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During a recent business trip to Moscow I had the opportunity to do some urban exploring in the Hovrinskaya Hospital. It is said to be haunted, you can hear screams from children from the dark corridors. Every year dead people are found there. The hospital is in the north of Moscow (see map). I’ll show you around this hospital and give some tips on how to visit. If you like urban exploring the Hovrinskaya Hospital in Moscow is a must go to!
NOTE: The hospital has been demolished so it cannot be visited anymore.
Tips to visit Hovrinskaya Hospital
I decided to visit it in the afternoon at sunset during golden hour. The area is totally fenced off but there are several openings where you can illegally enter. I did not do this as I had a Russian business partner with me. We entered half illegal by paying 500 rubles to the security (see X on the map for this entrance) to avoid being caught later by security and pay a high fee or even go to the police. It’s best to speak Russian to make this deal otherwise you end up paying way to much.
During our exploration we saw on the other side some youngsters who disappeared quick when they saw I was making lots of photos. Just take care when walking around as you can slip easily or fall. Never go urban exploring alone and make sure someone knows you are going and can sound alarm if you don’t turn up again. If you use common sense you should be all right.
Outside of the Hovrinskaya Hospital
The construction of Hovrinskaya Hospital began in 1981 and lasted only 4 years until 1985 when it was abandoned. Today, it stands as it was left behind. The hospital is build on is an old cemetery (maybe that’s the screams you hear?) and has a typical triangular cross layout. That’s typical architecture from communist Soviet times. The three wings make up a total of three yards and converge at the middle.
The building is 10 stories high and has up to 4 underground floors which are totally flooded. I really wouldn’t go diving there. The hospital would have given place to over 1300 patients from all over Russia. After I paid the security guard I had to walk through dense vegetation to reach the compound. Do take care that you don’t fall by accident into the dungeons or cut yourself open on the rusty metal pins that are found everywhere. Once inside it’s “easier” to walk.
Inside of the Hovrinskaya Hospital
I entered Hovrinskaya Hospital through a side entrance and went first to the roof to get a good overview of the compound. I explored from top to down. Everywhere you walk you must be careful because there are gaps in the floors and metal pins coming out of the ground which you don’t cut you. You will see a lot of plumbing already in place in the endless corridors and rooms. It’s interesting to wander around and just imagine how it would look like if finished and in use. From the top you can see the annex building which has only three floors. I didn’t even know it was there at first.
After exploring the main building, I walked through the dense vegetation to the annex building. It’s said that an underground passage way was build which could fit trucks inside. As everything below ground level is flooded it was impossible to check this. This building was built to house a separate specialized clinic. As for urban exploring the annex building of the Hovrinskaya Hospital is a bit less interesting.
Graffiti at the Hovrinskaya Hospital
If you walk through the Hovrinskaya Hospital you’ll notice lots of graffiti. Some just text some interesting pieces of graffiti art. The graffiti Hovrinskaya Hospital gives an extra dimension to urban exploring. Something I enjoy!
I walked through the Hovrinskaya Hospital for about 4 hours. I saw most floors completely but did walk some quite quick if they were the same as the one above or below. The photo’s give a good impression of the building. If you like urban exploring the Hovrinskaya Hospital is a must visit in Moscow. In case you find it to scary you can always explore Moscow’s Metro instead! Or visit the Kolomenskoye, Novodevichy or Red Square with Kremlin. Another option is to do a day trip to Sergiev Posad. I hope to return to Russia and go exploring some abandoned military installations next time!
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Did you visit Hovrinskaya Hospital too or do you have questions? Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page. Love to hear from you!
Gallery Hovrinskaya Hospital
Click an image for a full screen gallery of more photos taken during this trip. If you like to use any photo for commercial, private or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.
