HSE University and Museum of Moscow Organise Excursions to Durasov House
In order to preserve and promote Moscow’s cultural heritage, HSE University and the Museum of Moscow have signed a cooperation agreement. As part of this partnership, they organise excursions to the Durasov House, an architectural monument of the late XVIII century, which is part of the university building complex on Pokrovsky Bulvar. The first tour will take place on March 30.
Durasov House on Pokrovsky Bulvar is recognised as one of the most striking examples of late classicism in Moscow. The latest restoration, completed in 2018, made it possible to reconstruct the lost interior details, restoring the building to its historical form. Tour guests will walk through the halls where balls and dinners used to be held, see the heating elements preserved from the XIX century, as well as marble and cast-iron stairs.
The White Hall of the manor once hosted theatrical performances, guests waited for the performance in the Red Hall, and the Blue Hall was used as a living room for meetings with friends. At various times, the building housed a noble manor, the Practical Academy of Commercial Sciences and the Military Engineering Academy.
‘Our cooperation with the Museum of Moscow started in 2019. Together with the museum staff, we created an extensive archive that allowed us to better explore the history of the Durasov House. At HSE University, we pay special attention to the protection of cultural and historical heritage, and our initiative is a new milestone in the overall work to preserve Moscow heritage,’ said Irina Martusevich, HSE University Vice Rector.
HSE University and the Museum of Moscow plan to develop cooperation and, in addition to excursions, hold museum classes, quizzes, forums, lectures and competitions, as well as create educational content.
Anna Trapkova
‘The Museum of Moscow has been sharing the history of our city and its citizens for more than 127 years. In our educational activities, we do not limit ourselves to exhibitions, but launch many new urban routes that make it possible to get to the most interesting and hard-to-reach places in Moscow. We are happy that thanks to our cooperation with HSE University, the house of Nikolay Alekseevich Durasov, a unique monument of classicism in the very centre of Moscow, has been added to this list,’ said Anna Trapkova, Director of the Museum of Moscow.