7 curious facts and legends about 7 sisters.
1. Did you know that 8 high-risers were supposed to be constructed in Moscow instead of 7? Later on they were called Seven Stalin Sisters. Number 8 symbolized 800 anniversary of Moscow, which was celebrated in 1947 when the decree about construction of high-risers was issued.
2. The prototype of Seven Sister was the Municipal Building in New York city built in 1898.
3. The eighth building was intended for the Peoples Commissariat of Heavy Industry. The basement was completed but later, during the time of Khruschev, the biggest in Europe hotel named Rossia appeared on that spot instead. According to the story there was a two-level bunker for the government under the hotel.
4. Originally the high-riser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was supposed to be without a spire. But according to the legend, Stalin ordered to top it with a spire. Being afraid that the building would not sustain its heaviness, it was made of steel and painted with ochre to match the color of the building.
5. The residential building on Kudrinskaya square has an air-raid shelter in its basement. On upper floors there was some equipment for observance over the American Embassy located nearby.
6. The tallest building among Seven Sisters is the Moscow State University which has 36 stories. The legend says the basement was frozen when the high-riser was being constructed to avoid of subsiding soil. This technique was widely use in the construction of Moscow Metro.
7. One of the office-residential buildings has an entrance to metro station Krasnue Vorota. During its construction the high-riser was deliberately being built with incline on its side since the frozen soil of one part of the building (where the metro station was) was supposed to sink whereas the other side was supposed to raise. This technique was applied for the first time.
During your you can visit the Sparrow hills with the to enjoy the view of all Seven Sisters.
Moscow Curious Facts
Moscow population
Today Moscow is the biggest city in Europe. The population of Moscow is 10,5 million people.
Moscow parks
Moscow is a very green city. More than 40 percent of its territory consists of parks, gardens and forests.
Moscow metro
Moscow metro is the most frequently used public transport in Moscow both for Muscovites and tourists.
Moscow subway
The deepest station of the Moscow metro is "Park Pobedy", 84 meters, the height of a 28 storey building
Metro announcements
While navigating Moscow metro you can always determine the direction of the train by the gender of the announcer.
Summer 2010 beat all temperature records
Summer 2010 will be remembered by Muscovites and Moscow guests with abnormal high temperatures.
Moscow fountain with drinking water
There are more than 700 fountains in Moscow, but there is only one with drinking water.
Moscow winters
The coldest temperature ever recorded in Moscow was −42В°C. It happened in January 1940.
What unusual monuments can Moscow boast of?
Have you heard of such monuments as "Give way to the ducklings",a crow and a fox with melted cheese "Friendship" or Children are the victims of adults' vices?
Unusual Moscow trains
Moscow metro is famous not only for its exquisite design and interior but also for its unique trains.
Moscow McDonalds
Would you agree to stay in line for 6 hours to get to McDonalds? This is what many Muscovites did in 1990.
Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius
What monument in Moscow has 5 spelling mistakes in the inscription?
Organ evenings in Kuskovo
"Organ evenings in Kuskovo" is a series of concerts that is held on weekends in one of the most beautiful old estates in Moscow
Naughty bell
A very old political prisoner aged 300 lives in Moscow Kremlin. Who could it be?
What does a number of cupolas on a church signify?
Have you ever questioned yourself, why some churches have 3 domes while other – five or even more?
Be careful, the house is moving!
Have you ever seen a house moving? Can you imagine a multi-storey building with tenants being moved tens of meters away?
