Few of the residents and guests of Moscow know that they are separated from the underground river in the center of the capital by only a sewer hatch and several meters of land. Neglinka originates from the Pashensky bog near Maryina Roshcha and, crossing the central quarters of the city from north to south, flows under the streets that owe their names to her: Samotechnye square, boulevard and lane, Neglinnaya street and Trubnaya square. Neglinka is a legendary river of its kind. Not particularly long and abounding in water, it played a significant role in the life of Moscow: Neglinnaya contributed to the emergence of a valley on the banks of which the Kremlin stands.
Change of river names in history
The Neglinka River was first mentioned in the chronicles of the early 15th century under the name Neglimna. By the way, over the years this river has changed many names, including Neglinaya, Neglinna and Samoteka. According to one version, the last name appeared due to the fact that the middle course of the river in the area of the present Trubnaya Square flowed out of the flowing ponds, that is, flowed by gravity.
The role of Neglinka in the life of Moscow residents
It is difficult to imagine, but once the Neglinnaya was a full-flowing river with clear water, and in its lower reaches it was even navigable. At the beginning of the 16th century, water for the ditch around the Kremlin wall came from Neglinnaya. Dam was built on the river, forming six interconnected ponds used for fish farming. Water from the ponds was also taken to extinguish fires that were frequent at that time.
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Contamination problems
However, already in the middle of the 18th century, the waters of Neglinnaya were heavily polluted, as they were used as a waste stream for the needs of the rapidly growing population of Moscow and the developing industry. It was decided to lower some of the ponds. It should be added that Neglinnaya flooded and flooded neighboring streets in high water. Therefore, by 1775, Catherine II drew up a project in which Neglinnaya was ordered to "turn into an open canal, with boulevards for walking along the banks."
Pipe construction
However, the open channel, fragrant with sewage throughout its entire length, did not contribute to the improvement of the atmosphere in the capital, so it was decided to fill it up, having previously blocked it with arches. The military engineer E. Cheliev undertook the construction of the underground bed, and under his leadership, by 1819, part of Neglinnaya from Samotechnaya Street to the mouth was enclosed in a pipe, which was a three-kilometer brick vault. And the banks of the former canal turned into Neglinnaya Street.
First major overhaul
Half a century later, the Neglinnaya collector ceased to cope with the flow of water. During heavy floods and heavy rains, the river made its way to the surface. The situation was complicated by the owners of the houses, who arranged home-made inserts through which they dumped sewage into the river. And 1886-87. Under the supervision of engineer N. Levachev, the underground channel was overhauled. The tunnel was divided into three sections.
Schekotovsky tunnel
In 1910-1914. According to the project of engineer M. Shchekotov, a section of the Neglinka collector was built, located under Teatralnaya Square. This tunnel, exactly 117 meters long, passes next to the Metropol Hotel and the Maly Theater. Now it is called in honor of its creator - "Schekotovsky Tunnel", and illegal excursions around Neglinka are usually held here.
Flood problem
Despite the construction of more and more collectors, flooding did not stop - in the middle of the 60s of the last century, Neglinka again burst to the surface and flooded some streets so much that boats had to move along them. When, in the early 70s, the collector from Trubnaya Square and to the Metropol Hotel was renovated and significantly expanded, the flooding finally stopped.
Neglinka at the end of the twentieth century
By 1997, the studio of the artist and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli completed a project that included the reconstruction of the Neglinka channel from the Alexander Garden to Manezhnaya Square. This closed-cycle reservoir, which is maintained artificially, is not actually an attempt to bring a section of the river out of the ground, as many Muscovites believe. To date, the imitation of Neglinka in this place is equipped with fountains and sculptures.