Starting a journey through the cities of Russia, not a single person can bypass the capital of a great power - Moscow. Where else can you get real pleasure from visiting monasteries, temples, museums, art exhibitions. But there is an interesting narrow topic, which is almost never offered by travel agencies - the squares of the ancient city. Their stories are closely connected with the events that played a significant role in the life of the capital. How many travelers know about Manezhnaya or Theater Square, the majestic Red Square, the unique Ivanovskaya and Cathedral Square, Vasilyevsky Spusk? The last name, widely known today, back in the 80s of the 20th century could not be heard either in oral speech or in writing.
History of Appearance
It can be said about Vasilyevsky Spusk that it is an inclined passage, which was named so only in 1995. This place became an area after a fire during the Patriotic War of 1812. And the last buildings were demolished only in 1936. This was due to the construction of the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge.
This part is uniqueMoscow because of the sloping section, which is limited on one side of the embankment, on the other it is limited by Red Square. Vasilyevsky Spusk is architecturally united with it.
If you go from the Moscow River
It is difficult to call the place of descent from the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, better known as St. Basil's Cathedral, to the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge in the usual sense. And the story is interesting not only about Vasilyevsky Spusk, but also about everything that surrounds it. And if you turn your back to the river, then tourists first of all have a view of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. In its place, until 1554, there was a modest church bearing the name of the Holy Trinity. But after the victory of the Russian people over the Kazan Khanate, Ivan the Terrible ordered the erection of a cathedral in a conspicuous place in memory of this event for all ages. The construction of 9 picturesque churches of different heights was entrusted to masters Postnik and Barma. And in 1561, Vasilevsky Spusk in Moscow was crowned with a unique cathedral. It is simply amazing that over the centuries of its existence, the temple not only has not lost its grandeur, but thanks to the churches added to it, it has become even more beautiful.
A miracle created by human hands
Speaking of Vasilyevsky Spusk, one cannot fail to mention the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge. From the end of the 15th century to the present day, this building has undergone more than just reconstruction. Initially, the crossing was a floating structure, and only in 1829 three wooden spansfound stone foundations. The usual for us form of the bridge was given by two authors: engineer Kirillov and architect Shchusov. It happened in 1937. The monolithic reinforced concrete structure, lined with pink granite, harmoniously fits into the architectural ensemble of the center of the capital.
And, of course, the history of the bridge attracts the attention of tourists. At the end of the 20th century, the German pilot Matthias Rust dispelled the myth about the inviolability of the borders of the Soviet Union. It was the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge that became the landing pad for the plane of the pilot-adventurer.
About Vasilyevsky Spusk today
If for a long time the area was used only for parking tourist buses, then over the past three decades the situation has changed a lot. This wonderful place hosts a lot of sports, cultural and artistic events. So, since 1996, Vasilyevsky Spusk has become the starting point for the International Peace Marathon. Moscow opened the doors to Red Square through a unique adjoining square to rock musicians.
A separate line should be said about fashion shows on Vasilyevsky Spusk. These are grandiose performances taking place in pavilions on three squares of the capital. Fashion weeks are held in early spring. But no weather conditions can interfere with an amazing celebration of style and taste. The pavilions are equipped with all the necessary equipment so that guests and participants can comfortably and enjoy watching and working.
New Year's festivities on Vasilyevsky Spusk will not only remain in your memory for a long time, this celebration willone of the most vivid memories of my life. The show starts an hour before midnight. Trained animals, magicians, clowns, acrobats entertain Muscovites and guests of the capital. A fantastic beauty of fireworks under the chiming clock completes the holiday.
A bit of sadness
Vasilyevsky Spusk evokes not only positive emotions among contemporaries. Miners' strikes and rallies of various political parties are still fresh in my memory. But since 2012, by decree of Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, it is possible to organize a mass meeting of people on Vasilyevsky Spusk only with the personal permission of the President of the Russian Federation.
Every trip to Russia must necessarily begin with a visit to Moscow. The history of its streets, lanes and squares is an interesting book that every self-respecting tourist should read.
