Bunkers, dinosaurs and magic

Mysteries of the Moscow Metro

It is no secret that the Moscow Metro is the most impressive and splendid subway in the world. But it also keeps mysteries of several epochs. Let's unravel its enigmas!
A bunker in the heart of Moscow
A bunker at the Taganskaya station
The construction workers had a seemingly impossible task – to build an immense facility in the center of Moscow, without damaging the city's communications system, while keeping the entire project a secret.
The construction started in 1950 during the Cold War due to the risk of a nuclear war with the United States. The technology used during the construction was the same used for building the metro.

In 1956, the underground facility covering over 7,000 square meters was approved by a state commission and handed to the Defense Ministry. The facility housed the long-range aviation command staff.

For three decades, until 1986, the bunker was used for commanding strategic bombers carrying nuclear weapons.

However, the facility that was developed in the 1950s could not withstand a hit from modern high-precision weapons. The crucial aviation command facility was therefore moved to a safer place. In 2000, the bunker was completely declassified and there has been a museum inside the facility since 2006.
Bunker-42
4K Time-lapse Clip
Paleontological Findings
Metro Dinosaurs
Stars, spirals, circles and broken lines are clearly seen on the rouge marble of the Moscow Metro. These are the relics of prehistoric inhabitants of ancient seas. Most of them lived in warm waters during the times of dinosaurs.

A paleontological excursion could be organized in the Moscow Metro.

Fossils of inhabitants of ancient seas can be seen at the stations where the walls and columns are clad with limestone or marble. You wouldn't even need to use a magnifying glass to see them – their size varies from several centimeters to a half-meter.

Ammoniates, nautiluses, belemnites, sea lilies, sea urchins, brachiopods, gastropods, corals – all of them lived in seas millions of years ago, and now can be seen in the walls in the Moscow Metro.
Mayakovskaya Station
An airship at the Mayakovskaya Station
Not only rhodonite, a semi-precious stone, but also parts of a real airship were used to decorate the Mayakovskaya metro station. The metal arcs at the station are part of an airship designed by Soviet rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Tsiolkovsky wanted to build a giant 500,000-cubic meter airship covered with stainless steel sheets.

The project, however, was suspended in the late 1930s, before the war.

The airship was dismantled and now every visitor of the Mayakovskaya station can see view of the airship.
Ploshchad Revolyutsii Station
"Magic" Sculptures
The sculptures at the Ploshchad Revolyutsii station are believed to have magical effects, which are reflected in some folk theories.
There are "magic" sculptures in the Ploshchad Revolyutsii station. There are a total of 76 of them. Each of the sculptures is presented in four copies. There are a number of superstitions. Here are a couple of them:

Rubbing the nose of a dog sculpture is believed to bring good luck.

Touching the firearm of a security guard sculpture will be good for money and business during the day.
Made on
Tilda