A. A huge green place with an area of about 13 hectares appeared in the very centre of Moscow recently. Opened in 2017, Zaryadye Park is the newest park in the Russian capital. It is located next to the Moscow River, very close to Red Square, and, while spending their time in the park, visitors can enjoy a great view of the Kremlin. The park can be easily reached from the central metro stations and is already included in the main tourist routes round the centre of Moscow.
B. The newest design and engineering solutions were used to make the park look modern but also green and nature friendly. According to visitors, the most impressive thing in the park is the Floating Bridge. The bridge over the Moscow River is an elegant V-shape construction with very little support. It looks like it is floating in the air. Surprisingly, the bridge will not take you to the opposite side of the Moscow River. It goes from the left bank to the left bank, providing a high observation platform.
C. The park is built on a site with an interesting background. The first references to the area date to 12th century when it was inhabited mainly by craftsmen, traders and merchants. The area was close to the river, which at that time was an important trading route. A large cobbled street connected the river with the Kremlin and was used for delivering different goods there. People started to call the place Zaryadye in the 16th century because it was right behind the rows of market stalls on Red Square, which was the main market square at that time.
D. It is amazing that the urban park, which is in the centre of Moscow, contains four different climate zones. They are forest, steppe, tundra, and wetland or water meadows. The visitors can see the plants typical of each of the zones. All in all there are about 800 thousand species of trees, bushes and grass in the park. There is also a special garden for plants that prefer a much warmer climate than the climate in Russia. The garden has no walls - it is equipped with special warming panels, some of which are solar panels.
E. However, there is a place in Zaryadye park that cannot boast a large diversity of plants. It is the Ice Cave, where you can feel the atmosphere of the Arctic. Video projections, background sounds, along with tons of ice, create the impression of visiting the Far North. The pavilion actually focuses on this very topic – it tells the visitors about the flora, fauna, and the history of the Far North. With special equipment, the temperature in the cave is maintained at about 2–5 degrees below zero – some warm clothes are recommended!
F. The best architects and designers worked on the Zaryadye Park project and their combined efforts gave impressive results – all the buildings and constructions exist in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape. The Music Centre and the Amphitheatre are perfect examples of this. They are covered with a special glass coating, which lets the sunlight in and helps to maintain a comfortable temperature. Special technologies were applied to ensure the highest quality of sound there which makes the new performance venue one of the best in the country.
G. It is no wonder that Zaryadye Park is turning into one of the most popular and most visited attractions in Moscow. It is easy to get there by Metro from any place in the city. Visiting the park is free for everyone. In most cases, however, it is necessary to buy a ticket if you want to visit a museum or attend indoor events. The park is open to the public till 10pm every day. However, the entrance is closed one hour prior to the closing time.
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