Zero kilometer

Tourists have one ineradicable passion: to invent a variety of traditions and beliefs associated with making wishes at certain places. Well, a person wants his dreams to be carried out “just like that,” if you stand up here, look over there, lift your right leg, take hold of your left ear, throw a coin into the fountain and utter some spell. The so-called Kilometer Zero in the Alexander Garden is one of these magical places.

Zero kilometer of highways of the Russian Federation is the name of this landmark. There is zero kilometer in almost all major countries of the world, which means it is the starting point for reporting all road distances. Usually this point is marked with a monument or stele, it is located at the main post office of the capital. But in Moscow everything is not the same all over the world: the post office is located a little further, and the zero kilometer is hiding behind the Resurrection Gate in the Alexander Garden.

Where is it located: the metro station Ploshchad Revolutsii or the Teatralnaya metro station, travel near the Resurrection Gate to Red Square

Opening hours: around the clock, entry and wish making are completely free

What to do here:

In fact, there is nothing to do here except to stand with your back to the Resurrection Gate, whisper your cherished desire so that no one will hear (and here it is very crowded in the midst of the day and good weather!), And to throw the coin through the left shoulder. You can also take a selfie for memory: the zero kilometer is a plate of bronze, poured directly into the pavement, and around the plate are twelve signs of the zodiac and the four cardinal points. So the selfie will come out quite unusual, symbolic and authentic. And you can ask the name of the future spouse - they say, kilometer Zero is able to solve this mystery.

In fact, the place where the Resurrection Gate is located is really very ancient and symbolic. Now it is hard to believe, but when Moscow was still being laid, a bridge over the Neglinnaya River was in place of the “zero kilometer”. Today it is “hidden” under layers of soil, asphalt and pavement. The riverbed is changed, it is sealed into the cast-iron pipes and gets out only in the territory of the Alexander Garden. There Neglinnaya took the form of a reservoir with sculptures by Tsereteli. He separates the Alexander Garden from Okhotny Ryad.

The Resurrection Gate was built on the bridge much later, then the garden was built, named after Emperor Alexander I. The main attraction of the garden is an ancient oak tree, which is almost 200 years old. There is also an old Italian grotto "Ruin" - another popular place for memorable selfies. In short, a walk in the Alexander Garden will have something to do. The most important thing - do not forget to go through the Resurrection Gate, stand on the patch of Zero kilometer and make a secret wish. And what if it really happens? In any case, your “donations” will definitely benefit someone: near the zero kilometer there are always “attendants” collecting coins thrown by tourists.