Kitai-Gorod

In the late 14th century an earthen wall was constructed between the Moscow and Neglinnaia rivers to serve as its outer defense line. In 1534 a regular wooden palisade on earthen rampart behind a deep ditch was constructed along the line of the modern Square of the Revolution, Teatral'nii and Kitaiskii streets and the bank of the Moskva River. Between 1535 and 1538 this was replaced by stone walls six meters thick and six meters high with 13 towers. The walls had three rows of firing ports and a parapet from which defenders could fire. Gradually the Kitai-gorod was occupied by the mansions of the wealthy boyars and by government buildings and the artisans moved out to the next suburb. This in turn was surrounded by yet another fortified city wall. The Kitai-gorod was burned by the Polish occupying forces in 1610 and again during the French occupation of 1812. The region became the commercial center of Moscow in the 18th century. A commercial market has occupied the site of the present GUM department store since at least 1786. Its wall and gates remained until well into the 20th century, but today only a very short section remains near Teatralnaya Square behind the Metropole Hotel and by Kitaiski Proezd at Varvarka Street. During their reconstruction of the older, run-down parts of Moscow, the Soviet rulers tore down practically all of the medieval city wall. (See the section on photos of Moscow for numerous buildings in this part of Moscow)