.Urban Transportation

Marble for the people

In the 1930s, in response to widespread artistic investment in the capitalist world, the Soviet Union began an immense project in the center of Moscow. In a spectacular reversal of the social hierarchy of the arts, gilded decorations, stained glass and marble artifacts were taken from the historic buildings of the imperial era and used to adorn the Moscow Metro.

It became a showcase for the Soviet regime and its construction received extensive media coverage. The first station was opened with great pomp in 1935.