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Moscow Metro celebrates 76th anniversary
This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Moscow metro system. From the public to the private areas, the stunning architectural images showcase one of the world's most fascinating transportation masterpieces, far exceeding the beauty of those in the United States.
Opened in 1935 with one 11 kilometer line and 13 stations, it was the first underground rail system in the then Soviet Union. Today, the system has 182 stations and a route length of 301.2 kilometers and is the second most heavily-used rapid transit system, just behind Tokyo.
Take a look at this magnificent panoramic image gallery:
Gallery: Moscow Metro System
Thanks to @LegalNomads for the tip and to Russos for the image gallery.
Filed under: Asia, Russian Federation, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark May 21st 2011 10:11AM
I've been in this Moscow metro many times and it really is dirty and dingy. Really nothing to brag or be proud about!
chgovette68 May 21st 2011 6:09PM
Amazing. I wonder if it was all done with union labor?
Steve May 21st 2011 6:09PM
The photography is no surprise. They are undoubtedly magnificent. Would you expect to see the "real" subway? Hardly! I wonder what the Moscovites must think of Martin Cruz Smith's novel, Three Stations? I doubt if it's even allowed into the country.
Phillip Ramsey May 21st 2011 6:09PM
This is one city I would to visit before I die!
jerabaub May 21st 2011 6:09PM
makes you kind of ashamed of our mass transit and subway systems.
but not to worry, rightwingers will see to it that our decaying infrastructure gets even worse by not authorizing funding to renovate and upgrade our own systems.
MJO May 21st 2011 10:11PM
These Metro stations are magnificent in contrast to the rest of the transit system. I think it has improved, but the first time I rode its trains in the mid 90's, we were shuttled over the Moscow river in a makeshift tunnel that would never pass safety inspections in the United States!
Joan Cook May 22nd 2011 12:49AM
I was absolutely amazed at the beautiful mosiacs, frescoes, statues, stained glass, marble, arches and chandeliers in The Metro. I recognized Komsomolskaya and a couple of the others, but there are so many and all are different. I couldn't believe that art like that existed in a 'subway'. I was also a bit intimidated at the size and speed at which the escalators descended from street level to the trains. The Metro is logically laid out like the spokes on a wheel (the hub is Moscow Center or Red Square). I had a map, but there were so many tunnels from which to choose and it seemed like a million people were moving at break-neck speed that I was extremely glad to have a native to guide me or I'd have been like 'Charlie on the M.T.A.'