Monuments of Moscow architecture: modern and historical

The city of Moscow is notable not only because it is the capital of our Motherland. It has preserved many monuments of the country's cultural heritage. Since the 15th century, Moscow architecture has become the spokesman for a nationwide culture. Architecture is considered "the mother of all arts", since it not only reflects the stages of their development, but also is the basis for the preservation of frescoes, carvings, paintings and sculptures. Monuments of Moscow architecture absorbed many features of ancient Russian architecture and creativity of foreign architects. The most famous of them are of world importance, as they are historical objects and the result of creativity of great architects. The architectural monuments of the world reflect the peculiarities of the cultural development of different countries and the main historical events. Therefore, they are protected and restored in order to preserve a unique heritage for future generations.

Architectural monuments of Moscow

The list of cultural heritage sites preserved in the capital is very large. Especially they are rich in the historical center of the city, but a lot of palace and park ensembles, monasteries and entire streets in different districts of Moscow are also its sights. What objects can be related to architectural monuments:

- Separate buildings and structures, something remarkable. For example, Arseniy Morozov's mansion, Pashkov's house, the Bolshoi Theater or the City Hall building.

- Palace and park ensembles and architectural complexes, for example, the estate "Kuskovo", the Kremlin in Izmaylovo, the Poklonnaya Hill or the park "Tsaritsyno".

- Historical centers of the city. In the capital, this is the world-famous ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin.

- Squares, quarters and streets. This is the Red and Manege Square, Arbat and Garden Ring, Vorobyovy Gory and Chistoprudny Boulevard.

- Monasteries and temples, which in Moscow are still numerous. The most famous of them are the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Novodevichy Convent.

- Objects of architecture that have civil, industrial or military significance, for example, the Ostankino TV Tower, the Moscow Metro, VDNH, or the GUM building.

Features of the development of Moscow

The oldest building of the city - the Moscow Kremlin - was laid in the 12th century on the Borovitsky Hill, at the mouth of the Neglinnaya River. And its shape therefore repeated the outlines of this peninsula. The uneasy situation of that time required the construction of high walls and ramparts. Therefore, during the expansion of the city's territory, new fortifications were created. So there were such monuments of architecture of Moscow as Kitaigorodskaya wall, and on the site of other walls appeared the Boulevard and Garden ring. Until the 18th century most of the capital's buildings were wooden, and in the last centuries almost all of them were replaced by stone ones. In addition, the peculiarity of the city's development was the intersecting radial highways. The appearance of the capital changed with the advent of Soviet power. Plans for the modernization of the city and the creation of broadband highways demanded the destruction of many monuments of architecture. Only some of them were subsequently restored. A lot of high-rise buildings were built, and modern blocks of monotonous buildings appeared.

Styles in the Ancient Architecture of Moscow

1. Wooden architecture.

All the buildings in the first centuries of the city were made from logs. The most famous of them were the church of St. Nicholas, the temple of Daniel Stylites and the Moscow Kremlin itself. But not a single ancient wooden building in the city has survived.

2. Stone architecture of the 14th - 18th centuries.

The first stone building was the Assumption Cathedral on the territory of the Kremlin, which has not survived to this day. During the reign of Ivan Kalita begin to rebuild the walls of the Kremlin. And by the 16th century the main architectural ensemble of Moscow acquired an almost modern appearance: white-stone walls, the Annunciation and the Archangel's cathedrals, and the Faceted Chamber were created.

3. Classicism in the architecture of Moscow 18-19 century.

After the fire, most of the city's buildings were rebuilt. Participated in this many Italian architects, in the construction became dominated by classicism. The most famous architectural monuments of the city of Moscow of this time are Pashkov's house, Ostankino manor and the Bolshoi Theater building.

Styles of Moscow architecture of 19-20 centuries

1. Moscow modern. Buildings in this style began to be created from the end of the 19th century. These include the Medyntsev's mansion, the Pavlovs estate, the Yaroslavsky railway station, the Metropol hotel and many others.

2. The architecture of Moscow in the years of Soviet power was remarkable in its scope. New areas grew with great speed. The most famous buildings of that time are seven Stalin high-rise buildings.

3. Modern architecture of Moscow is represented by office buildings, business and cultural centers built in the style of postmodernism and eclecticism. This, for example, the shopping center "Nautilus" or the restaurant "White Swan".

Ancient monuments of architecture in Moscow

1. The Kremlin is the most famous and ancient object of the cultural heritage of the capital. He experienced much, witnessed prosperity and decline, revolutions and wars. In its territory there are many cathedrals and buildings that are also architectural monuments: the Assumption Cathedral, the building of the Arsenal and the Senate, the Diamond Fund, the Ivan the Great Belltower and the famous Spassky tower with chimes. This ensemble belongs to the World Heritage sites and is mentioned in any source where monuments of the world architecture are considered.

2. The Gostiny Dvor was also established in the 15th century and was rebuilt many times. Now it does not look like an architectural monument, but it is still a famous landmark of Moscow.

3. Red Square in the whole world is a symbol of Russia. This architectural ensemble is the most visited place in Moscow. From the surviving ancient buildings Kazan and Pokrovsky cathedrals are known, as well as the Resurrection Gates.

The most famous monasteries and churches in Moscow

The whole cultural and spiritual life of the country is connected with the capital. Many of its monasteries and temples are known throughout Russia, some of them have been preserved since the first centuries of the city's existence. We can say that these are monuments of Russian architecture, dear to the heart of every resident of the country. Which of them are the most famous?

- Novodevichy monastery, which, in addition to being operational, bears the status of the State Historical Museum.

- Donskoy Monastery - notable for its many beautiful churches and picturesque towers.

- Danilov Monastery is one of the oldest not only in Moscow, but also in Russia.

- Very picturesque church of Gregory Neoecasary with a bright orange bell tower and tiled inserts.

- The Cathedral of Christ the Savior - is known for being restored in the 90s of the 20th century after complete destruction.

- St. Basil's Cathedral - one of the most famous sights of Moscow. This is the name of the Intercession Cathedral, located on Red Square. With its bright painted domes and rich furniture, it attracts many tourists.

Monuments of architecture destroyed in Soviet times

Accelerated development of the city and expansion of highways in the 30-70s of the 20th century led to the fact that more than 400 monuments of world importance were destroyed. Among them are such famous buildings as the Passion Monastery, the Church of the Assumption on the Pokrovka and the Armory Chamber. The Temple of Christ the Savior was blown up, which, however, was subsequently restored. But many unique buildings were lost, for example, the house of the poet Khomyakov or the Lopukhins' house. The historical center of the capital has changed dramatically, in particular, many buildings have been demolished in Manezhnaya Street and Bolshaya Yakimanka.

What is remarkable about modern Moscow

Many people call the modern building of the city tasteless. But along with faceless high-rise buildings one can also find quite original buildings:

- interesting house-"egg" on Mashkova Street;

- The business center "Pullman" on Myasnitskoy strikes an interesting combination of glass and concrete;

- The residential complex "Ambassador House" is interesting semi-circular shape and diagonal windows;

- business center "Kitezh" in the form of a multi-deck liner.

Modern Moscow strikes a mixture of styles in architecture. Now it is basically high-tech, constructivism and modernity. It is these buildings made of glass and concrete that stand out on the streets of the city. But the ancient monuments of architecture of Moscow are not forgotten and attract tourists from all over the world.