Moscow’s Krestovskaya Outpost (now Rizhskaya Square) is the beginning of the ancient historical route to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Krestovskaya Outpost has had various names over the years: Sergeeva Outpost, Troitskaya Outpost, Pereyaslavskaya Outpost, Rostovskaya Outpost, Yaroslavskaya Outpost, and Arkhangelskaya Outpost. The name Krestovskaya was the one that lasted the longest.

It was here, at the turn of the 20th century, that Vindava (now Rizhsky) Railway Station appeared. Its unusual, non-Russian, name comes from the Moscow–Vindava (Ventspils) highway. Like other Moscow railway stations, Vindava station did not have a location when it was named. The final choice of location for the construction of the station that would host the line that was already under construction was made by a special commission sent to Moscow by the Ryazano–Uralskaya Railway Company and headed by the famous Russian engineer A. Borodin. The Commission decided to build the passenger station on a massive plot of land near Krestovskaya Outpost, adjacent on one side to Pervaya Meshchanskaya Street.

Construction began pursuant to Supreme Decree of Nicholas II dated March 2, 1897. The station was built according to designs by the respected St. Petersburg architect S. A. Brzozowski.

The stone building was 58 sazhens (approximately 124 metres) long and 15 sazhens (approximately 32 metres) wide and stood out for its magnificent external façade, done in the old style. It consists of three towers connected by three covered passages on the ground floor. The buildings are decorated with many of the elements that characterized Russian architecture of the 16th century: various window shapes, platband, corbel arches, runners, ornamental brickwork, etc. the central part of the station was particularly ornate, with a covered porch and an easily accessible entrance.

The building was somewhat reminiscent of the Kremlin’s Terem Palace and was considered one of the most convenient for passengers. It had its own power station, which lit the premises and platforms.

The opening ceremony of the Vindava Railway Station in Moscow took place at 2 in the afternoon on September 11, 1901, in a temporary hall that was never finished. A local clergyman performed a Blessing of the Waters ceremony in front of the icons to mark the launch of train services from Moscow, wishing many years of successful operation. In February 1995, after all renovation works had been completed, the new Rizhsky station opened its doors to passengers. The reconstruction of the station was accompanied by the beautification of the surrounding territory. An underground passage connecting the Railway Station and the metro station was built, as was an overpass separating traffic flows.

To mark the station’s 100th anniversary, the clock tower above the central entrance was restored. At 2pm on September 11, 2001, the tolls of the bell announced the beginning of the station’s second century of existence.

Technical re-equipment of Rizhsky Railway Station began in late 2011.

The ART Gallery opened its doors to passengers in the station building, and the station was made accessible for people with disabilities.