The Moscow Metro’s most beautiful stations: ‘Mayakovskaya’ (PHOTOS)

The station was named after famous Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. It became the world's first deep-level column-type station with a single platform. The design of Mayakovskaya station won the Grand Prix at the 1939 ‘World's Fair’ in New York. Americans were captivated by its Art Deco style interiors.

One of the station's most distinctive features is its steel columns. This was the first time such materials had been used in subway station design.

The station is also adorned with 34 mosaic panels made of smalt, depicting the theme ‘A Day in the Soviet Sky’. They were created by mosaic artist Alexander Frolov, based on sketches by the renowned Soviet painter Alexander Deyneka.

The mosaics are set into the station's vaulted ceilings and seem to float in the sky, illuminated by dozens of wall lamps.

Let's take a closer look at the mosaic scenes: a volleyball game… 

…paratroopers… 

…parachutes… 

…divers…

…biplanes flying over the Moscow Kremlin…

…biplanes by night… 

…seagulls…

…construction works…

…the Soviet flag…

During World War II, the station served as a bomb shelter, where hundreds of Muscovites spent nights. 

These days, Mayakovskaya hosts late-night wedding ceremonies, exhibitions and even musical concerts!

Check out more of the Moscow Metro’s most beautiful stations:

• Komsomolskaya
• Arbatskaya
• Ploshchad Revolutsii (with 75 bronze statues!)
• Novoslobodskaya (with colorful stained-glass panels)