A perfect getaway from Moscow’s concrete jungle, Sokolniki Park has a fascinating history and plenty of stories to tell. RT invites you on a trip into its place’s thrilling past.
Located north-east of the city centre, Sokolniki is four times larger than London’s Hyde Park. Few remember that it used to be a forest that Russia’s tsars traditionally liked to hunt in.
Royal falcon hunting became especially popular in the 17th century during the reign of Tsar Alexey I, the father of Peter the Great. That was how the area got its name – “sokolnik” in Russian means “falconer.” Peter also became a fan of the place. Only instead of chasing game, he liked to play games and the wood was his venue of choice for outdoor feasts and celebrations.
Under his orders the park’s current layout began to be formed. The forest was not all about fun and games. In 1812 it became a hide-out for many Muscovites when Napoleon’s troops invaded. Several decades later, in 1879, the city authorities bought the land and the exclusive playground of the tsars was turned into a public park, much loved by the city’s artists and poets.
During Soviet times, Sokolniki became one of Moscow’s most popular leisure spots, filled with cafes and open-air dance floors. The park truly shot to fame when in 1959 the American National Exhibition was held there. Sponsored by the US government, it followed a similar Soviet Exhibition in New York City. The project was meant to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The display featured everything from the latest home appliances and sporting equipment to cars and even a typical American home.
The exhibit that proved to be the biggest hit with the public was a model kitchen – so much so that it sparked the so-called Kitchen Debate between Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and Richard Nixon about the merits of communism versus capitalism.
Both men praised their country’s industrial achievements, with Khrushchev stressing that the USSR focused on “things that matter” rather than luxury.
If escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city is what matters to you, a breath of fresh air is by no means a luxury in Sokolniki. A perfect place for summer strolls and winter sports, the park is going through a big makeover to become a modern leisure and exhibition centre. Nature’s beauty, history and fun – Sokolniki does have it all.