Black Pond — a small square and the garden square of the same name at the intersection of Oshara and Piskunova Street. Only the name remains of the body of water where, as recently as the early 20th century, Nizhny Novgorod residents rowed boats in summer and skated in winter.
History of the Matter
Heading along Oshara toward Minin Square, one comes upon yet another site that fell victim to being filled in — Black Pond. Nothing remains of it today but the name, yet in the early 20th century it was a truly magnificent pond of enormous importance to the city.
Black Pond existed before 1621, when it was known as the Black or Foul Pond and served as a drainage point for surface water from all the surrounding catchment area; it measured 125 sazhens in length and 65 in width (one sazhen equals 2.13 m).
In 1831, merchant E. M. Medovikov cleaned out the overgrown pond at his own expense and laid out a garden around it, where he held an annual celebration every 1st of May.
A floating chapel was erected in the middle of the pond, illuminated by Chinese lanterns. The banks of the pond and all the garden paths were likewise lit.
The structures were decorated with illuminations, lemon and orange trees grew there, and music played. In summer, a boat station operated; in winter, a skating rink was set up on the pond.
At the turn of the 21st century, this territory was occupied by a cramped, dirty clothing market — decidedly out of place on the site of what had once been the city's most picturesque recreational body of water.
After the market was demolished, a shopping center called "Lobachevsky Plaza" was built on the site of the pond.
Black Pond Today
Until quite recently, this spot was known mainly for its round-the-clock kiosks bearing the same name. These kiosks were virtually the only place in the vicinity of Pokrovka and Minin Square where one could buy wine and cigarettes at night. In 2008, plans were made to demolish them. But local residents, marginals, drunks, and night owls signed a petition to preserve the kiosks in such numbers that the kiosks were allowed to stay. In June 2010, the kiosks were finally demolished along with similar ones on Freedom Square. The administration of Nizhegorodsky District promised to create a park and install a fountain at Black Pond.
As of 2012, the fountain is up and running and greatly enhances the garden square. It is also a pleasant place to relax on hot summer days or take a walk with children.