Practically in all works where the story is about Moscow, Sparrow Hills are mentioned. Woland Bulgakov watched the ancient city from this wonderful vantage point. You can see this place in films, but it's better to see it yourself. Sparrow Hills are filled with history and the spirit of ancient times. They changed their name several times. In fact, these are not mountains, even on old maps they are Sparrow steeps, in Soviet times they became Lenin's, and now they are Vorobyovy Gory park.
Not a single tour of Moscow is complete without visiting them, there is an observation deck here, and it offers an excellent view of the capital.
Historical background
Leaves no doubt that Sparrow Hills have been inhabited since ancient times. From about the 2nd millennium, these lands were developed by man. This is evidenced by numerous archaeological finds, for example, stone tools were found under the building of Moscow State Universitylabor. Also at different times, arrowheads, various decorations, and traces of settlements were found.
The name Sparrow Hills was given from one of the first owners of local villages, Kirill Voroba. A sparrow is a nickname that may have come from a tool, a board walking around on a nail. Villages changed owners many times, at one time royal estates stood here, and kings of different eras rested here, hid and made their plans.
Sparrow Hills in the 20th century and today
The village of Vorobyevo survived for a long time. Summer residents lived here, grew orchards and kept tea houses for tourists. In 1924, the village had 180 households and more than a thousand inhabitants.
Since 1917, local festivities have been held on Sparrow Hills with rides, carousels, fairs, ice cream and waffle stalls. After the death of Lenin, the mountains began to be called Leninsky, and even the nearest metro station was called that. It is located on the lower level of the bridge. The station, like the bridge itself, was rebuilt and remodeled, and were closed for use for many years. Now the park on Sparrow Hills bears its usual name.
The Birth of the Green Zone
For several centuries, the capital's university has been asking the territory of Sparrow Hills for its buildings and has been consistently refused. Only under the power of the Soviets in 1948 was permission obtained, and the construction of the Moscow State University building began. The houses of summer residents were demolished, and a botanical garden was grown near the university, the slopes were strengthened, the indented bank of the Moskva River was straightened, in general, the territory was ennobled. This is how the park was born.
Why visit the park
If you happen to be in Moscow, then in the list of places worth visiting, be sure to add the Vorobyovy Gory park. How to get there? This question has multiple correct answers. You can do this by metro, there is a station with the same name, not far from Frunzenskaya. If you prefer by car, there are enough parking spaces in front of the Moscow State University building on Kosygin Street.
Park "Vorobyovy Gory" is a protected area as a green zone in Moscow. No cars drive here, only cyclists and pedestrians walk. The green zone has a total length of 10 km and stretches along the embankment. There is a forest area and shady ponds, in good weather you can see local animals, especially squirrels. Here you can disconnect from the non-stop metropolitan traffic, relax, breathe fresh air, listen to birdsong, enjoy the scent of lilacs, the bushes of which are planted along the embankment.
There is a cafe near the observation deck where you can have a delicious meal, and for outdoor enthusiasts in the warm season there is a bicycle rental.
In addition to the observation deck and nature, there is a chairlift or a funicular, where you can go down to the pier. The ski jump is 72 meters long and is open all year round. Near the observation deck is the Trinity Church, known for the fact that it was here that Kutuzov prayed before the Battle of Borodino. After enjoying Sparrow Hills, you can take a pleasure boaton the pier and view Moscow from the river. And at the next opportunity, be sure to visit Sparrow Hills again.
Gorky Park
The famous nature reserve in Moscow is a desirable place for any developer, local residents do their best to oppose this. But not so long ago, the rights to it passed to the Park of Culture. M. Gorky. This greatly excited everyone, since the first actions on the part of the park management were the construction of a fence around the perimeter of the nature reserve, and they also limited access for park regulars, athletes, coaches and others. They built a buffet, closed one of the ski jumps and destroyed the informal parking lot, which had been used for a long time and was used to. And after rumors about increasing the building height and building an underground car park under the observation deck, residents began to write letters and complaints to the city administration.
People don't want change because it's not often for the better. Many are in favor of preserving a piece of nature, and not covering everything with an artificial lawn, conducting communications, and making large-scale lighting. How this story will end and whether the Vorobyovy Gory park will become another shopping and entertainment complex is still unknown. Let's hope for the best.
