Krutitsy Patriarchal Metochion
The Krutitsy MetochionRussian: Krutitskoe podvorye or Крутицкое подворье, the former residence of Orthodox metropolitans, is a wonderful historical monument of the 17th–18th centuries, associated with many important events and names in Russian history.
It also happens to be one of the most outstanding specimens of brick church architecture in Russia. Its cathedrals and administrative buildings are richly adorned with multicoloured porcelain tiles and frescoes.
It all began with the first metochion structures, which were built by a prominent architect of the 17th century, Osip Startsev. Pyotr Baranovsky, the famous architect and restorator, also took part in the repair and reconstruction of the complex.
Many famous people were imprisoned in Krutitsy dungeons including Alexander Gertsena (Russian writer and thinker known as the father of Russian socialism and one of the main fathers of agrarian populism) and, allegedly, Lavrentiy Beriaa (chief of the Soviet security and secret police apparatus (NKVD) under Joseph Stalin).
How to get to Krutitsy Patriarchal Metochion
You can walk to Krutitsy from the metro station Proletarskaya (in the center of purple line, 7). The exact address is: 13 Krutitskaya Street, Moscow. Entrance is free of charge.
- Krutitsy Patriarchal Metochion
