Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP WITH PEOPLES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
NOTABLE BUILDING
Studded with seashells, this 'Moorish Castle' was built in 1899 for an eccentric merchant,
Arseny Morozov, who was inspired by a real Moorish castle in Spain. The inside (not open
to the public) is sumptuous and equally over the top. Morozov's mother, who lived next
door, apparently declared of her son's home, 'Until now, only I knew you were mad; now
everyone will'.
NOTABLE BUILDING
MELNIKOV HOUSE
The only private house built during the Soviet period, the home of Konstantin Melnikov
stands as testament to the innovation of the Russian avant-garde. The architect created his
unusual home from two interlocking cylinders - an ingenious design that employs no intern-
al load-bearing wall. It was also experimental in its designation of living space, as the whole
family slept in one room, divided by narrow wall screens.
The future of Melnikov House is in jeopardy due to the corrosion caused by construction
in the surrounding area. Family members are working with the Russian Avantgarde Heritage
Preservation Foundation to turn the house into a state-run museum (and thus guarantee its
preservation), but the process has been tied up in court for years due to ownership disputes.
MUSEUM
PUSHKIN HOUSE-MUSEUM
10am-6pm Tue-
Sun, noon-9pm Thu; Smolenskaya)
After Alexander Pushkin married Natalya Goncharova at the nearby Church of the Grand
Ascension, they moved to this charming blue house on the old Arbat. The museum provides
some insight into the couple's home life, a source of much Russian romanticism. (The love-
birds are also featured in a statue across the street.)
This place should not be confused with the
Pushkin Literary Museum
, which focuses on
the poet's literary influences.
MUSEUM
TOLSTOY LITERARY MUSEUM
11am-6pm Tue-Sun; Kropotkinskaya)
The Tolstoy Literary Museum is supposedly the oldest literary memorial museum in the
world (founded in 1911). In addition to its impressive reference library, the museum con-
tains exhibits of manuscripts, letters and artwork focusing on Leo Tolstoy's literary influen-
