GORKY PARK

Description

Essentials about Gorky Park in brief

New York City has Central Park, London has Hyde Park, Berlin has the Tiergarten and Moscow has Gorky Park. Ever since the Scorpions sang “Wind of Change” in the early 1990s, the park has also been a household name in Germany – and Muscovites have loved it from the very beginning anyway. Located on the right bank of the Moskva River between the Garden Ring and the Sparrow Hills, the 1.2-square-kilometer park is used by locals and tourists alike for picnics, sunbathing and walking in the summer, as well as jogging, cycling, volleyball, yoga and games. In winter, on the other hand, Gorky Park is transformed into a giant ice rink.

The history of Gorky Park

In the 1920-ies the idea of creating a park for culture and recreation in Moscow for the first time was born. In 1928 the park opened its gates to the public and was finally named after the Russian writer Maxim Gorky in 1932 (officially the park is called Central Maxim Gorky Park for Culture and Recreation).

In the late 20th century, the park became increasingly dilapidated and ramshackle attractions characterized its appearance. In 2011, therefore, a lavish and comprehensive renovation and redesign of the park took place. More than 100 former attractions were demolished, all rides except for one carousel were removed, roads and paths were renewed, monuments were restored, lawns and flowerbeds were replanted and ponds were cleaned. A 15,000-square-meter ice rink was also created with separate zones for children, ice hockey, ice dancing and ice skating. And not entirely unimportant for most visitors: since then, there has also been free WLAN in the park. Since 2011, Gorky Park has been one of the most popular excursion and recreation destinations for locals and tourists alike. On Saturdays and Sundays, the park often has around 100,000 visitors.

Gorky Park in summer

In summer, the park’s expansive lawns are used for picnics. For children, there is a fantastic playground to romp around in, offering a great selection of exciting play equipment from a sunken ship to a lighthouse to the moon. Sun worshippers use the park’s beach for a relaxing sunbath. Those who prefer greenery should take a walk through the former Golitsynskiy and Neskuchniy Gardens. Idyllic bridges and traditional buildings exude the flair of times gone by. From jogging to cycling, volleyball to outdoor yoga, the park is used for a variety of sporting activities. Fans of modern art should pay a visit to the “Garage” art center designed by star architect Rem Kohlhaas. And last but not least, movie lovers will get their money’s worth at the park’s open-air cinema.

Gorky Park in winter

In winter, ice skaters take command in Gorky Park. Then the park is transformed into a huge ice rink. Those who prefer not to skate should nevertheless pay a visit to the park in the usually harsh Moscow winter. Because between ice and snow, Gorky Park exudes a very special flair.