Historic Kuskovo

Just 20 minutes from downtown Moscow, Kuskovo Estate is located near the Ryazansky Prospect metro station at the east end of the purple line. The gates open at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 and officially close at midnight.

The historic Kuskovo Estate, once the home of the fabulously wealthy Sheremetyev family, has been the site of the American Chamber of Commerce's Independence Day celebration since 1996. What better choice for the largest Independence Day celebration outside of the U.S. than the summer playground of Count Pyotr Borisovich Sheremetyev, who was once Russia's most eligible bachelor!

In its time visitors to the grand palace could savor the beautiful forests, walk alongside canals, over bridges, be drawn by the romantic mists hanging over 17 ponds, explore marble grottos, hothouses and even a zoo, and marvel at the many statues. There was even an outdoor Greenery theatre with grass benches as well as an indoor ornate theatre - hardly surprising to learn that Count Sheremetyev loved the theater! The palace boasted its own version of mod cons; for instance there was no staircase from the first to second floor. Instead, guests were invited to sit on a divan and be hauled up!

Visitors can now walk along flowered pathways, through perfectly manicured French gardens dotted with Italian statues up to the grand palace overlooking a placid lake. The estate is ringed by acres of English landscapes bordered by untouched Russian woodlands, giving Muscovites a relaxing escape from the pressures of city life. Here you can walk around and imagine the lavish balls attended by Catherine the Great, the tens of thousands of guests invited to floating pageants, operas, plays performed by the Serf Theatre and the fireworks displays at the end of a glamorous evening. On Sunday, July 7, the 21st century takes over when a modern day American party of equally grand proportions will again bring life and entertainment to the grounds of such 18th century magnificence.