Russian Academy of Sciences

The Russian Academy of Sciences is the largest center for fundamental research in the country. Founded by Peter the Great three centuries ago, the institution has throughout its history been engaged in research activities in various fields — from environmental issues to the exploration of outer space. The main building of the RAS on Leninsky Prospekt attracts attention not only with its rich scientific heritage but also with its unique architecture, futuristic design, and the opportunity to visit an observation deck offering a panoramic view of the capital’s landmarks.

History of the Creation and Development of the Academy

From Imperial Times to the Present Day

In 1724, Emperor Peter the Great established the Imperial Russian Academy in Saint Petersburg — the prototype of the modern RAS. Seeking to create a scientific institution of European level, the sovereign appointed the scholar Lavrentiy Blumentrost as president and invited outstanding specialists in various fields — physicists, mathematicians, historians, and geographers. Key stages in the academy’s development:

• 1841 — incorporation of the Department of Russian Language and Literature, expanding the institution’s scope of activities
• 1917 — acquisition of the status of a state scientific institution following revolutionary changes
• 1934 — relocation of the academy from Saint Petersburg to Moscow, which became the new center of scientific life
• 1918–1961 — establishment of republican branches in all Soviet republics, contributing to breakthroughs in space exploration
• 1991 — adoption of the current name, Russian Academy of Sciences
• 2013 — integration of agricultural and medical branches into the structure

Construction of the Main Building

The decision to erect a new high-rise building was made in 1966. The concept belonged to the then-president of the RAS, Mstislav Keldysh, who sought to give the structure a cosmic atmosphere and personally made the first rough sketches. The official design was entrusted to the State Design and Research Institute of the RAS under the leadership of architect Yuri Platonov. Construction stretched over two decades — from 1974 to 1997. The first half of the complex opened in 1990, and the second part was commissioned in 1997. The process was complicated by funding shortages, the difficult terrain on a hill, the proximity of the Moskva River, and numerous technological innovations that were being implemented in Russia for the first time.

Architectural Features of the Building

Structural Solutions

The twenty-two-story academy building consists of two closely positioned towers, each 120 meters tall, housing offices and workspaces. A wide three-story plinth is divided into four sections, each crowned with its own golden composition. The structure stands on a natural elevation and is surrounded by low-rise buildings, making it the sole architectural dominant of Moscow’s southwest.

Functional Zones of the Complex

The left wing houses a cinema-concert hall with a capacity of 1,500 people, used for scientific conferences and events. A clock is integrated into the iron structure; for a long time it remained a non-functional symbol of incompleteness. The mechanism was assembled but never started due to the collapse of the USSR — the necessary electronics could not be obtained. In 2017, all four clock faces were finally set in motion; now the small bell chimes every quarter hour, and the large bell strikes on the hour. The opposite wing is dedicated to a winter garden, while a long glass gallery crossing the inner courtyard leads to the elevator hall of the central tower.

Decorative Design

The decorative metal structure on the roof earned the high-rise its popular nickname “golden brains”. In addition to its aesthetic function, the sheets serve a practical purpose — concealing protruding communication systems and the observation deck with a restaurant. Mirror glass with micron-thin internal gold coating refracts and reflects light even on cloudy days, creating a glowing effect. In the inner courtyard, allegorical figures by sculptor Georgy Frangulyan are installed on the gallery walls. The composition “Allegories of Space and Time” consists of eight bronze figures, each 5 to 7 meters tall: “Earth,” “Air,” “Water,” “Fire,” and “Morning,” “Day,” “Evening,” “Night.” The sculptures were created between 1989 and 1993 according to the concept of the project’s lead architect, Yuri Platonov.

Interesting Facts about the RAS

• The building was erected on difficult terrain at the site of a tectonic fault, which, according to some, causes headaches for people inside
• Presidents of the RAS were traditionally appointed by the head of state, so a professorial degree was not always required for the position
• The youngest president was Count Kirill Razumovsky at the age of eighteen; he also held the post the longest — fifty-two years, from 1746 to 1798
• Among RAS members there are seventeen Nobel Prize laureates; the first was Ivan Pavlov in 1904 for achievements in medicine and physiology
• The building featured the first single-lever faucets in Russia and tested a “smart home” system that was subsequently hardly used
• The architectural style is described as post-Soviet modernism; a contemporary of the building is the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris

What Visitors Can See

The observation deck and restaurant on the top floor of the RAS building are permanently open to the public. From the height, there is a stunning view of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the monument to Peter the Great, Moscow State University, and the Moscow-City business center. Guided tours allow visitors to walk through stylish halls, see chandeliers shaped like molecules, the allegorical sculptures in the courtyard, and the dome covered with non-functional solar panels. The excursion program includes visits to:

1. The winter garden with its unique plant collection
2. The glass gallery of the inner courtyard with allegorical sculptures
3. The concert hall used for business and entertainment events
4. The observation deck with a panoramic view of the capital’s landmarks

Occasionally, special tours are offered that include participation in scientific experiments, making a visit to the academy even more engaging.

Location and Opening Hours

Address: Moscow, Leninsky Prospekt, 32A Opening hours:

• Monday–Friday: 9:00–19:00
• Saturday: 10:00–18:00
• Sunday: closed

Official website: www.ras.ru

How to Get to the RAS

By Metro

The nearest metro stations are “Vorobyovy Gory,” “Leninsky Prospekt,” and “Ploshchad Gagarina.” Each is within walking distance or reachable by surface transport.

By Surface Transport

To the stop “Ul. Akademika Zelinskogo”:

• Buses: t7, S10, t7k

To the stop “Ploshchad Gagarina”:

• Buses: m1, 111, 144, 196, n11 (night route)
• Trolleybuses: 4, m4

Nearby Attractions

Near the main building of the RAS are popular places for walks and relaxation. Vorobyovy Gory is famous for its observation deck with a panoramic view of Moscow. Neskuchny Sad offers shady alleys and picturesque landscapes for peaceful leisure. Frunzenskaya Embankment is ideal for walks along the Moskva River at any time of year. The Presidium building of the Russian Academy of Sciences is a unique architectural monument of the Soviet modernist era, combining scientific significance with tourist appeal. Visiting this complex allows one not only to learn more about Russian science but also to enjoy the unusual design and breathtaking views of the capital.