Presnya - Moscow - page 198

SIGHTS

Inner Presnya

CHURCH

CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Bryusov per 2; Pushkinskaya)
Through the arch off of Tverskaya ul, the unexpected, gold-domed Church of the Resurrec-
tion was one of the few churches to remain open throughout the Soviet period. As such, it is
full of fine icons and artwork rescued from churches torn down during the Soviet era.

CHURCH

CHURCHES OF THE GRAND & SMALL ASCENSION
( Bolshaya Nikitskaya ul; Arbatskaya)
In 1831 poet Alexander Pushkin married Natalya Goncharova in the elegant Church of the
Grand Ascension ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) , on the western side of pl Nikitskie Vorota. Six
years later he died in St Petersburg, defending her honour in a duel. Such passion, such ro-
mance… The celebrated couple is featured in the Rotunda Fountain, erected in 1999 to com-
memorate the poet's 100th birthday.
Down the street, the festive Church of the Small Ascension ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) sits
on the corner of Voznesensky per. Built in the early 17th century, it features whitewashed
walls and stone embellishments carved in a primitive style.

MUSEUM

RYABUSHINSKY MANSION
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Malaya Nikitskaya ul 6/2; 11am-5.30pm Wed-Sun; Pushkinskaya)
Also known as the Gorky House-Museum, this fascinating 1906 art-nouveau mansion was
designed by Fyodor Shekhtel and gifted to celebrated author Maxim Gorky in 1931. The
house is a visual fantasy with sculpted doorways, ceiling murals, stained glass, a carved
stone staircase and exterior tilework. Besides the fantastic decor it contains many of Gorky's
personal items, including his extensive library.

MUSEUM

MUSEUM OF ORIENTAL ART
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 495-691 0212; www.orientmuseum.ru ; Nikitsky bul 12a; admission R300;
11am-8pm Tue-Sun; Arbatskaya)
This impressive museum on the Boulevard Ring holds three floors of exhibits spanning the
Asian continent. Of particular interest is the 1st floor, dedicated mostly to the Caucasus,