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Sightseeing in Moscow

Guide to Historical Moscow Metro Stations

The Moscow metro is really something very special. Not only is it the most heavily used metro system in the world (it carries more than 8 million passengers EVERY day). It is also by far the most elegant.

The Moscow metro was first envisioned during the reign of Nicolas II, in 1902, when London and New York already had working subway systems. However due to the civil unrest of 1905 and then the revolution in 1917, plans were delayed.

Stalin revived the metro plans during his rule and deemed them “the People’s palaces”. The first line to be built was the Sokolnicheskaya line and it was tunneled by forced laborers. It opened in 1935 with only 13 stations. Most of the stations built during Stalin’s rule featured Social Realism themes. They featured elegant designs with rich marble interiors. The theme was typically to demonstrate the harmony, wealth, equality and happiness of the Soviet system. Some of the marble and semi-precious stones used to build the stations was taken from elegant churches which Stalin had disassembled, including the original Christ the Savior.

Today there are 11 lines and close to 170 stations and more opening every year.

The metro system was originally named for Lazar Kaganovich, a trusted Stalin crony, and the man responsible for its construction. However in 1955 Kaganovich lost his favored status and the metro was renamed for Lenin.

During the Second World War the metro system was used as an air raid shelter. To this day you can notice the intricate network of heavy steel doors ready to slide closed at a moments notice. The Chisty Prudi station was used as Supreme Command Headquarters. In fact in 1941 Stalin celebrated the 24^th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution at the Mayakovsky metro station. Metro trains were stopped on either side of the platform and an elaborate buffet was laid out in the cars for 300 lucky guests while the Nazis were bombarding Moscow above.

The Kropotkinskaya station (opened May 15, 1935) was one of the first and designed by the architect A.N,. Dushkin. Dushkin used marble from the demolished Christ the Savior Cathedral to lavishly decorate the interior. This station was originally named Palace of the Soviets because it was next to the planned monstrous Palace of the Soviets which was to be built in place of the Cathedral, but failed to happen. The interior of the station looks more like an underground palace than a functioning station.

The Ploshad Revolutsi station opened on March 13^th, 1938. This is one of the most truly breathtaking stations, filled with bronze figures - the creators of the new socialist order – which form the multitudes of columns throughout the station. The 76 bronze figures were created by the sculptor Manizer. Among them there are soldiers with weapons in hand and farm workers with hammers and sickles. This station is a must-see.

The Mayakovskaya station, on the next line to be opened, is among the most architecturally impressive. It was recently restored to it’s 1950’s beauty and it has shiny chrome columns. Intricate mosaic panels depict a scene titled ”A Day in the Land of Soviets” by the artist Deineka. The scenes of the mosaic start with happy Soviet works rising with the sun, working in the fields and the factories and then returning to their beds as the sun sets in the final panel.

The Novokuznetskaya station opened during the Second World War on November 20, 1943. As the Soviets were beating back the Nazis, the opening of this military themed station was to demonstrate the extent of Soviet might. The architects Baranov and Bykov decorated the station with heroes from Russian history, including the famous military commander Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy, Alexander Suvorov and Prince Kutuzov. Deineka designed the mosaics, which were amazingly created in Leningrad during the siege and later brought to Moscow. The remarkable marble benches on the platforms were taken from Christ the Savior Cathedral as it was being demolished.

Beyond these remarkable stations there are many more worthy of note. We suggest you explore them yourself.

For a wonderful 360 view of key stations, we recommend you visit this incredible site dedicated to the Moscow metro :

http://www.beeflowers.com/Metro/-Startfiles-/index.htm

http://www.beeflowers.com/Metro/

History of Moscow

Map of Moscow (from 2008)

Map of Moscow (from 1653)