The first subway line was opened in 1935. Today, many of Moscow's metro stations are historical monuments listed as cultural heritage sites.
According to Joseph Stalin, the Soviet metro was supposed to be one of the symbols of the era. Therefore, huge amounts of money were invested in the construction and decoration of the stations. The stunning results justified even the wildest expectations. Thanks to the magnificent stained glass windows, luxurious decor, numerous statues, bas reliefs and mosaic panels, stations can easily be compared to "underground palaces".