Bauman Garden Moscow is a garden and park complex in the Basmanny district, between Staraya Basmannaya and Novaya Basmannaya streets. It grew from the garden of an 18th-century estate of the Golitsyn family and the neighboring plots, was opened in 1920 as the May Day Garden and was renamed after the revolutionary Nikolai Bauman in 1922.
It covers about five hectares and is free to enter. This guide explains how to find the entrances from Staraya Basmannaya Street, what the 18th-century Belvedere grotto is, where to see the basilisk fountain from Basel, what the restoration of 2012 changed, which Metro stations are nearest, and how to combine the garden with a walk along Novaya Basmannaya Street and Chistye Prudy.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Сад имени Н. Э. Баумана |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1920 |
| Architect(s) | Wowhaus (2012 restoration) |
| Address | Staraya Basmannaya Street 15, building 4, Moscow 105064 (between Staraya Basmannaya and Novaya Basmannaya streets) |
| District | Basmanny |
| Metro | Baumanskaya (Line 3, dark blue, named by a guide as a nearby station; allow about 10 minutes on foot (estimate)) Krasnye Vorota (Line 1, red, named by a guide as a nearby station; allow about 10 minutes on foot (estimate)) |
| Opening hours | Listings give the garden as open daily from 06:00 to 24:00, while events and attractions inside have their own hours, so confirm on the official site (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Entry to the garden is free; paid events or activities inside have their own prices. |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings are the quietest, summer is the season for the fountain and open-air events, and autumn brings color. The garden is open daily from early morning until midnight according to a listing. |
| Recommended duration | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Website | sadbaumana.ru |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Bauman Garden Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| The garden, paths and fountain | Included in the standard ticket | Free to enter; listings give daily hours. |
| Concerts and film screenings | Separate ticket or institution | May have their own tickets or registration; check the official site. |
| Sports courts and playgrounds | Included in the standard ticket | Free to use according to a guide; check the rules. |
| The Belvedere grotto and the mansion | Outside / not part of it | Historic structures usually viewed from outside; check whether they are open. |
| The Shibayev Estate on Novaya Basmannaya Street | Outside / not part of it | A separate historic mansion beyond the garden. |
| Hermitage Garden | Outside / not part of it | A different central park; see the Hermitage Garden Moscow guide. |
Why Visit Bauman Garden Moscow?
The garden is a compact green space in the middle of the center with a real historic core: an 18th-century Belvedere grotto and a mansion, both protected monuments according to a guide. It was restored in 2012 under the architectural bureau Wowhaus, which repaired the grotto and added Wi-Fi, a fountain and new paths.
The basilisk fountain, given to Moscow by the Swiss city of Basel, stands in the garden, and the park has courts, playgrounds and an open-air stage for concerts and films. It is quieter than the larger central parks and sits between Chistye Prudy and Basmanny, which makes it a good break during a walk. Entry is free.
How Bauman Garden Moscow Is Laid Out
The garden stretches between Staraya Basmannaya Street (the main address is number 15) and Novaya Basmannaya Street, covering about five hectares. It was formed from the Golitsyn estate garden and the household plots of nearby estates, including that of the gold-mining magnate Nikolai Stakheev.
Paths lead between lawns and old trees to the Belvedere grotto, the mansion, the basilisk fountain, the open-air stage and the sports courts and playgrounds. Novaya Basmannaya Street, with its old mansions such as the Shibayev Estate, lies just beyond the garden. Check the official site for the current map and events.
Highlights of Bauman Garden Moscow
The Belvedere grotto
The 18th-century Belvedere grotto is the garden's main historic structure, a garden pavilion in the form of a grotto, repaired during the restoration of 2012. Look at the stonework and the viewpoint over the garden. Check whether the grotto is open or only visible from outside.
Tip: Look at the grotto from the main path for the full facade.
The basilisk fountain from Basel
A fountain in the form of a basilisk, donated to Moscow by the government of the Swiss city of Basel, was installed in the garden in the autumn of 2012. It is a popular meeting point. Look for the figure in the water. Check whether the fountain is switched on, since fountains run in the warm season only.
Tip: Visit in summer, when the fountain is running.
The mansion
A mansion, recognized as a federal monument along with the grotto, stands in the garden, and the garden itself is a regional landscape monument, with heritage status granted in 1979. Look at the mansion's facade among the trees. Check whether it is open to visitors.
Tip: Use the mansion as a landmark when you plan your route.
The open-air stage and events
The garden has an open-air stage and hosts music festivals and open-air film screenings, according to a guide. Look at the program of events. Check the official site, since events are seasonal.
Tip: Check the evening program before you come.
The restored paths and play areas
The garden was restored in 2012 under the architectural bureau Wowhaus, with new paths, free Wi-Fi, volleyball and basketball courts and playgrounds. Look at the sports courts if you travel with children. Check opening times for activities.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for quiet paths.
Novaya Basmannaya Street
Beyond the garden, Novaya Basmannaya Street has old manors and a church, among them the Shibayev Estate at number 23a, an estate of the 1770s. Look at the facades on the walk to Chistye Prudy. Check the opening of the buildings individually.
Tip: Walk the street after the garden for the best mansions.
Atmosphere
Old maples and lindens shade quiet paths, and the stone grotto shows through the leaves while children’s voices drift from the playground. The sounds are footsteps on gravel, a ball on the court and the splash of the fountain in summer.
Visitors are young Muscovites, families and people eating lunch on benches, and the garden is calmer than the larger parks. Weekend afternoons are livelier with events. In winter the paths are quiet and the grotto stands out in the snow.
History of Bauman Garden Moscow
The garden lies on the site of several noble estates of the 18th century, of which the central one belonged to Prince Mikhail Golitsyn, and the Belvedere grotto dates from that period. In the 1900s the private plots of the Chulkov and Levashov families on Novaya Basmannaya Street were attached to the public garden, and Moscow residents were allowed to walk in it.
The garden was officially opened in the spring of 1920 as the May Day Garden, after the garden of the Golitsyn estate was merged with the surrounding plots, including the estate of the gold-mining magnate Nikolai Stakheev. In 1922 it was renamed after the revolutionary Nikolai Bauman. In 1979 it received the status of a cultural heritage object.
In 2012 the garden was restored to the designs of the architectural bureau Wowhaus under the park director Ignat Zholobov, with the Belvedere grotto repaired, new utilities laid, free Wi-Fi added and a basilisk fountain given by the city of Basel installed that autumn. Dates and details should be checked against the official site, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified; guides give differing details of the estates.
Tickets and Booking for Bauman Garden Moscow
Entry. The garden is free and needs no ticket or booking, while concerts, film screenings and other activities have their own conditions that should be checked on the official site sadbaumana.ru; no ticket price list was verified, so no figures are given here, and no booking window was verified. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions may differ for paid events.
Payment. Cash in rubles is the safe option for kiosks and cafes. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Bauman Garden Moscow
1 hour
Enter from Staraya Basmannaya Street, see the Belvedere grotto and the basilisk fountain, rest on a bench and leave by Novaya Basmannaya.
2 hours
Add a walk down Novaya Basmannaya Street to the Shibayev Estate and the old mansions.
Half day
Combine the garden with Chistye Prudy, following the Chistye Prudy, Myasnitskaya and Sretenka Walking Itinerary.
How to Get to Bauman Garden Moscow
Take the Metro to Baumanskaya (Line 3, dark blue) or Krasnye Vorota (Line 1, red); Komsomolskaya and Kurskaya are also named by guides. Allow about 10 minutes on foot from the nearest stations to Staraya Basmannaya Street 15 (an estimate).
- By taxi: ask for Staraya Basmannaya Street 15, Bauman Garden.
- On foot: the garden lies between two Basmannaya streets, close to Chistye Prudy.
- Orientation: the garden has entrances from both Staraya and Novaya Basmannaya streets.
Accessibility
The garden has paths and was restored in 2012, but accessibility facilities such as ramps and step-free routes were not verified on the official site, so check sadbaumana.ru or call before you go.
Food Nearby
The garden has a cafe or kiosks in season according to guides, and Novaya Basmannaya Street, Chistye Prudy and Staraya Basmannaya have many cafes; the exact venues were not verified. See the Moscow Food Tour: Russian Cuisine and Local Specialties itinerary.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable shoes for the gravel paths, a picnic blanket in summer and warm clothing in winter.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Bauman Garden Moscow
The Belvedere grotto
An 18th-century stone pavilion framed by old trees.
Best time: Autumn afternoons.
The basilisk fountain
The sculpture in the water with the garden behind it.
Best time: Summer evenings.
The main path under the trees
A tree-lined path with benches and lamps.
Best time: Golden hour.
Novaya Basmannaya Street facades
Old mansions and a church just beyond the garden.
Best time: Morning light.
Photography Rules
Photography in the garden is generally allowed for personal use; drones must not be flown over the garden without the required permission, and professional shoots may need permission.
Family Suitability
Very suitable for families, with playgrounds, sports courts, open lawns and paths good for strollers in most areas. Keep children away from the fountain edge.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Use both entrances to cross the garden between Staraya and Novaya Basmannaya streets.
- Visit in summer, when the basilisk fountain is on.
- Check the event program for evening concerts and film screenings.
- Walk Novaya Basmannaya Street after the garden for the old mansions.
- Do not confuse the garden with the Hermitage Garden, which is a different park near Mayakovskaya.
- Combine the visit with Chistye Prudy, which is within walking distance.
Explore Nearby Bauman Garden Moscow
Sights near Bauman Garden Moscow
Moscow Transport Museumabout 750 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: About 2 to 3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Apothecary Garden Moscowabout 2.0 km away (~32 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Andrey Rublev Museum Moscowabout 2.1 km away · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Central Children's Store on Lubyanka Moscowabout 2.3 km away · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Cathedral Mosqueabout 2.4 km away · typical visit: About 30 minutes to 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines Moscowabout 2.5 km away · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Bauman Garden Moscow
Krasnye Vorota Metro Stationabout 650 m away (~10 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Komsomolskaya Metro Stationabout 950 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kurskaya Metro Stationabout 1.0 km away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Bauman Garden Moscow
+39 Trattoria & Pizzeriaabout 350 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ollucoabout 1.3 km away (~22 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Bauman Garden Moscow
Harat's Pubabout 1.4 km away (~23 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Bauman Garden Moscow
Hilton Moscow Leningradskayaabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Philadelphia Hotel Moscowabout 1000 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Imperial Plaza Moscowabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Bauman Garden Moscow
Kazansky Railway Terminalabout 700 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Leningradsky Railway Terminalabout 1.0 km away (~17 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Basmanny: Chistye Prudy, Old Churches and the German QuarterMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bauman: Baumanskaya Metro, Bauman Garden and the German QuarterMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chistye Prudy: Clean Pond, Boulevard and Menshikov TowerMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chistye Prudy, Myasnitskaya and Sretenka Walking Itinerary: RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Pokrovka: Pokrovsky Gates, Art Nouveau Houses and Old ChurchesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Basmanny · All Parks · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Bauman Garden Moscow
Is the garden free?
Yes; events inside may have their own conditions.
Why is it named after Bauman?
It was renamed in 1922 after the revolutionary Nikolai Bauman; before that it was the May Day Garden.
Which Metro station is closest?
Baumanskaya or Krasnye Vorota, about 10 minutes on foot.
What is the Belvedere grotto?
An 18th-century garden pavilion, a protected monument.
Where does the basilisk fountain come from?
It was given to Moscow by the Swiss city of Basel.
How big is the garden?
About five hectares.
Is it open late?
A listing gives daily hours from 06:00 to 24:00.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so carry cash in rubles; see the booking section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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