The Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy in Moscow, or simply VDNKh, is one of the main attractions of the capital, and, perhaps, of the whole world, because there are no analogues to this exhibition and museum complex. VDNH welcomes more than 20 million guests a year, its area, together with the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park, is over 500 hectares, and all pavilions are 134 square meters. At VDNKh there is something interesting for everyone, regardless of their age or nationality.
History of VDNKh
Moscow saw the exhibition complex in 1939, and over the years of its existence it has changed its name more than once and has come from prosperity to decline. Initially, VDNKh was an agricultural exhibition, which was evacuated to Chelyabinsk during the Second World War. After the war, the complex was rebuilt and given the status of an exhibition of the national economy. During the Soviet period, many cultural and cultural facilities were built on the territory of VDNKh.of historical significance, including the sculpture “Worker and Collective Farm Woman” by Vera Mukhina, the Fountain of Friendship of Peoples, the Alley of Cosmonauts. Unfortunately, some of the VDNKh pavilions have not survived to this day. Photos of them can be seen in the article.
Perestroika and the collapse of the Soviet Union had a detrimental effect on many areas of life. A new world was being built, where VDNKh turned, in fact, into a market. Many pavilions were sold or put into storage, most of the unique exhibits were lost. In fact, only an amusement park worked in the entire complex.
The revival of the complex began in 2013. Retail outlets were demolished and liquidated, all pavilions were vacated and restored, tons of garbage were removed from the territory. Also, the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park adjacent to VDNKh were included in the complex. The Green Theater was also restored, accommodating 4.5 thousand spectators. Now it is the main summer venue in Moscow for concerts and various events. And in the summer of 2015, Moskvarium, the largest oceanarium in all of Europe, opened its doors at VDNKh.
Main pavilions
Initially, there were about 70 different pavilions on the territory of the complex dedicated to the republics of the USSR, as well as various areas of Soviet science, industry, medicine, culture, and sports. Soviet guidebooks claimed that it would take at least 5 days to see the entire VDNKh exhibition. Photos and chronicles of those years allow us to imagine the scope and scale of the exhibition.
Modern VDNH also begins with the main monumental gate andthe first central pavilion, and right behind it is Kolkhoz Square, lined with 20 pavilions dedicated to various peoples of the former USSR. Some of them are being restored, and some of them hold various events, for example, there is an Ice Age museum and a tasting room for producers of fortified drinks from Russian regions.
To the right of the Kolkhozov Square there is a “Local Dacha” - a special space for a relaxed holiday in the heart of the metropolis. There is a chess club, a dance floor, a summer reading room and many other interesting places.
The central part of the complex is decorated with Mechanization Square and the Cosmos pavilion, which is under reconstruction. To the right of it is the wedding palace. It is very popular among newlyweds, because at VDNKh you can sign, and get married in a local chapel, and arrange a photo walk, and hold a banquet. There is also a summer cinema very close to the palace. Its special advantage is the presence of a roof, so you can enjoy viewing in any weather.
In the western part of the park, look for the Green Theater, and in the eastern part - pavilions dedicated to animal breeding. So, in the pavilion "Sheep breeding" today there is an equestrian center, where anyone can ride a pony or horse, as well as visit a special excursion.
Parks and recreation
Ostankino Park and the Botanical Garden, which have joined VDNKh, are great places for walking and interesting outdoor activities. The park has a boat station where you can rent a boator catamaran. And the Port at VDNKh complex is a huge beach area with pools and bars.
You can also walk along the numerous alleys and parks of the complex, for example, visit the theatrical sculpture park with white stone figures depicting various theatrical entities. Pine forest, linden alley, birch grove are also waiting for hikers, and not far from the main entrance there is a “fishing village”, where you can relax by the fire, go fishing and taste fish soup from beluga or sterlet cooked by the best chefs.
Lectures and educational activities
The main place for those who want to improve their intellectual level and broaden their horizons is a cinema lecture hall. Regular paid and free lectures are held here on a variety of topics: from psychology and physics to fashion and music history. Lectures are also given in English.
In the pavilion "Culture" there is a gallery "ROSIZO", where you can get acquainted with Russian fine art. The Transportation Pavilion houses the Polytechnic Museum, where you can visit a variety of excursions. Many exhibitions are held in other pavilions.
Sporting events
If you are in the mood to play sports or spend an active weekend, VDNKh offers many options. For example, near the pavilion "Physical culture and sports" there is the largest rope park in Russia. In addition to the rope jungle, the complex offers a giant swing and an observation deck.
For those who wishto arrange a corporate or friendly mini-football or basketball tournament, outdoor areas equipped for these sports are rented out. Fans of more intimate competitions should go to the “Local Dacha” playground, where you can play ping-pong and badminton.
Yoga lovers can work out in the fresh air in the same place, in the country, and fitness and strength training fans can go to the special Reebok training ground near the Young Technician pavilion.
As many as 5 rental points of various sports equipment work at VDNKh. This means that you can rent not only a regular bike or roller skates, but also a longboard, fitness bike, scooter and even a tandem bike.
Exhibitions and concerts: cultural program at VDNH
Moscow received the main concert venue with the reconstruction of the Green Theatre. In May, he opened a new theatrical and concert season, but tickets should be bought in advance. There are also free concerts, often during the daytime. Both classical and modern music sounds from the stage, tours of foreign musicians and performances of the best theaters in Russia take place. Charity and children's events are held.
The unique circular film panorama surprised visitors of VDNKh in Soviet times, the reviews of modern viewers say that the power of engineering still amazes them now. Until now, you can watch 7 unique films here and understand that this is where the history of modern cinema began, in which the goal is to completely immerse the viewer in the created reality.
VDNH for children
The main entertainment for children is the new, largest oceanarium in Europe. This is not only an aquarium where 8000 different marine animals live, but also a theater for performances by marine artists. In addition, kids can touch stingrays, starfish and some fish. Educational programs are also planned.
The Young Naturalist pavilion houses a museum and a theater of fairy tales. The museum has a lot of exhibits that acquaint children with Russian authentic and fabulous life. Particularly attractive is the fact that all the exhibits can be touched, and the imitation of the hut can be viewed literally up and down, even crawling through the oven with a “burning” fire.
When you come to VDNKh with children, you should also visit the ceramic manufactory, where guests are introduced to such a kind of applied art as pottery. You can visit one of the workshops and try to make your own clay pot or jug.
Immediately behind the “Agriculture” pavilion there is an amazing upside-down house where everything is turned upside down. This exciting attraction can be found in amusement parks around the world.
Also, Lokal Dacha organizes many interesting events for children, for example, in the summer on the street, and in the winter there is a chess club for children and adults in the house of culture. There is also a huge (600 m2) children's playground with slides, swings and carousels.
How to get to VDNH
You can get to VDNKh by any type of public transport: metro, bus, trolleybus, tram, car and even a monorail. Easier to get tothe main entrance, but there are also additional side passages to the territory of VDNKh. Complex address: Moscow, Prospekt Mira, 119.
If you decide to take the metro, get off at the "VDNKh" station and get straight to the main entrance. Also, several buses (routes numbered 33, 56, 76, 93, 136, 154, 172, 195, 239, 244, 803), trolleybuses (routes 14, 48, 76) and trams (numbers 11 and 17) go to the stop of the same name.). Goes to VDNH and the monorail to the stop "Exhibition Center".
You can also get to other entrances to the exhibition by land transport:
- Northern entrance - stop “Northern”.
- South entrance - stop "VVC South".
- Entrance from the film studio. Gorky - stop “Film studio”.
If you are driving, find out everything about VDNH: the address and coordinates for the navigator, as well as the exact coordinates of all parking lots. It is possible to move around the territory by car, but not on all days, it is better to check the details in the administration of the complex.
