Косьмодемьянские ворота, Medieval gate ruins in Zaryadye district, Moscow, Russia
The Kosmodemyansky Gates are ruins of a medieval fortification featuring two matching towers joined by a passage that displays elements of early Russian defensive architecture. The structure was part of the larger Kitai-gorod wall system that protected the old merchant district of Moscow.
The gates were built between 1535 and 1538 as part of the Kitai-gorod fortification system and served as a main entry point for the merchant district for centuries. They were closed in the 1680s as Moscow's defensive needs evolved and the city transformed.
The gates took their name from a nearby church dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian that stood in this area long ago. Today, local residents and visitors connect the gates' identity to this religious heritage that shaped the neighborhood's character.
The remains are easily accessible, located near modern buildings in the Zaryadye district close to the historic Kitai-gorod area. The site is walkable from the Kitaigorodsky Passage and sits in central Moscow where you can combine it with visits to nearby attractions.
The site was nicknamed the 'Wet Corner' because water pooled at the sharp angle where the wall turned during heavy rain. This quirk of the location made the spot memorable and likely affected how merchants and travelers moved through the gates.
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