Arbat & Khamovniki - Moscow - page 244

Leo Tolstoy's winter home during the 1880s and 1890s now houses an interesting museum
dedicated to the writer's home life. While it's not particularly opulent or large, the building
is fitting for junior nobility - which Tolstoy was. Exhibits here demonstrate how Tolstoy
lived, as opposed to his literary influences, which are explored at the Tolstoy Literary Mu-
seum . See the salon where Rachmaninov and Rimsky-Korsakov played piano, and the study
where Tolstoy himself wove his epic tales.

CHURCH

CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS IN KHAMOVNIKI
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; ul Lva Tolstogo 2; Park Kultury)
This church, commissioned by the weavers' guild in 1676, is among the most colourful in
Moscow. The ornate green-and-orange-tapestry exterior houses an equally exquisite interior,
rich in frescoes and icons. Leo Tolstoy, who lived up the street, was a parishioner at St Nich-
olas, which is featured in his novel Resurrection . Look also for the old white stone house,
built in 1689, which housed the office of the weavers' guild and textile shop (ul Lva Tol-
stogo 10).

MUSEUM

AUTOVILLE
( www.autoville.ru ; ul Usachyova 2; admission R300; 10am-10pm; Sportivnaya)
This impressive facility brings together under one roof dozens of exquisite automobiles
from around the world and across the decades. The cars, which are in pristine condition,
come from some 50 different private collections. Some date back as far as 1907, while some
are from the present day. It's a form of art exhibit, presenting the vehicles as objects of great
beauty as well as functionality.