"GUM is not just a store where you can buy almost everything. It is a shopping block where there is a pharmacy, bank branch, and flower shop ... It is a monument of architecture. It is a comfortable lounge area with restaurants and cafes. It is an art gallery and venue for cultural events. It is an integral part of Russian history. It is a symbol of Moscow and it is the closest place to the Kremlin, where you can feel yourself in Europe."
Text: Grigory Revzin.
Patriarch's Ponds is an affluent residential area, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city. It dates back to at least the 17th century when Patriarch Ioakim, the eleventh Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia was settled here.
The Patriarch Ponds area (locals simply call it “Patriki”) is the main gourmet center of Moscow, both for tourists and locals. From small coffee corners and secret pubs to posh restaurants and trendy bars – here surrounding the green oasis of Patriarch Ponds park you can find anything you want. The most interesting places are located on Malaya Bronnaya street and its side streets – and all this is just a 10-minute walk from Mayakovskaya metro station.