Historically, Krasnaya Presnya in Moscow was famous for the clean water received from the Studenets well. The well pavilion, designed by D. Gilliardi, still exists on the territory of the estate of the same name. Also, this Moscow region is famous for Presnensky baths, which are very popular. At the beginning of the 19th century, a park was created with a garden for festivities; all the surrounding areas were ennobled. Public baths are built. About Presnensky baths in Moscow, their history and features will be discussed later in the article.
History
As mentioned earlier, city baths were built at the beginning of the 19th century. After about half a century, the merchant of the 2nd guild P.F. Biryukov bought the Presnensky baths from the city. Initially, he worked as a coachman, and then he engaged in the sale of goods for horses (saddlery) - harnesses, saddles, bridles and whips. Thanks to this, he earned a lot of money, later joined the guild of merchants and began acquiring buildings in Moscow.
Great fame Biryukov brought Presnensky baths. In addition to them, he opened baths in other areas of the city. This business brought the merchant a high and stable income. For some time Biryukov owned the famous Sandunov baths. The people of the merchant were nicknamed "Bath King", and his bath respectfully called Biryukovskim, which meant a high level of institutions.
Bathhouse development
Due to the fact that the bath business was going very well, Biryukov decided to expand the Presnensky baths. To build new buildings, he invited the then-famous architect I. Mashkov, who created the project.
In 1903, on the corner of Bolshaya Presnenskaya and Prudovaya streets, a new one-story building was erected in the popular Art Nouveau style. The building was decorated with beautifully executed stucco molding, carvings and forged elements were present on the doors. The main entrance was designed in a horseshoe-shaped form above the doors, and in the niche itself, the famous artist M. Vrubel created a mosaic panel called “Swans”.
Description of new baths
In the new Presnensky baths, the photo of which is presented in the article, the distribution of bath rooms was made. There was a department "Noble", where a rich and titled audience rested. Also created a department of "People's". For all visitors of the institution, a buffet, a billiard room, a tea room and, surprisingly, a library worked. For the comfort of customers, it was decided to create a winter garden, which was done after some time.
P. F. Biryukov, referred to as the “bath king”, lived for nearly 80 years. He, in addition to bathing, was a representative of the merchants in the Orphan's court, as well as in the Council of orphanages. After death, his case passed to his wife. It is worth noting that K.P. Biryukova did not let things go by themselves, but continued the initiative of her husband.
After some time, the Presnensky baths and establishments located in other areas of Moscow were connected to the water supply network. Drinking water was supplied from artesian wells.
Reconstruction
During the December uprising in 1905, a hospital was organized by the combatants in the bathhouse building. And the pair worked exclusively for soldiers. The Presnensky baths were at the center of combat battles; they suffered quite a lot, mainly due to shelling by government forces.
Three years later, thanks to the engineer B. Nilus and the architect I. Mashkov, the damaged buildings were reconstructed, all the destroyed elements were restored, and the baths took a decent look.
Baths in the Soviet period
After the Great October Revolution, the baths were declared state property, and then renamed Krasnopresnensky. This did not affect the popularity of the institution.
But after some time the bathhouse building was dilapidated, and the panel created by Vrubel was lost. On the eve of the XXII Olympic Games, the Moscow government decided to expand the street, and the baths had to be demolished. However, even before the start of dismantling, construction of new Presnensky baths began near the Ulitsa 1905 goda metro station. The authors of the project were A. Taranov, M. Filippov and V. Ginzburg. The baths opened in 1979, a year before the start of the Olympics.
Modern period
The new address of Presnensky Baths: Stolyarny Lane, Building 1. Despite the fact that the institution has changed its location, it has remained as popular among the people. Currently, baths are one of the best institutions in this area.
In the 90s of the XX century, the Presnensky baths became famous due to the murder of one of the Moscow criminal authorities. For some time investigative actions were carried out here, and the baths were closed.
Architecture and interior
The new building is stylized as modern, the project contained a lot of references to the old building. Some elements were made in the image of the old Presnensky baths. A new building was erected on two floors, with a beautiful arch made of a special “Kremlin brick” crowned with a white stone edging. We repeated the mosaic of M. Vrubel and the horseshoe-shaped niche in front of the entrance.
An interesting fact is that at that time the “Kremlin brick” was rare, and in this area only two buildings were erected from it - these are the baths themselves and the famous Taganka Theater. All communications were carried out in the bathhouse, special stoves were installed. The appearance of the building turned out to be moderately pompous and at the same time majestic.
Inside, the architects practically repeated the first project. Massage rooms, lounges, a beer bar, a tea room and a hairdresser were made. New baths almost immediately began to be popular among Muscovites.
