The Arbat, Old and New

Two of downtown Moscow's most interesting and important avenues are the Arbat (also known as the Stary Arbat, or Old Arbat) and Novy Arbat (New Arbat), which are two more spokelike routes leading away from the Kremlin. Stary Arbat is closed to all traffic and revered by Muscovites, who usually refer to it simply as "the Arbat." The area is an attractive, cobbled pedestrian precinct with many gift shops, cafés, and kiosks selling all manner of souvenirs. It's a carnival of portrait artists, poets, and musicians, as well as the enthusiastic admirers of their work. One of the oldest sections of Moscow, the Arbat dates from the 16th century, when it was the beginning of the road that led from the Kremlin to the city of Smolensk. At that time it was also the quarter where court artisans lived, and several of the surrounding streets still recall this in such names as Plotnikov (Carpenter), Serebryany (Silversmith), and Kalashny (Pastry Cook). Early in the 19th century the Arbat became a favorite district of the aristocracy, and a century later it became a favorite shopping street.