Chambers in Zaryadye
From Moscowiki
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Wednsday from 11:00 until 19:00
Closed: Tuesday and first Monday of the month
Moscow Museum Guide
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[edit] Description
In the middle of 16th century, having married, famous boyar Nikita Romanovich Zakharjin-Juriev received a luxurious dowry: an estate not far from Kremlin. Thanks to its location right behind the rows of stores which surrounded Kremlin, the whole region was called "Zaryadye" (literally – "behind the rows"). Although he played not the least role at Court, that time Nikita Romanovich could hardly imagine that his patronymic will soon give the name to the new royal dynasty, and his grandson Mikhail Romanov, born in this chambers, would become a "tsar of all Russians".
[edit] History
As it is known from the historical evidence, the estate was built in the 15th century and consisted of several buildings situated on the territory of 8 hectares. It is mapped on one of the first plans of the Moscow City dated 1597. During its long history the function and the decoration of the chambers changed several times. All the buildings in the estate were almost completely destroyed by the conflagration in 1668, and only one of them was rebuilt to become a monastery building. But in the middle of 19th century Emperor Alexander ordered to restore the primeval decoration of the chambers to open one of the first museums of Moscow – "The House of Boyars Romanov".
[edit] Architecture
The chambers are a unique example of the civil architecture of 15-17th centuries. Even near the hotel "Rossija", the biggest hotel in Europe, an ancient building of the museum looks monumental. So closely related symbols of new and old Russia create a face of contemporary Moscow: full of contrasts.
[edit] Interior
As well as looking very picturesque each one of the three floors is built for a special purpose. All the halls of the chambers have a typical interior of the boyar house of 17th century. All rooms are decorated with authentic household goods: wooden chairs, silverware, chests with clothes and cold steel. Twilight of the cellars and shade of the dining-room (trapeznaya), thick stony walls and narrow doors bring back the spirit of the medieval boyar house. The women’s part (the lighted room and the hostess’ room) is situated on the second floor and built of wood. Some of the exhibits here are of particular interest: for example, the hand-written book "Domostroy", the medieval treatise strictly balancing men’s and women’s duties in the house. In the evenings dramatized excursions take place in the medieval chambers.
[edit] Photos
