Let me lead you through the streets of Moscow

by Anni Pelmeni

In the previous post I mentioned that the quantity of living space was the priority of urban planning of Moscow. Standard functional buildings with minimum decorations were indeed the huge part of construction at that period. However, there was another side of Stalin period architecture. It also bore the weight of propaganda. Architecture seemed to be a popular means of propaganda of totalitarian regimes. Soviet techniques were really innovative for that time.

In early 1930s right after the first Metro lines in the city center were launched, that served as a pushing factor to turn special attention to the architecture of the main avenues. The need for more representative architecture was embedded in the so-called Stalin’s Empire style.

This style was heavily dominated by the ideological needs and political climate. Architecture was no longer a means of self-expression of the designers, rather is became an embodiment of main political propaganda. Everything was standardized, prescribed and approved of by the party leaders. The city had to be the part of ideology and transmit the ideas of superiority of Soviet model.

The huge flow of immigration from Soviet Russia left irreplaceable losses in the intellectual and artistic elites. However, the core of the architectors responsible for Stalin’s plans of reconstruction of Moscow were of old pre-revolution school. Those were the ones who had chosen to stay in Soviet Russia instead of immigrating and accepted new regime. The spreading of Stalin’s Empire style was due to the fact that there was a sufficient number of professionals who could plan and design city according to the directives of party bosses. However, their individual fates were not always satisfying…

It is quite easy to grasp the main traits of this style from the most prominent buildings of that time. Below are several pictures:

The most prominent representatives of Stalin’s Empire are those built right after World War II. The political message behind those buildings is clear and straightforward: this is the triumph of Soviet people. Elaborated design definitely makes these building the hallmarks of the city. I’m sure those who have been in Moscow remember the intimidating establishments on Frunzenskaya naberezhnaja.

The major aim of this architecture style was to praise Soviet system and the victorious Red Army. That is also reflected in the decoration designs which after the WWII includes the Red Army’s symbolism: stars, hammer and sickle, bas-relief depicting soldiers and pilots.

What make Stalin’s Empire style easily recognizable are heavy construction structures aiming to underline the power, sustainability and eternity; and abundant use of ideological symbolism in decoration.

by Anni Pelmeni

Today I continue the topic of Moscow development in Sovjet time.

Stalin’s regime had left ineffaceable traces in all the aspects of life. Urban planning is not an exception. Moscow as we know it now was mainly pre-shaped at that time.

Moreover, if the Kremlin is the hallmark of historical Moscow, the parts of the city known as Stalin’s Empire are the trademarks of modern Moscow.

It started in 1935 with the new urban plan of Moscow reconstruction which settled the strategy and schedule of building new quarters. But that time the first lines of Moscow Metro were already launched. And the newly shining down-below contrasted with nearly ramshackle up-above. The new Soviet regime required new Soviet living standards. The primary needs were the living space not the architectural variety, that’s why there are whole quarters of alike-looking buildings and streets that just imitate each other.

By the beginning of the 20th century Moscow had already a distinct radial- circular structure. It is obvious on the Metro plan which mirrors the up-above. Soviet city architectors have insisted on making the streets more straight and broad. Old wooden houses were torn down and new pretentious high buildings erected instead. These buildings are still to see on Leninsky prospect, Frunzenskaya naberezhnaja and Boulevard koltso.