Valentine’s Day Soviet-Style: Former Moscow Dating Hotspots

It’s customary to go on a date with your other half and give special presents on Valentine’s Day. The day was first celebrated in Western Europe in the 13th century, and by 1777 it made its way to the United States. In Russia, this holiday appeared relatively recently, although romance was around long before lovers ever marked this day in their calendars: there are many romantic spots in Moscow where our grandmothers and grandfathers and our mothers and fathers went on dates. Photo: couple in a wintery forest. 1960.

Over the last hundred years, Muscovites have preferred the same places to go on dates. Just like today, couples in the Soviet Union walked around the city center, for example, on the Red Square (photo: 1967).

The most common place for happy couples to hang out was, of course, the Pushkin Square, formerly called Strastnaya Ploshchad, or Passion Square (photo: 1945).

Going to the movies was one of the main forms of entertainment for young people in the Soviet Union. Hence the entrance to the movie theater became an ideal place to meet your date. Photo: the Warsaw Cinema. 1975.

The only place you surely wouldn’t miss each other, just like today, was in the metro. (Photo: 1965).

Moscovites at the Oktyabrskaya Station on the Circle Line. 1978

Moscow’s wide avenues are simply made for evening strolls with your other half. (Photo: Moscow’s Prospekt Kalinina at night. 1976)

A couple crosses tramlines. 1968.

Working out together was another popular way for Soviet couples to have fun.