Signs of a gold digger include obsession with money, expensive gifts, jealousy, entitlement, and using relationships for wealth and status, not love.

Signs of a Gold Digger: How to Recognize Self-Serving Relationships

Trolling is a deliberate provocation in online communities aimed at causing conflict. It includes various techniques like subtle, heavy, and pseudo-trolling, and can be harmful.

Understanding Trolling: Types, Techniques, and How to Protect Yourself Online

An overview of the meme word “chinazes”: its origin, meaning in youth slang, pronunciation, usage examples, cultural impact, and why parents shouldn’t worry.

What Does “Chinazes” Mean: Origin and Use of a Youth Slang Meme

An overview of the KEK meme: its gaming origins, evolution from StarCraft and World of Warcraft, meanings in slang, cultural ties, and difference from LOL.

What Does KEK Mean? Origin and Meaning of the Popular Internet Meme

A comprehensive overview of bullying: its signs, types, causes, consequences, and effective ways to recognize, prevent, and respond to harassment.

What Is Bullying: Signs, Types, Causes, Consequences, and How to Stop It

Orthodox Christmas in Russia in 2026: date, history, fasting, traditions, church services, festive meals, folk customs, and the spiritual meaning of the holiday.

Orthodox Christmas 2026 in Russia: Date, History, and Traditions

The Baptism of the Lord is a major Christian feast marking Jesus Christ’s baptism, rich in history, traditions, water blessing, and folk customs.

The Baptism of the Lord: History, Date, Traditions, and Meaning

Heavy snowfall will continue in Moscow until January 5, with round-the-clock city cleanup, icy weather, strong winds, and safety warnings for residents.

Heavy Snowfall in Moscow: City Services on High Alert

Ancient Russian kolyadki songs blend pagan and Christian traditions, sung during Yuletide to wish prosperity, joy, and community connection.

Kolyadki: Ancient Russian Yuletide Songs and Traditions

A detailed overview of the Cumans: their origins, culture, relations with Rus’, migrations, and lasting influence on Eurasian peoples.

The Cumans: Origins, Culture, and Their Role in the History of Rus’

Observation deck on Vorobyovy Gory (Sparrow Hills)

Great Moscow Circus

Moscow cable car

Aquapark Luzhniki

Luzhniki

Darwin Museum

Novodevichy Cemetery

Andreevsky Monastery

Novodevichy Convent

Russian Academy of Sciences

Memorial Mosque on Poklonnaya Hill

Poklonnaya Hill

Andrei Halias

Мoscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov is rightfully considered one of the outstanding architectural landmarks of the capital. The main building of MSU on the Vorobyovy Hills is a <strong>majestic 240-meter skyscraper</strong> that for many years remained the tallest structure in Europe. This monumental complex in the Stalinist Empire style was built between 1949 and 1953 and became a true “city within a city,” combining lecture halls, residential spaces, and full infrastructure for students and faculty.

<h2>History of the Construction of the Legendary High-Rise</h2>
<h3>From Concept to Realization</h3>
The university was founded in 1755 thanks to the efforts of <strong>Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov and Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov</strong>. Initially, it was housed in the Main Pharmacy building on Red Square, then moved to Mokhovaya Street. The modern building on the Vorobyovy Hills appeared on the initiative of Joseph Stalin, who in 1947 approved the construction of eight monumental high-rises throughout Moscow.

<h3>A Grand Construction Project of All-Union Scale</h3>
The construction of the main MSU building became an event that united the entire country. Materials and equipment were brought from various Soviet republics:

<ul><li>Belarus supplied construction materials</li>
<li>Georgia and Kazakhstan sent essential equipment</li>
<li>Latvia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine also contributed to the construction</li></ul>
Thousands of people worked at the site — from prisoners to young people dreaming of enrolling at the university. The construction was under the direct supervision of <strong>Lavrentiy Beria</strong>, who oversaw all Stalinist high-rises.

<h3>Change of Chief Architect</h3>
The initial project was developed by <strong>Boris Iofan</strong>, but in 1948 he was removed from the position. The reason was disagreement over the building’s placement — Iofan insisted on locating it directly above the cliff, which posed serious engineering risks. The new chief architect became <strong>Lev Rudnev</strong>, who worked together with Sergey Chernyshev, Pavel Abrosimov, and Alexander Khryakov. The engineering calculations were prepared by the brilliant structural designer <strong>Nikolai Nikitin</strong>, who would later create the Ostankino TV tower.

<h2>Architectural Features and Unique Solutions</h2>
<h3>Structure and Height</h3>
The central tower of the building has <strong>32 floors</strong> and reaches 183 meters. The spire with a star adds another 57 meters. From the main tower extend the side wings:

<ol><li>Two 18-story sections adjoin the central part</li>
<li>From them branch out 12-story buildings</li>
<li>The entire composition forms a single harmonious ensemble</li></ol>
The elevation of the building’s foundation above sea level is 194 meters, making the university visible from many points in the capital.

<h3>Cladding and Decorative Elements</h3>
The façade is clad in <strong>natural stone</strong>, including marble and granite. Red linear accents arranged according to the principles of the golden ratio add special expressiveness. Above the main entrance is a large frieze by sculptor Georgy Motovilov depicting a procession of representatives of various professions — a symbol of the union of labor and science.

<h3>Spire and Clock</h3>
The golden spire is clad with amalgamated glass and topped with a star surrounded by wheat ears, created in the workshop of <strong>Vera Mukhina</strong>. Initially, it was planned to install a sculpture of Lenin or Lomonosov, but the architects decided that any figure would disrupt the proportions. On the tower are four enormous clock dials with a diameter of <strong>9 meters</strong>. The minute hand is 4.2 meters long, the hour hand — 3.7 meters. Since 1957 the clocks have been driven by an electronic mechanism replacing a massive pendulum system the size of a five-story building.

<h2>Internal Infrastructure — A Real City</h2>
<h3>Educational and Scientific Spaces</h3>
The complex includes <strong>27 main and 10 auxiliary buildings</strong>. Facilities for education include:

<ul><li>148 lecture and seminar rooms</li>
<li>More than 1,000 specialized laboratories</li>
<li>A scientific library with unique collections</li>
<li>An assembly hall with 1,500 seats</li></ul>
<h3>Residential Spaces and Social Facilities</h3>
The building provides everything needed for comfortable living and work:

<ul><li>Dormitories for 2,000 students and postgraduates</li>
<li>Apartments for faculty and staff</li>
<li>Dining halls and cafés</li>
<li>Shops and a post office</li>
<li>A clinic and health center</li>
<li>A swimming pool and sports complex</li>
<li>A cultural center with a 640-seat hall</li></ul>
This organization allows residents to rarely leave the complex, having all essential services within reach.

<h2>Landmarks of the University Complex</h2>
<h3>Observation Deck “Moscow Crown”</h3>
On the <strong>32nd floor</strong> of the central tower is an open observation deck designed by Lev Rudnev. It offers a breathtaking panorama of the city. Visitors can see:

<ul><li>The Moscow-City business district with its skyscrapers</li>
<li>The legendary Luzhniki Stadium</li>
<li>The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour</li>
<li>The Shukhov Tower</li>
<li>Other Stalinist high-rises — Hotel Ukraina, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building</li></ul>
Access to the deck is available as part of an organized tour with a professional guide.

<h3>Museum of Earth Science</h3>
This unique exhibition occupies <strong>seven floors</strong> in the upper part of the building — from the 24th to the 28th and the 30th–31st floors. In 24 museum halls are displayed:

<ul><li>Meteorite and mineral collections</li>
<li>Soil samples from various regions</li>
<li>Stuffed representatives of the fauna of the former USSR</li>
<li>Paintings depicting the landscapes of CIS countries</li>
<li>Materials on geographical discoveries</li></ul>
More than <strong>200 artists and sculptors</strong> participated in the museum’s interior design, making it not only scientific but also an artistic space.

<h3>MSU Botanical Garden</h3>
The landscape-park ensemble occupies most of the complex’s territory. Out of a total area of <strong>167.43 hectares</strong>, only 9.1 ha are used for construction. The rest is a green zone with:

<ul><li>50,000 trees of various species</li>
<li>400,000 shrubs</li>
<li>A dendrarium and alpine garden</li>
<li>A collection of decorative plants</li></ul>
The botanical garden was created in the 1950s for research purposes and today contains <strong>more than 2,500 plant species</strong>. Guided tours and workshops on caring for rare plants are held here.

<h2>Mysteries and Legends of the Stalinist High-Rises</h2>
<h3>Mysteries of the Underground Floors</h3>
The basements of the main MSU building are surrounded by many myths. Officially, there are two underground levels, but legends claim there are many more. The most popular versions include:

<ul><li>The basements’ depth matches the height of the above-ground structure</li>
<li>A secret underground city lies beneath the building</li>
<li>The fountains at the entrance conceal the entrance to a bunker</li>
<li>Freezing chambers were installed at the base to reinforce the foundation</li></ul>
<h3>Conspiracy Theories</h3>
Enthusiasts of mysteries put forward the most incredible ideas:

<ol><li>The building is made of ultra-strong materials and in an explosion would fall toward the Vorobyovy Hills</li>
<li>The main building is a disguised spacecraft ready for launch</li>
<li>A secret branch of “Metro-2” runs under the university toward Vnukovo Airport</li>
<li>There are underground tunnels connecting MSU to the Kremlin</li></ol>
<h3>Stories of Escapes and Ghosts</h3>
One of the most romantic legends tells of a prisoner-scientist who built a homemade flying device and escaped from the top floor. The ending varies: in one version he was caught, in another — he fled successfully. The involvement of prisoners inspired tales of <strong>foremen walled up in the walls</strong> and workers who died from hard labor. Students and staff still speak of strange noises in the corridors and a sense of unseen presence.

<h2>Sculptural Decorations of the Territory</h2>
The MSU complex is adorned with numerous monuments and sculptures by outstanding masters. On the grounds are located:

<ul><li>Monument to Mikhail Lomonosov by Nikolai Tomsky</li>
<li>Monument to Dmitri Mendeleev by sculptor Andrey Bembel</li>
<li>Monument to Alexander Stoletov by Sergey Selikhonov</li>
<li>Composition “Eternal Youth of Science” by Vera Mukhina</li>
<li>Busts of prominent scholars along the alley near the pool</li></ul>
The assembly hall is decorated with a <strong>large mosaic panel</strong> by Pavel Korin, depicting the banners of sciences and symbolizing the triumph of knowledge.

<h2>How to Get to the Main MSU Building</h2>
<h3>Exact Address</h3>
The university is located at: <strong>Leninskiye Gory microdistrict, building 1</strong>. The façade faces Akademik Samarsky Street and Universitetsky Avenue.

<h3>Public Transport</h3>
Several bus stops are located nearby:

<ul><li><strong>“Lebedev Street”</strong> — routes No. 57, 111</li>
<li><strong>“MSU Palace of Culture”</strong> — routes No. 1, 57, 113, 119, 419, 464, 572, 661, 715</li>
<li><strong>“MSU Library”</strong> — routes No. 67, 103, 130, 187, 260, 266, 447, 464, 470, 487, 845, 908, т34, т49</li></ul>
<h3>Metro Stations</h3>
The nearest Moscow Metro stations:

<ol><li><strong>“Lomonosovsky Prospekt”</strong> (Yellow Line) — 15 minutes on foot</li>
<li><strong>“Universitet”</strong> (Red Line) — 20 minutes on foot</li>
<li><strong>“Vorobyovy Gory”</strong> — about 30 minutes, with a chance to visit the riverside viewpoint along the way</li></ol>
<h2>The Main MSU Building Today</h2>
Seven decades after its opening, the main building remains the heart of the university. The central tower houses the <strong>rectorate, administration, and three faculties</strong> — Geology, Mechanics and Mathematics, and Geography. The building continues to function as a full educational and residential complex. Despite the emergence of taller buildings in Moscow, MSU remains <strong>the tallest of the seven Stalinist high-rises</strong> and one of the key symbols of the capital. The university is included in all tourist routes around Moscow and attracts thousands of visitors annually.

Its majestic architecture, rich history, unique infrastructure, and the legends surrounding the building make the main MSU building an essential stop for anyone wishing to explore the architectural heritage of the Soviet era and experience the atmosphere of one of Russia’s leading educational centers.

Discover Moscow State University’s iconic main building on Vorobyovy Hills: Stalinist skyscraper, unique campus-city, legends, museum and panoramic views.