The exhibition of the achievements of the national economy in Moscow, or simply VDNH, is one of the main attractions of the capital, and perhaps the whole world, because there are no more analogues to this exhibition and museum complex. VDNH welcomes more than 20 million guests a year, its area together with the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park exceeds 500 hectares, and all the pavilions - 134 square meters. At VDNH there is something interesting for any person, regardless of his age or nationality.
History of VDNH
Moscow saw the exhibition complex in 1939, and over the years of its existence it has changed its name more than once and has come from flourishing to decline. Initially, VDNH is an agricultural exhibition, which was evacuated to Chelyabinsk during the Second World War. After the war, the complex was rebuilt and assigned it the status of an exhibition of the national economy. During the Soviet period, many objects of cultural and historical significance were built on the territory of VDNH, including the sculpture “Worker and Collective Farm Girl” by Vera Mukhina, the Fountain of Friendship of Peoples, the Alley of Cosmonauts. Unfortunately, to this day, some of the pavilions of VDNH have not been preserved. Photos of them can be seen in the article.
Perestroika and the collapse of the Soviet Union adversely affected many areas of life. A new world was being built, where VDNH turned, in fact, into a market. Many pavilions were sold or handed over for warehouses, most of the unique exhibits were lost. In fact, only the amusement park worked in the entire complex.
The revival of the complex began in 2013. Outlets were demolished and liquidated, all pavilions were vacated and restored, tons of garbage were removed from the territory. Also, the Botanical Garden and Ostankino Park adjacent to VDNH were included in the complex. The Green Theater was also restored , accommodating 4.5 thousand spectators. Now it is the main summer venue in Moscow for concerts and various events. And in the summer of 2015, the Moskvarium, the largest oceanarium in all of Europe, opened its doors at VDNH.
Main Pavilions
Initially, there were about 70 different pavilions on the territory of the complex dedicated to the republics of the USSR, as well as various directions of Soviet science, industry, medicine, culture, and sports. Soviet guidebooks claimed that it would take at least 5 days to inspect the entire exhibition of VDNH. Photos and chronicle of those years allow us to present the scope and scale of the exhibition.
The modern VDNH also begins with the main monumental gate and the first central pavilion, and immediately beyond it there is the collective farm square, along which 20 pavilions dedicated to different peoples of the former USSR are built. Some of them are being restored, and in some, various events are being held, for example, the Ice Age Museum and a tasting room for manufacturers of fortified drinks from Russian regions are operating.
To the right of Kolkhoz Square is “Local Dacha” - a special space for a relaxed summer vacation in the heart of the metropolis. There is a chess club, dance floor, summer reading room and many other interesting places.
The central part of the complex is decorated with Mechanization Square and the Cosmos pavilion, which is under reconstruction. To her right is the wedding palace. It is very popular among newlyweds, because at VDNKh you can sign and get married in a local chapel, arrange a photo walk, and hold a banquet. Very close to the palace is a summer cinema. Its special plus is the presence of a roof, so you can enjoy viewing in any weather.
Look for the Green Theater in the western part of the park, and animal breeding pavilions in the eastern part. So, in the “Sheep breeding” pavilion today there is an equestrian center where anyone can ride a pony or horse, as well as visit a special excursion.
Parks and recreation areas
The Ostankino Park and the Botanical Garden, which are adjacent to the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, are excellent places for walking and interesting outdoor activities. There is a boat station in the park where you can rent a boat or catamaran. And the complex “Port on VDNH” is a huge beach area with pools and bars.
You can stroll through the numerous alleys and parks of the complex, for example, visit the theater sculpture park with white stone figures depicting various theatrical entities. Fans of hiking are also waiting for a pine forest, a linden alley, a birch grove, and near the main entrance there is a “fishing village” where you can relax by the fire, go fishing and taste the beluga or sterlet soup cooked by the best chefs.
Lectures and educational events
The main place for those who want to increase their intellectual level and broaden their horizons is a cinema-lecture hall. There are regular paid and free lectures on a variety of topics: from psychology and physics to fashion and the history of music. They also lecture in English.
In the pavilion “Culture” there is a gallery “ROSIZO”, where you can get acquainted with Russian fine art. The Polytechnic Museum is open in the Transport Pavilion, where you can visit a variety of excursions. Many exhibitions are held in other pavilions.
Sporting events
If you are determined to play sports or spend an active weekend, VDNH offers many options. For example, near the Pavilion “Physical Culture and Sports”, the largest rope park in Russia operates. In addition to the cable jungle, the complex offers giant swings and an observation deck.
For those wishing to arrange a corporate or friendly futsal or basketball tournament, open areas equipped for these sports are leased. Fans of more chamber competitions should go to the site “Local Dacha”, where you can play ping pong and badminton.
Yoga lovers can work out outdoors in the same country, while fans of fitness and strength training can do it at the Reebok special training ground near the Young Technician Pavilion.
As many as 5 rental points for various sports equipment operate at VDNH. This means that you can rent not only a regular bike or rollers, but also a longboard, fitness bike, scooter and even a tandem bike.
Exhibitions and concerts: cultural program at VDNH
Moscow received the main concert venue with the reconstruction of the Green Theater. In May, he opened a new theater and concert season, but tickets are worth buying in advance. Free concerts are also held, often during the daytime. Both classical and modern music are heard from the stage, tours by foreign musicians and performances by the best theaters in Russia are taking place. Charity and children's events are held.
The unique circular cinema panorama surprised visitors of the Exhibition of Economic Achievements in Soviet times, reviews of modern viewers suggest that the power of engineering affects them even now. Until now, here you can watch 7 unique films and understand that this is where the history of modern cinema began, in which the goal is to completely immerse the viewer in the created reality.
VDNH for children
The main attraction for children is the new, largest in Europe oceanarium. This is not only an aquarium with 8,000 different marine animals, but also a theater for performances by marine artists. In addition, babies can touch stingrays, starfish and some fish. Educational programs are also planned.
In the pavilion “Young Naturalist” there is a museum and a theater of fairy tales. The museum has many exhibits introducing children to Russian authentic and fabulous life. Particularly attractive is the fact that all exhibits can be touched, and the imitation of the hut can be viewed literally up and down, even crawling through a furnace with a “burning” fire.
Arriving at VDNH with children, it is worth going to the ceramic manufactory, where guests are introduced to such a form of applied art as pottery. You can visit one of the workshops and try to make your own clay pot or jug.
Immediately behind the pavilion “Agriculture” there is an amazing house-changer, where everything is turned upside down. This fascinating attraction can be found in amusement parks around the world.
Lokal Dacha also hosts many interesting events for children, for example, in the summer on the street, and in winter, a chess club for children and adults works in the premises of the culture house. There is also a huge (600 m 2 ) children's playground with slides, swings and carousels.
How to get to VDNH
You can get to VDNH by any type of public transport: metro, bus, trolley, tram, car and even monorail. It is easier to get to the main entrance, but there are additional side passages to the territory of VDNH. The address of the complex: Moscow, Prospekt Mira, 119.
If you decide to take the metro, get off at the VDNKh station and go straight to the main entrance. Also, several buses (routes with numbers 33, 56, 76, 93, 136, 154, 172, 195, 239, 244, 803), trolley buses (routes 14, 48, 76) and trams (numbers 11 and 17) go to the stop of the same name. ) Goes to VDNH and monorail to the stop "Exhibition Center".
By land transport you can reach other entrances to the exhibition:
- North entrance - stop “North”.
- South entrance - stop “VVC South”.
- Entrance from the film studio to them. Gorky - stop "Film Studio".
If you are traveling by car, find out everything about VDNKh: the address and coordinates for the navigator, as well as the exact coordinates of all parking lots. You can move around the territory by car, but not on all days; details should be clarified in the administration of the complex.