View source for Seven Sisters (Moscow)

== History ==
The Seven Sisters are a group of seven skyscrapers in Moscow designed in the Stalinist style. They were built from 1947 to 1953, in an elaborate combination of Russian Baroque and Gothic styles, and the technology used in building American skyscrapers. The Seven Sisters are among the most recognizable landmarks of Moscow's cityscape [[Cityscape|Cityscape of Moscow]].

== Architecture ==
The architecture of the Seven Sisters represents a fusion of the Russian architectural tradition with the Western technology of high-rise building. The style of the buildings, known as Stalinist Gothic, or Socialist Classicism, is a unique blend of traditional Russian architecture and the avant-garde style of the early 20th century. The buildings are richly decorated with socialist realist art, which glorifies the working class and the achievements of the Soviet Union.

[[Image:Detail-42245.jpg|thumb|center|A panoramic view of Moscow skyline featuring the Seven Sisters.|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-42246.jpg|thumb|center|A panoramic view of Moscow skyline featuring the Seven Sisters.|class=only_on_desktop]]

== Individual Buildings ==
The Seven Sisters consist of two administrative buildings, two hotels, two apartment buildings, and Moscow State University. The seven are: the Hotel Ukraina, Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments, the Kudrinskaya Square Building, the Hotel Leningradskaya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the main building of Moscow State University, and the Red Gates Administrative Building.

=== Hotel Ukraina ===
The Hotel Ukraina, now known as the Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow, is the second tallest of the Seven Sisters. The hotel was designed by Arkady Mordvinov and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky, and is the largest hotel in Moscow, with over 500 rooms.

=== Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments ===
The Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments is one of two apartment buildings among the Seven Sisters. It was designed by Dmitry Chechulin and Andrei Rostkovsky. The main tower has 32 levels and is 176 meters tall.

=== Kudrinskaya Square Building ===
The Kudrinskaya Square Building was designed by Mikhail Posokhin and Ashot Mndoyants. It was the last of the Seven Sisters to be completed, in 1954. The building is mixed-use, housing apartments, offices, and a shopping centre.

=== Hotel Leningradskaya ===
The Hotel Leningradskaya, now known as the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, is one of the smallest of the Seven Sisters. It was designed by Leonid Polyakov. The hotel has 273 rooms and is 136 meters tall.

=== Ministry of Foreign Affairs ===
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the tallest of the Seven Sisters. It was designed by Vladimir Gelfreikh and Adolf Minkus. The building is 172 meters tall, including its architectural spire.

=== Moscow State University ===
The main building of Moscow State University, designed by Lev Rudnev, is the tallest educational building in the world. It was the tallest building in Europe from its completion in 1953 until 1990.

=== Red Gates Administrative Building ===
The Red Gates Administrative Building was designed by Alexey Dushkin. The building was initially used by the Ministry of Heavy Industry.

== Legacy ==
The Seven Sisters have had a significant impact on the architectural landscape of Moscow and have become symbols of the city and of the era in which they were built. Their unique style has influenced many buildings in Russia and in other former Soviet republics.

== See Also ==
* [[Stalinist architecture]]
* [[Socialist realism]]
* [[Moscow State University]]
* [[Hotel Ukraina]]
* [[Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Apartments]]
* [[Kudrinskaya Square Building]]
* [[Hotel Leningradskaya]]
* [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Russia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]
* [[Red Gates Administrative Building]]

[[Category:Architecture in Russia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Moscow]]
[[Category:Stalinist architecture]]