Over 60 years ago, on June 16, 1959, the Exhibition of National Economy Achievements (ENEA) was opened to public in Moscow. The grand-scale project embodied a variety of cultural characteristics of the Soviet era, being a kind of open-air museum of the history of the USSR and Russia.
So what should you pay attention to when on your first visit here?
Amusement Park
The ENEA Amusement Park is one of the few attractions of ENEA that has retained its identity for several decades. There used to be 2 amusement parks at VDNKh. Now the amusement park is located only on the left side from the main entrance. In the future, though, the second amusement park is planned to be restored on the right side of the ENEA square.
Gold Fountain "The Friendship of Peoples"
The Friendship of Peoples fountain is a landmark sight at the ENEA and one of the symbols of Moscow. It was constructed in 1954 and features gilded sculptures of 16 girls wearing national dresses of 16 union republics of the USSR that they symbolize. In the evenings, the fountain gets illuminated in different colors, which change 16 times in 1 hour.
Cinema "Circular Kinopanorama"
This is the world's only cinema where visitors can watch unique 360-degree films with stereo sound.These films are usually about 20 minutes long. 22 screens installed in 2 tiers form a circle, which creates a completely realistic effect of presence for each visitor.
Address: 119, bldg 541, Prospect Mira Street.
The Cosmonautics Museum
The first manned flight into space was one of the most important stages in the development of science in the Soviet Union and one of the most important world achievements. In the museum you can see things related to space and astronauts in one way or another: space equipment, the first spacesuits and artificial satellites of the Earth - everything that helped to study the Moon and other planets of the solar system. Now there are more than 90 thousand exhibits: these are samples of rocket and space machinery as well as rarities, documents, arts and crafts, paintings and many others.
Address: 111, Prospect Mira Street.
Moscow House of Butterflies
The Butterfly House in Pavilion 519 is the place you must definitely visit at the ENEA! The Butterfly House has 2 halls.Greenhouse ¹ 1 is an exhibition with live tropical butterflies. Here you can see different types of butterflies and even touch them!
In hall 2 you will see a gallery with a unique private collection of butterflies and various insects from all over the world. This collection is trully unparalleled.
Address: 119, bldg 519, Prospect Mira Street.
Moskvarium
Moskvarium is divided into several zones: an aquarium zone, a swimming center with dolphins, and a lecture hall.In the aquarium area there are about 8 thousand marine and freshwater inhabitants from all over the world. Here you can find stingrays, crustaceans, and various types of fish, as well as starfish, octopuses,sharks and cayman crocodiles. You can swim with dolphins in the Moskvarium. Seals, majestic killer whales, mysterious beluga whales and, of course, mischievous dolphins will gladly show you everything they can do!
Address: 119, bldg 23, Prospect Mira Street.
Optical Illusions Museum
Here anyone can get into a parallel reality and do what they have long dreamed of. For example,extreme lovers will get a chance to skydive or try to escape from bloodthirsty zombies, while movie lovers will feel like their favorite movie heroes.The feeling of reality is created by means of special paintings and props created by the best 3D artists in Russia.
Address: 119, bldg. 55, Prospect Mira Street.