Poklonnaya Hill

Poklonnaya Hill is an elevated area in western Moscow with memorial structures and open-air placements of military vehicles. The grounds run between two major roads and include a museum with several indoor exhibition rooms.

Napoleon waited here in 1812 for ceremonial keys to the city, but nobody appeared with these symbols. Planning for a memorial site began after World War II, with completion taking place in the 1990s.

The name comes from the Russian word for bowing, as travelers once paused here to view Moscow from a distance. Visitors today see chapels and houses of worship for three different religious communities standing together at a public memorial site.

The grounds work well for longer walks with pathways between outdoor exhibits and access to covered museum areas. Weekends bring more visitor groups, while weekdays allow for quieter passage through the site.

A tall obelisk stands at the center with a height of more than 140 meters and a number representing days of war involvement. At its top sits a bronze figure of Nike, the goddess of victory.

Location: Moscow

Elevation above the sea: 171.5 m

GPS coordinates: 55.72909,37.50027

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:37