The biggest park in Moscow, Izmailovsky Park can date its history back to the 14 th century and it has long been a favourite spot for both Russian nobility and ordinary Muscovites.
Its appeal lies not only in its ponds and watermills, its birch woods and stunning architecture but also in the flea market that bears the same name and is open every weekend.
The original village of Izmailovo is mentioned in records dating back to the 14 th century but it was in the 16 th century when the village gained fame as the chosen spot for Tsar AlekseiMikhailovich's model economy. Over the course of one summer, more than 700 peasant families moved to Izmailovo and were set to work laying out parks and gardens, and planting crops, including such exotic fare as melons and grapes for a royal vineyard.
Around 20 ponds were also dug out from the two rivers that flow through the park, with watermills built on dams, while an artificial island known as Silver Island was created to become the home of the royal household in the 16 th century.
It was on Izmailovo's waterways that Peter the Great learned to sail and where his lifelong passion for the sea was born - as Tsar, he would go on to build St Petersburg as the seat of Russian maritime power.
On Silver Island stands Pokhorovoskiy Cathedral, built in 1679 but badly damaged during Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. The famous 19 th century Russian architect Konstantin Ton was responsible for its restoration in 1840 and he also oversaw the construction of a military hospital around the cathedral.
Visitors to Silver Island can also see other surviving buildings from the original estate, the Ceremonial Gate and the Bridge Tower, which is said to resemble the Kremlin.
Work to restore Izmailovsky Park began in the Thirties with thousands of trees and bushes planted, and lawns and pathways laid out. An area of the park was set aside for entertainment with rides, an exhibition pavilion, a playground and sports facilities added before Moscow's biggest Ferris wheel was erected there in 1957.
Today Izmailovsky Park is a popular spot for locals in both summer and winter and, like Gorky Park, is split into two parts - an amusement park and a woodland park.
During good weather, visitors on foot or bike can wander along the trails that meander through the birch woods, linden and oak forests, past its 13 ponds, while wooden pavilions give shelter to chess players or parties of picnickers. During the frozen winter months, it's the turn of cross-country skiers to slide along those same paths.
While its entertainment rides make it a popular choice for a family day out, the park's music, theatre and movie venues also play host to festivals, exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances all year round.
And, of course, no visit to the park is complete without a walk through the enormous flea market where stalls sell souvenirs, crafts and books, and fans of Soviet memorabilia can browse to their heart's content.
