Moscow's Arbat: Then and Now

Old Arbat, a kilometer-long downtown pedestrian street, is a favorite among performers, strolling Muscovites and tourists alike.



Lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, Arbat is one of the city's oldest surviving streets, dating back at least the 1400s.



The most commonly believed origin for the name "Arbat" is that it comes from the Arabic word "arbad," meaning "outskirts." Mongol-Tatar raids were common in the 1400s, and such an Arabic loan word might have been used by settlers to describe the area west of the Kremlin.



In just the past several decades, as Moscow has changed, so has Arbat. Local cafes have moved out in exchange for wealthier restaurant chains.



The once numerous street vendors have also disappeared, with only a small outdoor market allowed at the walkway's western end.



But despite the changes, Arbat continues to be one of the city's most popular places. And there are still plenty of street performers — musicians, magicians, theater groups, etc. — entertaining the many crowds.



See our previous Photo Gallery:

Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival