Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street

The tradition continued with later statesmen like Alexander Suvorov, and by the end of the 18th century the street became an exclusive upper-class area, with one exception: the central corner block, occupied by Moscow State University building by Matvey Kazakov (1780s).

The Fire of Moscow (1812) destroyed only part of the street: the University burnt down (rebuilt in the 1810s by Domenico Gilardi and Afanasy Grigoriev); the French Theater, protected by Napoleon, survived.

It was started in the 1790s by Matvey Kazakov with funds provided by Prince Potemkin; after 1812, the church was redesigned by Joseph Bové and completed by Afanasy Grigoriev in the 1840s.

In the late 19th century, the central segment of Bolshaya Nikitskaya was built out with a tight pattern of 3-5 storey buildings, including Moscow Conservatory (first stage 1895-1901).

In 1917, Nikitsky Gates Square on Boulevard Ring was the site of urban war between Bolsheviks and government troops.