The Square of 1905

The Building of the City's Administration and Ekaterinburg City Council

24 Nov 2014 | From Sima of Russia

OFFICIAL POSTCROSSING

The building is a prime example of a Soviet neoclassicism (1947~1954). Neoclassicism is the name given to quite distinct movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw upon Western classical art and culture. 

Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century. In its purest form it is a style principally derived from the architecture of Classical antiquity, the Vitruvian principles and the architecture of the Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

Ekaterinburg City Hall was built in the early 1950s by German prisoners of war. It was intended to be richly symbolic and unique. Its theme was to reflect the Great Victory of the Second World War. The decision to build this landmark was taken by the Council of Ministers to honour Ekaterinburg for its contribution to that victory.

Construction of Ekaterinburg’s City Administration (or Sverdlovsk as it was called during the Soviet period) became a symbol of the country’s post-war power. Built with German skill, the building is of the highest quality, surpassing that of any other in the city. It has an eclectic architecture with its style combining both classic and modern - a style typical of the architecture of the time, which is usually called “Stalin’s Triumph”.