Moscow Metro

Dec 1st – Architecture, Transport

Here in the UK we pride ourselves on being the birth place of rail travel. From it’s inception in the early 1800′s through to the creation of the Metropolitan Railway in 1864 – the world’s first underground train line. Whilst many of the stations that dot the extensive 250 miles of track are majestic and well designed, few can match the decorative (and sometimes vulgar) beauty of the Moscow Metro.

Many of it’s most beautiful stations were built during the Stalinist era, and reflect his obsession for outward expressions of riches and power – despite the USSR suffering from great poverty at the time. Most of the stations have now been through a process of renovation, and returned to their former glory after many years of neglect.

Interestingly, due to consultation with London Underground during Moscow Metro’s inception in the 1930′s, the vaulted ceiling design used in so many of the stations across the network take their design hints from the Gants Hill Tube Station, designed by renowned tube architect Charles Holden.

Gants Hill Tube Station Concourse Gants Hill Tube Station