Aspen Stakes and the Kremlin by Night

This report centres on a corporate tour entitled ‘Ghostbusters’, exploring central Moscow by night. The group’s lead organiser approached the theme with both seriousness and humour, preparing a small, sharpened aspen stake on a cord for each participant. This was a literal response to the bureau’s tongue-in-cheek promise to equip the hunters with ‘silver bullets’ and its suggestion that they bring aspen stakes and holy water.

The construction company, which works on a variety of sites including historic buildings, has returned to our routes more than once: after two previous walks, its employees chose a tour with a supernatural theme and are already considering their next excursion.

Aspen Stakes for Ghost Hunting

Even Anton was surprised by the level of preparation: the ‘Ghostbusters’ tour had never seen props like these before. The stakes were made small, carefully sharpened and fitted with cords so they could be worn around the neck. A line on the website saying that the bureau would provide the silver bullets while guests need only bring everything else was taken literally. And so every participant had their very own item from a ghost hunter’s arsenal.

The group then followed the tour’s traditional route through central Moscow, where the supernatural sits alongside familiar city views. Their playful preparations set the mood for the walk, but the city had a surprise of an entirely different kind in store for them.

The Unexpected Courtyard of St Sophia's Church

As they passed the Church of Sophia the Wisdom of God on Sofiyskaya Embankment, the guests decided to make a brief detour into the courtyard. They had never noticed the church here before, so the stop was entirely spontaneous. In the courtyard, a security guard approached the group and invited them to go upstairs for a closer look at the church. This opportunity had not been part of the planned route, and the chance detour became one of those details that simply cannot be arranged in advance.

Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge and the Kremlin at Dusk

Previously, the ‘Ghostbusters’ had walked alongside the Kremlin wall from the Kremlin Embankment side. This time, the radio headsets helped save time: the group crossed Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge and continued along Sofiyskaya Embankment. From here, they enjoyed striking views of the Kremlin, while the evening light and riverside setting provided the perfect backdrop for some particularly successful photographs.

They never did encounter a ghost that evening, but the walk brought together a carefully prepared game and some genuine urban surprises. The aspen stakes, an unscheduled visit to a church courtyard, the bridge crossing and panoramic views of the Kremlin all came together in a single story. Nothing supernatural occurred, but evening Moscow became an integral part of the plot in its own right. The corporate group is already exploring more of the bureau’s tour programme and plans to return for ‘Gilded Corners’ by mid-September.