Inventing the Future

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The model of the Palace of the Soviets at the exposition "The Birth of Scale": when even unrealized dreams inspire

The model of the Palace of the Soviets at the exposition "The Birth of Scale": when even unrealized dreams inspire
Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA
07.03.2025

As part of the new architectural exposition "The Birth of Scale," the National Centre RUSSIA presents a model of the Palace of the Soviets — one of the most ambitious architectural projects of the 20th century.

The object tells the story of how architecture reflects the ideology and ambitions of society and clearly demonstrates that even unrealized projects can influence urban development both in the country and worldwide. The palace was conceived as a symbol of the new Soviet era. The project, developed in the 1930s by Boris Iofan, one of the leading figures of Stalinist architecture, was meant to showcase the power and grandeur of the Soviet Union. It was intended to host assemblies, congresses, and other significant events. The building was planned to be erected on the site of the demolished Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow.

The palace, which was to be crowned with a statue of V. I. Lenin, was designed to be over 400 meters tall. It could have become one of the tallest structures not only in Russia but also in the world — standing alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building. The building, designed in the Stalinist Empire style with elements of monumentalism, would have been visible from any point in the capital. According to the project, the palace’s Grand Hall was designed to accommodate 21,000 spectators and had an amphitheater layout with a massive dome. The project also included a smaller hall for 5,000–6,000 people, halls dedicated to the Stalin Constitution, the Heroics of the Civil War, and the Heroics of Socialist Construction, as well as private offices for distinguished guests. The exterior of the building was to be crowned with a 100-meter statue of Lenin. 

Photo: Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The project was never realized, but it remains in world history as one of the most ambitious and daring architectural concepts.

The model of the Palace of the Soviets presented at the exposition "The Birth of Scale" is an exact miniature replica of the project, created at a 1:120 scale. Visitors to the exposition note that the model invites reflection on how dreams and ambitions shape our reality and project the future.

"This is simply breathtaking. Even in model form, you can feel the full power and grandeur of this project. It’s a pity it remained only on paper. It’s fascinating to imagine how such a monumental building could have transformed the architectural landscape of Moscow," said Maria Golovanova, a regular visitor to the National Centre RUSSIA’s expositions.

The exposition "The Birth of Scale" has been open at the National Centre RUSSIA since March 1. Visitors can attend for free every day except Monday, from 10:00 to 20:00. Registration is available on the russia.ru website in the "Events" section.

Event photobank

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