Let me lead you through the streets of Moscow

by Anni Pelmeni

Next to the Gorky Park alongside the Moscow river is the Neskuchny Garden aka ‘Non-boring Garden’. Initially here was a house of Prokopij Demidov who came from a family of Ural metal producers. Demidov sold his factories and in 1750 he moved to Moscow in his new castle specially built for his needs and tastes. Demidov’s hobby was gardening and his botanic garden became a little wonder in his lifetime. On the slope of Moscow river Demidov founded a terraced garden.

It took 2 years and the man-force of 700 slaves (krepostnye) to finish the project. At that time it was one of the biggest in Europe and all Moscow elite felt obliged to have a look. Moreover the entry was free and the public started to favour this place. Demidov had eccentric tastes: he ordered to camouflage his guards in plaster and placed them next to the most exotic flowers. As long as the public behaved the guards were to play a role of a statue, but once someone tried to pick a rare plant, the ‘statue’ will scream “Thief!”. The rumors of speaking statues flooded Moscow and everyone wanted to see for themselves. It was then the Garden was named Neskychny aka Non-boring.

Stumbe it!