The Most Beautiful Metro Stations in Moscow

Foreigners when coming to Moscow are usually astonished by the beauty of our metro. Somebody even told me:  “Ok, I’ve seen your metro and it is amazing, what else do you have? “. Though it was a bit embarrassing to hear that “what else? ” as we have PLENTY of other things to see, the fact remains that Moscow has one of the most beautiful metros in the world (I would say the most beautiful, actually). Yes, nowadays it terribly overloaded and at 8 o’clock in the morning you feel yourself like walking in the colony of penguins, but where else in the world you will see incredible mosaics on the walls, spectacular chandeliers and impressive sculptures to decorate the stations?

Metro in Moscow appeared in 1935, back then a lot of attention was paid to its appearance, that’s why the best architects and designers were invited to work on its decor. Each station has its own theme and unique design.

So let’s start our tour!

1)  Kievskaya station (opened in 1954).

It is located on Koltsevaya Line (Circle line), which has some of the most beautiful stations and a lot of secrets and stories about its construction. Thus, some documents say that Stalin ordered to build the subway according to astrological map, that’s why there are 12 stations on this line which correspond with 12 zodiac signs. The station’s decor is devoted to reunion between Russia and Ukraine.

 Image source

2. Mayakovskaya (opened in 1938)

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stations, architectural masterpiece in Art Deco Style. In 1937 it has got the first award on the World Exhibition of architecture in Paris. The supporting columns are finished with stainless steel and granite, while domes are decorated with colourful mosaics.

 3. Ploshchad’ Revolyutsii (opened in 1938)

This is one of the most famous stations named after Revolution Square, under which it is situated. It features marble arches with bronze sculptures depicting people of Soviet Union: students, soldiers, farmers, athletes, etc (76 scupltures in total). Some of them are credited with miraculous properties: for example, all students before exams come here to touch the nose of border guard’s dog which will guarantee you successful passing (tested it myself – works at 100%).

4. Novoslobodskaya (opened in 1952) 

My favourite station decorated with 32 amazing stained glass panels, made by Latvian artists. At the end of the station there is a mosaic created by Pavel Korin, named “Piece Throughout The World”.

5. Komsomolskaya (opened in 1952)

Large vestibule features huge octagonal dome, topped by a cupola, bright yellow walls and eight large mosaics by Pavel Korin. The theme of the design is Historical Russian fight for independence and freedom during the World War II.

6. Arbatskaya (opened in 1953)

The original Arbatskaya metro station was built much earlier but then was destroyed in 1941 by a German bomb attack. The station is made in the shape of elliptical tunnel with low, square pylons, beautiful floral reliefs and spectacular chandeliers.

7. Slavyanskiy Bulvar (opened in 2008)

Some of the modern stations of Moscow metro do also have very unusual and appealing design, take a look at this one, for example: