VDNKh Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy (VDNKh)

This massive complex of pavilions buildings whose glory is fading fast, long walkways and elaborate fountains is a throwback to the Soviet era of glorification. The 90 or so pavilions built to house displays of progress of the great collectivisation of the farms, now host a variety of commercial enterprises and some are not that different to what is found in the metro passageways. The Friendship Fountain with its golden dancing maidens each dedicated to a Soviet republic sits at the heart of the complex surrounded by various pavilions in different designs which each represent a Soviet republic and its achievements. Some weekends it is crawling with families and sports enthusiasts. Space fans should look out for the soaring monument to space flight and the cosmonautics museum in its base. If someone invites you to go to VDNKh - they mean this place or the metro station opposite that goes by the same name.