Zaraysk

8 points0 km0 hours

Zaraysk, on the banks of the Osyotr River, is one of the oldest towns in the Moscow Region. It has preserved remarkable landmarks, including a 16th-century stone kremlin that withstood many sieges and became a symbol of the history and culture of the lands around Moscow.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
👀 Watch city life
🔍🖼️ Spot interesting details

Route points (8)

Trading Rows in Zaraysk

Point on route “Zaraysk”

Point 2

Trading Rows

📜 Historic site • 🏺 Market / bazaar

Historical Background

The Trading Rows in Zaraysk appeared in the second half of the 18th century, when the town was growing fast as a center of trade. An important road ran through Zaraysk, linking Moscow with the southern lands and Astrakhan, and grain and handcrafted goods were carried along it. The construction of the Trading Rows coincided with the approval of the town's regular plan under Catherine the Great. Before the Revolution, fairs were held here, drawing merchants and peasants from the surrounding districts. Food, fabrics, furs, household goods — you could find all of it in the rows on Trading Square. There was also the famous “Obzhorny Ryad” (“Glutton's Row”), where locals could grab a cheap bite on market days.

Architectural Features

The complex is a closed rectangle with an inner courtyard. Originally the buildings were brick, plastered and painted white. Arcaded passages ran around the perimeter, and each side had a gate. The northern side of the rows faced Trading Square (now Revolution Square), and the southern side faced the kremlin. This layout made the marketplace convenient and easy to spot for both townspeople and visiting merchants. The courtyard was used for trading and loading goods, while the arcaded galleries sheltered the shops from rain and snow.

Fate in Modern Times

In the 1930s regular trade in the rows gradually died out, and the buildings were partly destroyed. In the 1980s they were restored, keeping their 18th-century appearance and layout. Part of the premises went to the town bus station, while the rest are still used as intended, with shops, a market and stalls. In front of the Gostiny Dvor (merchants' arcade), a stretch of old cobblestone pavement has been preserved, highlighting the historic character of the ensemble. The Gostiny Dvor still serves its main purpose as a place to trade and meet, linking the town's history with its everyday life.