Ivan's Hill and Russian culture

We shall visit one of the most historic Moscow districts where there are numerous monuments of Slavic history, religion, and culture; some Lutheran churches; and a synagogue. The streets here saw Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, Gilyarovsky, and in one of the lanes the Russian singer and musician Alexander Gradsky had his studio. Ivan's Hill represent Russia and Moscow in miniature.

We will meet by the monument to sts. Cyril and Methodius, walk up Ilyinsky Square to Plevna Chapel, briefly study Maroseyka St, then turn into Bolshoy Spasoglinishchevsky Lane — and plunge into history of Ivan's Hill, where the music printing plant of Pyotr Jurgenson and the manor house of the Morozov family bordered on Khitrovka dens. There is no straight route to wander around Ivan's Hill. This district fully reflects the history of Moscow and Russia: here the temples of several religions were erected, and many nationalities and social classes lived here.

You will hear the extracts from memoirs and short biographies, and see the paintings that depict some key figures of the history of Ivan's Hill. Printed city guides either omit this information altogether or do not provide it in full. Your guide spent many of her years in this district. As a student, I often came to the Historical Library, then I got baptised at one of the churches, and today I support those who live in the district and defend it from the attempts to ruin its historical character. You will also know about some social actions in Ivan's Hill.