Gorky Park

It was a great spring afternoon and Jim and I set off for a walk in Gorky Park! Or the Central Park of Rest and Culture Named After M. Gorky, to give it its full name, is one of the most famous places in Moscow. Laid out in 1928, this was the first park of its kind, and the prototype for hundreds of others across the Soviet Union.

The park stretches along the banks of the Moscow River, and is divided into two parts. The first is primarily of interest to children or those trying to entertain them, as it contains a range of funfair rides and roller coasters - some safer looking than others....

The other, older, half of the park is considerably more restrained, consisting of gardens and woods that combine the former Golitsynskiy and Neskuchniy Gardens. There are a number of fine old buildings dating from the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, including two summerhouses by the great Moscow architect Mikhail Kazakov (who designed the Senate Building in the Kremlin), and the first City Hospital.

Gorky Park's attractions are generally more appealing for locals than for tourists but it's the place to come if you want to find out how the majority of Muscovites spend their free time.