Tverskoy & Novoslobodsky - Moscow - page 171

WORTH A DETOUR
VDNKH & OSTANKINO

Palaces for workers! There is hardly a better place to see this slogan put into practice
than at VDNKh ( GOOGLE MAP ; VDNKh) , which stands for Exhibition of Achievements
of the National Economy. This Stalin-era name is being resurrected, replacing the
post-Soviet VVTs (All-Russian Exhibition Centre).
VDNKh is like a Stalinesque theme park, with palatial pavilions, each designed in its
own unique style to represent all Soviet republics and various industries, from geology
to space exploration.
The highlights are two opulently decorated fountains. Positioned right behind the
main gates, People ip Fouuntaiin is surrounded by 16 gilded female figures

dressed in ethnic costumes representing Soviet republics (the mysterious 16th figure
stands for Karelo-Finnish republic disbanded in 1956).
It's currently undergoing reconstruction after years of post-Soviet neglect. The
SSpace P

ple''s F s Friiendsh dship F

illion has become a temporary shelter for the Polytechnical Museum and
the venue for insightful natural science and technology exhibitions. Further on, the
jaw-dropping SStone Flo

e Pavillio

r Fouuntaiin, themed on Urals miners mythology, is covered in
semi-precious stones from the Urals.
Approaching VDNKh from the metro, the soaring 100m titanium obelisk is a monu-
ment ''To the Conquerors of Space', built in 1964 to commemorate the launch of Sput-
nik. In its base is the Cosmonautics Museum ( GOOGLE MAP ; kosmo-museum.ru ; admission
R200; 11am-7pm Tue-Sun, 11am-9pm Thu; VDNKh) , featuring cool space paraphernalia
such as the first Soviet rocket engine and the moon-rover Lunokhod. An inspiring col-
lection of space-themed propaganda posters evokes the era of the space race.
As (and if) you reach the far end of VDNKh you have the choice or either pressing
on towards the extensive grounds of Moscow Main Botanical Gardens ( GOOGLE MAP
) , or turning left towards the quaint Ostannkiino P

e Flower F

o Parrk, surrounding a namesake palace.
You are unlikely to get lost if you simply head towards the looming Ostankino TV
Tower ( GOOGLE MAP ; 8-800-100 5553; tvtower.ru ; adult/child R980/490; 10am-8pm Tue-Sun;
VDNKh) , located right behind the park. Built in 1967, it was the tallest free-standing
structure in the world (surpassing the Empire State Building). At 540m, it is now
fourth on the list.
At 337m, the observation deck is open for visitors. A super-speedy lift whisks pas-
sengers up in less than 60 seconds. From the top, there are 360-degree views and -
horror! - a bit of glass floor. Tours take place hourly and must be booked in advance;