The Sakharov Center museum and cultural center in Moscow devoted to protection of human rights in Russia preserving the legacy of Andrei Sakharov.

© Nina Alizada/Shutterstock

Sakharov Centre

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South of Kursky vokzal, by the Yauza River, is a small park with a two-storey house containing a human-rights centre named after Russia's most famous dissident. Inside is a museum recounting the life of Sakharov, the nuclear-physicist-turned-human-rights-advocate, detailing the years of repression in Russia and providing a history of the courage shown by the dissident movement. Free English-language tours are available on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; book in advance.

The centre holds numerous presentations and debates on contemporary political and human-rights issues.

The park is dotted with unusual sculptures, most built from weapons and other military-industrial waste. Look out for a piece of the Berlin Wall that has been repurposed into a poignant display. Temporary exhibitions cover current human-rights issues and contemporary art.

Transportation

  • metro: Chkalovskaya

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