Merchants of Moscow are one of the most contradictory social groups before the revolution. Former slaves and peasants, they earned millions and ran dozens of factories. They led Moscow to thriving - by donating or founding literally everything, from hospitals, orphanages and institutions to help the poor, to theaters, libraries and scientific inventions - but were despised by almost every other muscovite. They did good and evil in equal proportions, reflecting the turbulent era of pivotal social, political, economic, scientific and cultural changes. By getting acquainted with the life of merchants, one can envision both the development of Moscow and life in the late-XIX century Russia in general.
We'll see the neighborhood related to Russian merchants: we'll look at their former mansions, including the famous mansions of Ryabushinsky, Arseny Morozov and Zinaida Morozova.
We'll also take a look at some of the rental houses, including the one of former city mayor - what a nice opportunity to talk about merchants among local authorities! We'll also see charity institutions founded or sponsored by the merchants of Moscow, as well as a renowned Levenson printing house and the Gubonin industrial college.
We'll see most outstanding examples of Russian Art-Nouveau during our 2 hours walk from Arbat to Triumphalnaya square.
Join our walk an dive into the era of merchants together!