Moscow, Russian Federation
Today I had one day only in Moscow. One of the highlights I would be looking forward to was the Moscow Metro. Dubbed 'Palaces of the People' these were grand elaborate stations built at the height of Soviet times.
I've been to 8 Soviet metros (Tashkent, St Petersburg, Kiev, Minsk, Almaty, Yerevan, Tbilisi, Baku - in prior entries). As much as I love their design their deep scary elevators are an issue as they were built so deep for earthquakes and as nuclear shelters during Soviet times.
I wasnt sure whether to get a day pass or not and decided to get a single ride ticket for 55 Rub ($1 USD). I'd planned my route following a lot of what tour companies offer. As I was staying by Kurskaya station on the circle line this is where I would be beginning.
The next station is one of the most elaborate and most photographed. Komsomolskaya models European Palaces in its ceiling plaster design and artwork.
Next stop Prospekt Mira continues they style of modelling Palace art.
The next stop Novoslobodskaya is the coloured stain glass station. There were tour groups here taking photos. Tours can cost $50 - $100 USD but I was doing it myself for $1 USD with a regular ticket.
The last stop on the circle line was Belorusskaya where I would transfer to the green line.
Transferring over the next stop was also recommended by tours, Mayakovskaya Station.
This was quite stunning and a mix of art nouveau 1930s and modernist with its lighting design. There was also artwork in the ceiling.
Finally I was going to terminate at Okhotny Ryad by Republic Square. This is an amazing self tour you can do by yourself. I would take a second route home on my way back (next entry).
See also vlog of tour https://youtu.be/B8_Iz5ltlX0
2025-05-22