Kolomenskoye Estate

Kolomenskoye Estate is located in Southern Moscow. It is a former tsar residence. It was first mentioned at the time of Ivan Kalita in 1339. The oldest monument on this 390 hectare (960 acres) area is the Ascension Church (1532). Tsar Vasili III ordered for its construction so as to celebrate the birth of his son known as Ivan IV or Ivan the Terrible. Its architect was Pietro Antonio Solari. In 1667, Tsar Alexis I of Russia had a palace built in Kolomenskoye. It was built in wood and totaled no less than two hundred seventy rooms. Considered as the “eighth Wonder of the World”, it will last a century. At that time the Church of Our Lady of Kazan also saw the light of day. When the Tsar died, Kolomenskoye was abandoned. In the USSR time, Kolomenskoye was turned into an outdoor wooden architecture museum. Original wooden buildings from the 17th and 18th century coming from all Russia are displayed. The museum also shows Russian paintings (15th to 17th century) as well as items coming from historical monuments (dressed stone, mosaics, wood pieces). The guides in the museum are dressed with historical costumes. The trainers of the falconry located on the estate are also dressed up. Many cultural events and festivals take place on the Kolomenskoye estate, very much appreciated by the Muscovites.