Moscow Fountains in spring and summer
The first fountains in Moscow were built in the early 19th century, after the completion of the Mitischinskovo aqueduct, which brought clean drinking water to the center of the city. Fountains soon became a popular and attractive way to help hydrate the city. Many were adorned with bronze statues of horses or famous people of the time.
However, during the reconstruction of Moscow by Stalin in the 1930s, all of the old fountains, with the exception of the Petrovskiy Fountain in front of the Bolshoi Theater, were demolished. New fountains were constructed to take their place.
The most amazing fountains began springing up around 1954 in the new Park of Soviet Economic Achievements. They included the Colossus Fountain, the Stone Flower Fountain, and the largest of all, Friendship of the Peoples Fountain which is decorated with statues representing the various nationalities and Republics of the Soviet Union.
No other fountains were constructed until the 1990s, which is also when some of the older fountains began being restored. In recent years, new fountains continue to be constructed. There are over 700 fountains in Moscow. Each spring when the weather turns warm enough, the mayor holds a fountain ceremony, turning on all of the fountains in the city, since they remain off during the winter.
- Moscow Fountains
