The Web of Moscow:

A Story about the History of Russia's Greatest Capital

Alexiy returned from visiting a friend's apartment one afternoon to find his grandfather already home. Yuri, Alexiy's grandfather, normally came home late on Saturdays because there were many people who visited Red Square on weekends. Yuri sold postcards to tourists.
"What are you doing home so early, Papa?' asked Alexiy.
"Well, you know, boy, that I am an old man. The young entrepreneurs are so much better at selling their goods than us pensioners. They are forceful when I am only tired."
Alexiy knew his grandfather was too old to be on his feet all day selling postcards. But, the family needed money and each person had to do their best to contribute. Even Alexiy at twelve years old held a job playing the accordion each weekday morning. Passersby would drop coins and bills in his case as they listened to him play on their way to work. Alexiy especially appreciated the foreigners who would give him U.S. dollars, British pounds, and German marks. Their currencies were so much better than the suffering ruble. Alexiy was also pleased that he had a skill. Many hungry Russians had no alternative but to beg for money.
Alexiy walked into the kitchen to cut some bread for a snack and then returned to the living area where his grandfather was drinking tea and eating chocolates.
"The metro sure was crowded on the way home from Sasha's house. It was so busy that I took the trolley around part of the Boulevard Ring. Papa, do you know why they call it the Boulevard Ring?"
Yuri thought back to his history classes taken so many years ago, before the war, before the Soviet Union. Oh, had history changed much over the years, he though to himself. He remembered learning about the tsars of Russia. Alexiy also learned about the tsars, but his lessons included names of Soviet Presidents and the many coups that brought and finally destroyed the Soviet Union. This history had all played such a major part in the life of Moscow, the capital of Russia and home to over nine million former Soviets, including Alexiy and Yuri. But, to think about the Boulevard Ring, he had to search far back in his memory. The Boulevard wasn't the first ring in the Ringed City... neither was the Garden Ring. Yuri would have to begin with the story of Ivan II's Kremlin Wall to help Alexiy really understand the history of their great capital.
Alexiy sat on the couch near his grandfather's sitting chair and listened attentively as the history of Moscow began to be unveiled before his eyes.
Yuri began. "Throughout the history of Russia, the Tartars have proven to be a threat. Russians and Muscovites had to constantly plan defensive strategies against the Tartars. At times when the Tartars were in power, they became very innovative in their tactics. For instance, in the 14th century under Ivan I while Tartars ruled the region where Moscow lies, Muscovites were forbidden from building fortresses, also known as kremlins. Fortunately Moscow already had the beautiful kremlin we have today."
"I thought the Kremlin was where the government met and the President gave speeches," Alexiy broke in.
"It is," Yuri continued, "but not in all cases. The word kremlin means a fortress. We have many kremlins throughout Russian territory; the first was built in Novgorod."
"I've read about Novgorod in my Russian geography class. It's the oldest city in our country."
"Yes, and its kremlin has stood as a marker to our continued life as a country for many centuries. The Moscow kremlin has also become the home for the government since it is traditionally considered the safest place in any city," Yuri said.
Alexiy finished Yuri's sentence, "And, the nicest."
"Anyway, when Muscovites were forbidden from building kremlins, they built monasteries that could double as fortresses. Under Ivan I, seven monasteries were built in the surrounding areas. With the building of these religious structures, Moscow became the religious center of the Eastern world by the mid-14th century."
"Is that why we have so many people from southern republics who live here today?" Alexiy asked.
Yuri answered, "It is very likely, boy."
"When the Tartars gave Muscovites a reprieve from their rule, Moscow decided that the wooden fence that surrounded the kremlin was not sufficient to keep the Tartars from returning and defeating the city. Ivan II, the tsar of the 14th century, ordered that a stone fence be built around the kremlin to replace the old wooden fence. The new fence was white in color and Moscow came to be called the "white stone city."
"As time went on, more people moved to the city and became citizens. There was no longer room for people to live within the kremlin walls. The wealthy could afford to live within the kremlin, but others had to live on the immediate outskirts. Eventually, the kremlin became the residence of the tsars so almost all Moscow citizens were forced to live outside of the kremlin's walls. So, new walls were needed to protect those living outside of the walls. Again, a stone wall was erected. People living within this wall were said to live in the "white city" because of its white stone walls. Within the white city lived mainly nobles. Some even say the people in this region didn't have to pay taxes."
"I wish we could live there and not have to pay taxes," Alexiy stated.
"We must all pay taxes, Alexiy, because it is with that money that we can all live comfortably."
Alexiy sighed. He didn't agree with his grandfather about the Communist Party. He didn't think that under the Communist rule their lives were better than now. Although they used to not have to beg and his grandfather did not have to sell postcards in Red Square, at least Alexiy knew he had more control over his future now than before. He knew that he had better not argue with his grandfather. "What does the white city have to do with the Boulevard Ring, Papa?"
"Oh, yes," Yuri chuckled. "The people living outside of the white city now were unprotected. Another wall was built."
"Was it the Garden Ring?" Alexiy asked.
"Not exactly. It was a wall made of wood. Over time, however, the wood corroded and it was replaced with an earthen wall. On this wall, many people planted their gardens. That's how it finally claimed the name 'The Garden Ring'."
"I can figure the next one out, Papa. The Boulevard Ring was built for the people living outside of the Garden Ring."
"Yes, Alexiy."
"Why don't we have any more rings, Papa?"
Yuri thought for a moment. "I guess we didn't need any more walls by that time. With new inventions, walls weren't always the best defensive weapons. Everything outside of the Boulevard Ring is called 'Moscow Oblast' - just the rest of Moscow."
"Do you know the route people traveled into the center of the city during the time of the tsars?" asked Yuri
"No," Alexiy answered honestly.
"Just like today the people took the shortest route. That's why we have all these straight lines coming out of the city from the kremlin. Most of those straight lines lead to other major cities. During the Soviet Period, these streets were made into Prospects (large avenues) that extended well into the Moscow Oblast."
Just like a spider web, Alexiy thought. All the circles going around and long attachments extending from the center to the outer edges.
"Just like a wheel with spokes," Yuri finished.
We may share a common history, but I still believe the spider web theory, Alexiy said to himself.