Kropotkinskaya metro station is one of the oldest in the Moscow metro. It was opened in 1935. The metropolitan pavilions built in the pre-war era resemble a museum. At such stations you can see sculptures, various decorative elements. They are real works of art of architecture and are, along with historical monuments located on the surface of the city, part of the cultural heritage of the Soviet people. Kropotkinskaya metro station was created according to the project, which was noted at exhibitions in Brussels and Paris.
Architectural features
The Kropotkinskaya metro station was designed in the style of the Stalinist empire, which is characterized by monumentality, the presence of baroque and late classicism elements. Greatness is attached to the lamps located in the capitals of high columns. But over its long history, the Kropotkinskaya metro station, of course, has somewhat changed its appearance. First, the walls were decorated with earthenware tiles. Then the Ural marble replaced it. The floor of the pavilion today is covered with granite slabs of red and gray colors. But until the end of the 50s, asphalt was the floor. "Kropotkinskaya" refers to shallow stations (only 13 meters from the surface).
History
Not only the appearance, but also the name of the Kropotkinskaya metro station changed. How many exits are there? Two. And one of them goes to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In 1931, the old building was demolished, and in its place, according to the plan of the atheist city governors, the construction of the Palace of Soviets was to begin. This building could become a grandiose monument of the Soviet era. But that did not happen. The war has begun. And the Kropotkinskaya station was called the “Palace of Soviets” for more than ten years in honor of the building, which Muscovites were not destined to see.
Pool "Moscow"
After the war, for many more years, a foundation pit could be seen next to this station. The construction of the "Palace of Soviets" for several reasons decided not to resume. But what to do with the pit? In its place, a pool was built, which became the largest in Moscow. It existed until 1994. So it was called - "Moscow".
The pool was open even in winter. The water temperature was maintained by artificial heating. It is easy to imagine what kind of evaporation stood over the pool, especially in the winter months. The workers of the Pushkin Museum, which will be discussed below, were especially unhappy with this. And in the early nineties, when atheists in power were replaced by true believers, they decided to clean the pool, and build a temple in its place.
Museum named after Pushkin
This cultural and historical complex includes five buildings. The museum was opened more than a hundred years ago at the initiative of art critic Ivan Tsvetaev.
The museum collection includes works from antiquity to the 20th century. The museum is especially proud of the work of French expressionists. Among the paintings of twentieth-century painters are the works of Renoir, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh. Most of these works were confiscated from wealthy merchants Morozov and Schukin in the 20s.
What other attractions are nearby the Kropotkinskaya metro station? A photo of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior is presented below. It is worth briefly telling the story of this building and the structure, which was once located on the site of the outdoor swimming pool "Moscow".
Temple history
It was opened in memory of the Russian soldiers who died in 1812. The construction was completed fifty years after the end of World War II. For fifty years, coronations and other solemn events were held in this temple. With the advent of new power, the temple was closed and then blown up. Further history is outlined above. It is worth adding that the construction of the new church was completed in 2002, and today it is one of the main attractions located in the vicinity of the Kropotkinskaya station.