Behind the Embassy Doors. The History and Architecture of the Most Elite Mansions in Moscow

What lies behind the closed doors of the embassy mansions in Moscow? This book provides access to places that are almost impossible to reach: the interiors of 35 diplomatic and embassy mansions, many of which are now closed to visitors or unavailable to the general public. Behind the austere facades are luxurious suites, stained glass windows, fireplaces, and ballrooms where history was made. Secret negotiations, diplomatic receptions, and events that influenced the fates of nations took place here. These interiors inspired writers, architects, and artists, and many of them have remained virtually unchanged since the early 20th century. The book is illustrated with unique photographs of the interiors—over 450 images in total. This is a rare journey through the grand and hidden Moscow—a city that lives behind the embassy doors.