Azar
Google
The history of GUM in Moscow began in the 19th century, when the Upper Trading Rows were located on the site of the current building. The first shops appeared here in the 17th century, but they were wooden, then a stone building appeared, but in about 70 years it also became outdated.
In 1889-1893, the old rows were demolished, and in their place a new passage was built with imitation of forms of ancient Russian architecture and folk art, but at the same time modern materials and technologies were used. . The building received elements of Art Nouveau and a unique glass roof, which became one of its calling cards.
At the end of the 19th century, it became fashionable to use elements reminiscent of towers, boyar chambers and church architecture of the 17th century: keeled arches, hipped roofs, patterned platbands, pipe columns, figured pediments, kokoshniks and striped masonry. However, unlike real Old Russian architecture, where the decor was an organic part of the structure, in the 19th and 20th centuries these elements were often imposed on modern buildings as decorative ones.
Striking examples are the Historical Museum in Moscow and, of course, GUM, where these details are combined with huge glass arches and metal ceilings from the era of the Industrial Revolution.
The shopping arcade quickly turned into a center of luxury - hundreds of shops, salons and restaurants operated here. After the revolution of 1917, trade was closed, and the building was used for warehouses and even for housing for officials.
In 1921, by decree of Lenin, the State Department Store, or GUM, was opened here. In the 1930s, trade was temporarily stopped, and ministries were placed there.
In 1953, the store reopened and became a symbol of Soviet trade - scarce goods, a grocery store and a cafe appeared here. In the 1990s, GUM was privatized and gradually turned into a premium shopping center with boutiques of world brands.
Today, GUM is not only a store, but also a cultural space, and in the cafeteria No. 57 you can try dishes from the Soviet era, although in my personal opinion, they don’t really know how to cook them here.
The building has become a super symbol of Moscow, combining history, trade and modernity. Its glass roofs, archaic-retro facades and three levels of passages make it a unique architectural monument.
