Arbat Street, or Ulitsa Arbat, is also known as Old Arbat (to differentiate it from New Arbat Street). Arbat Street once served as Moscow’s main artery and is one of the oldest original streets in the Russian capital. The Arbat district, through which Arbat Street runs, was once a place where artisans set up a shop, and the side streets of Arbat display evidence of its past with names describing various trades or products, such as Carpenters, Pan or Silver. Arbat Street is within walking distance of the Kremlin, making it possible to visit this free Moscow attraction when visiting the heart of old Moscow.
The evolution of Arbat street
During the 1700s, the noble and wealthy Moscow community began to regard Arbat Street as a first-rate residential district, eventually beginning to be settled by some of Russia’s most famous families and notable individuals. The famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin lived on Arbat Street with his wife, and visitors can stop at a museum that preserves the house in his honor. Other famous Russian families, such as the Tolstoy and the Sheremetevs, also had houses on Arbat Street. The fires damaged many of the older houses on Arbat Street, so today their architecture is a mix of different styles, including Art Nouveau.
It was not until the 19th century that Arbat Street gained a central location in Moscow because the earlier development of the city had meant that the street was on the outskirts until this time. Strolling down this street, it is possible to imagine what Moscow would have felt like during the time of Pushkin or Tolstoy, although it is now a highly touristy area that is congested with tourists, buskers, and street vendors. Furthermore, it was only in the 1980s that Arbat Street was closed to motor vehicle traffic and made a pedestrian street, so that even Pushkin would have had to dodge carriages and carts while strolling outside his residence.
Monuments
While the importance of Arbat Street lies in its history, Arbat Street today is a lively and interesting attraction in Moscow. You can visit the Pushkin House Museum, identifiable by a statue of the poet, as the Father of Russian Literature, Pushkin deserves a tribute by seeing one of his old residences. One of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square. Other attractions include a monument to the composer Bula Okudzhava; the Melnikov House, built by the constructivist architect Konstantin Melnikov; the wall of peace; and the Spaso house; and the Church of the Savior in Peski.
Tips for visiting Arbat street
Some visitors to Moscow complain about the touristy nature of Arbat Street. Street musicians and beggars take advantage of its popularity, and street vendors take advantage of deep pockets. Pickpockets may be hiding on Arbat Street, so keep your personal belongings close by. Arbat Street, despite its popularity and the way it attracts those who prey on tourists, is still a must-see in Moscow. If you’ve never been to Arbat Street, take the time to see it at least once. Over the centuries, it has made its way into the Russian cultural psyche, which means that you will find it referenced by Russian artists, musicians, and writers.
