Located near Kashirskoye Highway is the largest pond in Moscow. The first mentions of it date back to the 16th century and are associated with Boris Godunov. At that time, Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich gifted him lands in the southeast of Moscow, where the large village of Ovrashki was located. Over time, the area became known as Borisovo in honor of the new owner. After Godunov became tsar, he ordered the digging of a large pond here, where fish were later bred.

It is known that in 1600, sturgeons, pikes, breams, belugas, crucians, perches, and sterlets were introduced into the pond. This fish was served at the royal table, so local residents were strictly forbidden to catch it. The condition of the pond was monitored by apprentices and guards, who received fields, gardens, and hay meadows instead of money.

The pond in Borisovo remained an important site even after Godunov's death. The dam built by his craftsmen was restored twice: in 1768 and 1861. However, the Borisov Pond was not the only adornment of the area. Nearby was a beautiful fruit orchard, for which the best gardeners were hired. Borisovo was considered a prosperous village, where peasants earned money from selling vegetables, fruits, lard, milk, and meat. The village had blacksmith workshops and a school.

Difficult times for the village came during the years of collectivization when it was renamed the collective farm Red Sprouts. In the 1960s, Moscow rapidly expanded, and this territory became part of the city. The village was completely demolished, leaving only the church, and an island was created in the pond, over which the Lower and Upper Borisov Bridges were built. Fortunately, the idea of completely draining the water body was abandoned. Today, Borisov Pond remains one of the favorite leisure spots for residents and guests of Moscow. Are there similar ponds in your city?