The Fight for Historical Buildings in Moscow
- 14 years ago
The Church of the Resurrection in Kadashi stands 130 feet tall in all its glory.
In the past, all the buildings surrounding the church were considered an integral part of it.
But recently a developer began wrecking houses around the church to build a new residential complex.
It led to a public outcry and the creation of a movement called "Archnadzor," to defend the town's history.
Archnadzor coordinator Natalia Samover.
[Natalia Samover, Archnadzor Coordinator]: (Russian, Female)
“A historic environment is by no means only monuments and masterpieces. The typical historical environment is usually simple, not protected by any conservation status, mostly houses. And they surround the monuments of architecture and create the natural environment in which they emerged and existed, and how we are accustomed to see ing them.”
The redevelopment was halted when the Moscow City prosecutor's office prohibited construction around unique buildings within the city center, including the church.
But last May the developer resumed the demolition… so Archnadzor members swung into action.
[Julia Grebennikova, Archnadzor Activist]: (Russian, Female):
"We managed to break into the construction site and negotiate with the developer to stop this process, then we began the so-called ‘endless protest.’ People started to watch there to prevent further demolition until there is a decision from the authorities."
The Moscow prosecutor's office came to inspect the construction site near the church, placing a temporary ban on further demolition of buildings.
Meanwhile, activists from Archnadzor have already offered a solution to the developer.
They recommend restoring the historic buildings around the settlement and to adapt them for use as hotels or art studios.
NTD News, Moscow, Russia.
In the past, all the buildings surrounding the church were considered an integral part of it.
But recently a developer began wrecking houses around the church to build a new residential complex.
It led to a public outcry and the creation of a movement called "Archnadzor," to defend the town's history.
Archnadzor coordinator Natalia Samover.
[Natalia Samover, Archnadzor Coordinator]: (Russian, Female)
“A historic environment is by no means only monuments and masterpieces. The typical historical environment is usually simple, not protected by any conservation status, mostly houses. And they surround the monuments of architecture and create the natural environment in which they emerged and existed, and how we are accustomed to see ing them.”
The redevelopment was halted when the Moscow City prosecutor's office prohibited construction around unique buildings within the city center, including the church.
But last May the developer resumed the demolition… so Archnadzor members swung into action.
[Julia Grebennikova, Archnadzor Activist]: (Russian, Female):
"We managed to break into the construction site and negotiate with the developer to stop this process, then we began the so-called ‘endless protest.’ People started to watch there to prevent further demolition until there is a decision from the authorities."
The Moscow prosecutor's office came to inspect the construction site near the church, placing a temporary ban on further demolition of buildings.
Meanwhile, activists from Archnadzor have already offered a solution to the developer.
They recommend restoring the historic buildings around the settlement and to adapt them for use as hotels or art studios.
NTD News, Moscow, Russia.