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The oldest fountain in Moscow, which has retained its location, is located on Teatralnaya (formerly Petrovskaya) Square.
Created in 1827, the fountain served as a water intake in the 19th century.
Photo con. 1890s - early 1900s The queue to the Gravity Fountain.
From morning to evening, lines of water carriers and water carriers lined up at it; local residents came here with tubs and buckets and watered the horses here.
In 1828, it was decided to decorate the fountain on Petrovskaya Square, which was done by the sculptor Ivan Vitali in 1835.
The author placed cupids under the bowl of the fountain. All four of them symbolize Poetry, Tragedy, Comedy and Music.
Cab drivers used to drink horses from its lower bowls.
The official name of the fountain - Petrovsky - was given by the old name of Teatralnaya Square, but the fountain began to be called by the name of the author - Vitali.
With the development of Moscow's water supply system, the fountain lost its function as a water intake structure and became one of the decorations of the square.
The Vitali Fountain was restored in 1995 and was one of the first in Moscow to receive winter LED lighting.
The fountain is located behind the monument to Marx by Lev Kerbel (1961) in a small park
Despite the fact that there was already one fountain on Teatralnaya Square (the Vitali Fountain), there had been talk about building another bowl since the 1940s, and sculptor Vitaly Ivanovich Dolganov even developed a project. But the plans were interrupted by the Great Patriotic War. The single bowl theatrical fountain opened in 1949.
The history of the appearance of Moscow fountains
The need to create fountains appeared in Moscow at the end of the 18th century due to deteriorating water supply. In the mid-1820s, the reconstruction of the Mytishchi water pipeline began, the Alekseevskaya water pumping station was opened, and cast iron tanks were placed on the top floor of the Sukharev Tower, from which water was directed to water fountains in the largest Moscow squares.
The first fountain appeared on Trubnaya Square, not far from the Nativity Monastery; over time, more and more water distribution facilities appeared. In the middle of the 19th century, the Moscow water supply system required significant reconstruction: brick water conduits collapsed in many places, and spring water mixed with groundwater, which did not have the best effect on its quality.
In the twenties of the 19th century, five new fountains appeared in Moscow. It was decided to locate them - for the convenience of users - on the squares: Sukharevskaya, Teatralnaya, Varvarskaya (now Slavyanskaya), Manezhnaya and Lubyanskaya.
The design of the water intakes was entrusted to the Russian Italian Vitali, and he certainly did it beautifully!
Sheremetevsky fountain
A. Vasnetsov “At the water well on Sukharevskaya Square in Moscow.
Photo from the 1880s. Right there.
The master completed the order perfectly. A cast-iron fountain, painted to resemble “bronze,” appeared in 1831 on Sukharevka, exactly opposite the Sheremetevsky Hospital for Hospice (now the Sklifosovsky Research Institute).
Water carrier on Sukharevskaya Square in the 1890s
The modern look of this place.
The fountain has not survived. It operated until the Krestovsky water towers were launched in 1890.
Resurrection Fountain on Manezhnaya Square
Modern view of Manezhnaya Square from the National Hotel
The place where the Resurrection Fountain stood
Fountain on Varvarka
The fountain on Varvarka was beautiful: a round pool surrounded by two rows of steps, in the center there was an intricate pedestal with three horns from which water flowed.
1884
The fountain has not survived. The Barbarian Gate was dismantled in 1934 during the demolition of the Kitai-Gorod wall
Nikolsky (Lubyansky) fountain
Lubyanskaya Square. Nikolsky (Lubyansky) fountain. 1907-1910
Vitali’s Nikolsky Fountain was removed from the square, moving it to Neskuchny Garden, and in 1958, a monument to Dzerzhinsky by sculptor Evgeniy Vuchetich was erected in its place.
Fountain "Nikolsky" in front of the Russian Academy of Sciences on Leninsky Prospekt
The Nikolsky Fountain consisted of four figures of boys, personifying the Russian rivers Volga, Dnieper, Don and Neva, which supported a large bowl of red granite. In addition, the small bowl was supported by a group of three bronze eagles - this part of the fountain is now lost.
Lubyanka Square right now
Photo 1913-1914 Tsvetnoy Boulevard (I. Vitali, 1820).
Portrait of the sculptor Ivan Petrovich Vitali. 1839 V. A. Tropinin Tretyakov Gallery
The sculptor's name was not Ivan at all, but Giovanni. The master was not local, but from St. Petersburg, born there in the family of an Italian sculptor-moulder. They say that once in childhood he and his father visited a workshop where at that moment the foundry worker was making statues for the fountains of Peterhof - bronze Tritons for the Neptune fountain. The boy was so impressed by what he saw that all questions regarding his future fate and career immediately disappeared.
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The most beautiful fountains in Moscow
Among the famous attractions of Moscow, fountains occupy a special place. Beautiful, majestic, technologically advanced, musical, symbolizing various milestones in the history of the country, they adorn parks and squares, squares and streets. We have prepared a short overview of the most interesting fountains from an editorial point of view.
Theatrical fountain at the Bolshoi Theater The first public fountain in Moscow was built on Teatralnaya Square in 1835 by the Italian architect Giovanni Vitali. The elegant design with figures representing theatrical genres has not survived to this day. Now its place is occupied by a granite composition in the ancient Greek style of three bowls mounted on stone podiums. The majestic fountain harmoniously complements the architectural ensemble of the Bolshoi Theater. Every second, four thousand liters of water burst out from its depths. At night, the jets are painted in different colors by a complex lighting system. ADDRESS:
Teatralnaya Square, 1 (metro station Teatralnaya)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain "Golden Spike" at VDNKh "Golden Spike" is one of the three largest fountains and is considered the most spectacular hydraulic structure of VDNKh. An unusual structure, symbolizing abundance and prosperity, is installed in the center of the Third Kamensky Pond. Vegetables and fruits are located on a flat granite base, and the heart of the composition is a sixteen-meter-tall ear, covered with gold. Every second the fountain throws out 66 jets, half of which rise to a height of 25 meters. On a clear day, the sun reflects off the golden surfaces and creates a glowing effect. ADDRESS:
ave.
Mira, 119 (metro station VDNKh) OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
The “Stone Flower” fountain at VDNKh “Stone Flower” was built by P. I. Dobrynin and K. T. Topuridze in 1954. The idea for the composition was Bazhov’s fairy tale of the same name - this is how a huge flower appeared on a two-tier granite base, lined with multi-colored smalt. The perimeter of the pool was decorated with fruits, ears of corn, cornucopia and other attributes of prosperity, symbolizing the coexistence of the union republics. The fountain became one of the most technologically advanced structures of its time. 11 powerful pumps produced about 1000 jets of water, illuminated by multi-colored lamps, and the whole extravaganza was accompanied by music. ADDRESS:
ave.
Mira, 119 (metro station VDNKh) OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain “Friendship of Peoples” at VDNKh The main fountain of VDNKh is a unique architectural and historical monument and an object of cultural heritage of the country. The composition is a huge bowl, in the center of which there is an impressive sheaf of golden wheat ears, sunflowers and industrial hemp. Along the perimeter there are gilded female figures on pedestals, symbolizing the republics of the USSR. The total area of the fountain is almost 4 thousand m². A complex system of many pipes, powerful pumps and inlets simultaneously produces 784 jets, shooting up 20 meters. ADDRESS:
ave.
Mira, 119 (metro station VDNKh) OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain “Years of War” on Poklonnaya Hill The largest fountain in the capital was opened for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The water-themed complex begins at the wall on Poklonnaya Hill and stretches to the Arc de Triomphe. The composition, consisting of five rectangular dark red granite bowls, symbolizes the feat of the Soviet people and their invaluable contribution to the fight against fascism. 45 jets shoot out from each bowl, and their total number is 225 - that’s how many weeks the terrible war lasted. At night, the lights turn on, turning the water the color of blood. ADDRESS:
Victory Park (Minskaya metro station)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Light and music fountain in Tsaritsyno One of the largest and most spectacular fountains in the capital on the territory of Tsaritsyno appeared in 2007. The scale of the light and music design is impressive. The area of the bowl is 2400 square meters, the diameter is 52 meters, and at the same time almost a thousand jets of water rise to a height of 15 meters in time with music and light accompaniment! The fountain is brought to life by a complex set of equipment consisting of 2,583 floodlights hidden under water, 82 powerful pumps and modern acoustic technology. The control system allows you to create countless artistic and musical compositions. ADDRESS:
Dolskaya st., 1 (Orekhovo metro station)
OPENING HOURS:
from Tuesday to Friday - from 10:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays - from 10:00 to 20:00, on Sundays - from 10:00 to 19:00 :00
Fountain “The Rape of Europe” on Europe Square An unusual fountain, dramatizing a famous mythological plot, was donated by the Brussels government to Moscow in 2002. Looking closely at the interweaving of steel pipes, it is easy to guess the image of a huge bull with a tremulous girl on his back. The author of the composition, Olivier Strebel, managed to literally schematically convey the indomitable power of Zeus and the gentle submission of Europe. Along the perimeter of the composition there are several hundred nozzles that produce powerful water streams. The jets are alternately colored blue, green and yellow by almost a thousand halogen and LED lamps. ADDRESS:
Europe Square (Kievskaya metro station)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain "Central" on Tverskaya Square "Central" is considered the very first fountain in Moscow during the Soviet period. Its main part appeared in 1939, and the official opening took place in 1941. The hydraulic structure is a pool with a bowl in the shape of a blooming flower in the center, from which jets of different heights shoot vertically upward. There are nozzles around the pedestal that emit streams at an angle, and small fountains are installed along the granite side. The overall composition attracts attention with its elegant brevity and surprisingly harmonious water pattern. ADDRESS:
Tverskaya Square (Pushkinskaya metro station)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain “Satyr” in the “Aquarium” garden Not far from Triumphal Square, at the entrance to the Moscow City Council, there is a bronze Satyr playing the flute of Pan. The image of the cheerful and playful eternal companion of Apollo, surrounded by streams of water, evokes sympathy and lifts the spirits of park visitors. “Satyr” is part of the fountain complex, which also includes the compositions “Stream” and “Apollo”. ADDRESS:
Bolshaya Sadovaya st., 16 (metro station Mayakovskaya)
OPENING HOURS:
daily from 10:00 to 23:00
The “Singing Crane” fountain on Chistye Prudy “The Singing Crane” harmoniously fits into the overall concept of Chistye Prudy. The author of the fountain, A. M. Belashov, created a large bowl, shaped like a natural reservoir, placed boulders in it in a random order, and on one of them installed a beautiful bird, raising its wings and singing its song. Seven jets of water rise from the bottom of the pool, washing the crane and stones. The composition has a calming effect on visitors to the cozy square, conducive to quiet rest and thoughts about the beauty and fragility of the world around them. ADDRESS:
Chistoprudny Boulevard (Chistye Prudy metro station)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain complex on Manezhnaya Square On Manezhnaya Square there is the largest and most popular complex of decorative hydraulic structures in Moscow. The ensemble consists of 12 fountains by Zurab Tsereteli, each of which has its own plot and concept. The most outstanding fountains of the complex: “The Neglinnaya River” - imitates the bed of a real river with bridges, bends, bank decoration and the sculptural composition “Heroes of Fairy Tales”. The World Clock features a rotating dome with a map of the northern hemisphere and a bronze sculpture of St. George. In the center are four bronze trotters. ADDRESS:
Manezhnaya Square (metro station Okhotny Ryad)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain “Music of Glory” Fountain “Music of Glory” is an extraordinary monument to the heroes of the Second World War, the opening of which was timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Victory Day. The fountain complex is located in one large bowl, divided into dark and light zones. In the center there is a granite amphitheater “Victory Wreath”, on the black side there is a “Pyramid of Memory”, symbolizing four years of a terrible war, on the light side there are tall silver pipes - “Fanfare of Victory”. On holidays, the work of the fountains is complemented by light and music performances with thematic scenarios: “Military Waltzes”, “Battles”, “Victory Salute”. ADDRESS:
Glory Square (Kuzminki metro station)
OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Fountain “Princess Turandot” on Old Arbat The unusual fountain was opened in the year of the 75th anniversary of the premiere of the play “Princess Turandot” on the stage of the Vakhtangov Theater. The elegant composition of gray stone and gilded metal harmoniously fit into the overall concept of the old Arbat and became one of the symbols of the famous street. Sparkling Turandot sits on a throne set in the center of an oval bowl. Transparent streams flow from the base of the throne like a waterfall, creating a feeling of airiness and ephemerality of the entire structure. The bowl is surrounded by a stone bench, on which passers-by and tourists like to rest. ADDRESS:
st.
Arbat, 26 (metro station Smolenskaya) OPENING MODE:
daily, around the clock
Fountain in GUM The fountain in GUM is the only decorative hydraulic structure in Moscow that does not stop working during the cold season. Despite its modest size, the fountain is one of the most famous calling cards of the capital. Here, near a granite octagonal bowl filled with clear water, people make business meetings and romantic dates, look for lost people and relax after walking around the city. The fountain was opened in 1906, reconstructed in 1956 and modernized at the beginning of the two thousandth. It has retained its pre-revolutionary elegance and grace. ADDRESS:
Red Square, 3 (metro station Okhotny Ryad)
OPENING MODE:
daily from 10:00 to 22:00
Light and music fountain in the Afimall shopping center In the heart of the main atrium of the Afimall City shopping complex (Moscow City), on a special podium, the world’s tallest indoor light and music fountain is located. Its bright, colored jets rise close to the dome, reaching a record height of 32 meters! Visitors to the shopping center can watch a unique light and sound show every hour and enjoy the beauty of shining streams of water. ADDRESS:
Presnenskaya embankment, 2 (metro station Delovoy Tsentr)
OPENING HOURS:
Monday to Thursday - from 10:00 to 22:00, on Fridays and Saturdays - from 10:00 to 23:00, on Sundays - from 10: 00 to 22:00
Dry fountain in Muzeon Park The design of the dry fountain does not have a pool - the bowl is replaced by an ordinary platform with hidden nozzles and sprayers, which are periodically triggered, dousing the unwary passerby with jets of water. The element of surprise gives incredible emotions to park visitors and especially delights children. The fountain in Muzeon is the largest and most spectacular in Moscow. On a huge area (840 m²), two hundred sprayers are installed, dispensing water in different modes: powerful three-meter jets, weak sources, simultaneously triggering throughout the entire territory or in a chaotic manner. ADDRESS:
st.
Krymsky Val, 2/58 (metro station Oktyabrskaya) OPENING MODE:
daily, 24 hours a day
Each Moscow fountain has its own history and its own zest. We hope that this short review will help you plan your route and explore the most interesting water attractions of the capital.
Notes
- ↑ 12
Bobrov, 2021. - Singaevsky, 2011.
- ↑ 12
Moscow magazine, 2012. - Zhdanov, 2021.
- Anna Levchenko.
The most famous fountains of the capital. Moscow perspective (May 10, 2018). Retrieved September 28, 2021. - ↑ 1 2 Lina Aleksyunaite.
The Vitali fountain was cleaned and washed. Evening Moscow (June 16, 2015). Retrieved September 28, 2021.
