Odintsovo near Moscow is located to the west of Moscow; there are few interesting places in the city itself, most of them are concentrated in the surrounding area. Sights of Odintsovo and its surroundings include historical estates, ancient churches, and museums. Here is the site of the presidential residence Novo-Ogarevo, as well as the famous Rublyovka - the place of residence of the richest people in the country.
A few facts about Odintsovo
- The first mention of Odintsovo occurs in 1470.
- Odintsovo received city status in 1957.
- The symbol of the city is a silver deer.
- Rublevka is the popular name for the territory along Podushkinskoye, Rublevo-Uspenskoye, 1st and 2nd Uspensky highways. There are elite dachas, cottage communities and government residences here.
- The population of Odintsovo is about 135.5 thousand people.
- The distance from Odintsovo to Moscow is 26 km, to Zvenigorod – 37 km.
Oceanarium "Secrets of the Ocean"
The aquarium opened in 2012. The complex unites several exhibition facilities. In the basement and on the first floor there are exhibition areas for marine animals. There are hundreds of fish, sharks and other marine life here.
On the second floor there are habitat areas for amphibians, birds and a butterfly garden. Visitors have the opportunity to stroll through the park, listening to an interesting and educational excursion. There are recreation areas for children.
Location: Rublevo-Uspenskoe highway - 11, Gorki-2.
Museum of History and Local Lore
Website: odinmuseum.ru Address: Odintsovo, Kommunalny proezd, 1. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 17.00, Friday until 16.00, Saturday - closed. Ticket price: 100 rubles, pensioners, children under 16 years old - 50 rubles.
The historical building, which houses the city's local history museum, was built in the 70s of the 19th century in the pseudo-Russian style. Initially, this Odintsovo landmark housed the office of the brick factory of industrialist Vasily Yakunchikov. The museum opened to visitors in 1989.
On the territory of the museum there is an open exhibition of military equipment. Here are the Topol missile system, the MiG-29 fighter, artillery guns, aircraft missiles, armored vehicles and the Willys-MB front-line vehicle.
Train Station
Address: Odintsovo, Station Square, 2.
The brick building of the railway station, rebuilt in 1898-1900 in the Art Nouveau style, appeared thanks to the design of the then popular architect Lev Kekushev. He wanted the station's appearance to remind passengers of a steam locomotive. Inside the premises at the beginning of the 20th century there were waiting rooms, buffets, traffic service departments and a luggage department.
However, in modern times, an extension was added to one side of the railway station, which slightly changed the architect's idea. Now the building houses shops, cafes and ticket offices.
The clergy house of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Assumption
Mention in documents dates back to the 14th century. The complex is located in the old village of Uspenskoye. The house was built near the church, which was consecrated in honor of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary by S.T. Morozov. The decor of the temple is made in a special style - painting on damp plaster and decorated with mosaic display cases. In our time, parishioners can venerate the relics of the great saints: Anthony, Agathon, Macarius of Egypt.
Location: Uspenskoye, Sovetskaya street - 13A.
St. George's Cathedral
Address: Odintsovo, Mozhaiskoe highway, 57.
In the historical part of Odintsovo, there is a giant red temple - this is the Cathedral of St. George the Victorious. One of the largest churches in the Moscow region was built according to the design of the architect V. Gankin already in 2007. The three-story temple with red walls and white platbands was erected in the Russian style. Five gilded domes, the total weight of which reaches 18.5 tons, are topped with Orthodox crosses. The height of the bell tower of this Odintsovo landmark is 72 meters.
"Candy Shop"
In the village of Gorki, anyone can take a unique journey and find themselves in an old candy store.
The interior of a provincial shop from the late 19th century has been recreated at the Museum of Russian Dessert “Konfectnaya”. To do this, his enthusiastic employees carefully studied the descriptions of store windows, advertising media that were used more than 100 years ago, as well as marketing moves and other features of the trade in lollipops, chocolates and other goodies.
The museum hosts master classes on making sugar flowers and other confectionery wonders. During the excursions, visitors are offered to try such half-forgotten traditional Russian desserts as honey gingerbread, bird cherry pie, cone jam, etc.
Grebnevskaya Church
Address: Odintsovo, Mozhaiskoe highway, building 72.
The Temple of the Grebnevskaya Icon of the Mother of God, built in 1802, is the oldest church in Odintsovo. In the 1790s, Countess Elizaveta Zubova ordered the erection of a new stone rotunda church in the classical style next to the dilapidated wooden church in the name of the Holy Martyr Artemon and the transfer of all existing church utensils to it.
In 1898, three tiers of a bell tower, a refectory and two chapels were added to the Grebnevskaya Church. During the Soviet years, the temple was used as a warehouse; worship services were resumed in 1991.
Monument to Boyar Odinets
Boyarin Andrei Ivanovich Domotkanov, who served Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and during his lifetime bore the nickname Odinets, is considered the founder of the city, in whose honor it was named. According to some sources, Andrei Odinets received the estate around the 1370s. And the first written mention of the village of Odintsovo dates back to 1470, which is considered the date of the founding of the settlement.
The monument to the distant ancestor of all Odintsovo residents was erected in 2007 on Central Square in honor of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the city of Odintsovo. Next to the statue of the boyar there are six more busts of Honorary Residents of the city. All monuments were made by sculptor A. Balashov.
City districts
From the point of view of administrative division, Odintsovo is a typical city for the Moscow region. There are four industrial zones (Central, Southern, Western and Eastern), as well as about ten residential microdistricts. The boundaries of these microdistricts can be viewed in more detail on any map of the city. The following microdistricts are also distinguished:
- Bakovka;
- Kutuzovsky;
- Trekhgorka;
- New Trekhgorka.
Microdistrict 9 is interesting because it is almost completely occupied by the Odintsovo Park residential complex. A separate microdistrict is the Odinburg residential complex. The last two areas are considered the most interesting for purchasing real estate.
In addition, the Odintsovo-1 microdistrict is highlighted - this is a former military town. The local press wrote that they were planning to build a business center here, but so far the work is still ongoing.
A detailed city plan indicating where certain residential complexes are located can be shown by a private realtor. Each area has its own advantages. Since the construction of the city was mainly carried out in the 1960s and 1970s, highways everywhere have approximately the same degree of wear and tear. Almost every street is green and well-groomed.
Monument to Marshal Zhukov
One of the streets in the city was named in honor of Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov. In 2000, a monument dedicated to the famous military leader also appeared on it. Its authors were sculptor A. Bichukov and architect V. Gankin.
The statue of the marshal is depicted from the waist up, looking into the distance. On both sides of the figure there are cannons of the 1942 model, which during the Great Patriotic War were one of the most popular artillery pieces produced by the industry of the Soviet Union.
Monuments of Odintsovo, where you should go
Among the numerous monuments of Odintsovo and its surroundings, it is worth highlighting several particularly significant ones.
Monument to Boyar Odinets
- Address: Central Square.
The village of Odintsovo originated in the 14th century. Its founder, boyar Andrei Domotkanov, served at the court of Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy. The brave warrior was nicknamed Odinets, since he was the only child in his family. In those days, people were often given nicknames based on their occupation or for characteristics of their origin, behavior or appearance.
Members of the same family could have different nicknames. Such names subsequently often passed on to all direct descendants of a person and became what is now called a “surname.” Odinets faithfully served his prince, for which the latter presented the faithful boyar with a plot of land near Moscow. The resulting settlement was named after the owner - Odintsovo.
In 1957, the village received city status. In 2007, in honor of the half-century anniversary, the townspeople erected a monument to the founding father. A dignified, bearded man in boyar robes stands on a stone pedestal. With one hand he rests on his side, in the other he holds a letter of commendation.
Monument to G.K. Zhukov
- Address: Marshal Zhukov Street.
Many residents of Odintsovo respect the memory of Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov. One of the central streets of the city is named in honor of Marshal of Victory, and there is also a bronze monument to the Soviet commander. The monument was erected in 2000 and is guarded by ZIS-3 guns on both sides.
Sign "Old Smolensk Road"
- Address: Mozhaiskoe highway, 57.
A large stone arch with a coat of arms on top greets drivers as they enter the city. Odintsovo used to stand on the Smolensk Road - the main road artery that connected Moscow and Europe. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte proudly rode along this path in 1812, heading with his army to the Russian capital.
Here, a few months later, he passed in the opposite direction, escaping the hunger and cold of the deserted, burned city. Several years ago, local residents erected an arch to commemorate the historical significance of the road. The only thing that spoils the appearance of the building is the numerous advertising billboards clinging to the triangular pillars at the base of the arch.
Sign for the 2000th anniversary of the Nativity of Christ
- Address: Central Square.
The memorial sign is one of the decorations of the central city square. At the top of the 30-meter stele, a white angel spread its wings. The beautiful sculpture was created by masters E.A. Wolfson and V.G. Gankin. In September 2000, the monument was solemnly consecrated.
Read guides to other cities in the Moscow region:
- Klin, Balashikha, Zelenograd, Podolsk,
- Krasnogorsk, Bronnitsy, Stupino, Taldom,
- Khimki, Dmitrov, Shchelkovo, Serpukhov, Zhukovsky,
- Korolev, Yegoryevsk, Ramenskoye, Lobnya,
- Naro-Fominsk, Chekhov, Lyubertsy, Reutov,
- Voskresensk, Noginsk, Moscow, Domodedovo,
- Kolomna, Volokolamsk, Pushkino, Dolgoprudny,
- Elektrostal, Vereya, Zaraysk, Sergiev Posad.
Odintsovo is an amazing city in the Moscow region, which lives in the rhythm of a modern metropolis, without forgetting its aristocratic past. Among the standard high-rise buildings and private houses, the spirit of antiquity hovers; small, half-abandoned villages preserve the memory of the luxurious life of the nobles. Odintsovo is a striking example of a town whose historical value is not inferior to the brilliant capitals.
Sculptural composition for Lyudmila Pakhomova and Alexander Gorshkov
Bronze figures of famous athletes, who became popular thanks to their ice dancing, were placed on a fiberglass ball near the Ice Palace on December 31, 2006. The date was not chosen by chance; the statue appeared in Odintsovo in the year of the 30th anniversary of the victory of the Pakhomova-Gorshkov duo at the 1976 Olympics. And on this very day Lyudmila Pakhomova could have turned 60 years old.
Sports recreation park named after. Larisa Lazutina
Address: Odintsovo, Manzhosovskaya st., building 1.
A favorite place for sports and leisure among local residents is the Sports Recreation Park named after Hero of Russia Larisa Lazutina. It is located right in the Podushkinsky Forest Park and is of great importance for the ecology of the entire area. In the forest you can find squirrels, foxes, hares, and the rarest flowers.
Here are the Slavic burial grounds “Odintsovo Kurgans” and two sports tracks for Nordic walking, skiing, and cycling. On the territory of this Odintsovo landmark there are courts for basketball, volleyball, mini-football, as well as a rope park, children's playgrounds, and horizontal bars.
Complex "Odintsovo Kurgans"
On the territory of the Podushkinsky Forest Park and the Sports Recreation Park named after. Larisa Lazutina there are ancient Slavic burials that were built around the 11th-13th centuries. There are more than three hundred mounds in the complex. These also include six open-type settlements.
All mounds contain the remains of one to several people, with each of them buried a small amount of grave goods: belts, belts, rings, jewelry, hats, ceramic dishes, iron knives. Now the complex belongs to the federal category of specially protected objects.
Local infrastructure
The city boasts a developed medical sector. There are both municipal and private clinics and medical centers here.
As for education, here parents have a choice - a comprehensive school (there are about ten of them), a gymnasium or a lyceum. The region has a high population density, and although there are more than 50 kindergartens in the city, there are not enough places in them, even taking into account private preschool institutions. At the same time, not every new residential complex can be supplemented with a kindergarten due to a banal lack of territory.
A detailed description of the city would be incomplete without listing sports facilities, and there really are a lot of them. The most interesting are the Volleyball and Sports Complex and the Municipal Children's Hockey and Figure Skating Center. In addition, there are several fitness clubs here, so residents can easily choose the best option. There are other sports clubs here.
The main problems of the city's infrastructure are the lack of parking spaces and the insufficient number of kindergartens. Many residents note poor postal service, but this is not unique to Odintsovo.
Street Art Museum
In 2022, the first international street graffiti festival “Urban Morphogenesis” was held in the Novaya Trekhgorka area.
Over the course of a month, 60 artists from all over the world painted Odintsovo skyscrapers. Together, more than 60 facades in the street art style were created, creating an open-air street art museum that decorated the residential area of the city.
Zakharovo Estate
Website: museum-gol.ru Address: Odintsovo urban district, rural settlement Zakharovskoye. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 17.00 (ticket office until 16.00), closed on Monday and the last Friday of the month. The park is open from 8.00 to 20.00.
Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin spent his early childhood in the Zakharovo estate. Here he spent every summer; the estate belonged to his grandmother Maria Alekseevna Hannibal. After Pushkin entered the Lyceum, his grandmother sold Zakharovo. The estate changed many owners, and the house and outbuildings were completely burned down in a fire. In 1999, the manor house was restored, and now there is a museum-reserve of A. S. Pushkin.
Big Vyazemy Estate
Website: museum-gol.ru Address: Odintsovo urban district, Bolshiye Vyazemy.
The village of Bolshie Vyazemy is located not far from Odintsovo, next to the Vyazemka River, and the first mention of it dates back to the 16th century. The land belonged to Boris Godunov, who built a fortified estate here, more like a fortress. However, of those buildings, only the Church of the Transfiguration and the belfry (late 16th century) have survived to our times. In 1694, Peter I donated the estate to Prince Boris Golitsyn, whose descendants owned this estate until the events of 1917.
At different times, False Dmitry with Marina Mnishek, Leo Tolstoy, Pavel I, Nikolai Przhevalsky and Valery Bryusov stayed at the estate. Alexander Pushkin grew up in the neighboring village of Zakharovo, and often visited the Bolshie Vyazemy estate, here he met Natalya Goncharova, and later this estate became the prototype of the estate of Eugene Onegin.
Vyazemy is located on the old Smolensk tract (modern Mozhaisk highway); here in 1812, after the Battle of Borodino, first the retreating Russian troops, then the French troops, stopped. Mikhail Kutuzov stayed in the manor house-palace with a belvedere, and a few days later Napoleon spent the night in the same room and sofa.
Top 10 attractions in Odintsovo district and surrounding area
Odintsovo and the villages adjacent to it attract with ancient estates, churches, museums and picturesque places where you want to come for a weekend to be united with nature.
Zakharovo
In the village of Zakharovo there is an old noble estate of the same name, which previously belonged to Pushkin’s grandmother. The great poet came here every summer before entering the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum.
In Zakharovo there is the estate of Pushkin’s grandmother.
The 2-story structure with columns and a portico that now greets visitors is the restored master's house, built in the late 1990s. Within its walls there is a museum dedicated to the poet’s childhood.
Around the estate there are preserved alleys planted during the time of Pushkin. They are great for walking and contemplating natural beauty.
"Secrets of the Ocean"
In the village of Gorki-2, a modern oceanarium “Secrets of the Ocean” has been opened, where you can see representatives of marine fauna living in different parts of the planet.
“Secrets of the Ocean” is a modern aquarium.
You can come here with your children to show them lobsters, stingrays, sharks, octopuses, moray eels, exotic fish and other sea animals. On the territory of the aquarium there is also a mini-zoo where rare parrots, dwarf foxes, monkeys and other land inhabitants live.
Pond Baranka
I saw a large pond, popularly called Baranka, when I went for a walk in the center of Odintsovo.
Baranka Pond is a resting place for local residents.
It attracts the eye with a fountain, which is installed directly in the pond, and the picturesque Deer Island, located inside the pond.
Baranka is a favorite vacation spot for city residents. In summer people come here to swim, have a picnic on the shore and feed the ducks. In winter, the pond turns into the largest skating rink in Odintsovo.
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Bolshie Vyazemy
In the village of Bolshiye Vyazemy, located next to Zakharovo, there is an architectural complex of the same name, built in the 16th-19th centuries.
There is an architectural complex in the village of Bolshie Vyazemy.
From the beginning of the 18th century. Bolshie Vyazemy belonged to the princes Golitsyn.
In his childhood, Pushkin often visited here, coming here from Zakharovo with his grandmother to the temple.
In the Golitsyn palace, the young poet first met his future wife Natalya Goncharova. Later, the Vyazems became the prototype for the estate of Eugene Onegin in Pushkin’s novel of the same name.
Podushkino Estate
In search of interesting places in the Odintsovo district, I stopped in the elite village of Barvikha. There is a luxurious castle here from the end of the 19th century, built for the daughter of General Kazakov, Nadezhda, who after her second marriage became Baroness Meyendorff. According to the fashion of that time, the estate was stylized as a chateau, decorated with weather vanes and conical roofs.
The Podushkino estate is a luxurious castle.
After the October Revolution, Lenin lived on the estate for some time. In the 1930s a sanatorium was opened here, where Bulgakov, Shostakovich, Prishvin, Gagarin and other famous people improved their health.
Nowadays, in the building of the former estate, the Barvikha state residence is located, within the walls of which meetings of the President of Russia with representatives of other states are held.
Kurgan complex
For those who are looking for what to see in Odintsovo from the sights of early times, I advise you to go to the Podushkinsky Forest Park. There is a Slavic cemetery of the 11th-13th centuries, consisting of mounds.
Kurgan complex - group burials.
In total, in the Odintsovo burial mounds there are more than 300 necropolises with single and group burials. They have a hemispherical shape with small ditches at the base. Some of them are so large that they exceed human height.
Cathedral of St. George the Victorious
Among the attractions of Odintsovo, I would like to highlight the majestic St. George Cathedral, built in 2007. It is one of the largest churches in the Moscow diocese.
The 5-domed cathedral attracts attention from afar with its red and white walls, golden domes and bell tower located at an altitude of 72 m.
The Cathedral of St. George the Victorious is the largest temple.
The interior of the church occupies 3 floors. They contain:
- Baptismal Church of John the Baptist;
- temple in the name of the Iveron Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
- Temple in the name of St. George the Victorious.
A Sunday school for children and adults is open at the cathedral.
Vvedenskoye
The brick noble estate in the village of Vvedenskoye was built at the beginning of the 20th century. on the site of a dilapidated wooden house, which at different times belonged to the Golitsyn, Lopukhin and Sheremetev families.
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Its last owner was Count Alexander Gudovich, who was shot by the Bolsheviks. After that, first a museum and then a sanatorium were opened in the estate.
Vvedenskoye is a noble estate.
Now Vvedenskoye is classified as a cultural heritage site of the peoples of the Russian Federation. Its territory includes:
- 2-storey manor house (1912);
- church (1812);
- horse yard;
- carriage house;
- outbuildings;
- linden park.
Museum of Russian Dessert
In addition to the aquarium, in the village of Gorki-2 you can go to “KonfeKtnaya”. This is the name of the museum, the exhibition hall of which is equipped in the form of a provincial candy shop of the 19th century.
The Museum of Russian Dessert is filled with sweets.
The museum's display cases are filled with caramel, marzipan, toffees, grilled meats and other sweets prepared according to old Russian recipes. Visitors can not only try the delicacies, but also prepare them with their own hands under the guidance of KonfeKtnaya employees.
Grebnevskaya Church
The stone church in Grebnevo appeared in 1801 next to the old wooden church. It was built at the expense of Countess Zubova, who owned the village. The church was erected in the classical style characteristic of the Moscow region and consecrated in the name of the Grebnevskaya Icon of the Mother of God.
Grebnevskaya Church was built in 1801.
After the arrival of the Bolsheviks, the temple was closed and looted. In the early 1990s. it was restored and returned to the believers. Since then, divine services have been held there regularly.
Podushkino Estate (Meiendorf Castle)
The estate was built from 1874 to 1885 according to the design of a Gothic lover, architect Pyotr Boytsov. In those days, the village of Podushkino, located next to Odintsovo, belonged to Nadezhda Aleksandrovna Kazakova, but in 1889 she married and became Baroness Meyendorff, thanks to which the estate acquired a second name.
The small castle was built on a hill, made in the French style with Gothic elements. The house part is combined with the outbuilding for guests using a covered gallery. The unusual architectural design is emphasized by the white and red stonework.
Now the estate is under the jurisdiction of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation and is the official state residence, called “Barvikha”.
Novo-Ogarevo Estate
The Novo-Ogarevo estate on the banks of the Moscow River was acquired for Empress Maria Alexandrovna. After her death, it passed to her son, Moscow Governor General Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich. It was by his decree that the main manor house was built in the English Gothic style and a park was laid out.
After the revolution, a holiday home was opened on the estate. In the 1950s, a state residence for top officials was established here. In 2000, Putin and his family settled here, the estate was significantly rebuilt, and a six-meter stone fence was erected around it. Novo-Ogarevo is the official presidential residence, where Putin spends most of his time, receives visitors, and conducts online broadcasts.
Patriot Park
Website: patriotp.ru Address: Odintsovo urban district, 55 km of Minsk highway (park). Opening hours: from 10.00 to 17.00, on Saturday and Sunday - until 18.00, closed on Monday. Cost of a complex ticket: 550 rubles,
The largest park, Patriot, is located near the city of Kubinka; it was inaugurated in 2014. There is an aviation museum, a museum of armored vehicles, an artillery museum, a military-historical complex “Partisan Village” and other exhibitions.
Where to relax in Odintsovo
In the city, as elsewhere in the Moscow region, there are many entertainment venues where you can have a great time in your free time. For example, those who are interested in where to go in Odintsovo can do it with their family at the Ambar bowling club, located on Station Square.
Active entertainment awaits Odintsovo residents and city guests in the Sporting Paintland Park, which is located on the 31st kilometer of the Minsk Highway. During the warm season, you can also relax in the green area near the Glyzinsky pond. By the way, it is located close to everything from the new and comfortable residential complex “Odintsovo Park”.
The main temple of the Russian Ministry of Defense
On the territory of the Patriot Park there is the main temple of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, built for the 75th anniversary of the Victory - May 9, 2022. The huge, squat church in the Byzantine style, khaki (height including the cross is 95 meters) looks rather gloomy. Its construction caused much criticism and public outcry. This is largely due to mosaics with images of Putin, Matvienko and Shoigu, as well as Stalin, which, after much controversy, were nevertheless moved from the temple to the Patriot Park museum.
The temple, neither outside nor inside, resembles typical Orthodox churches. The green color scheme gives it a gloomy feel. The opening ceremony of the temple took place on June 14, 2022.
Ecology, climate and weather
The climate of Odintsovo is no different from Moscow , except that in winter it is a little colder. The weather also corresponds to Moscow, but summer time is characterized by higher humidity. At night, the temperature can drop noticeably, do not forget about this.
Although the city has a lot of industrial enterprises, excellent ecology is considered one of the important advantages. All winds in this area blow in a southeasterly direction, so industrial pollution is carried further away, while the city air remains relatively fresh. In addition, Odintsovo is a very green city, there are plenty of park areas. All atmospheric pollution that the city portal writes about is associated with a large number of cars on the streets.
