Koltsevaya Line
The Koltsevaya Line or also called 'the Circle Line' is a 12 station line known as the most famous metro line in Moscow. All the stations on line 5 are built in Stalinist architecture.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
Noboslobodskaya - Новослободская
Opened on 30 January 1952 and designed by E. Veylandan, E. Krests, and M. Ryskin.
There are always some people obsessed with the stained glass in the church, and the architects ( Latvian artists E. Veylandan, E. Krests, and M. Ryskin of the new village station (Noboslobodskaya) are probably ones of them, because the station is best known for its 32 colorful painted glass pattern, embedded in the arched walls. At the end of the platform is a semi-circular mosaic mural by Pavel Korin entitled Peace Throughout the World.
(Photos by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 30 January 1952 and designed by E. Veylandan, E. Krests, and M. Ryskin.
There are always some people obsessed with the stained glass in the church, and the architects ( Latvian artists E. Veylandan, E. Krests, and M. Ryskin of the new village station (Noboslobodskaya) are probably ones of them, because the station is best known for its 32 colorful painted glass pattern, embedded in the arched walls. At the end of the platform is a semi-circular mosaic mural by Pavel Korin entitled Peace Throughout the World.
(Photos by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
Prospekt Mira - Проспект Мира
Opened on 30 January 1952 by architects Vladimir Gelfreykh and Mikhail Minkus.
The theme of this station develops the connotation of the name in the overall color tone. The pylons are faced with flared white marble, and are topped with ceramic bas-relief frieze made of floral elements. In the centre are medallion bas-reliefs (work of G.Motovilov) featuring the different aspects in the development of agriculture in the Soviet Union. The station walls are laid with dark red Ural marble and chessboard floor pattern is made of grey and black granite. The ceiling vault is decorated with casts, and lighting comes from several cylindrical chandeliers.
The station's vestibule is built into the ground floor of a multi-story building on the corner of Mira Avenue and Protopopovsky lane. Designed by A. Arkin, its façade features sculptures and an original clock over the two archways. Inside, opposite the escalator hall is a large smalt artwork Mothers of the World by A.Kuznetsov.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 30 January 1952 by architects Vladimir Gelfreykh and Mikhail Minkus.
The theme of this station develops the connotation of the name in the overall color tone. The pylons are faced with flared white marble, and are topped with ceramic bas-relief frieze made of floral elements. In the centre are medallion bas-reliefs (work of G.Motovilov) featuring the different aspects in the development of agriculture in the Soviet Union. The station walls are laid with dark red Ural marble and chessboard floor pattern is made of grey and black granite. The ceiling vault is decorated with casts, and lighting comes from several cylindrical chandeliers.
The station's vestibule is built into the ground floor of a multi-story building on the corner of Mira Avenue and Protopopovsky lane. Designed by A. Arkin, its façade features sculptures and an original clock over the two archways. Inside, opposite the escalator hall is a large smalt artwork Mothers of the World by A.Kuznetsov.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Komsomolskaya - Комсомольская
Opened on 20 January 1952 and Designed by Alexey Shchusey.
This station is known as the most loaded one on the line and is named after the hard youth workers who helped the early construction. It's also seen as a dedication to the victory over Nazi Germany. These days you still feel and see the victory walking through the hall of this station . Shchusey designed the station in pure Petrine baroque style. It consists heavy concrete pylons with narrow octagonal steel columns, riveted with marble tiles, which all creates the larger open space.
Once on the platform level, the full details of the special design on a monolithic plan become apparent. There is an imposing Baroque ceiling, with accompanying yellow friezes.The platform is lit up by chandeliers and additional concealed elements.
The Mosaics were designed as an illustration of a historical speech given by Joseph Stalin in 1941. All the historical figures Stalin talked about appeared on the artworks. In between each mosaic are further ones made of gilded glass depicting various weaponry and armour: one set is focused on ancient Russian equipment, a second on the Napoleonic era, the third on World War II.
Awards
In 1951 Alexeley Shchusey got awarded the Stalin Prize for his work on the station.
In 1958 the station was also awarded the Grand Prix ("Grand Prize") title of Expo 58 in Brussels.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 20 January 1952 and Designed by Alexey Shchusey.
This station is known as the most loaded one on the line and is named after the hard youth workers who helped the early construction. It's also seen as a dedication to the victory over Nazi Germany. These days you still feel and see the victory walking through the hall of this station . Shchusey designed the station in pure Petrine baroque style. It consists heavy concrete pylons with narrow octagonal steel columns, riveted with marble tiles, which all creates the larger open space.
Once on the platform level, the full details of the special design on a monolithic plan become apparent. There is an imposing Baroque ceiling, with accompanying yellow friezes.The platform is lit up by chandeliers and additional concealed elements.
The Mosaics were designed as an illustration of a historical speech given by Joseph Stalin in 1941. All the historical figures Stalin talked about appeared on the artworks. In between each mosaic are further ones made of gilded glass depicting various weaponry and armour: one set is focused on ancient Russian equipment, a second on the Napoleonic era, the third on World War II.
Awards
In 1951 Alexeley Shchusey got awarded the Stalin Prize for his work on the station.
In 1958 the station was also awarded the Grand Prix ("Grand Prize") title of Expo 58 in Brussels.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Taganskaya – Таганская
Opened on 1 january 1950 and designed by K. Ryzhkov and A. Medvedev.
Close to the remains of the old Taganska Prison at the Taganska this metro station is located. Around the same time the prison got demolished, and inmates stopped singing about this place of horror, the metro station was built, in 1950. The station was designed by architects K. Ryzhkov and A. Medvedev.
This stop is a rather modest salute to the heroes of Soviet War. The first things that catch the eye in Taganskaya are the azure-blue panels. On these panels faces are depicted of soldiers, pilots and other military servicemen from World War II. Their portraits are surrounded by small details from historical battles, including knights and battleships. Small flowers bind them together, to complete the glorification of a bloody history.
The technique used on these panels is called 'maiolica', which is a literal translation of Mallorca. Even though it originated in Italy in the Renaissance period. In general, maiolica is a tin-glazed pottery, quite similar to Delftware.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 1 january 1950 and designed by K. Ryzhkov and A. Medvedev.
Close to the remains of the old Taganska Prison at the Taganska this metro station is located. Around the same time the prison got demolished, and inmates stopped singing about this place of horror, the metro station was built, in 1950. The station was designed by architects K. Ryzhkov and A. Medvedev.
This stop is a rather modest salute to the heroes of Soviet War. The first things that catch the eye in Taganskaya are the azure-blue panels. On these panels faces are depicted of soldiers, pilots and other military servicemen from World War II. Their portraits are surrounded by small details from historical battles, including knights and battleships. Small flowers bind them together, to complete the glorification of a bloody history.
The technique used on these panels is called 'maiolica', which is a literal translation of Mallorca. Even though it originated in Italy in the Renaissance period. In general, maiolica is a tin-glazed pottery, quite similar to Delftware.
(Photo by Joppe Peeters)
Paveletskaya - Павелецкая
Opened on 1 January 1950, mostly designed by Nikolai Kolli.
Bright bronze chandeliers provide a remarkable lighting in this station. The walls repeat the two tone marble, white on top, red on bottom, and the floor is laid with grey and white granite.
Inside the entrance hall above the escalator is a circular mosaic panel named 'Red Square' by Pavel Korin which depicts the Lenin's Mausoleum and the Saint Basil's Cathedral, in a relief frame with typical soviet banners and floral arrangements.
A major change happened during 1961. In the end of the station was a large medallion with an image of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. It was removed during the de-Stalinization period and replaced by the present artwork by Pavel Korin showing the Coat of Arms of the Soviet Union being held by a worker man and peasant woman amid floral backgrounds.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
Opened on 1 January 1950, mostly designed by Nikolai Kolli.
Bright bronze chandeliers provide a remarkable lighting in this station. The walls repeat the two tone marble, white on top, red on bottom, and the floor is laid with grey and white granite.
Inside the entrance hall above the escalator is a circular mosaic panel named 'Red Square' by Pavel Korin which depicts the Lenin's Mausoleum and the Saint Basil's Cathedral, in a relief frame with typical soviet banners and floral arrangements.
A major change happened during 1961. In the end of the station was a large medallion with an image of Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin. It was removed during the de-Stalinization period and replaced by the present artwork by Pavel Korin showing the Coat of Arms of the Soviet Union being held by a worker man and peasant woman amid floral backgrounds.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
Dobryninskaya - Добрынинская
Opened on 1 January 1950 and designed by Leonid Popov.
Dobryninskaya looks like a more sober station, in Moscow terms of course. Architect Leonid Popov based his designs on The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, a small and old church in the middle of swampy grasslands. Its design is very sober and creates a feeling of harmony. The lamps, which zigzag above your head, are the most remarkable things in this station.
In the marble walls, there are some reliefs, depicting scenes of old and traditional Russian labour by sculptor Yelena Yason-Manizer. In the vestibule there are three impressive mosaics from floor to ceiling, but in the end of the hall there's another one. This one is definitely not as impressive as the big ones. However, it has an interesting history. It used to be a relief of Stalin. During the Destalinization-period, after his reign, they replaced it. On one of the big ones in the vestibule, another image of Stalin has been replaced by a portrait of Yuri Gagarin.
(Photos by Joppe Peeters and Luka Van Royen)
Opened on 1 January 1950 and designed by Leonid Popov.
Dobryninskaya looks like a more sober station, in Moscow terms of course. Architect Leonid Popov based his designs on The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, a small and old church in the middle of swampy grasslands. Its design is very sober and creates a feeling of harmony. The lamps, which zigzag above your head, are the most remarkable things in this station.
In the marble walls, there are some reliefs, depicting scenes of old and traditional Russian labour by sculptor Yelena Yason-Manizer. In the vestibule there are three impressive mosaics from floor to ceiling, but in the end of the hall there's another one. This one is definitely not as impressive as the big ones. However, it has an interesting history. It used to be a relief of Stalin. During the Destalinization-period, after his reign, they replaced it. On one of the big ones in the vestibule, another image of Stalin has been replaced by a portrait of Yuri Gagarin.
(Photos by Joppe Peeters and Luka Van Royen)
Park Kultury - Парк культyры
Opened on 1 January 1950 and designed by Igor Rozhin.
The station is a standard pylon-trivault, that was. Architect Igor Rozhin (who would then design the Luzhniki Stadium) applied a classic sport recreational theme to match the connotation with the ancient-Greek inspired transfer station. This includes large and imposing pylons faced with grey marble that came directly from Georgia. The floor is laid with black and grey granite tiles imitating a carpet. The walls are faced with white marble and labrodite. Decoratively the station contains 26 circular bas-reliefs by Iosif Rabinovich which depict sporting and other leisure activities of the Soviet youth.
At the end of the station is a large marble wall with a small profile bas-relief of Maxim Gorky. The station was initially called "Park Kultury imeni Gorkogo" (Парк Культуры имени Горького) but during the 1980 Moscow Olympics this was shortened as the Russian announcements were repeated in English and French during the games. After the Olympics the shorter name was retained. The original long form appears in bronze letters next to Gorky's image.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 1 January 1950 and designed by Igor Rozhin.
The station is a standard pylon-trivault, that was. Architect Igor Rozhin (who would then design the Luzhniki Stadium) applied a classic sport recreational theme to match the connotation with the ancient-Greek inspired transfer station. This includes large and imposing pylons faced with grey marble that came directly from Georgia. The floor is laid with black and grey granite tiles imitating a carpet. The walls are faced with white marble and labrodite. Decoratively the station contains 26 circular bas-reliefs by Iosif Rabinovich which depict sporting and other leisure activities of the Soviet youth.
At the end of the station is a large marble wall with a small profile bas-relief of Maxim Gorky. The station was initially called "Park Kultury imeni Gorkogo" (Парк Культуры имени Горького) but during the 1980 Moscow Olympics this was shortened as the Russian announcements were repeated in English and French during the games. After the Olympics the shorter name was retained. The original long form appears in bronze letters next to Gorky's image.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
Kiyevskaya - Киевская
Opened on 30 January 1952, Designed by a submitted team during a competition in Ukraine.
This station is named after the nearby Kiyevsky Rail Terminal. It stands for celebration of the Russo-Ukrainian unity and contribution back in the days.
The design features low, square pylons faced with white marble and surmounted by large mosaics which celebrate unity between Russia and Ukraine. Both the mosaics and the arches between the pylons are edged with elaborate gold-colored trim. At the end of the platform is a portrait of Vladimir Lenin.
One of the station's entrances is topped by a reproduction of an Art Nouveau Paris Metro entrance given by the Régie autonome des transports parisiens in 2006. In exchange the Russian artist Ivan Lubennikov installed an artwork at Madeleine station in Paris.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
Opened on 30 January 1952, Designed by a submitted team during a competition in Ukraine.
This station is named after the nearby Kiyevsky Rail Terminal. It stands for celebration of the Russo-Ukrainian unity and contribution back in the days.
The design features low, square pylons faced with white marble and surmounted by large mosaics which celebrate unity between Russia and Ukraine. Both the mosaics and the arches between the pylons are edged with elaborate gold-colored trim. At the end of the platform is a portrait of Vladimir Lenin.
One of the station's entrances is topped by a reproduction of an Art Nouveau Paris Metro entrance given by the Régie autonome des transports parisiens in 2006. In exchange the Russian artist Ivan Lubennikov installed an artwork at Madeleine station in Paris.
(Photo by Luka Van Royen)
Belorusskaya – Белорусская
Opened on 30 January 1952 and designed by Ivan Taranov, Z. Abramova, A. Markova, and Ya. Tatarzhinskaya.
Named after the Belorussky railway station, it might be no surprise this station is dedicated to Belarus. Big octagonal mosaics of Belarusian daily life and culture are placed in the middle of the ceiling in the hallway. They are surrounded by a patterned plaster ceiling. A bomb exploded in this station in 2002, injuring seven people.
A sculpture, made by Matvey Manizer, guards the station. The sculpture represents a Belarussian partisan family. They are believed to be a patron of people going on a trip or vacation. If girls desire a holiday-crush, they have to rub the gun of the small boy in the statue. Boys, on the other hand, can rub the girl's gun, if they want some sweet summer love. When you notice how many Russians actually do it, you finally realise how serious the local people take this belief.
(Photos by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
Opened on 30 January 1952 and designed by Ivan Taranov, Z. Abramova, A. Markova, and Ya. Tatarzhinskaya.
Named after the Belorussky railway station, it might be no surprise this station is dedicated to Belarus. Big octagonal mosaics of Belarusian daily life and culture are placed in the middle of the ceiling in the hallway. They are surrounded by a patterned plaster ceiling. A bomb exploded in this station in 2002, injuring seven people.
A sculpture, made by Matvey Manizer, guards the station. The sculpture represents a Belarussian partisan family. They are believed to be a patron of people going on a trip or vacation. If girls desire a holiday-crush, they have to rub the gun of the small boy in the statue. Boys, on the other hand, can rub the girl's gun, if they want some sweet summer love. When you notice how many Russians actually do it, you finally realise how serious the local people take this belief.
(Photos by Luka Van Royen and Joppe Peeters)
