Moscow Heritage at Crisis Point

Historic buildings in danger zone

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow

A bilingual report by experts from USA, Germany and the UK document in words and pictures threatened and lost buildings in Moscow. The report also brings practical recommendations on how to save the capital's remaining architectural heritage, as well as suggestions on how to change Russian law to protect the remnants.

Moscow, the underdog
Traditionally national and international architectural interest has been focused on St. Petersburg, and Moscow has been underestimated; this report draws to attention the imbalance. According to the report approximately 200 buildings with monument status have been destroyed in the last five years. "Architectural monuments of all eras are under threat. Nothing is sacrosanct," writes the President of SAVE Europe's Heritage Marcus Binney in his introduction.

Reasons for destruction
Some of the reasons for the current destruction of historic buildings are:

• 49-year leases on land owned by the city tempts developers to concentrate on short-term profits
• City authorities maintain that the historic buildings are too deteriorated to repair after decades of Soviet neglect
• Developers are powerful economic powers in Moscow, so malls and administration buildings that generate economic growth are replacing painted stone and wooden buildings along olds streets and river quaysides
• Lack of understanding of a building's architectural value, for instance one of the city's best Art Noveau buildings, the Voyentorg military department store will be replaced by a commercial complex similar to the old façade. Lack of understanding about how Soviet modernism buildings represent an architectural era that should be preserved for future generations
• Negligent observance of otherwise good preservation laws

Endangered landmarks
The report includes case studies of several of the city's endangered landmarks including St Basil's Cathedral, Tsaritsyno, Children's World Department Store, Mayakovskyaya Metro Station, the Melnikov House and Narkomfin.

Hopefully Putin and his fellow colleagues and citizens will turn the trend, and retain Moscow's soul, which may also be found in buildings, monuments, terraces, courtyards and quaysides.

Related Information
Introduction to Report: Moscow's Heritage - authentic or ersatz historic city (6 p. pdf)
MAPS, The Moscow Architecture Preservation Society, formed in 2004 by international journalists and architects working closely with preservationists, historians and architects to raise awareness about the destruction of Moscow's historical buildings. www.maps-moscow.com
SAVE Europe's Heritage, founded in 1995 by preservation experts to campaign for Europe's historic buildings. "Moscow Heritage at Crisis Point" is SAVE Europe's Heritage most ambitious report to date. www.savebritainsheritage.org