The Seven Sisters

Stalin wanted to build a skyscraper. Intended to be a great monument, a triumph, a wonder of the world, in 1940 he started the "Palace of Soviets".


But the war interrupted. And even though the steel structure had been erected, it was dismantled in order to provide material for the Moscow defense ring. After WWII Stalin was concerned that, having won the war, foreigners would come to Moscow and there'd be no skyscrapers. This would constitute a moral blow to the pride of Russia.

So, in a secret process, up and coming architects were selected and buildings were awarded according to the architect's current prestige. Stalin directed that the buildings follow in a certain Gothic tradition, allegedly inspired by the Manhattan Municipal Building in New York City:


A lot more buildings were designed than were eventually built. Seven made it. Due to a general lack of engineering experience for this sort of thing, the structures were overbuilt. Some of the concrete foundations were over 21 feet thick.

Less than a quarter mile from my apartment is the Moscow River. And across the Moscow River is the Hotel Ukraina. It is second tallest of the Sisters and currently billed as the tallest hotel in Europe.