Three cultural routes around the capital for those short on time
Any walk around the capital can become something special; you do not have to wait for the weekend or carve out an entire free day from a busy schedule. Routes that do not take much time but can become a true discovery have been put together for Moscow residents and visitors. Here is where to go when you want to put your daily routine on hold and immerse yourself in something exciting for a while.
Route 1 Yesenin Center, Poets’ Quarter and a small coffee shop
The first route starts at Dostoyevskaya metro station. Nearby, at 4, Bld. 2 Chernyshevskogo Pereulok, is the cozy cultural space of the Yesenin Center, dedicated to the famous poet. In the early 20 th century, the U Adeli literary café was located here, where members of the Surikov Literary and Musical Circle would gather; today, the venue hosts exhibitions, creative meetings and much more.
At the Yesenin Center, visitors can explore, for example, the exhibition And Your Melodies Will Never Fall Silent: Yesenin in the Memoirs of Peredelkino Writers. It is dedicated to 20 th-century writers who knew the poet personally and played an important role in preserving and promoting his creative legacy.
After visiting the museum, you can have a bite to eat at the Yesenin restaurant. It serves its signature Black Man cake made with black sponge and white icing, acorn coffee and birch lemonade.
After learning more about this prominent representative of the Silver Age and drawing inspiration from his poetry, you can take a stroll through the Poets’ Quarter, a small art square next to the Yesenin Center. Here, visitors can read quotations from writers, musicians and directors inscribed on a Corten steel wall and take a photo by the Monument to an Unknown Poet installation.
Route 2 Konstantin Paustovsky Museum, an estate and relaxation by the pond
The second route will appeal not only to art lovers but also to those who enjoy spending time outdoors. It begins at the Konstantin Paustovsky Museum at 8 Kuzminskaya Street. The exhibition occupies just 80 square meters, but each of its five halls — City, Sea, Forest, World and Home — immerses visitors in a world of its own. For example, the Sea hall is designed like the deck of a ship where visitors can hear the sound of waves and smell the salt air. The Forest hall is filled with birdsong and the scent of pine trees. Visitors can hear the writer’s voice and leaf through his family album.
The exhibition also features fascinating relics, including butterflies from the island of Borneo. The museum is also home to a cat named Musya. Staff call their four-legged resident the museum attendant because of her special affection for visitors.
After a short visit to the Konstantin Paustovsky Museum, you can head to the Kuzminki-Lyublino Museum-Reserve to wander among ponds, historic buildings and shady alleys. Picnic gazebos are also available to visitors. At weekends, guests of the Lyublino Estate’s tea space are invited to try Moscow tea, while various workshops are held for children. If you would like to relax, you can also head to Shibayevsky Pond offering picturesque views and rent a floating gazebo or a catamaran.
Route 3 Marina Tsvetaeva House-Museum, art pavilions and flower-filled selfies
The third route is perfect for those who appreciate atmospheric places and colorful photographs. The walk can begin at the Marina Tsvetaeva House-Museum at 6, Bld. 1 Borisoglebsky Pereulok. The unique layout of the poet’s apartment and the interiors from the few years she lived there with her husband and children have been recreated here. The museum halls display dozens of objects, from Marina Tsvetaeva’s mirror and beads to her coffee cup. Visitors can explore the interiors on guided tours. During the Life and Work of Marina Tsvetaeva tour, visitors learn about the apartment, while the History of the Tsvetaev Family tour tells them about the writer herself, her father, uncle, sisters, and brothers.
After learning about the poet’s life and work, you can take a walk along Novy Arbat. Here, Moscow residents and visitors will find unusual art pavilions that make a colorful backdrop for selfies. One of them, for instance, is shaped like a giant box of chocolates. It is located opposite the Oktyabr cinema. A multi-meter Samovar art installation stands at the corner of the Praga restaurant. This golden structure with red handles is sure to catch the eye of every passer-by. The art pavilions are not there just for decoration: they sell products made by Moscow manufacturers participating in the Made in Moscow project. These include souvenirs, books, toys, cosmetics, and much more.
It is also worth visiting the Gardens and Flowers festival venue opposite the Moscow House of Books. The space brings together urban architecture and flora from different continents; visitors can stroll among colorful flowers and take memorable photographs. A carefully designed gastronomic program adds to the atmosphere.