Category:Chistoprudny Bulvar
From Moscowiki
Guide to Moscow Streets
Chistye Prudy gave name to one of the cosiest Moscow boulevards – Chistoprudny bulvar. As well as other Moscow boulevards, in 1820s it replaced the brick walls of the ancient White City. It begins with a monument to one of the best Russian playwrights Alexander Griboedov (sculptors Manuilov and Zavarzin, 1959).
To the right from the monument one can see a pink bell-tower with something like a golden cone on the top. It is the Church of the Archangel Gabriel in Arkhangelsky Lane. The man who had cleaned the ponds, Alexander Menshikov, ordered to build a cathedral higher then the Ivan the Great’s Bell Tower in Kremlin. At that time it was regarded as an unbelievable impertinence and impudence. Moreover, Menshikov bought a gigantic chiming clock and placed it on the wall of the church. Such arrogance was punished very soon: during a storm lighting hit the tower and the burning debris fell down, crippling and killing the innocent parishioners. Couple of years later Menshikov became seriously ill and fell into disgrace.
Chistoprudny bulvard and its surroundings was a residential area for Moscow nobility; many of their mansions are still seen here. In Bolshoy Kharitonievsky pereulok there is an imposing 17th century house (No.21) with fabulous cast fence, which once belonged to a wealthy grandee Yusupov. Yusupov was famous for his fantastic collection of art, not less fantastic collection of mistresses in his harem and his extravagant behaviour.
Considerable part of local buildings appeared in the end of 19th century – beginning of the 20th century. One of them, former apartment house No.14 (1908-1909), is a remarkable example of Moscow Art Nouveau. Here architect S.Vashkov tried to revive the spirit of pagan Russia, placing mysterious mythological creatures on the facades. Once this house belonged to the Church of Trinity on the Mire (Pokrovka, 13), named after its location on the muddy banks of the Rachka river. During its tercentennial history this church has survived many destructions and reconstructions; as a result of all this it has unfortunately lost its dome.
In another former apartment house, No.23 (1900), the great film director Sergey Eizenshtein, who influenced not only Soviet but also world art of film making, lived from 1920 to 1934.
[edit] Photos
Pages in category "Chistoprudny Bulvar"
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.
