In 1947, the city of Moscow turned 800 years old, for this solemn event the government decided to erect eight high-rise buildings. They were meant to represent power. great country and Soviet people. But it is worth starting with a backstory, the scope and ambitions of which are very ambiguous.

The projects of the Stalinist skyscrapers were based on the project of the monumental Palace of Soviets, which was never built. For the sake of a grandiose structure, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was blown up. In its place, in the 1930s, a giant building began to be erected, which was supposed to be the highest in the world at that time - 420 meters.

The Palace of Soviets was to be crowned by a colossal statue of Lenin, the prototype of which was the famous Statue of Liberty in New York, whose height, as you know, is 93 m. So, the Sculpture of Lenin would be one and a half times higher than “American freedom”, and would be considered the tallest sculpture in the world.

Construction was carried out quite actively, but during the war the metal frame of the building was dismantled. Made from it anti-tank hedgehogs for the defense of Moscow. After the war, they had to focus on rebuilding the country, and the project was put on hold. However, the idea of ​​building the Palace of Soviets did not leave Stalin until his death.

Under Khrushchev, on the preserved foundation of the Palace of Soviets, a huge outdoor swimming pool "Moscow" appeared. He worked all year round.

The Moskva pool operated from 1960 to 1994. In the early 90s, it was decided to recreate the one blown up by the Bolsheviks Cathedral, which was erected in gratitude to God for the salvation of Russia from the Napoleonic invasion.

The author of the project of the new Cathedral of Christ the Savior was the restorer Alexei Denisov. He soon gave way to another person. Ironically, the construction of the temple on the site where the world's largest building was supposed to appear was completed by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, famous for its size their creations.

There is a legend associated with the place where the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was built. In the 19th century, there was a cloister of the female Alekseevsky monastery here. The nuns heroically resisted the Napoleonic invaders and were able to save valuables and other monastic property. However, after the war, Emperor Nicholas I ordered the monastery to be sent to Krasnoe Selo, and all the buildings to be demolished. The abbess of the monastery refused to leave her and ordered to be chained to an oak that grew in the middle of the monastery courtyard. The abbess was forced to obey by force, but leaving, she allegedly cursed this place, predicting that "nothing would stand on it."

Main building of Moscow State University

Height with spire 240 meters, 36 floors.

All Stalinist skyscrapers were laid on the same day - September 7, 1947, when they celebrated the 800th anniversary of Moscow. It was a symbol of a new stage in the life of the ancient capital.

Here is what the Ogonyok magazine wrote about this:

“At 1 pm, the laying of multi-storey buildings in different parts of Moscow takes place. Only one hour passes between the laying of the monument to the founder of Moscow, Yuri Dolgoruky, and the laying of multi-storey buildings. But all soul Soviet country passes before us during this hour: the distant past of Russia, a warrior on horseback, in a helmet and chain mail, pointing down with his hand: “Moscow is here,” and gigantic, multi-storey buildings built according to last word technology for the people of socialist society, for the builders of communism, for the new people.

photo: Dmitry Chistoprudov

The main building of Moscow State University is the largest of all the Stalinist skyscrapers. It has 36 floors, and the height with the spire reaches 240 meters. And perhaps the most legendary.

One of the most common stories is about cryogenic installations. Like, so that the weak soil does not float, they decided to freeze it. Legend has it that the builders dug a huge pit for the foundation, filled it with liquid nitrogen, and then put the refrigeration units on what is now called the 3rd basement or floor-3. They say that if the freezers are turned off, the building will allegedly slide into the Moscow River in a week. At the same time, they add that the zone was top-secret and was connected by a Metro-2 branch with underground city in Ramenki.

However, many experts say that all this is far from reality. The technology of freezing the soil was, and it was used, first of all, by the builders of the subway. True, not liquid nitrogen was used, in which the metal crumbles, but chilled salts of calcium chloride. Low temperatures they turned semi-liquid soil into an artificial rock that did not let a drop of water through and could withstand enormous pressure. However, the Moscow State University building stands on extremely dense and absolutely dry soils, which there is no need to freeze, experts say.

Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Height 172 meters, 27 floors.

According to the original design, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not have a spire. But when the project was brought to Stalin for approval, he personally completed it. Calculations showed that the building would not withstand a stone superstructure, so the spire was constructed from sheet steel and painted with ocher.

Initially, it was noticeable that it differed in color from the rest of the skyscraper. They say that during the “thaw” Khrushchev was offered to remove the spire, but it was as if the Secretary General, with the words “Let it be a monument to Stalin’s stupidity,” ordered him to leave it. But where is the stupidity? Spiers of steel feature all seven Moscow skyscrapers.

Administrative and residential building near the "Red Gate"

height 138 meters, 24 floors

During the construction of the base of a high-rise building on Lermontovskaya Square, a technique was used that had no analogues in terms of technical courage and engineering art. The fact is that the house with a height of 138 meters was built simultaneously with the Krasnye Vorota metro station.

Designers are faced with difficult problem: for some time, a multi-storey building will be located on the very edge of the pit, therefore, the soil will settle unevenly and the high-rise building will tilt. Therefore, it was decided to specifically build with a slope. Before that, the soil along the perimeter of the pit was artificially frozen according to the metro construction technology. When it then melted, the building sank and assumed a strictly vertical position. This method has never been used anywhere else due to the complexity of the calculations.

House on Kudrinskaya Square (Vosstaniya)

Height 156 meters, 24 floors

Height 156 meters. The building has 24 floors, 18 of which are residential. The skyscraper was nicknamed the "House of Aviators" due to the fact that apartments in it (and there are 450 in total) were provided to workers in the aviation industry. Under the building there is a bomb shelter that can accommodate all residents.

The upper floors housed special KGB equipment for monitoring the American embassy, ​​which is located nearby, on Novinsky Boulevard. There is a story in the press that there are secret corridors in the building, with the help of which the Chekists could listen in on the conversations of the residents.

Hotel "Ukraine"

height 206 meters

After the Main Building of Moscow State University, this is the second tallest Stalinist skyscraper - 206 meters. The hotel was built in 1953-1957 and got its name in honor of the homeland of General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev. Under Stalin, the project was called "Hotel building in Dorogomilov". "Ukraine" opened Kutuzovsky Prospekt.

At one time it was the largest hotel complex in Europe. In April 2010, the hotel reopened after a large-scale restoration under the new name "Radisson Royal".

Hotel Leningradskaya

Height - 136 meters

In the family of Stalin's skyscrapers, the Leningradskaya Hotel is the lowest - 136 meters. The building was named after the nearby Leningradsky railway station. A few years ago, the hotel was acquired by the Hilton chain.

It is worth noting that many new technologies were used in the construction of skyscrapers. So, ceramic plates were used in the wall cladding. At that time it was best material. It not only fully met the architectural and artistic requirements, but also greatly facilitated the operation of the building. Ceramics allows washing the facade with water and steam, without requiring long-term repairs.

Residential building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment

The building is 176 meters high and has 32 floors. It has about five hundred apartments. AT Soviet time they were provided to famous scientists and artists, as well as nomenclature workers.

According to some reports, the place for this building was personally chosen by Lavrenty Beria, who oversaw the construction of all skyscrapers through the state security agencies. The house on Kotelnicheskaya embankment also has shops, a post office and an Illusion cinema.

Skyscraper in Zaryadye

The eighth Stalin skyscraper was never built - Stalin's death prevented it. AT administrative building in Zaryadye they wanted to place the People's Commissariat of Heavy Engineering. The house on the banks of the Moskva River was supposed to be the largest of all the Stalinist skyscrapers - 275 meters. If it were built, then Red Square would look something like this:

The Rossiya Hotel was built on the foundation of this skyscraper. By the way, it was built according to the project of architect Dmitry Chechulin, the author of the high-rise building in Zaryadye.

In 2006, the hotel was closed due to the fact that the building was badly dilapidated. It was impossible to blow it up because of the proximity of the Kremlin, so the upper floors were dismantled with the help of tower cranes, and the lower ones were broken with heavy equipment. It is expected that this place will be a park.

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The Stalinist skyscrapers that appeared in the middle of the 20th century in Moscow adorned it, becoming one of the main symbols of the capital. grandiose buildings were simultaneously embedded in different areas cities on September 7, 1947. It was on this day that the country, which had not yet recovered from the war and mass famine, celebrated the 800th anniversary of Moscow.

At that time in the USSR there was no experience in building houses above 12 floors, and there was no necessary technical base. New buildings were erected at their own peril and risk, many of the work was done by hand, and projects were often finalized in the midst of construction. Almost every Stalinist skyscraper in Moscow turned out to be higher than it was supposed to be in the original project.

Stalin's skyscraper near the Krasnye Vorota metro station

The main building of the skyscraper at 21, Sadovaya-Spasskaya Street, has a height of 138 m and 24 floors. It is intended for public institutions, and 276 apartments are located in the side buildings. This Stalinist skyscraper, built in 1952, houses the lobby of the Krasnye Vorota metro station.
The construction of the building was carried out simultaneously with the construction of the metro exit, and the house was located almost at the edge of the pit. To avoid subsidence of the soil, a method was applied that has no analogues in its technical courage. After the most complicated calculations, it was decided to freeze the soil. To do this, they drilled 270 wells with a depth of 27 m and lowered freezers there.

House near the metro station "Red Gate". Sadovo-Spasskaya street, 21.

Artificial freezing led to heaving of the soil. To prevent the building from tilting after the ground was defrosted, it was deliberately erected at a slight slope. When the ground thawed, the building, under the weight of its own weight, took a vertical position. This unprecedented method, which was used by the architects B. S. Mezentsev and A. N. Dushkin, has never been used anywhere else in the world due to the exceptional complexity of the calculations.

Building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment

The Stalinist skyscraper, the closest to the Kremlin, built according to the project of D.N. Chechulin and A.K. Rostkovsky, has 32 floors and rises to 176 m. pre-Petrine Russia: battlements of the Kremlin wall and curls of St. Basil's Cathedral. This house was practically a "city within a city." In addition to apartments, there was a cinema, Kindergarten, deli, dry cleaning, laundry, post office, hairdresser and library.

High-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment. Kotelnicheskaya embankment, house 1/15.

In 1952, housing in the house 1/15 on Kotelnicheskaya embankment was received by the military, scientists and creative intelligentsia: composers, writers, famous singers, directors and artists. All apartments were rented with kitchen furniture, crystal chandeliers, imported sanitary ware, expensive parquet and tiles. This house holds the record among all the Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow in terms of the number of filming in films: it appears in almost two dozen films.

The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Smolensko-Sennaya Square, 32/34.

The Stalin skyscraper at 32/34 Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square is made in neo-Gothic style, which is typical for New York skyscrapers. The facade of the building is decorated with a huge reinforced concrete coat of arms of the Soviet Union with an area of ​​144 sq.m. The new building was put into operation in 1953. It rises to 172 m and has 27 floors. This building was designed by architects M. A. Minkus and V. G. Gelfreikh, and according to the project, it was without a spire. According to legend, I. V. Stalin ordered to build it up.
The calculations showed that the high-rise structure would not be able to withstand a stone superstructure, and the 56-meter spire was made of steel, painted to match the color of granite. To fix the supports during its installation, it was necessary to break through the 5 upper floors. Due to the fragility of the steel spire, this Stalinist skyscraper was the only one not topped. five pointed star. In 2017, the dilapidated old spire was replaced with a new one.

Moscow State University

The most monumental of Stalin's skyscrapers is Moscow University ( Lenin's mountains, d. 1). The building was built in 1953 according to the design of a team of architects headed by B. M. Iofan. The gilded spire of this grand structure, even in bad weather visible for tens of kilometers. From the ground, the emblem on the spire seems light and openwork, but in reality the wreath diameter is 9.5 m, the star has a weight of 12 tons, and the height of the spire is 60 m.

University of Moscow. Leninsky mountains, house 1.

Moscow University until 1990 was considered the highest building in Europe. It has 32 floors, and its height together with the spire is 240 m. The clock installed on the side tower is the largest in Moscow. The minute hand alone is over 4 meters long and weighs 39 kg. The university is the only project where it was possible to fully implement the plans of the architects, having landscaped the entire surrounding area.

The customer of the Stalinist skyscraper, located in Moscow on Kudrinskaya Square, 1, was the Ministry of Aviation Industry. 450 apartments were received by employees of this department and pilots. The building, 156 m high, consists of a main building with 24 floors and 18-story wings. It was distinguished by granite floors, marble columns, stained-glass windows in the lobby and unique solutions for that time.

Aviators' House. Kudrinskaya square, house 1.

The house, whose construction was completed in 1954 according to the project of M. V. Posokhin and A. A. Mndoyants, has an underground parking and a room for prams. All apartments are provided with an air conditioning system, a central vacuum cleaner, an intercom to the lobby, a garbage chute and city telephones. The apartments were equipped with refrigerators, dishwashers and household waste shredders.

The majestic building is located on Kalanchevskaya street, 21/40, next to three metropolitan railway stations. This is the lowest of the seven skyscrapers in Moscow. It has 21 floors and rises to 136 m. The new building was erected in 1954 over the place where two underground rivers. To form a reliable support, 1400 ten-meter piles were installed, on which the building was erected.

Hotel "Leningradskaya". Kalanchevskaya street, house 21/40.

The exterior design was made under the influence of medieval Russian architecture, and the interior decoration was reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral. The splendor of hotel interiors and lobbies was amazing. Sculptures, stucco, precious woods, gems, golden smalt were used in the design. The bronze chandelier-garland was even listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

It is not surprising that during the time of N. S. Khrushchev, “features of false, bourgeois pomposity and unbridled embellishment” were found in the architecture of the building. Architects A. B. Boretsky and L. M. Polyakov became the first victims of the struggle against architectural excesses: they were deprived of the title of laureates Stalin Prize. Recently, the hotel joined the Hilton chain, and after a major overhaul, the luxurious five-star Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya hotel opened its doors to guests.

Hotel "Ukraine". Kutuzovsky prospect, house 2/1.

New building on Kutuzovsky prospect, d. 2/1 was erected later than others - in 1957, after the death of I.V. Stalin and the unfolding struggle against excesses in architecture. The decision to complete the construction was influenced by the holding of the World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow, and shortly before the arrival of foreign delegates, the hotel was put into operation. The soil under the building was oversaturated with water, so during construction it was constantly pumped out.
The 34-storey hotel, built according to the project of A. G. Mordvinov with the participation of V. K. Oltarzhevsky, is the second tallest among all seven Stalinist skyscrapers. It rises to 206 m. Two side wings adjoin the main building, in which 250 apartments are located. "Ukraine" is the highest hotel not only in Moscow, but throughout Europe. After a recent renovation, it has reopened as the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow.

Stalin skyscrapers on the map of Moscow

Not everyone knows how many and where Stalinist skyscrapers were planned to be erected. It was assumed that the eighth building, laid near the Kremlin, would be the highest - 275 m. But in the wake of the fight against excesses in architecture, construction was stopped. The Rossiya Hotel soon appeared on the finished stylobate, which was demolished in 2010. Now the best Zaryadye park in Moscow has been opened on this site.

All Stalin skyscrapers on the map of Moscow. Zoom on click

The majestic Palace of Soviets was supposed to be the ninth - this was the planned number of Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow. According to legend, the sites for construction were not chosen by chance. Experts say that powerful energy is felt in these places, which the buildings were supposed to accumulate and “transfer” to the Palace of Soviets. It was planned to be erected on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Savior, but this monumental project was not implemented.

7 Stalin skyscrapers - majestic symbols of Moscow

Grandiose buildings were erected in a ruined country, many of whose inhabitants lived in barracks and communal apartments. According to declassified archives, the construction of each of the Stalinist skyscrapers in Moscow cost the Soviet Union 250 million pre-reform rubles. In terms of modern money, this is 90 million dollars. The cost of the main building of Moscow State University was almost 10 times higher - this amount is comparable to the cost of restoring the destroyed Stalingrad.

Stalin skyscrapers in Moscow. Infographics.

Stalin's skyscrapers are seven tall buildings which were built in 1940-1950.

In 1947, the Russian capital turned 800 years old. It was for this solemn event that the authorities decided to build seven high-rise buildings, which were supposed to personify the power of the Soviet people and the great country.

By order of I.V. Stalin, the “Resolution” was issued and signed, according to which the architectural appearance of all Russian cities should have been updated. For this, numerous projects began to be developed, and the All-Union Academy of Architecture was created.

On the day of the 800th anniversary Russian capital 8 Moscow skyscrapers were laid. Thus began active construction, which was accompanied by some secrecy.

But, unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, one of the skyscrapers was not completed. A little later, on the foundation of one of the skyscrapers, the Rossiya Hotel was built. But in 2006, a skyscraper similar to architectural style to the "Stalinist style" of the 50s.

1. Building on Kudrinskaya Square

The height of the building is 156 m, it was built in 1954. A.A. Mndoyants and M.V. Posokhin are architects.

The construction of the building lasted from 1948 to 1954. The building consists of 24 floors, 18 residential floors. Today there are 450 apartments in Stalinka. The building was nicknamed the "House of Aviators", since the apartments in it were provided to workers employed in aviation industry. Now in the building, in addition to apartments, there is a bowling club, numerous shops, a cinema. The construction process was closely monitored by the KGB.

2. Main building of Moscow State University

The height is 236 m, the building was built in 1953. P.V. Abrosimov. A.F. Khryakov, V.N. Nasonov, L.V. Rudnev, S.E. Chernyshev became architects.

Main building The university was built over 4 years, from 1949 to 1953. It took at least 40 thousand tons of steel to build the building, and 175 million bricks were used to build the walls. For such large building 68 elevators had to be made, as well as 68 high-speed cabins.

3. Hotel Ukraine

Hotel "Ukraine" has found its location at the intersection of Novy Arbat and Kutuzovsky Prospekt. The height of the Stalinka is 206 m. The hotel includes 34 floors. The construction was carried out in 1953-1957, and it got its name in honor of the homeland of General Secretary N. Khrushchev.

Hotel "Ukraine" has become one of the largest in Europe and includes approximately 500 rooms, a large number of restaurants and bars, as well as large pool. In 2000, the hotel was resold to Biscuit LLC. On April 28, 2010, the Stalin skyscraper was finally restored and put into operation.

4. Building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment

The height is 176 m, the building was built in 1952. A.K. Rostkovsky and D.N. Chechulin - architects.

Stalinka began to be built in 1938, the construction was completed after the Second World War in 1948-1952. The skyscraper has 32 floors. According to the plan of the authorities, Stalinka was to become not only a residential, but also a strategic facility. Part of the project was kept secret.

5. The building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square

The height of the building is 172 m, the building was built in 1953. M.A. Minkus and V.G. Gelfreich - architects.

The skyscraper was built between 1948 and 1953. On 27 floors there are ministries of foreign affairs, external economic ties and trade. total area interior spaces is 65 thousand square meters. meters.

The skyscraper is equipped with 28 elevators, of which 18 are high-speed elevators. The building was built quite in an unusual way top down. Initially, a full-length frame was built.

6. Hotel Leningradskaya

The height is 136 m, the building was built in 1954. A.B. Boretsky and L.M. Polyakov - architects.

The construction of the hotel took place over five years from 1949 to 1954. The hotel has 275 rooms, as well as shops, a beauty salon, restaurants and much more typical of 5-star hotels. In spite of overhaul The building has retained its original appearance and interior. And the facades of the building were given additional luxury.

7. Building on Red Gate Square

Height is 138 m, rear built in 1953. B.S. Mezentsev and A.N. Dushkin - architects.

The house combines both residential and administrative premises. The building was built between 1949 and 1953. In addition to the Ministry of Transport Engineering, the building also housed the Moscow Interbank Stock Exchange, Transstroy Corporation and a bank. The building was erected in high point Garden Ring. Despite the fact that the building has 24 floors, it can visually compare with the 36-story Moscow State University.

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On September 7, 1947, in honor of the 800th anniversary of the city in Moscow, the construction of seven Stalinist skyscrapers began at the same time. The eighth planned building in Zaryadye was never built - the largest hotel in Europe, Rossiya, appeared in its place. How the symbols of the Stalinist Empire were built - in the RBC photo gallery.

Skyscraper on Red Gate Square

Skyscraper at the Red Gate

Height: 138 m

Architects: Alexey Dushkin, Boris Mezentsev

The construction of a 24-storey building on Red Gate Square was completed in 1952; the building is located at the highest point of the Garden Ring. The architect Alexey Dushkin was responsible for the project, who also designed the building " children's world”on Lubyanka, metro stations “Kropotkinskaya”, “Mayakovskaya”, “Revolution Square”, “Novoslobodskaya”. In Soviet times, the building housed the Ministry of Transport Engineering, now it houses the Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange, the Transstroy Corporation and the Russian Trade Union of Railway and Transport Builders. This is the only skyscraper combined with a metro station, which, given the instability of the Moscow soil, required unique engineering solutions from the creators. The house and the subway were built at the same time. Since part of the skyscraper hung over the subway pit, it was built at an angle, and the ground was frozen to a depth of 27 meters. When the work was completed, the soil thawed and the skyscraper rose to a vertical position.

Skyscraper at the Red Gate

(Photo: Frame from the film "Moscow in Color" / pastvu.com)

The skyscraper was built on the site of a demolished quarter of pre-revolutionary residential buildings, in one of which Mikhail Lermontov was born in 1814. In memory of the poet, from 1941 to 1992, the Red Gate Square was called Lermontovskaya.

Hotel Leningradskaya

Hotel Leningradskaya

Height: 136 m

Architects: Leonid Polyakov, Alexander Boretsky

The construction of the building on Kalanchevskaya Street was completed in 1953. In the family of Stalinist high-rise buildings, the Leningradskaya Hotel is the lowest - 136 m in height.

With her builders at a depth of 8.5 m stumbled upon a "quicksand" - saturated with water priming. The construction was suspended, for its continuation it was necessary to drive piles along the perimeter of the foundation.

Hotel Leningradskaya

(Photo: Moscow Heritage magazine No. 6/2008 / pastvu.com)

In 2008, after reconstruction, the hotel opened under the Hilton brand and received a new name - Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya. All restoration work was financed by Sadko-Hotel OJSC, which is associated with the Gutseriev family. According to experts, investments amounted to $45-50 million.​

Skyscraper on Kudrinskaya Square

House on Kudrinskaya

Height: 156 m

Architects: Mikhail Posokhin, Ashot Mndoyants​

Residential building on Kudrinskaya Square ( former square Vosstaniya) was completed in 1954. The construction was carried out by the Ministry of Aviation Industry, and apartments were provided mainly to senior employees of the department. For this reason, the building was sometimes called the "House of Aviators". Of the 24 floors, 18 are residential. Now, in addition to high-rise apartments, there is a cinema, shops, a bowling club.

Skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya embankment

Skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya

(Photo: Photo from the archive of A.K. Rostkovsky / pastvu.com)

Height: 176 m

Architects: Dmitry Chechulin, Andrey Rostkovsky

One of the first completed skyscrapers was a residential building on Kotelnicheskaya embankment. The construction was carried out by the Main Directorate of Industrial Construction Camps of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the main labor force was prisoners and German prisoners of war. They also posed for sculptors for the bas-reliefs of workers decorating the facades and lobby of the skyscraper.

At first, apartments were distributed among the NKVD officers, later scientists and cultural figures began to move into the house. AT different time writers Vasily Aksenov, Konstantin Paustovsky, Alexander Tvardovsky, actress Faina Ranevskaya, ballerina Galina Ulanova and poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko lived here. The latter wrote about the cockroaches that inhabited the house - a consequence of the former flour warehouses, on the site of which a skyscraper was built: "Only Zykina began to sing, / from the ceilings / the choir / Prussians went to sing along."

Skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya

(Photo: Naum Granovsky / book "Moscow by Naum Granovsky" / pastvu.com)

According to realtors, the house on Kotelnicheskaya embankment remains the most status among the other skyscrapers. The price of a two-room apartment here is up to 30 million, 40 million and even 50 million rubles.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs building

(Photo: Dmitry Baltermants / Ogonyok Magazine No. 38/1949 / pastvu.com)

Height: 172 m

Architects: Vladimir Gelfreikh, Mikhail Minkus

The administrative building on Smolenskaya Square was the first to be built. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and the Ministry of Trade are located on 27 floors.

The original design of the building did not involve a spire - it was designed and installed later by Stalin's decree. Due to the impossibility of building a full-fledged spire, it was made in the form of a decorative metal tent completion.

(Photo: Naum Granovsky / TASS newsreel)

In September 2016, work to dismantle the spire on the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the course of the work, individual fragments of the roof of the building were also replaced. “The updated spire will be lighter, which will reduce the load on the entire structure,” it was reported on official portal Moscow mayor's office.

In November 2016, the Russian Foreign Ministry created its own channel on Telegram and created a collection of stickers, including images of the main building of the ministry.

Hotel "Ukraine"

Hotel "Ukraine"

(Photo: Vladislav Mikosha / MAMM / MDF / russiainphoto.ru)

Height: 206 m

Architects: Arkady Mordvinov

The building was completed in 1957. The 206 m high hotel was then the tallest hotel building in Europe. A group of architects led by the President of the USSR Academy of Architecture Arkady Mordvinov was responsible for the appearance of the Ukraina Hotel.

During the construction of the building, due to the proximity of the river, groundwater pumps were used around the clock.

Hotel "Ukraine"

In 2005, the structures of the “Kievskaya Ploshchad” God Nisanov and Zarakh Iliev, the hotel was owned by the Moscow authorities for $ 275 million, another $ 300 million was invested in reconstruction. In 2010, after restoration, the hotel began operating under the Radisson Royal brand.​

Main building of Moscow State University

Height: 236 m

Architects: Lev Rudnev, Sergey Chernyshev, Pavel Abrosimov, Alexander Khryakov, Vsevolod Nasonov

The main building of Moscow State University is the tallest of the Stalinist skyscrapers, until the 1990s it remained the tallest in Europe. Initially, the building of the main building of Moscow State University was planned to be built on the very edge of the Sparrow Hills, but because of the danger of landslides, the building was decided to be moved inland. To implement such large-scale project in complex geological conditions Innovative engineering solutions were needed, which were proposed by Vsevolod Nasonov and Nikolai Nikitin - later he built the Ostankino TV tower.

(Photo: Fine Art Images / Heritage Images / Getty Images)

For the construction of the building, a special Railway, which delivered Construction Materials. More than 16 thousand people, including prisoners, were involved in the work. According to the official Chronicle of Moscow State University, Gulag prisoners participated only in early stages construction sites. However, the human rights center "Memorial" cites data on the participation in the construction of the Moscow State University complex by about 8 thousand prisoners over the course of five years.

Historical data suggests that Stalin originally conceived 8 skyscrapers, which were supposed to demonstrate to the whole world how majestic it is Soviet Union. The location of the houses was planned to be special, it was supposed to resemble the perimeter Egyptian pyramids and serve to accumulate energy flows. As a result, 7 skyscrapers were erected, which even today proudly rise in the center of the capital. These buildings have become a legend of Soviet architecture, they are covered with many secrets and legends.

Stalin's skyscrapers amaze with their beauty, these are monumental buildings that can fascinate with their power and grandeur. The laying of the foundations of all skyscrapers took place on the same day, it happened on September 7, when the capital celebrated its 800th anniversary. It is known that skyscrapers were to become an environment even more majestic building- Palace of the Soviets.

It was planned to build a huge palace, which would include a hundred-meter figure of Lenin. The height of the building was to be 420 meters along with the figure. But the war interfered with the plans, the building was dismantled. Metal structures went to other needs.

Stalin skyscrapers - style of architecture

When high-rise projects were being developed, the architects took into account the tastes of Stalin himself. It is known that he loved the Gothic, so all the buildings were crowned with pointed-type completions. At first, there were no spiers in the projects, then they were completed at the direction of the management. The ancient Roman aesthetics, elements of the classics, motifs of Russian architecture, characteristic of the 16th-17th centuries, can be traced in the architecture. It must be said that the characteristic architectural traditions of the capital are visible in the skyscraper silhouette. They are visible in the towers of the Kremlin, in the bell tower of the monastery, called Novodevichy, a slender vertical, which is inherent in the bell tower of Ivan the Great.

Stalin's skyscrapers in Moscow - where are they located?

The first skyscraper is a house on Kotelnicheskaya

The house of art workers was built according to the project of a famous architect named Chechulin. The house is located in a cozy and enough beautiful place- on the Kotelnicheskaya embankment. The building has 32 floors and is made in the Stalinist Empire style. The house is conceived the starting point reference for all other streets that lead to the river. The house was attached to the house of the Chekists. This complex has 700 apartments.

The second skyscraper - the house at the Red Gate

A house was built on the high point of the Garden Ring. The height of the building is 138 meters. Nearby is the metro station called Red Gate. Architects this project became Mezentsev and Dushkin. The house was originally intended for employees of the Ministry of Transport Engineering. Today, the building houses not only the aforementioned ministry, but also many of the most different organizations, including a currency exchange, a bank, a restaurant, shops, the Transstroy corporation.

The third skyscraper is a hotel called "Leningradskaya"

The building fits perfectly into the ensemble of the square on which it is located. Near the metro station "Red Gate" and "Kalanchevskaya". The hotel is known in the capital. The exterior decoration of this skyscraper is more elegant, it includes architectural elements typical for temples.

The fourth skyscraper is the House of Aviators

The skyscraper is located on Kudrinskaya Square, it is located near the metro station called Barrikadnaya. The ensemble consists of a central building and side ones. The central building has 24 floors, the side buildings have 18 floors each. High-rise apartments were received by workers in the aviation industry, test pilots, and astronauts.

Fifth skyscraper - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The building houses three ministries, namely the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Relations and Trade. There are 28 elevators in the building, 18 of them are high-speed elevators. I must say that this is the only skyscraper that does not have a star on its spire. Stalin was supposed to stand on the spire, but the design of the spire could create a serious load, it was replaced with a lightweight one.

Sixth skyscraper - a hotel called "Ukraine"

The building is located on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, next to the Kyiv metro station. Two thousand specialists developed a variety of details of the structure. The building has a spire 73 meters high. The perfection of the composition of the building is amazing. The hotel opened in 1957, the side buildings were given over to residential buildings.

Seventh skyscraper - Moscow State University

The Moscow State University building opened its doors in 1953. It is located on Sparrow Hills. Vera Mukhina was engaged in the design of the facades, as well as the creation of various sculptures. The building was designed by a group of architects led by Rudnev. The luxury of the interior decoration in this building is amazing. Stairs are made of marble, decor elements resemble palace ones.

Skyscrapers of Moscow Stalinist - how many pieces (addresses)

1. House on Kotelnicheskaya. Kotelnicheskaya embankment, house 1, fraction 15.

2. "Red Gate", Sadovaya-Spasskaya, house 21.

3. Hotel Leningradskaya, Kalanchevskaya, house 21, fraction 40.

4. Hotel Ukraine, avenue called Kutuzovsky, house 2.

5. Residential building. Kudrinskaya square, house 7.

6. The building of Moscow State University, Sparrow Hills, house 1.

7. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square, house 32, fraction 34.

If you want to visit the famous Stalinist skyscrapers with an excursion, it will be very convenient to stay at the Romashka hostel, located in close proximity to the main attractions of the capital. This hostel provides high level safety and comfort. Cozy and friendly atmosphere will not leave you indifferent.