Photo: architectural monuments, parks and recreation, Manezhnaya Square, Moscow

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Alexander Garden and Manege Square

Architectural Monuments • Parks and recreation

Directions

Alexander Garden is located next to the Kremlin and Red Square. This is where the Muscovites and guests of the city adore strolling about. This wonderful park was laid out next to the Kremlin wall in 1821, a few years after the devastating fire of 1812, set by Napoleon's troops. For this purpose, the Neglinka (the Neglinnaya River), flowing near the Kremlin walls, was channeled underground.

In the Alexander Garden, tall blue fir-trees, lime trees and maples grow, as well as lilac and jasmine blossom in spring. The unusually colorful flower beds, which are daily tended by the Kremlin gardeners, delight the eye. When walking in the Alexander Garden, you can see the “paunchy” Kutafya Tower of the Kremlin of the early 16th century, the Italian grotto and many monuments dedicated to the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Great Patriotic War. Towards the main entrance to the park is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where servicemen of the Presidential Regiment stand guard from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. A Changing of the Guard Ceremony takes place here every hour.

Manezhnaya or Manege Square stretches along the Alexander Garden. The square assumed this name in 1937 thanks to the Manege building, which was built here in 1817. Since 1957 the Manege has been used for large-scale exhibitions and antique salons. In 1995, during the reconstruction of the Manege Square, the largest “Okhotny Ryad” underground shopping center was built beneath it. In 1997 “Okhotny Ryad” became the winner of the international competition MIPIM Awards. Today it ranks among TOP-10 of the world’s most luxurious shopping centers! You can get to the shopping center right from the "Okhotny Ryad" metro station, as well as from the Alexander Garden. The three underground floors house boutiques and shops with the products of world brands, as well as cafes, facing directly the Alexander Garden.

The Manege Square with a walking area and flower beds spreads over the "Okhotny Ryad" shopping center. The heart of the square is adorned with a glass dome, crowned by a statue of St. George the Victorious, the patron of Moscow. The dome is the roof of the shopping center and the Fountain of the World Clock at a time. It shows a map of the northern hemisphere and is divided into 24 sectors according to time zones. The fountain allows to determine the time in different capitals of the world. To do this, you need to find the name of the city on the map and look at the ring at the bottom of the dome. A large figure shows the hour, and 12 bulbs above it "are in charge of" the minutes. In order to specify the time in minutes, you need to count the number of burning bulbs and multiply them by 5 (each bulb is 5 minutes). The fountain composition makes a complete revolution about its axis per calendar day.

Alexander Garden and Manege Square

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