Today, each metropolitan area has its own attractions - museums, parks or exhibition centers. Explore contemporary art, travel back in time or just enjoy a walk in the woods - sometimes we just need a break from the hustle and bustle.
The city also has places for which Muscovites overcome kilometers of traffic jams. In our review, we will talk about a magnificent complex, the glory of which once thundered throughout the country. History, the results of reconstruction and the most interesting places - we will tell you what to see at VDNKh in Moscow today.
VSHV – VDNH
All-Union Agricultural Exhibition - the first name of the complex, which opened in 1939. During the war, the library and the exposition were evacuated to Chelyabinsk.
Five years after the victory over Germany, a decision was made to reconstruct, and only in 1954 did the grand opening take place with a new name already familiar to us - the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy.
At the Soviet manThe question never arose of what to see at VDNKh. The main pavilion housed an exposition dedicated to the art of socialist realism, the achievements of culture and science, as well as technical innovations.
At the very beginning, the territories and republics of the USSR were presented in numerous pavilions, then it was decided to organize the exhibition according to the sectoral principle and clearly show various areas of the national economy.
90s
From the moment of the second opening until the 90s, several reconstructions were carried out on the territory of the complex, but none of them benefited VDNKh. In the 90s, the situation became even more deplorable.
The surviving pavilions were easily rented out for retail outlets and just warehouses. Literally on every corner, barbecue houses were opened, sweets were sold, and at the entrance the amusement park delighted Muscovites - no one controlled all this activity, and the territory where people's achievements were previously demonstrated turned into a rather dubious place. People did not think about what to see at VDNKh, the answer was obvious.
Only after the government of Moscow became the sole owner two years ago, the situation cleared up. Tents and stalls, advertising structures, verandas, illegal outbuildings - about 300 objects were demolished. Pavilions with a rich history finally freed from trade.
General cleaning, restoration of buildings and fountains, design of the pedestrian zone and bike paths, organization of permanent exhibitions - today Muscovites and guests of the capital really have something to seeVDNH.
As you know, it is much easier to interest an adult than a child. Your children are unlikely to be captivated by the history of the exhibition complex, and they will not understand the value of facades with stucco and bas-reliefs. We will tell you about the most interesting places on the territory of the complex.
Visitor reviews advise planning a trip for the whole day, because it’s definitely impossible to see all the expositions and interactive shows with a child at VDNKh in a few hours.
Space
The first association when we hear: “VDNKh” is space. The hotel of the same name opposite the complex, a magnificent monument to the conquerors of space and, of course, a museum.
Four years after the opening of the monument, the Central Committee of the CPSU decided to organize the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics. Due to structural problems, construction work took place over the next twelve years. The opening of the museum took place on April 10, 1981. Reconstruction was carried out from 2006 to 2009.
The exhibition features a model of a fragment of the Mir station (life-size), the Mission Control Center, cosmonaut equipment, ship models, simulators and even food in tubes.
For schoolchildren, the museum organizes workshops and educational studios. The Vostok design bureau, the Milky Way theater studio and the Space Squad club – projects are supervised by young engineers, graduates of the best technical universities.
Buran
Legendary orbital ship “Buran”for a long time was one of the attractions of the park. Gorky. After reconstruction in 2011, it was decided to move it to the territory of VDNKh. Today Buran is the heart of the interactive museum complex of the same name, which is located next to Pavilion No. 20.
Still don't know what to see at VDNKh? On an excursion to the Buran museum in a cozy cinema hall, you will get acquainted with the history of the creation of a rocket-plane ship and walk along the corridors resembling an aircraft. However, the most unforgettable experience will be a visit to the bow of the Buran itself and the opportunity to land the ship at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
For the youngest guests of the complex near the museum, a children's playground with a safe surface has recently been equipped. A small model of our planet, an artificial satellite of the Earth, space vehicles and other elements made of wood are intended for visitors from 3 to 12 years old.
Urban farm
In 1954, the rabbit breeding pavilion was opened on the territory of VDNKh. Nearby were enclosures where fur-bearing animals were kept. During the reconstruction of the exhibition complex, it was decided to revive this idea as part of the City Farm project.
If you don't know what children can see at VDNKh, be sure to check out this family educational center. The area near the Kamenka River and one of the cascading ponds is ideal for animals. However, the opening of the contact mini-zoo decided notlimited.
On an area of approximately 3 hectares, there is an orchard, community garden, pottery, cafe, recreation area and greenhouse. Despite this diversity, the main place is still small pavilions with livestock - a rabbitry, a chicken coop, a dovecote and pens for large animals. During exciting activities, adults and children will learn everything about the inhabitants of the "City Farm" and even be able to cook food for them under the supervision of experts.
Animation Museum
Modern children just love to watch cartoons, but young parents should carefully choose and, of course, limit the duration of the sessions. Too bright animation and sounds can adversely affect the baby. Proper animated films - that's what you can watch at VDNKh!
Thanks to the efforts of the directors and managers of Soyuzmultfilm, it was possible to collect unique exhibits under one roof. The Zootrope magic lamp (shows moving pictures), a frame-by-frame camera, original documents and draft drawings - all this had an impact on the development of the domestic cartoon industry.
The first thing visitors see is Cheburashka's telephone booth. Inside there are painted and puppet characters familiar to us from childhood.
W alt Disney Studio also did not stand aside, and the museum's collection was supplemented with exhibits from America.
Moskvarium
Do you want to know more about the aquarium at VDNKh - what to see and how much is the entrance ticket? Recently on sitecomplex appeared Moskvarium - the center of oceanography and marine biology.
The aquarium covers an area of 12,000 square meters. m, where 80 unique pools and aquariums are installed. More than 8,000 animals and 500 species of fish - freshwater and marine fauna of Greenland, Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, the Great Quarry Reef, the Galapagos Islands and other parts of our planet are represented here. For children there is an interactive zone and a touch pool with stingrays, carps and starfish.
The auditorium has a capacity of 2300 seats. It is planned to hold not only large-scale shows with three-dimensional projections, performances of dolphins, pinnipeds and beluga whales, but also educational programs.
In 2016, visitors to the Moskvarium will have the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Laura, Katrin, Diva, Bosya and other dolphins will be happy to keep you company in one of the seven equipped pools. An incredible boost of energy and amazing emotions are guaranteed to all guests.
The cost of visiting is 400-600 rubles for children and 600-1000 rubles for adults, depending on the day and time.
Equestrian center
Don't know what to see at VDNKh? In the Sheep Breeding Pavilion (No. 48) there is an equestrian center where you can not only ride ponies, donkeys and horses. Here, experienced trainers will also reveal all the secrets of equestrian sport to you.
Classes in dressage, show jumping, trick riding and triathlon - riding lessons are available to everyone. In addition to skiing, the center organizes tours of the saddlery.workshop and stable, as well as archery and vine cutting workshops.
For a walk
Ferris wheel, bike paths and outdoor verandas – in the summer you can have a great weekend at VDNKh. At the end of November, the main skating rink of the country with a total area of 20,000 square meters will open on the territory of the complex. For little skaters, there is a children's skating rink, a mother-and-child room and a cafe.
In the infrastructure of the rink there is a food court and a pavilion with luggage storage for those who come with their own skates. You can take lessons from experienced instructors, where you will learn how to slide correctly, as well as basic rotations and steps.
