Moscow Canal - Hidden Heritage Under Threat

The Moscow Canal is an outstanding hydraulic water management system constructed earlier in the 20th century. Its entire canal bed is artificial. The system of canal-locks and pumping stations lets vessels passing through the canal overcome the height difference of 38 m.

The complex of the Moscow canal includes seven small hydroelectric power stations that supply electricity to the canal structures.

The complex also includes ten dams, including Perervenskaya Dam shown in the image. Barrier gates block the canal bed for repairs and are also useful in case of an emergency.

The Moscow canal played an important role during WWII. Throughout the winter of 1941-1942, it was the frontier where the blow of the Nazi troops on Moscow was stopped. The metal bridge over the canal was later disassembled and replaced with a new one.  

Nowadays the Moscow canal is still used for its intended purposes both for transport functions and is a key object of water supply for Moscow. It also serves as a recreational area and a popular tourist route. 

Only two structures are nationally recognized and protected by law: the statue of Lenin and the Northern river station building in Moscow. Other elements require urgent conservation. The statue of Lenin is the only surviving cyclopean statue of Stalin's time.  

The Northern river station building (architect Alexey Roukhliadev) was designed based on the principles of "gesamtkunstwerk" and is the most grandiose of the canal structures. After the restoration, its telescopic spire crowned with a star will be able to move again.  

The places of the mass burial of the prisoners who died during the Canal construction have not been identified nor explored by archaeologists. New constructions that are being carried out here threaten to change the historic appearance of the complex.