Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At least three outlets in the central part of the park hire out bicycles and other sporting
equipment. In summer, beach bums head to the
Basseyn
() open-air swimming pool, which
turns into a party zone in the evening. Come winter, the park opens a skating rink and Mo-
scow's longest (200m) sledding hill. All kinds of urban culture and sporting festivals, in-
cluding the popular
Equestrian Fest
(August 29 to September 1), take place year round,
with the main events occurring during weekends.
MUSEUM
SAKHAROV CENTRE
495-623 4401;
www.sakharov-center.ru
; ul Zemlyanoy val 57;
11am-7pm
Tue-Sun; Chkalovskaya)
South of Kursky vokzal, by the Yauza River, is a small park with a two-storey house con-
taining a human-rights centre named after Russia's most famous dissident. Inside, there is a
museum recounting the life of Sakharov, the nuclear-physicist-turned-human-rights-advoc-
ate, detailing the years of repression in Russia and providing a history of the courage shown
by the dissident movement.
The centre holds numerous presentations and debates on contemporary political and
human-rights issues. It is under constant pressure from the authorities.
The park is dotted with unusual sculptures, most built from weapons and other military-
industrial waste. Look out for a piece of the Berlin Wall that has been repurposed in to a
poignant display. Temporary exhibitions cover current human-rights issues and contempor-
ary art.
CHURCH
YELOKHOVSKY CATHEDRAL
Built between 1837 and 1845, the Church of the Epiphany in Yelokhovo has been Moscow's
senior Orthodox cathedral since 1943. With five domes in a Russian eclectic style, the
cathedral is full of gilt and icons, not to mention old women kneeling, polishing, lighting
candles, crossing themselves and kissing the floor. In the northern part is the
tomb of St
Nicholas the Miracle Worker
.
A shrine in front of the right side of the iconostasis contains the remains of St Alexey.
ART MUSEUM
RUBLYOV MUSEUM OF EARLY RUSSIAN CULTURE & ART
11am-6pm Mon-Tue & Fri & Sat, 2-9pm Thu;
Ploshchad Ilycha)
