The Muzeon Park, laid out along the Moskva River in Moscow, gathers hundreds of sculptures in the open air from two eras: Soviet monuments dismantled after 1991 and contemporary works installed since the 2000s. Nicknamed the "Arts Park," "Fallen Statues Park" or "Cemetery of Fallen Monuments," it offers an unusual reading of Russian history in the 20th century.

Why visit Muzeon Park

The park holds interest on several levels:

• Political memory: it preserves on-site the statues of Soviet leaders removed from public spaces when the regime fell, rather than destroying them.
• Artistic dialogue: official bronzes stand alongside contemporary sculptures, including the abstract figures by Evgeny Chubarov.
• Free access: it is a free open-air space along the river, just steps from several major cultural institutions.
• View of the Moskva: the riverbanks have been developed into a place of respite cherished by Muscovites.

A brief history

Muzeon Park was created in 1992 on the banks of the Moskva River, shortly after the collapse of the USSR. In the months following August 1991, many Soviet statues were torn down in cities across the country. Rather than sending them to scrap, Moscow's municipal authorities chose to gather them together on this site, next to the New Tretyakov Gallery.

The site now houses over 700 works, among them effigies of Stalin, Brezhnev, Lenin and writer Maxim Gorky. From the 2000s onward, the park opened itself to contemporary creation: abstract sculptures, installations and works by living artists were inserted among the state monuments, giving rise to the capital's first open-air sculpture museum.

What to see

Soviet monuments

The best-known section brings together official statues from the communist era. You'll recognize several Lenins of varying sizes, a Stalin with a damaged nose preserved as it was removed, busts of Brezhnev and senior Party officials, as well as literary figures like Maxim Gorky. The original pedestals have sometimes been retained, which reinforces the memory effect.

Evgeny Chubarov's installation

Near the Soviet monuments, Evgeny Chubarov's work lines up dozens of metal figures, often interpreted as an echo of victims of political repression. The contrast with the official bronzes constitutes one of the highlights of the visit.

Contemporary art

The rest of the park hosts abstract, figurative or experimental sculptures by 21st-century Russian artists. The works are scattered along the pathways, lawns and riverbanks.

Family spaces and events

A children's play area features characters from cartoons and animals. During the warm season, the park hosts open-air screenings and concerts, which transform the site into a nighttime gathering place.

Practical information

• Address: Krymsky Val, at the exit of the New Tretyakov Gallery.
• Metro: Oktyabrskaya station (lines 5 and 6), just a few minutes' walk away.
• Access: free entry, park open continuously during the day and early evening depending on the season (check updated hours before your visit).
• Duration: allow 1 to 2 hours to tour the main sculptures. More time if you combine it with the neighboring gallery.
• Accessibility: flat and wide pathways, suitable for strollers.

When to visit

The park is accessible year-round, but the experience varies greatly by season. From late May to September, the lawns are accessible, terraces are open and the cultural program (concerts, screenings, markets) is in full swing. May, June and September offer a good balance between weather and crowds.

In winter, the site remains open and the statues take on another dimension under the snow, but negative temperatures limit comfortable visiting time. For light, late afternoon in summer and midday in winter provide the best photographic results.

Nearby

• The New Tretyakov Gallery, adjacent to the park, dedicated to Russian art of the 20th century.
• Gorky Park, accessible on foot along the riverbanks, to extend your walk.
• The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, one metro stop away, for lovers of European painting.
• Saint Basil's Cathedral and Red Square, accessible by metro in just a few stops.
• A cruise on the Moskva River with Radisson Cruise to see the park from the river.

Frequently asked questions

Planning your trip

Muzeon Park fits naturally into a cultural stay in Moscow, between Red Square, the great museums and the Moskva River banks. To build a complete itinerary, consult our trips to Russia.