Moscow metro: "Smolenskaya" station.

You know, that the Moscow metro was turned into an underground kingdom of socialism. The first stations were luxurious palaces of the new socialist order, and they are breathtaking in the originality of their architecture, sculptures, mosaics and moulding.

 Many architectural styles have been reflected in the metro from the Old Rus architecture to the styles of the XX century.

After 1945 their subject matter dealt with images of war and victory. And the most suitable here is empire style. The style originated in and takes its name from the rule of Napoleon I, known as the First French Empire. It is also associated with the monumental art of ancient Rome.

"Smolenskaya" station is related to the hero-city of Smolensk that always suffered from the invaders and to the way to the West of Moscow. 

The main theme of the station design is heroic victory of Russian people over invaders. The square white marble pylons of the station hall are decorated on all four corners with deeply fluted (with canals) Doric columns and have bronze chandeliers at one side.

Overhead is a wide cornice with concealed lighting. The floor is riveted with grey granite and decorated with meander. The track walls are faced with white glazed ceramic tiles and black tiles at the basement.

The central hall ends with a large high-relief group by G.Molotovilov depicting defenders of the Motherland.

The round escalator hall is adorned by a frieze with the Order of Victory and a mosaic panel on the theme of Russian military glory.

The ground-level vestibule (architects: O.Velikoretsky, A.Strelkov) represents an arched building leading to Sadovoe Koltso. There are small black pillars at the entrance. The walls of the vestibule are adorned with medallions showing Russian soldiers (sculptors: O.Ikonnikov, Yu.Ushkov).