Chertanovka, Protected river area in Southern Moscow, Russia
Chertanovka is a river in southern Moscow that winds through residential neighborhoods and forms a chain of ponds along its course. The waterway is largely bordered by green strips that break up the built-up surroundings.
The first settlements along the Chertanovka date to the 17th century, when farming villages took shape in the area. During the Soviet period the valley was gradually built over and turned into the residential district it is today.
The river gives its name to the surrounding Chertanovo district, which locals identify with strongly. Along the banks, people walk, jog, and spend time near the ponds on ordinary days throughout the year.
The river is reachable from several metro stations in southern Moscow, and footpaths along the banks allow you to walk between the ponds at your own pace. The warmer months are the most comfortable time to visit, when the paths are dry and easy to follow.
Although the Chertanovka is today largely surrounded by apartment blocks, a few stretches still run through areas where water birds can be spotted close to the bank. These sections feel noticeably wilder than the rest of the urban corridor around them.
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