Construction of the pool on the site of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, demolished in the 1930s, began in 1958, and in 1960 the pool received its first visitors. The new sports facility quickly became a favorite place for Muscovites where they could relax and play sports. The pool was working all year round, even in winter you could see people swimming in it. It was the largest swimming pool in the USSR and one of the largest swimming pools in the world at that time. He implemented a fundamentally new concept of recreation on the water, when the pool had lanes only in a small segment, and the rest of the space was available for swimming up and down.

Beginning of construction of the Palace of the Soviets. Photo from the 1930s...

The palace was never built...

It's time for an exciting story. You all probably know that there is a sea near Moscow (http://www.bibliotekar.ru/evrika/2-14.htm). It is located at depths of 1000 - 1400 m). So, when the famous Moscow swimming pool was built, there was an idea to fill the pool with this sea water, but for some reason this did not happen.

Moscow has experience in drilling wells to the sea. Wells for the extraction of ancient sea water were drilled by workers of the Promburvod trust of the Ministry of Installation and Special construction work THE USSR. One of the wells is at the Moscow Meat Processing Plant on Talalikhin Street. There is another well on Talalikhin Street - at the balneological hospital. Wells have also been drilled in a number of sanatoriums near Moscow - Dorokhovo, Monino, Arkhangelskoye and others. In wartime, salt was extracted from these waters when the route to the original salt-mining areas was cut off by the enemy.

An eyewitness account: “Having heard about this, the director of the Moscow basin, I.S. Stopani, at his own peril and risk, began drilling work in the place where the monument to the Tsar now stands. The slotting machine covered 70 meters. And no matter how you pass by, from - there is a solid mat behind the fence of the drilling rig. I’m wondering what’s the matter? The drillers say that the lid of the drilling machine is constantly clogged with something and does not allow them to work, they have to lift the tool to the surface. I took this “something” in my hands, it turned out to be a piece of metal of irregular shape with a characteristic shine on the cut. Most likely, it was an alloy of lead and tin, poured into the wells during the construction of the Temple in 1839. Wow, the foundation, the elements of which went 70 meters.

But let's return to the drilling operations of our time. The day came when the slotting machine had to be replaced on the drilling rig to cover approximately 1650 more meters. For the work done, the drillers presented the Moscow Sports Committee with a bill almost equal to its annual budget. And the case is stuck in proceedings. It ended with the well being plugged in accordance with the required standards."

The first time after its opening, rumors circulated in Moscow that people often drowned in it. Especially in winter. Allegedly, a certain sect of “drowers” ​​was operating, taking revenge for the construction of a “giant puddle” on the church site. How true this was is not known. Most likely, another urban legend.

The Moscow pool had a round shape and was divided into several sectors, with changing rooms for men and women. There was also a sports sector with a separate entrance and no access from the general sectors. In the sports sector there was a tower with at different levels diving heights, sauna and steam room.

In order to swim in the Moscow pool, a doctor’s certificate was not required. Tickets were sold at the box office near the exit from the Kropotkinskaya metro station. Swimsuits, swimming trunks, slippers, hats, fins, masks and snorkels were available for rent at the pool. Various disinfectants were used to disinfect water. The medical staff of the Moscow pool strictly monitored the sanitary condition of the water, swimming pools and shower areas.

For all 33 years of the existence of the Moscow Pool, the sanitary and epidemiological station has never made any complaints about the quality of the water. The pool water was not only passed through sand filters, but also chlorinated. The pool had its own laboratory constantly working, water samples were taken every three hours (and samples were taken weekly by the sanitary and epidemiological department).

In the first ten years, the water treatment cycle included bactericidal installations that irradiate water with ultraviolet light (1.0 kW PRK-7 mercury-quartz lamps). Studies have shown that the water treatment cycle can be carried out without them, without affecting the water quality.

An eyewitness account: “I worked part-time in the pool as a “watchman” (kept order on the water). Every day we took a water sample for analysis. There was bleach and copper sulfate in the water. I swam for 5 years and did not catch the infection when the water began to bloom, "Then they flushed the water and cleaned the bottom. In the bathhouse there is a greater chance of catching an infection. By the way, there are a lot of children whom we taught swimming there. Coaches from the children's school came and selected the most promising ones."

Student joke - Archimedes' law for the Moscow pool: A body immersed in the water of the Moscow pool displaces another body from the water.

Memoirs of an eyewitness: “I remember that it was not always cleaned on time, and once I had to swim with algae (the green kind that covered the bottom and walls of the pool). There were benches along the pool, and many people, starting in April, could not only to swim, but also to sunbathe, sitting on these benches. I also remember that in last years During the work of this pool, something like “discos” was organized there, either at night or just in the evening, with loud music and multi-colored lighting.
"

1968. Please note: most of The area of ​​the Moscow pool was closed for swimming in those years (pictured on the left). This was due to the fact that at a depth of 2.40 meters the bottom was very poorly visible. Especially in winter, when there was already strong steam above the water, and the bottom was also overgrown with green algae. Visibility was poor, and it was difficult to see the person who had sunk to the bottom. Several years will pass - the depth will be filled with concrete, the bowl will rise to a level of 1.85 m, and the entire area of ​​​​the pool will again be available for swimming.

The pool was open all year round, even in winter. The water temperature was maintained by artificial heating... Memories of dedushkin1: “In winter, I remember, it was scary to look from the land at the “crazy people” splashing in the 20-degree frost in clouds of steam. But I myself went there more than once in winter. The water was warm, absolutely "It wasn't cold. You just had to dive often, otherwise your hair would start to become covered in ice."

The pool had such a huge area of ​​evaporation of the water surface that it caused corrosion of neighboring buildings. This was especially evident in winter, when a wall of steam constantly stood over the entire structure. The pool was located opposite the Pushkin Museum, and there were complaints from the latter that such proximity spoiled the exhibits in it.

The Moscow central swimming pool ceased operations four years before its demolition. In 1991, prices for hot cold water and electricity skyrocketed, the cost of maintenance became unprofitable. The pool bowl stood without water for more than 3 years, which led to deformation of the expansion joints. The pipeline network was severely corroded.

Just on September 16, 1994, I was sitting in the office of the pool director when the chief accountant brought an order from the Sports Committee to liquidate the pool.

The condition of the expansion joints of the pool after it stood without water for several years

Having removed the concrete pad of the pool, the builders discovered huge pits (filled with garbage and filled with groundwater, left over from the supports of the Palace of the Soviets.

An eyewitness account: “When they cleared the concrete base of the Palace of the Soviets, they brought in a small brown machine to examine the underlying soil. And when they took out the drilling tool, a fountain of water came out of the hole to a height of 10-15 cm. When I arrived at the construction site that day, the hole was plugged with a wooden plug. And so on in several places. Even before construction began, we predicted a strong backing up of the foundation by groundwater, this is not only the under-channel flow of the Chertory stream driven into the pipe (precisely under-channel, i.e. not included in the collector). But one more thing was recorded direction - from the side of the Museum fine arts on Volkhonka. /---/ Previously, I thought that it would be very difficult to pass concrete, because DS grade cement was developed for it. But the drilling tool easily penetrated the base mass. To my surprise, the chief engineer of the construction replied that the concrete may be good, but the quality of the sand left much to be desired..."

Share your pool memories in the comments. I don't remember him at all. And you? Went? Did you swim? It was good?

Click on a photo to go to its page. There you can see it in other sizes, and also leave your comments. But that’s not all, the site also has a forum where you can discuss the history of Moscow. On the site "Photos of old Moscow" you will find many interesting photographs. If you have old pictures of Moscow, send them to me, or add them via special form on website .

Past issues:
Demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior
Domodedovo Airport is 50 years old!
The oldest photographs of Moscow
Moving houses in Moscow
History of Manezhnaya Square
It is snowing...
Gagarin in Moscow
Disguise of Moscow
History of Triumphal Square
History of the Moscow traffic police
Moscow sellers
Four letter word
History of the Kremlin stars
Moscow winters
Unusual transport on the streets of Moscow

Swimming is beneficial for people of any age, body type and fitness. Classes in the pool help children develop correct posture and learn technique. different types swimming, and also develop flexibility. Regular classes with an adult trainer can help get rid of excess weight, development of a strong muscle frame.

On our website visitors will be able to find full list swimming pools in Moscow: public and private, in fitness centers and saunas. Prices for one-time and subscription visits, work schedules, comparative ratings and customer reviews are indicated. We give everyone the opportunity to choose a suitable swimming pool in Moscow, both by location and price.

Features of swimming lessons

Swimming is not only good for the body, it also helps relieve stress and relax, and reduces anxiety. You should work out with a professional trainer who will help you create the right training schedule to achieve the desired result.

Many pools offer programs for weekdays and weekends, which makes it possible to create a convenient schedule. Depending on the client’s goals, the coach selects a program: swimming lessons, therapeutic exercises, prevention or sports training.

Swimming is one of the most useful species sport, because it develops strength, endurance, and flexibility. However, recently this activity has become an expensive pleasure. The ZagraNitsa portal has selected 8 swimming pools where you can enjoy water treatments for reasonable money

Regular swimming is the easiest way to get in shape after winter. This is also an excellent option for preparing children for a trip to the sea. In principle, finding a good pool for a reasonable price is not a problem. However, you need to take into account the fact that they are located quite far from the center, and sometimes you will have to share the water path with several people.

MPEI Sports and Technical Center

Where: Krasnokazarmennaya, 13 b

Price: from 160 rubles

The MPEI swimming pool is perhaps the most convenient option for those who want to swim for a modest amount. It is open from 7:00 to 22:00. For adults, the cost of one visit is from 220 rubles, a monthly subscription - from 170 rubles. For children - from 500 rubles for 1 lesson. In addition, the center also conducts group classes in aqua aerobics, water polo and recreational gymnastics on the water.

You can find out more about the center's schedule and cost of services.

Swimming pool at the Bibirevo sports and recreation center

Where: Belozerskaya, 14

Price: from 500 rubles

The pool at the Bibirevo sports and recreation center is relatively small: only 4 lanes, 25 meters long. Single sessions take place from 7:00 to 12:00. Since the pool is located at the Youth Sports School, there are many activities for children: group swimming classes, water aerobics and others.

You can find more detailed information about the pool.

Pool "Aquamarine"

Where: Roslovka, 5

Price: from 260 rubles

The Aquamarine pool has 5 lanes 25 meters long. Opening hours are from 8:00 to 23:00. Sanitary hour - from 13:15 to 14:00. It is worth noting that many pool visitors complain that the paths are too busy and there are queues for the showers. In addition, it is necessary to take into account that different social groups, including pensioners, study here.

You can find out more about the operation of the pool.

Pool "Pearl"

Where: Generala Beloborodova, 29

Price: from 220 rubles

The pool is located at sports school No. 104 “Pearl”. There are 2 swimming halls: large (25 meters, 6 lanes) and small (16.5 meters, 4 lanes). Classes in big hall are held from 7:00 to 22:45. The small pool provides group swimming lessons for children and adults.

You can find out more about the class schedule and cost.

Swimming pool of the sports complex "Chertanovo"

Where: Severnoye Chertanovo microdistrict, bldg. 806

Price: from 220 rubles.

The swimming pool at the Chertanovo sports complex has 5 lanes 25 meters long. The cost of a single visit for adults is from 220 rubles, for children - from 110 rubles. For adults, in addition to individual swimming, classes in aqua aerobics and water polo are also offered. Apart from swimming lessons, only water polo is available for children. It is worth noting that many visitors complain that in the morning the pool is usually given over to various social groups, including pensioners, so it is better to come to classes after work.

You can get acquainted with the work of the pool in more detail.

Swimming pool "Izmailovo" (RGUFK)

Where: Blvd. Lilac, 2

Price: from 400 rubles

The main difference between this pool is its size. The adult water hall has 10 tracks of 50 meters each. Children's - 25 meters. There is a diving bath 6 meters deep. For adults, in addition to water aerobics, they also offer diving training. Diving, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming are available for children.

Swimming pool of the Yuzhnoportovy sports complex

Where: Trofimova 30, bldg. 3

Price: from 260 rubles

The pool has 6 lanes 25 meters long. Opening hours: from 7:00 to 22:00. Technical break - from 12:30 to 13:30. Cost of visiting: 260 rubles for 45 minutes of swimming, but if you come with children, it will cost 330 rubles for an adult with a child. A yearly subscription will cost 18 thousand rubles. For adults there are swimming and water aerobics classes. There is also synchronized swimming for children.