Category:Maroseyka

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Guide to Moscow Streets

Maroseyka was originally a part of Pokrovka. But in the 17th century Pokrovka was divided into two parts, one of them kept the old name, the other became Maroseyka. It was called Malorossejka (Malorossija is an old designation for the Ukraine), but thanks to Russian habit of "swallowing" syllables the name changed a little bit. The Ukraine joined Russia in 1654 and many Ukrainians migrated to the new capital. They were (and still are) humorously called "khokhly" (tufts of hair) due to their extravagant haircuts: they used to shave heads leaving a long tuft of hair on the top. Local street names still remind us about them: Khokhlovskaya ploschad, Khokhlovsky pereulok, Church of Trinity in Khokhlovka. Ukrainian commanders, hetmans, used to stay in Maroseyka during their visits; in Kolpachny pereulok in white-stone 17th century chambers Ivan Mazepa, the most famous and the most hated hetman, lived in Moscow. Once Peter the Great’s friend, he betrayed Russia and went over to the enemy, Carl XII, in the Russian-Swedish war in the beginning of the 18th century.

Embassy of another neighbouring country, Byelorussia, occupies magnificent palace with beautiful stucco mouldings and sumptuous interiors (No.17). It was built in 1780s-1796 after a project by Vasily Bazhenov for field-marshal Rumyantsev-Zadunajsky, hero of Russian-Turkish war. The hero wished to enjoy his own glory every day, so paintings representing Rumyantsev-Zadunajsky’s victories are all over the house.

Across the street, right opposite to the Bazhenov’s palace, Church of Kozma and Damian (No.14), wonderful creation of Kozakov, used to dominate the surroundings. Another church stands in the beginning of Maroseyka (No.5), the Church of St.Nikolay in Blinniki (1701). Its name has a rather appetizing story: once the smell of pancakes spread around the neighbourhood making people’s stomachs rumble, as pancakes-sellers came here with their tasty goods ("bliny" means pancakes). This traditional Russian food gave the name Blinniki to the area and later to the church.

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