“Did you know this building once moved?” I ask my audience. We stand before the A I Chernyshev Plaque a silent witness to Moscow’s dramatic past.
This plaque commemorates Ivan Ivanovich Chernyshev an architect whose life intertwined with this very building. For centuries it stood as the Moscow Governor-General’s residence. It witnessed the grandeur of imperial balls and the chaos of war.
Imagine Count Zakhar Chernyshev the first Governor-General to reside here. He commissioned Matvey Kazakov a renowned architect to build this magnificent palace. The construction used materials salvaged from the old White City. The interior was opulent. The White Hall boasted marble and bas-reliefs. The Red Hall glowed with white gold and scarlet.
The building survived the catastrophic fire of 1812. French soldiers however vandalized it. They used the wooden doors and parquet for fuel. The restoration was extensive. The palace reopened for a grand reception celebrating the birthday of Tsar Alexander I.
Later Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich modernized the residence. He added running water electricity and even elevators. He also curated a collection of portraits of past governors and gifts to the city.
After the October Revolution this house became the headquarters of the Red Guards. Vladimir Lenin himself spoke from its balcony. A later painting and this very plaque remember that momentous occasion.
Then came another transformation. In 1937 they widened Tverskaya Street. This meant moving the building 13.65 meters. Imagine the feat. They reinforced the structure with a metal frame and moved it in just 41 minutes a world record.
Finally the building became the Moscow City Hall. Today it stands a testament to Moscow’s resilience. It’s a reminder of layers of history political shifts and architectural marvels. This plaque and this building truly are treasures. They embody the ever-evolving heart of Moscow.