26 Incredibly Evocative Photos of 1956 Soviet Moscow

As any regular reader of this blog knows, I am a very big fan of streetscape photography. While photos of monuments or buildings can be interesting, streetscapes give more of a sense of time and place.

One book of very evocative, striking and unusual urban photography, including many street scenes, is a stunning collection of 1950's Soviet Moscow that was released in the Soviet Union in 1956.

Interestingly the book was meant for domestic consumption and what little text there is is in Russian. It contains 163 photographs with some truly spectacular photos -- more sadly than we can look at in one single post, so you can expect a follow-up!


It has a little bit of everything. Nighttime and daytime shots, photos of monuments, parks, buildings, streets, stores, sports venues and more.

Here are 26 of the volume's best photographs with an emphasis on the streetscapes.

(Click on images to enlarge)

See also: 20 Vintage Toronto Streetscapes of Yonge St, Yorkville, Kensington Market & More! (Plus one bonus one of Oshawa).

See also: 10 Vintage Toronto Postcard Streetscapes (and one bonus one of Port Credit!)