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 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.
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.