A Walk Around Serpukhov

8 points4 km0 hours

Serpukhov has kept the atmosphere of an old merchant town, with its churches, monasteries, and 19th-century mansions. Here, an hour's drive from Moscow, you can feel the measured rhythm of provincial life. Come here for a leisurely stroll through the historic center and to get to know provincial Russia without the bustle of the capital.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
📸 Take photos

Route points (8)

Gostiny Dvor (Lenin Square) in Serpukhov

Point on route “A Walk Around Serpukhov”

Point 4

Gostiny Dvor (Lenin Square)

🏺 Market / bazaar • 📜 Historic site

The Historic Center

Lenin Square is Serpukhov's main square, in the center of town. It arose in the 18th century as Trade Square: the main town streets passed through it, it was lined with shops, and trade was brisk. In the mid-19th century, on the initiative of Moscow officials, the square was landscaped, the Neoclassical Gostiny Dvor (merchants' arcade) was built, and four small gardens were laid out at the corners. At the same time the haphazard stalls and booths began to be cleared from the square, giving it a more orderly look.

Architectural Features

The square's architectural centerpiece is the large rectangular Gostiny Dvor, designed by D. F. Borisov and reconstructed in the early 20th century. At various times the center of the square was occupied by the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky, designed by M. A. Arsenyev. The church was demolished in 1934, and a monument to Lenin was erected in its place. After the revolution the square became the town's Soviet center and received its present name. Later two more monuments appeared on the square, to Prince Sviatoslav and Pyotr Stolypin, and a symbolic stone was placed on the site of the church.

Today

In recent years the square has been reconstructed twice, in 2014 and 2020. The center became pedestrian, and new landscaping, benches, and lighting appeared. Public spaces are taking shape around the Gostiny Dvor: small gardens, cafés, and shops. Lenin Square continues to serve as the center of town life: important events take place here, transport routes converge, and residents gather for walks and meetings.