The metro of Moscow is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. In 1933, the greatest architects of the soviet era left their mark on the cityscape by creating one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Russia. When Stalin and the Communist Party’s Central Committee, the Bolsheviks, launched the development in 1931, it became a symbol of architectural prowess that was unequalled in civil engineering at that time.
The builders were honored and the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League that led the construction received the Order of Lenin. Out of the most beautiful marble and white stone structures in Moscow, was the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was destroyed by Stalin to make way for a «Palace of the Soviet project». The city’s make up was inspired by the overwhelming feeling of patriotism that existed at that time. The worker’s union, with help from Joseph Stalin, built the most beautiful underground world, an empire of marble and stone palaces with royal aesthetics.
The revolution and the defense of the motherland were two key ideas of the USSR and its socialist regime. These ideas were celebrated in mosaics and sculptures that appeared as early as when the line first opened on 15th May 1935. The metro, which was named after Vladimir Ilitch Lenin, was designed to showcase the biggest communist regime in the world. With more than 8 million visitors a day, today it’s one of the largest metro systems in Europe, and holds the world record for timekeeping. This palatial network is considered as Moscow’s second urban attraction and allows visitors to step back in time to the days of the Soviets. This underground theatre, with its visually stunning design and its passengers that seems to be from another age, no wonder it’s also a major source of inspiration for Russian cinema and theatre.
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#1 Krasnopresnenskaya Station
At the Krasnopresnenskaya station, the benches come from the Cathedral of Christ-Sauveura which was built in 1839 and 1883 in memory of the victory of Russia on the Great Army of Napoleon I (1812). Destroyed under Stalin in 1931, the benches remained intact. Metro architects decided to install them in some stations.
16points
#2 Kievskaya Station
At the Kievskaya station, sellers are quickly spotted, it is strictly forbidden to sell flowers inside and outside the metro.
These are usually retired women who to round the end of the month sell a few bouquets.
These are usually retired women who to round the end of the month sell a few bouquets.
14points
#3 Station Taganskaya
The station Taganskaya opened in 1950 offers one of the most beautiful cupolas of the network. It is common to see at popular days many balloons hanging from the ceiling of the stations.
14points
#4 Novoslobodskaya Station
The Novoslobodskaya station located on the circle has the distinction of being one of the favorite stations of the Moscovites and the tourists. The mangement of the metro placed in front of each statue and sculpture a mark on the ground for the selfies. Novoslobodskaya was opened in 1952 and symbolizes the greatness of the socialism and the beauty of the Soviet homeland.
14points
#5 Station Komsomolskaya
The stairs of the station Komsomolskaya look like an enormous baroque cave. Moscow metro stations are among the deepest in the world. With more than 500,000 people sheltered there during the 1941 bombing of German aviation. 217 babies were born during the bombing.
13points
#6 Kievskaya Station
At the Kievskaya station and as well in all the stations of the circle, the marbles are lustered 3 times a day by the cleaning services. The station was opened in 1954.
12points
#7 Loudspeakers In Corridors And Escalators Regularly Broadcast Messages For People In Stress Or Depression And Offer Free Help
Suicides are most frequent in spring and autumn.
12points
#8 Kievskaya Station
With more than 8 million passengers a day, Moscow Metro is one the largest in Europe and holds the world record in respect of schedules. The punctuality of traffic reaches 99.99%. During peak hours, almost 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening, there is a train every 90 seconds. The old oars will disappear within a few years to make room for more modern oars.
11points
#9 In The Train
On May 9, the Russians celebrate the victory over Nazism, this important day for the Russian population is reflected in street parades throughout Russia. The young and the oldest wear the ribbon of St. George, symbol of Russian patriotism and the military cap.
11points
#10 Teatralnaya Station
In the Teatralnaya station, Yuri plays a concerto, he has auditioned to play in one of the 15 authorized stations. Each year 200 people are selected out of 1000 applications. Nothing extravagant, pop gentillette, classical music and patriotic Soviet songs during the national holidays. Once again, everything is organized so
that there are no overflows, or musical extravagences.
that there are no overflows, or musical extravagences.
11points
#11 Arbatskaya Station
In the Arbatskaya station, which is one of the busiest, it is difficult to walk through the crowd at peak times.
10points
#12 Dobrininska Station
The stations in the circle are cleaned 3 times a day. The technique used is as follows; The employees of the cleaning services use sawdust, which makes it possible to sand, and polish the marble. This is an ancient technique still use today.
10points
#13 Plochtchad Ilitcha Station
The Plochtchad Ilitcha station is one of the most austere stations in the network. It is not only the statue of Lenin that is involved but also the choice of marbles.
10points
#14 A Black Priest (The Highest Degree Of The Asceticism) In The Train
In stations and metros, we can determine the direction of the metro (towards the center or towards the periphery) according to the voice indicating the station. If the voice is masculine then we move towards the center, whereas if the voice is feminine we move away from it.
10points
#15 Novokuznetskaya Station
On May 9, the Russians celebrate the victory over Nazism. With 30 million dead, there is at least one Russian out of three who has lost a relative, a colleague, a friend. On 9 May, the heroes who died for the homeland are posted throughout the cities of Russia. Return of the parade near the Red Square.
9points
#16 A Young Schoolboy From A Military School In A Train Of The Subway
It is not unusual to see military costumes, the spirit of the military school appeared in Russia as early as the eighteenth century.
9points
#17 Teatralnaya Station
9points
#18 Station Komsomolskaya
Irina Serpova (61 years old) has been working in the metro for 14 years. She takes a tea in a room for rest. With 12000 (190 Euros) Rubles per month, pensioners
have trouble managing their daily lives. Irina decided to continue working in order to keep her decent salary. The retirement for women is set at 55 years.
have trouble managing their daily lives. Irina decided to continue working in order to keep her decent salary. The retirement for women is set at 55 years.
8points
#19 The Metropolitain Has Decided A Few Years Ago To Help Tourists With Translating Messages Into The Trains, And Giving Informations In A Couple Of Stations In English
8points
#20 Cadet Schools Have Always Had The Reputation Of Providing Elite Education, But Not All Choose Military Career
More than 300 graduates of the Moscow Suvorov Academy have become doctors and candidates in science, academics and professors.
7points