There are many world-famous museums in Moscow: the Tretyakov Gallery or the Pushkin Museum, the Diamond Fund and others. And there are more “modest”, not so popular places, but this does not mean that they are less interesting for visitors. An example is the Museum of the History of Lefortovo, founded in 1999.
A few words about the Lefortovo area
German Quarter - this is what this district of the capital has been called since the time of Ivan the Terrible. The king took this place on the banks of the Yauza River for the settlement of captured foreigners. Most of them did not know Russian. Residents of Moscow called them dumb, and after that this nickname was transformed into the word "Germans" and gave the name to the settlement - German.
Foreign settlers received from the authorities the right to produce intoxicating drinks (beer, wine). This can explain the fact that the indigenous people disliked the inhabitants of the settlement, since they were forbidden to produce alcohol. All this led to enmity, the German settlement was often ruined.
In the Time of Troubles it was completely destroyed, and later restored (under Peter I). The appearance of palaces and parks here is due to the fact that the king temporarily placed his residence on the banks of the Yauza.
In the restoration of the German Quarter (together withPeter I), his associate Franz Lefort also took an active part, whose surname gave the name to this district of Moscow.
The emperor's residence, a beautiful European-style palace and park turned the former German Quarter into an aristocratic place. Many noble families built their country houses here.
Lefortovo for many years after Peter I remained the residence of the rulers of the Russian Empire. The area also developed as an industrial center. During the revolution and Soviet times, the status of an industrial and military center was retained by this area. During the Great Patriotic War, factories in Lefortovo produced anti-aircraft guns and ambulance trains.
It is in the expositions of the Museum of the History of Lefortovo that the fate of the district is reflected.
Where is the museum
The museum building is a typical five-story building built during Khrushchev's time. On the facade there are banners with information about the main historical figures, whose fate echoes the history of the area. On the facade you can find a sign with the opening hours and basic information about the exposition. Address of the Lefortovo History Museum: Kryukovskaya street, 23.
How to get to the museum
Those who wish to visit this little-known Moscow museum can go there by metro to the Elektrozavodskaya station, and then by bus 59. From the Aviamotornaya metro station, the journey will take 15 minutes by the same bus No. 59 to the Ukhtomskogo Street stop - Museum of the History of Lefortovo. You can get both from the Aviamotornaya station and from Semenovskaya by trams number 32, 43, 46, you need to get off at the Ukhtomskogo Street stop.
Museum opening hours and ticket prices
The museum is waiting for its guests six days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. It is important that the ticket office closes at 17.30. Monday is a day off, as is the last Friday of the month. A pleasant surprise for visitors will be free admission every third Sunday of the month.
Prices for entrance tickets to the Museum of the History of Lefortovo are affordable. A ticket for an adult will cost 150 rubles, a reduced ticket for pensioners, students and children over seven years old (75 rubles), children under seven years old can visit the museum for free.
Museum display
In the museum, the main exposition occupies two halls, two more are reserved for thematic exhibitions, the exhibits in them are periodically updated. The main exposition can be conditionally divided into three parts:
- the first tells about the formation of the German Quarter;
- the second is dedicated to the period from the 17th to the 18th century;
- third - the history of the area in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The museum's collection is a variety of historical documents reflecting the history of the development of the area, weapons, various household items.
Armament exhibited in the halls of the museum clearly tells the history of Russian weapons from the 18th century.
Documents (drawings and maps of Lefortovo) help to imagine how the face of the German Quarter has changed.
On the walls of the museumthere are portraits of historical figures who are somehow connected with the development of the area.
You can learn more about the life of ordinary citizens thanks to small models. One of them presents residential buildings, outbuildings, a mill.
In the museum you can also see clothes from different eras, starting from the 18th century. Basically it is a military uniform.
There are also knightly armors displayed in a very original way.
Separately, it is worth noting the variety of excursions that are offered to the guests of the museum. These are both walking and bus tours. Those wishing to take part in costume performances can safely go to the Lefortovo History Museum (Kryukovo Street, 23). Museum employees have prepared interesting quests for children, allowing them to learn more about the history of Moscow and the microdistrict.
Special excursions for school students or family groups.
To experience the atmosphere of old Moscow, Lefortovo History Museum is a great place. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the museum staff, your visit will be pleasant and rewarding.
