Balchug. The birthplace of Russian vodka. Nikishin A.V., Kirakozov K

Moscow River for centuries carried its waters past the walls of the gray-haired Kremlin. In the spring, the river spilled, the buildings on Balchug stood in the water on the very roofs, and moved here exclusively by boats - both along the Tsaritsyn Lug, and along the embankments, and along the Bolotnaya Square, and on numerous garden streets.

A terrible The flood in the spring of 1783 is boldly most of the buildings and temples of Balchug, destroyed the All -Sixovite bridge (large stone). The Moscow Commander -in -Chief Count Chernyshev reported to Catherine II: “Three arches of the bridge collapsed. And 11 stone shops that were on them ”

and then a bold decision was made to dig a drainage canal and take part of the waters of the Moscow River into a new direction. The waters of the river and the canal merged together and showed the world a unique island in the very center of the city opposite the walls and towers of the Kremlin: the Golden Island, the island of Balchug, the future pearl of Moscow and Russia.

But few people know that the island of Balchug is this The place where the history of the national Russian drink magically materializes - vodka. This story is embodied in almost every tiny lane or even a house. And the authors of the book are in a hurry to present their arguments to readers.