Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita is set in a surreal, supernatural version of Moscow, where the devil, disguised as a professor of black magic, arrives to wreak havoc. The novel intertwines the story of Soviet Moscow in the 1930s with biblical Jerusalem at the time of Pontius Pilate. Both settings come to life in various film adaptations, each attempting to capture the novel’s eerie and magical atmosphere.
The book locations
Moscow in the 1930s
Moscow serves as the primary setting for The Master and Margarita. The novel begins at Patriarch’s Ponds, a real park in the heart of Moscow where the devil, Woland, appears. This is where strange events unfold, setting the tone for the rest of the story. Today, Patriarch’s Ponds is a must-visit location for fans, offering a glimpse into the mystical world of Bulgakov’s novel
Another key location is Apartment No. 50 on Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, where Woland and his entourage take residence. This building has become a pilgrimage site for fans, as it reflects the bizarre and unsettling tone of the novel
Jerusalem in the time of Pontius Pilate
The second storyline takes place in ancient Jerusalem, where Yeshua Ha-Notsri (Jesus) is tried by Pontius Pilate. The detailed descriptions of Jerusalem’s streets, the Roman palace, and Pilate’s internal struggle add depth to the novel’s philosophical themes(
Film locations
Several film and television adaptations of The Master and Margarita have been made, each attempting to visually capture the magic of the novel, including the last one in 2024
Moscow recreated in Saint Petersburg
Although the novel is set in Moscow, many films have used Saint Petersburg as a stand-in for Soviet-era Moscow. The grand boulevards and historic architecture of Saint Petersburg provided the right atmosphere for recreating the 1930s urban environment
Biblical scenes filmed in Crimea and Bulgaria
To depict ancient Jerusalem, filmmakers chose locations in Crimea and Bulgaria. The fortress of Sudak in Crimea and the fountains of the Livadia Palace were transformed into Jerusalem, reflecting the tension and drama of Pilate’s trial
Notable film adaptations
The 1972 film by Aleksandar Petrović
This adaptation is one of the most famous, blending the narrative of Moscow with biblical scenes. Much of the film was shot in Sarajevo, giving it a unique blend of realism and mysticism
The recent 2024 russian adaptation
Directed by Mikhail Lokshin, the 2024 adaptation was filmed primarily in Moscow, with additional scenes in historically significant Russian locations. The film stays visually faithful to the novel, capturing the mystical and supernatural tone that defines The Master and Margarita