Evening_ Walk

 

Copilot:

I enjoy watching videos of Moscow, Russia; but one often encounters flickering traffic and building lights. What is that about??

That flickering effect you’re seeing in videos of Moscow—especially at night—isn’t actually happening in real life. It’s a visual artifact caused by the way cameras interact with artificial lighting.

Most traffic lights, building illuminations, and decorative displays in Moscow (and many other cities) use LEDs or fluorescent lights, which flicker at a frequency that’s usually imperceptible to the human eye. But when a camera records at a frame rate that doesn’t sync with that flicker frequency, it can create a strobing or flickering effect in the video. This is especially noticeable in low-light conditions or when the camera is moving quickly.

In Moscow, where the cityscape is lit up with elaborate light displays—especially during winter holidays or around iconic Soviet-era high-rises—the effect can be even more pronounced. It gives the city a kind of surreal, shimmering quality on screen, even though it’s steady and glowing in person.

Kind of wild how a technical quirk can make a city look like it’s pulsing with energy, right? 

Have you got a favorite spot or building in those videos?

I've never been there, but this shows a clean, well-kept and impressive street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVP3LfP2imM...

That video really captures the polished side of Moscow! The city has undergone a major transformation over the past decade—especially under Mayor Sergey Sobyanin—focusing on urban beautification, pedestrian-friendly zones, and extensive lighting projects. Streets like Tverskaya, Nikolskaya, and Myasnitskaya are now known for their cleanliness, safety, and striking nighttime illumination.

A big part of this is due to centralized municipal funding and a strong emphasis on public image, especially in areas frequented by tourists or near government buildings. The result? A city that often surprises visitors with how modern and well-maintained it looks—especially compared to the gritty, gray image some might expect from old Soviet stereotypes.

If you’re enjoying those videos, you might also like virtual walks through Nikolskaya Street—it’s pedestrian-only and sparkles with lights, especially during the holidays. 

Want me to find one for you?

...

One can see St-Basil's further up, and the Embassy of Ghana is on the Street...

Ah, that’s a great clue! If you can spot St. Basil’s Cathedral in the distance and the Embassy of Ghana along the same street, then you’re most likely looking at Pyatnitskaya Street in the Zamoskvorechye District of Moscow. The Ghanaian Embassy is located at 33–35 Pyatnitskaya Street, which runs south from the Kremlin area and crosses the Vodootvodny Canal.

That street is known for its blend of historic charm and modern upgrades—lots of restored facades, boutique shops, and cozy cafés. It’s not as flashy as Tverskaya, but it has a more intimate, lived-in feel. And with St. Basil’s visible, you’re probably near the northern end of the street, closer to the city center.

If you’d like, I can help you find more walking tour videos that explore that exact stretch. Want to go virtual sightseeing?

Help me find a map to make sense of what I've seen...

Pyatnitskaya Street — Yandex Maps