Published on: 2026-10-07
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The first associations with the museum-reserve “Kolomenskoye” — apple orchards, a landscaped embankment, and architecture from different eras. But this area near the Moskva River has been inhabited by people since ancient times and preserves artifacts from the early Iron Age to the beginning of the 20th century. The archaeological layers are hidden underground, but thanks to excavations and museum collections, they can be seen and studied.
What is the value of pottery shards
In ancient times, the river was both a road and a provider. It made it possible to buy necessary goods and sell one’s own, as it represented the ideal route for merchants. Moreover, the river supplied people with water and fish, serving as a natural barrier against enemy raids. That is why Kolomenskoye was inhabited long before the arrival of the Slavs. The museum-reserve’s collections hold an enormous amount of exhibits. “The collections are very diverse — from the early Iron Age, that is from the first centuries BC, practically up to the beginning of the 20th century,” says Olga Tatsenko, historian and head of the “Archaeology” sector at the Kolomenskoye museum-reserve.
By the way, the landscape here was originally quite different. Historians believe that before people arrived, dense forests grew along the riverbank, but humans cleared the area for housing and crops.
How do we learn about the lives of people from whom no written sources remain? Of course, through excavations. A special role in the work is played by what scientists call mass material: shards of pots, fragments of dishes, and pieces of other simple but essential household items. “They are also very important because they allow us to imagine everyday life, the household, and to date more interesting finds,” explains Olga Tatsenko. The museum staff are personally responsible for the preservation of each item: “I have to monitor their condition, send them for restoration, and provide them for exhibitions and permanent displays, where people can see these objects.”
Early Iron Age: Mysteries of the Dyakovo Settlement
Approximately in the 8th century BC, people of the Dyakovo culture lived on the bank of the Moskva River (now this is the far end of the territory of the museum-reserve). The settlement existed for more than a thousand years, until the 5th–6th century AD.
The hill that remains at the site of the Dyakovo settlement is of artificial origin. It was created by people, most likely because defending and surveying the surroundings from a high place is much more effective.
Who the Dyakovo people were, what language they spoke, and how they called themselves is not known for certain. The bearers of this culture left no written records. Even the name “Dyakovo culture” is conventional — archaeologists gave it this name after the village of Dyakovo, which used to be located near this place. “Although, of course, we know, for example, that they were contemporaries of the Roman Empire,” clarifies Olga Tatsenko.
Specific artifacts are found during excavations here, such as Dyakovo-type sinkers. “They were probably used for rope-making, but this is not certain. They represent a kind of mystery,” the historian describes the items. Small dishes were also discovered at the Dyakovo settlement — like toy bowls and saucers. Most likely, they had a ritual significance and were used in ceremonies.
16th century: what the Ascension Church looked like
Let’s move to the 16th century. One of the main monuments on the territory of “Kolomenskoye” is the Church of the Ascension, built in 1532. Archaeological excavations around the church uncovered a unique collection of white stone with carvings, which no longer exist on the building itself.
“It is possible that this carving was damaged after the fires of the 16th to early 17th centuries, and only survived in the archaeological layers,” notes Olga Tatsenko. This is a unique material that provides insight into how the church looked from the outside several centuries ago. The museum’s collections hold fragments depicting bunches of grapes. “Thanks to them, we can reconstruct how the Ascension Church looked at the time of its construction. Apparently, it was much more richly decorated with this white stone carving,” the historian explains.
Hot steam, brushes, and scrapers: how the Ascension Church in Kolomenskoye was restored
17th century: tiles of the tsar’s palace
The 17th century became the era of Kolomenskoye’s flourishing as the country residence of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich the Quietest. The famous wooden palace occupied a vast area—from the Spassky gates to the Front gates. By Catherine II’s decree, it was dismantled due to dilapidation, but before that, accurate surveys and detailed descriptions were made. In the 21st century, this allowed the palace to be recreated; its detailed copy now stands in another part of the museum-reserve—near the entrance on the side of the Kashirskaya metro station. Excavations were carried out at the site of the old palace. “Any person who now visits Kolomenskoye walks along the linden alley from the Spassky gates to the Front gates. And, in fact, they are walking through the territory of this wooden palace, and under their feet lie these very tiles,” says Olga Tatsenko, showing fragments of ceramic decor. The tiles served as decoration for stoves. Such artifacts are among the most vivid tangible testimonies of the royal residence’s lifestyle.
A story with geography. Searching for traces of Peter I in Izmailovo and Kolomenskoye
Hidden values — how they can be seen
“When you walk through the territory of the museum-reserve, you see structures from the 16th and 17th centuries. You see alleys planted in the 19th century, apple orchards from the early 20th century. But archaeology as such you cannot see: it is all underground,” emphasizes the historian.
The visitor does not see archaeology during the walk, but can study it in the museum halls. An exhibition operates in the Front Gates ensemble “Milestones of the History of Kolomenskoye”, and in the church’s basement a new exhibition has opened, dedicated to finds directly related to the temple, — “Prayer in Stone”.
For those interested not only in local history but also in the archaeology of Moscow as a whole, it is worth visiting the Atrium for the exhibition “Architecture of the Ancient City. People and Technologies.” Here, a large collection of tile stoves is kept, and you can see a log structure found in the Podol of the Moscow Kremlin. The Podol was called the lowland area outside the fortress wall where people lived. When an enemy appeared, they could hide within the fortress territory. A combined ticket for the exhibitions “Architecture of the Ancient City. People and Technologies” and “Preserving Heritage. The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Pokrovka” can be purchased through the service Mosbilet.
The collections are constantly being replenished. Since “Kolomenskoye” has the status of a museum-reserve, the staff are obliged to protect not only visible monuments but also hidden archaeological layers. Any earthworks are preceded by research. “Last year, archaeologists worked with us, digging trial trenches and excavations. And this entire collection will soon come to our museum storages,” adds Olga Tatsenko.
This is a reason not only to visit the museums of “Kolomenskoye” once, but also to return here, discovering more and more new things.
Find out about performances, concerts, exhibitions, and other interesting events on the official Mosbilet channels on “Makse” and in Telegram.
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