Ulitsa Pokrovka, where the Mamaison Pokrovka All-Suites Hotel is located, is one of Moscow's prettiest historic streets and visitors are recommended to make the walk (a little over 2km) down to Red Square at least once. Of particular note is the palace at 22, Ulitsa Pokrovka, a rare example of Elizabethan Baroque in Moscow that was built in the 1740s for the Apraksin family. It now houses a scientific research institute.
On the other side of the road from the palace, the Clean Ponds (Chistye Prudy) are an attractive boating lake set in a small park. Originally created in the 17th century, the ponds became part of the Moscow estate of Peter the Great's favourite Alexander Menshikov. If you follow the Garden Ring north past the ponds and turn left onto Arkhangelskiy Pereulok, you will come to the Church of Archangel Gabriel, better known as the Menshikov Tower. A charming Petrine Baroque church in salmon pink and white, it was built for Menshikov in 1707, and has a landmark 81m tower.
On the other side of the road from the palace, the Clean Ponds (Chistye Prudy) are an attractive boating lake set in a small park. Originally created in the 17th century, the ponds became part of the Moscow estate of Peter the Great's favourite Alexander Menshikov. If you follow the Garden Ring north past the ponds and turn left onto Arkhangelskiy Pereulok, you will come to the Church of Archangel Gabriel, better known as the Menshikov Tower. A charming Petrine Baroque church in salmon pink and white, it was built for Menshikov in 1707, and has a landmark 81m tower.
