Moscow and Her Sisters

By Alexander Wildeve

While in Moscow, if you can momentarily tear your gaze away from the multitude of stunning Russian women, one of the most majestic and impressive sights for any visitor are the imposing “Seven Sisters” – a series of awe-inspiring skyscrapers that share the same architectural design and are strategically positioned across the capital. These overpowering urban landmarks were erected between 1947 and 1953 under orders from then Soviet supreme leader Joseph Stalin, and built for the purpose of amazing visitors and providing a focal point for the surrounding metropolis.

Draft for the Zaryadye skyscraper (planned eight sister)

The spellbinding septuplets are impressive watchtowers, the guardians of central Moscow, and comprise two hotels, two residential apartment buildings, two office blocks, and a university. With all the elegant balance and striking poise of a breathtaking Slavic lady in high heels, each of the soaring towers is stabilized by two symmetrical wings.

The modern-day shrines dubbed Stalin’s Skyscrapers feature an intricate blend of Russian Baroque and Gothic design, with Ancient lines and American technology. Any edifice built in this Soviet style is throughout Russia referred to as a Stalin Building.

Over half a century later, it’s surprising to learn that the seven buildings were not built by the same group of architects. Referred to as “The High Buildings” by Muscovites, the most celebrated of the seven is the Mikhail Lomonosov Moscow State University that sits in a grand position on top of “Sparrow Hills”. Designs for an eighth sister on the site of today’s GUM department store on Red Square was rumored to have been Stalin’s desired burial place. But the project never progressed past the blueprint phase.

In Soviet times, the seven buildings were much sought after places of residence for the apparatchik (politicians), and Soviet artists. Today it’s still possible to view the memorial apartment of famous prima ballerina Galina Ulanova, located in the Seventh Sister on Kotelnicheskaya Naberezhnaya. A visit to the apartment of this remarkable Russian star gives an idea of the internal scale of the building and Soviet nature of the apartments inside.

In addition to the magnificent beauty of the Seven Sisters there are some great apartments to rent throughout Moscow, many with great city views. To rent an apartment in Moscow to share with a Russian sweetheart see http://www.anastasiadate.com/apartmentRental.html