Novaya Basmannaya street (‘New Basmannaya’), unlike its ‘colleague’ Staraya Basmannaya Street, is quieter, although it’s also located in the very center of Moscow, where traffic is usually pretty intense. But for good reason it’s called ‘New’ — this street is younger and was established no earlier than the 2nd half of the 17th century.

On this street lived the foreign officers of troops organized by Peter the Great, Emperor of All Russia. He himself preferred to use this road to get to his residence of Preobrazhenskoye. After Saint Petersburg became the capital of Russia, all military men moved there, and Novaya Basmannaya Street became home to many merchants. Later on, in the 18th century, came the noblemen. Many mansions, charity houses, as well as houses with apartments for rent, were built. After the 1812 Fire of Moscow, all the wooden houses were burnt, and new ones had been built of stone.

My favorite building there is the Shibaevs’ Estate (number 23a, bldg 1 is the address). In fact, it belonged to different people and families, and Shibaevs were the Old Believers merchants. Later, it was bought by the treasury and became one of the Basmannaya hospital compounds. During Soviet times, it served administrative purposes. The most outstanding part of the Shibaevs’ Estate is its facade. It was restored in 2016, and now looks gorgeous and colorful.

It’s not the only gem of Novaya Basmannaya Street you can admire. Just walk it down slowly, looking at both sides, and enjoy, as it hasn’t changed much.