Patriarch Ponds

This tranquil rectangular pond and its tree-lined surrounds form one of the most atmospheric small squares in central Moscow, ringed by elegant apartment houses. Literary fame came from Mikhail Bulgakov, who set the opening scene of The Master and Margarita here, and fans still seek out the benches where the devil supposedly appeared. In winter the frozen pond becomes an ice rink, while in summer the shaded paths attract strollers and families feeding ducks. The refined, slightly bohemian atmosphere makes it a beloved neighbourhood landmark.