Rivers, lakes & waterways

The **Moskva River** is the primary waterway meandering through the capital, providing a scenic artery for river cruises and waterfront promenades. It is fed by several tributaries, notably the **Yauza River**. To the northwest, the **Khimki Reservoir** serves as a major hub for passenger ferries and recreational boating. Woven into the urban fabric are numerous historic ponds that serve as quiet retreats, most famously **Patriarch's Ponds** (immortalized in Bulgakov's *The Master and Margarita*) and **Chistyye Prudy** (Clean Ponds).