Moscow University/Vorobievy Hills, Moscow

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The MGU (Moskovskij Gosudarstvennyj Universitet) was founded in 1755 by the Russian scientist M. V. Lomonosov.

Since 1953 the main departments occupy the largest of Stalin's seven skyscrapers. At 240 m in height it was also the tallest building in Europe at that time.

Directions:
The MGU main building is situated on the Sparrow Hills (Vorob'evy Gory) south of the city centre. The nearest Metro stops are Universitet or Vorob'evy Gory (red line).

Website: http://www.msu.ru/

Moscow University celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2005. The building in central Moscow dates from the late 18th century, but it is the huge tower of Stalin-era vystony - the tallest of his "Seven Sisters" and visible from just about anywhere in the city, that is the main hub of the university these days.

The central spire rises to 36 floors and with 4 enormous wings, this is one big building. It's interesting to go inside. Huge, rather gloomy passage ways and halls open out from the main entrance. Student facilities seem fairly basic -a few small kiosks sell snacks and drinks, a flower stall reflects the Russian custom of giving flowers, upstairs there are small cafeterias selling not a lot. Access may be possible via the central lifts to the floors above. The departments of Geography and Geology on the 26th and 28th floors have dry and dusty museums (the views are splendid) - there may well be other, if you can find someone to open them.

The campus is large and well laid out with trees and gardens between the various buildings.

This is the main university of the country, located on the Vorobiovy Hills from where the best views of the city can be enjoyed. The building of the university, built in 1950s, is the tallest and most beautiful of the Moscow skyscrapers.

The famous complex in Vorobievy hills is a nice place for slow walks and not only on warm days.
You can take here the most traditional photo as well - I think nearly half of moskovites have got something like that in there albums.

The impressive central building of Moscow State University stands on the Vorobyovy Hills overlooking the Luzhniki district of the city. The enormous skyscraper was commissioned by Stalin as one of the "Seven Sisters" - seven similar skyscrapers dotted across Moscow. The university building was built between 1949 and 1953.

Here are some curious data about the university (MGU) building:

- it has a 36-storey teaching block
- it is said to have a total of 33 kilometers of corridors
- it is 240 meters high
- the star on its top weighs 12 tons!

From the terrace in front of the Lomonossov university you have a fantastic panorama over Moscow - including the new Luzhniki sports stadium, the brand new Church of Christ the Savior, the Kremlin and if you look closely you can discover some of the "sister" buildings of the university.

The observation platform, which gives a good panoramic view of the city, is situated there at the steep bank of the Moskva River at an altitude of 85 m above the river (200 m above sea level). The hills, immortalized by many Russian poets and writers, were named apparently after the village Vorobyovo (literally: Sparrows' Village) located nearby. Moscow State University and the Church of the Life-giving Trinity are located on the Hills.

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Sparrow Hills (Sparrow's Hills, Russian: Vorobievy Hills former name in 1935 - 1999: Lenin Hills -Lenin Hills) is a part of the right bank of the Moscow River and the highest point in Moscow with an altitude up to 220 m (60-70 m above the river level). The subway station with the same name is located at this place.

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In the late 1940s - the early 1950s the infrastructure of Moscow University greatly improved. A huge complex of new University buildings was erected on Lenin (Vorob’yovy) Hills. On 1 September, 1953, they opened their doors for the students. The laboratories, class rooms and auditoriums were fitted out with the modern equipment. The University budget rose 5-fold compared to the pre-war years.