Moscow has a new park, it stands on the site of the giant Rossiya hotel

Moscow - Today, the new Zaryadye Park was ceremoniously opened in the center of Moscow, built on the site of the once largest hotel in the world, Rossiya, which was demolished in 2006. The ten-hectare park is the first project of its kind to be developed in the historical center of the city in the last 200 years.

The name Zaryadye is derived from the historical name of the area that was located "behind the rows" of merchant stalls by the Kremlin in the Middle Ages. The construction of the terraced park, designed by the American architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, cost 14 billion rubles (5.3 billion crowns) and took two and a half years to complete. The park was ceremoniously opened by President Vladimir Putin alongside Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

According to the Moscow city hall, the park is expected to become a showcase for the city. It will feature several lavish pavilions, an ice cave, a health center, and large underground garages. Zaryadye aims to remind visitors of the natural zones characteristic of the Russian Federation - temperate forests, floodplain or northern forests, and steppes. Gardeners in the park have planted over a million plants.

The Rossiya Hotel, which stood just 200 meters from Red Square, was once a pride of Soviet communists until part of it was consumed by flames in 1977. The fire was reportedly caused by a drunken construction worker. The consequences were devastating, as the designers had used highly flammable and toxic materials extensively. Forty-two hotel guests and firefighters lost their lives.

After long discussions, a decision was made in 2012 regarding the construction of the park and its design. Annual attendance is expected to be around ten million people. It is currently open only to official guests, with access for the public set for Monday.