Moscow has always been the historic capital: of the Grand Moscow principality, of Russian kingdom, of Russian empire, of the Soviet Union and, finally, of Russia. Since when was Moscow the capital? Who made Moscow a Hero City? Here are fun facts about 11 most famous Mayors of Moscow from 1709 to 2015, some of who we talk about on our Kremlin tour.
Moscow Mayors
Tikhon Strezhnev, the mayor-pioneer
1709–1711
Tikhon was Peter the Great’s uncle, who led him during the coronation and was in charge of purchasing and repairing Peter’s toys.
Moscow Mayors. Tikhon Strezhnev
Vasily Dolgoruky, the mayor-altruist
1780–1782
Military general, sent troops to the Crimea peninsula and annexed to Russia, and was awarded with diamonds and the title of the Crimea by Catherine the Great, but not the rank of Field Marshal. Offended, he resigned. Muscovites especially loved him for festivities which he organized every Sunday near his homestead on the Sparrow Hills.
Lived in a mansion on the corner of Okhotny Ryad and Bolshaya Dmitrovka, which later became the House of Unions, where Russians parted with Stalin.
Moscow Mayors. Vasily Dolgoruky
Fyodor Rostopchin, the mayor – arsonist
1812-1814
Great schemer at the court of Catherine II, the favorite under Paul I, led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a legend, the idea of burning Moscow, before French would take it over, belonged to Rostopchin – although he denied it.
Moscow Mayors. Fyodor Rostopchin
Dmitry Golitsyn, the mayor – urbanist
1820-1844
Knew French and hardly spoke any Russian.
His achievements can be listed for a long time, for example: he arranged the construction of the Resurrection Garden (now Alexander Garden), and ordered to build the Bolshoy theatre, Maly theaters, and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Moscow Mayors. Dmitry Golitsyn
Arseny Zakrevsky, the mayor – tyrant
1848-1859
Did not like to follow a law , and sent everybody he found “misbehaving” to Siberia. Tried to fight bribery, and in this respect historians consider him as an honest man.
Moscow Mayors. Arseny Zakrevsky
Vladimir Dolgorukov, the mayor-favorite
1865-1891
The supreme marshal at the coronation of Alexander II, and one of the longest one in the post of the head of Moscow – 26 years. During that time, Moscow’s population tripled.
Opened the Conservatory and the Historical Museum.
Moscow Mayors. Vladimir Dolgorukov
Nikolai Bulganin, the mayor-Stalinist
1931-1937
Launched the Moscow subway and trolley lines, rebuilt historic center, extended Tverskaya street and the Garden Ring. Demolished Christ the Savior Cathedral. Many churches and monasteries were closed.
Moscow Mayors. Nikolai Bulganin
Vladimir Promyslov, the mayor-modernist
1963-1986
With the active assistance of Promyslov Moscow became the “hostess” to the Olympics-80 and received the title of Hero City.
Moscow Mayors. Vladimir Promyslov
Gavriil Popov, the mayor-liberal
1990-1992
Greek by nationality. Greatly changed Moscow: many new streets, alleys and squares got back their pre-revolutionary historic names.
Contributed to the opening of the first “McDonald’s”, which concluded a preferential agreement for 49 years – Cafe on Pushkin street is still paying rent at the rate of 1 ruble per square meter.
Moscow Mayors. Gavriil Popov
Yuri Luzhkov, the mayor-beekeeper
1992-2010
Breeder of bees, an amateur inventor and the author of 37 books.
As he became mayor a lot of money came to the city, as well as abundance of shops, new roads and a variety of entertainment, demolition of monuments and corruption.
Moscow Mayors. Yuri Luzhkov
Moscow Mayors. Yuri Luzhkov
Moscow Mayors. Yuri Luzhkov
Moscow Mayors. Yuri Luzhkov
Sergei Sobyanin
2010-present
Born on June 21, 1958. In student years was never interested in public affairs and in general was quiet and shy.
His career began in Chelyabinsk Tube Rolling Plant as a mechanic.
Sergey Sobyanin prefers holidays in Russia, mainly in the “wilderness”, enjoying hunting and fishing.
Thanks to his father, S.Sobyanin loves hunting and skiing.
Moscow Mayors. Sergei Sobyanin
Moscow Mayors. Sergei Sobyanin
Most Popular Posts
50 Facts about Moscow – all you need to know about Russian CapitalEverybody likes fun facts and we always prepare a ton of them for our Moscow tours ...
46.8k views
50 Fun Facts about Los AngelesA visit to Los Angeles isn’t complete without Hollywood. And Getty Museum. And Downtown LA ...
37.1k views
20 Fun Facts about EdinburghOur Moscow tour guide Dasha traveled to the UK on New Year holidays, and here ...
31.2k views
I enjoyed reading the historical listing of Moscow’s Mayors. I am intrigued by the various personalities and for what they are remembered. I especially like the last mayor Sergey Sobyanin. I’m glad to learn he enjoys nature, the fishing and hunting. I look at many of his pictures. I innately feel he is a person of deep character, keeping his real life, very private, but where Wisdom resides. It’s like he hides a rich resource of interior knowledge. It bothers me that his eye are not often lit up with a light from a smile. It’s easy to emotionally involve one with this admirable Mayor/leader. As i read about him and research Moscow’s current events, I think he has qualities of greatness. I admire him greatly. MaryAnn Rabalais