Northern River Station

The Northern River Station is a majestic building on the bank of the Khimki Reservoir, rightly considered one of the most outstanding monuments of Stalinist Empire style. Built in the shape of a luxurious cruise liner, the station attracts attention with its unique architecture, rich interiors, and the famous spire topped with a star. After a large-scale restoration in 2020, this place has become a popular urban location for recreation and cultural leisure for Muscovites and guests of the capital.

History of the Northern River Station

The construction of the station is inextricably linked with the building of the Moscow-Volga Canal, which was later renamed the Moscow Canal. In the early 1930s, the rapid development of the capital required solving the water problem, and the government decided to create a grandiose hydraulic engineering project.

Construction of the canal and the station

Work on the canal was carried out from 1932 to 1937. In less than five years, more than 200 hydraulic structures were built, including locks, dams, and the Northern River Station itself. Remarkably, the building was erected on dry land — water filled the Khimki Reservoir only in the spring of 1937. The authors of the architectural project were Alexey Rukhlyadev and Vladimir Krinsky, who drew inspiration from Italian Gothic, especially the 15th-century Venetian Doge’s Palace. The construction involved prisoners of the Dmitrov Correctional Labor Camp, which was typical practice for large-scale projects of that era.

Heyday and decline

After its opening, the station instantly became a symbol of New Moscow and a favorite place for city residents. Inside there were:

• A restaurant and library
• Post office and telegraph
• Hairdresser
• Mother-and-child room
• Newsstand and shoe repair shop

A picturesque park with walking alleys spread around the building. In the 1930s–1940s, Soviet polar aviation expeditions to explore the Arctic departed from here on amphibious aircraft. Interesting fact: the station became a popular filming location and appeared in iconic Soviet films such as “Volga-Volga”, “By Family Circumstances”, “New Moscow”, and many others. By the 1990s, due to the reduction in passenger traffic, the station fell into decline. For some time the building was used for commercial purposes, but by the early 2010s it was in emergency condition and was closed.

Revival of the architectural monument

Large-scale restoration began in 2018 and was completed in autumn 2020. Restorers worked with historical sketches and archival photographs to recreate the original appearance of the building as accurately as possible. Today, the Northern River Station and its embankment are among the most visited locations in Moscow.

Architectural features of the building

The oval structure 150 metres long really resembles an elegant cruise liner moored to the shore. The total height of the building reaches 75 metres, and the area exceeds 5,000 square metres.

Ship-shaped design

The architects thought through every detail of maritime symbolism:

• Three tiers of open galleries symbolize the decks of a ship
• The central 27-metre tower serves as a mast
• The side wings are designed with two-tier galleries
• The natural slope toward the embankment creates the effect of descending to the water

Main entrance and medallions

A wide granite staircase leads from the embankment to the building, ending in a three-arch portal. The entrance is decorated with 12 majolica medallions 1.5 metres in diameter, created at the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory by artist Natalia Danko. They depict key projects of the Stalin era:

1. Dnieper Hydroelectric Station
2. Soviet Army Theatre
3. Palace of the Soviets (never built)
4. Other significant objects of that time

Another 12 medallions are located on the portal of the façade facing the park.

Tower with clocks and the legendary star

On the roof-terrace rises an elegant tower with round clocks that are about 200 years old. According to one version, they were brought from the Resurrection Cathedral in Volokolamsk. The identity of the maker and the exact place of manufacture remain a mystery. The tower is crowned by a five-metre gilded star weighing 730 kilograms. At the centre of the composition is a hammer and sickle inlaid with hundreds of gemstones. The star is mounted on a retractable spire that can be lowered if necessary. Throughout history, this operation has been performed only a few times: in 1937, in 1941 to camouflage it during the war, and in 2010 before restoration.

Observation deck

From the roof-terrace there are impressive panoramic views of the Khimki Reservoir and Severnoye Tushino Park. It is one of the most popular spots for photographs and observing the surroundings.

Luxurious interiors of the station

Restorers carefully restored the original decoration of the premises, using various types of marble, natural stone, and bronze. Visitors can appreciate the splendour of Stalinist Empire style in three key areas.

Central vestibule

The spacious room impresses with massive columns with capitals faced with Tarusa stone. The walls are decorated with:

• Panels with maritime themes
• Stained-glass windows with coats of arms of the Union republics
• A tall painted ceiling with ship symbolism
• Marble floor with decorative patterns

Waiting hall with the Transport Museum

In the northern part of the station is a hall with a ceiling decorated with plant motifs. On the walls you can see paintings illustrating articles of the 1936 Constitution. Today there is a pop-up space of the Moscow Transport Museum with changing exhibitions dedicated to the history of the canal construction, river navigation, and polar aviation.

Volga-Volga Restaurant

The most memorable room of the station is located in the southern part of the building. The restaurant hall amazes with emerald walls, octagonal windows resembling portholes, detailed images of locks, and a fabulous painted ceiling with soaring seagulls.

The famous “North” and “South” fountains

In the inner courtyards formed by rotundas on both sides of the building are two outstanding fountains created by talented Soviet sculptors.

“North” Fountain

In the northern wing is a composition dedicated to Arctic fauna. The author is sculptor Lev Kardashev. Above a marble bowl in the shape of polar bears, bronze polar geese, each weighing about 120 kg, majestically spread their wings.

“South” Fountain

The southern fountain was created by the famous animalist artist Ivan Efimov. The composition is dedicated to the inhabitants of the Black Sea. The flower-shaped bowl is surrounded by graceful copper dolphins weighing only about 10 kg each. Friendly marine mammals are also placed above the bowl on glass spheres.

Embankment and public spaces

The 1.5-kilometre embankment has become one of Muscovites’ favourite walking areas. Here you will find:

• 17 berths for river transport
• Beach area with three heated pools for 200 people
• Cafes and restaurants
• Bike paths
• 100-seat amphitheatre
• Ticket offices
• Sports grounds for workouts, streetball, and table tennis

Miniature copy of the Moscow Canal

The main attraction of the embankment is a 400-metre artificial stream that reproduces the Moscow-Volga Canal in miniature. The composition includes:

• Working miniature locks
• A small model of the station building
• Pump system for water movement
• Artistic illumination in the evening

This is a favourite place for family walks where children happily launch toy boats.

Seasonal activities

In summer the landscaped beach-restaurant with sun loungers, phyto-bar, and children’s playground operates. All sports areas and water attractions are open. In winter an artificial ice rink of 570 m² is flooded on the territory, designed for 600 people at a time. Five skating sessions are held daily.

River walks and cruises

During the navigation season, various routes depart from the berths of the Northern River Station:

Cruises across Russia

There are 16 multi-day routes to cities including:

• Uglich
• Rostov-on-Don
• Kazan
• Saint Petersburg
• Nizhny Novgorod
• Cities of the Golden Ring

Boat trips along the Moskva River

You can choose either short one-hour excursions or longer journeys with stops in picturesque settlements on the river banks. Tickets and detailed timetable information are available on the official website of the station.

How to get to the Northern River Station

Address: Leningradskoye Shosse, 51

By metro

The fastest way is to go to the “Rechnoy Vokzal” metro station. From there it is only a 15-minute walk following the signs.

By bus

Several city bus routes go to the “Severny Rechnoy Vokzal” stop.

By river transport

In warm weather you can arrive by riverboat:

• From Tushino
• From Khimki near Moscow
• From other cities with river connections

Best photo spots

Near the fountains

The compositions with polar bears and bronze geese in the north, and with dolphins in the south, create a picturesque background for selfies and family photos.

On the observation deck

The station roof offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Khimki Reservoir. Evening photos with illumination are especially impressive.

At the berths and galleries

Majestic riverboats at the pier, rows of columns of open galleries, and perspectives of the Moskva River create ideal conditions for architectural photography.

In the central vestibule

The historical hall with soft light, multicoloured floor, bright ceiling paintings, and medallions with coats of arms of the USSR republics is a must-have for lovers of interior photography.

Practical information for visitors

Opening hours: daily from 09:00 to 22:00 Admission: free Guided tours: individual and group programmes lasting 1–2 hours are available Facilities: cafés, restaurants, museum, souvenir shops, ticket offices

Conclusion

The Northern River Station is not just a transport hub or an architectural monument. It is a living space where history and modernity, culture and leisure, beauty and functionality are harmoniously combined. The majestic ship-shaped building with the legendary star on the spire, luxurious interiors with stained glass and mosaics, picturesque fountains, and a well-maintained embankment make this place a must-visit point for anyone interested in Stalin-era architecture or simply looking for a comfortable place to relax in Moscow. From here, fascinating water routes across Russia begin, and the territory itself offers plenty of opportunities for cultural leisure at any time of year. The Northern River Station proves that historical heritage can successfully serve the modern city while remaining a carefully preserved testament to a bygone era.