century in a 15th–16th-century urban estate. It was here that Mikhail Fyodorovich Romanov, the founder of the tsarist dynasty, was born. The museum exhibition recreates the daily life of the ancestors of Russian tsars. The men’s half is located beneath the women’s and includes a library with books, writing desks, and a globe. The women’s chambers feature boxes, caskets, and materials for needlework.

Interior Features

The walls of the common refectory chamber are covered with brocade fabric following 19th-century patterns. The remaining rooms are finished with embossed leather wallpaper and paintings. The museum collection includes authentic 17th-century items that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the era. Visitors are offered:

• Independent exploration of the exhibition
• Guided overview tours
• Costumed performances
• Workshops on writing with a quill pen

Entrance fee is 500 rubles for adults and 250 rubles for students and children aged 7–17.

Znamensky Monastery — a 17th-Century Male Monastery

The Chambers of the Boyars Romanov adjoin the Znamensky Male Monastery, which functioned for three centuries. The monastery was named after the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign.” The monastery cathedral, the cell block with a bell tower, and the brethren’s building have survived to this day. After restoration in 2018, the red-and-white five-domed cathedral was returned to believers, and services resumed.

Church of St. George the Victorious on Pskov Hill

The place got the name Pskov Hill because noble people from rebellious Pskov were resettled here during the time of Vasily III. The five-domed stone church was built at the end of the 17th century in the Russian ornamental style, replacing a 15th-century wooden church. In 1818, a bell tower and refectory in the neo-Gothic style were added. In Soviet times, the premises were used as a warehouse and later as an exhibition hall. After the church was returned to believers in 1991, large-scale restoration was carried out. Details of window surrounds and kokoshniki were restored, and the building was painted in traditional red and white colors. The interior decoration includes a new iconostasis, frescoes, and selected icons. The church’s uniqueness is given by the openwork crosses atop the domes with trefoil endings.

Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist — an Unusual Temple

The 17th-century church is rightly considered the most unusual in Moscow. Only the crosses on the domes indicate the building’s religious purpose — the façade is modest and lacks typical church decorations. In Soviet times, the building suffered barbaric destruction — the dome and bell tower were demolished, and the interior was destroyed. The premises were used as housing, offices, and warehouses. In the 1950s, a kindergarten operated there. After the church was returned to believers in 1991, the building was reconstructed to its original appearance. The décor was restored, paintings in the window niches were uncovered, the dome was reinstated, and a new bell tower was built. Services are now held in the church.

Fragment of the Kitay-gorod Fortress Wall

In the 15th century, the trading district near the Kremlin was surrounded by a fortress wall for protection against enemies and was called Kitay-gorod. In the mid-20th century, the wall lost its defensive functions and fell into disrepair. In 1934 it was almost completely dismantled. Only two sections remain:

• A fragment with the Bird Tower on Revolution Square
• A part of the wall in Kitaygorodsky Proezd with the white-stone foundation of the Varvarskaya Tower, uncovered during metro construction

There is a belief — if you touch the stones of the tower with your left hand and make a wish, it will surely come true. Many travelers gladly take advantage of this opportunity.

Zaryadye Park — a Modern Landmark

The contemporary landscape park is laid out between Kitaygorodsky Proezd, Varvarka Street, and Moskvoretskaya Embankment on the site of the demolished Rossiya Hotel. The park’s main highlight is the “Floating” V-shaped bridge with an observation deck offering magnificent views of the Moskva River and the embankments. Popular attractions in the park:

• Virtual rides “Flight over Russia” and “Flight over Moscow” costing 2100 rubles for adults and 1550 rubles for children
• Walks through various climate zones
• Concerts and cultural events
• Visiting the underground museum

Practical Information for Visitors

Varvarka is located in Moscow’s Central Administrative District and is accessible 24 hours a day. The nearest metro station is “Kitay-gorod.” The street is good to visit at any time of year, but it is most comfortable to walk here in spring, summer, and early autumn.

Admission Prices to Main Attractions

• Orthodox churches — free entry
• “Old English Court” museum — 350 rubles
• “Chambers of the Boyars Romanov” museum — 500 rubles for adults, 250 rubles for students and children
• Zaryadye Park — free entry
• Group guided tour along Varvarka — from 800 rubles

For high-quality photos, evening time is best when beautiful illumination of churches, museums, and administrative buildings is turned on. Excellent shots are obtained from the Floating Bridge in Zaryadye Park.

Varvarka — an Open-Air Museum

The ancient Moscow street is a unique combination of medieval architecture, Orthodox shrines, and museum exhibitions. In terms of the number of sights in a small area, Varvarka has no equal in the capital. A walk along the street allows you to feel the spirit of medieval Moscow, learn about the life of boyar families, discover trade relations with European countries, and touch the history of the Romanov tsarist dynasty. During the day you can visit museums and churches, examine the facades of ancient buildings, and in the evening admire the beautiful illumination. Varvarka is deservedly considered one of the most interesting places to get acquainted with the history of the Russian capital. Here every building preserves centuries-old memory, and the atmosphere transports travelers deep into the past.