Main building of Moscow State University

Moscow, Russia

The Main building of Moscow State University, designed by Lev Rudnev, is the highest of seven Stalinist style skyscrapers of Moscow. It is utilized since its inauguration as headquarters of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The skyscraper has 36 levels in its central part and is 240 metres tall. Its roof is topped by a 57-metre spire which ends with a 12-ton five-pointed star. Lateral towers are lower than the central one; two 18 and 9 storey dormitory wings define, with the central corpus of the complex, a cour d'honneur courtyard.

The leading architect Boris Iofan bid for the skyscraper project in 1947 but the job was assigned to Lev Rudnev, because Iofan made a mistake placing his draft skyscraper right on the edge of Sparrow Hills, a site concerned with a potential landslide hazard. He set the building 800 meters away from the cliff.

The main tower, which consumed over 40,000 tons of steel for its framework and 130,000 cubic metres of concrete, was inaugurated on September 1, 1953. At 240 metres tall, it was the 7th tallest building of the world and also the tallest in Europe. Its European record lasted up to 1988, when it was surpassed by MesseTurm. It is still the tallest educational building in the world.

Moscow University is probably the best known of Lev Rudnev buildings, for which he was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1949. The University skyline inspired various buildings in the socialist countries, like the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, and also the logo of 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

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Address

1 Leninskiye Gory, Moscow, Russia
See all sites in Moscow

Details

Founded: 1953
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More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Red Square (8 km)
Lenin's Mausoleum (8 km)
St. Basil's Cathedral (8 km)
State Historical Museum (8 km)
Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles (7,7 km)
Kremlin Senate (7,9 km)
Moscow Kremlin (7,7 km)
Dormition Cathedral (7,6 km)
Church of the Deposition of the Robe (7,6 km)


Bolshoi Theatre (8,5 km)
Kolomenskoye (9,4 km)
Ostankino Palace (14,6 km)
Catherine Palace (12,2 km)

User Reviews

firuz hatunoglu (4 months ago)
Beatiful building complex build 1949-1953,well preserved
Vincent Ho, Acstar (4 months ago)
if you are in front of the front door. you will never think that is waste of time. it must deserve. It is sad that tourist cannot entry all russia university.
Humma Khan (7 months ago)
This is a must see from the outside. Visitors aren't allowed inside the campus. Outstanding structure, so detailed. I've not seen such University building like this one. Tourist comes in busses to see this University from all over the world. Many tours include this campus under places to see in Moscow. There's also a very beautiful park outside the University which is a must see especially during fall. The park is covered with dense Maple trees so during fall the Maple leaves cover the entire walkway and grass in the park. We took off our shoes and walked around the park stepping on the soft maple leaves. Everyone at the park was walking like that because the leaves are so soft. Entire area smells like maple syrup. Completely beautiful just like in movies. I'm attaching pictures of the University and park.
Vivian Ng (10 months ago)
Studying in this university feels absolutely surreal! It’s like I’m in Hogwarts and going for Potions class. Not to mention the extremely overwhelming fireworks and light shows too!
Vinayak Bhardwaj (10 months ago)
Massive building that is simply overwhelming. Is this the biggest university by size of building in the world? It is not often that you see a university with the highest point at 233 meters above the ground. Very good place to take a walk and admire good views of the city of Moscow. The place is usually bustling with people and I felt very safe walking in this place. I hope that the quality of education is as awesome as the size of this place.
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