Neglinnaya, Subterranean river beneath central Moscow, Russia
Neglinnaya is a hidden river flowing beneath Moscow's streets from the northern districts down to the Moskva River. The water travels through concrete tunnels that were constructed during the 1970s and 1980s as the city expanded over the original channel.
When the Moscow Kremlin was built in 1495, the river served as a natural barrier along its western fortress walls. This strategic water defense remained important until urban growth eventually forced the river underground.
The name of the waterway appears in two forms among Moscow residents, known as both Neglinnaya and Neglinka, showing how it remains part of the city's sense of place. This dual naming reflects how the hidden water shapes urban identity even though it flows out of sight.
The river flows through sealed tunnels with no public access inside, though maintenance points along Tsvetnoy Boulevard mark its path above ground. Visitors can walk along the surface and discover where the underground system runs from various vantage points.
Early attempts to manage the waterway involved creating a series of connected ponds scattered across the city that served as water reserves. These ponds also provided water for firefighting before the system was eventually moved entirely underground.
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