Posted on Thursday, 31 October 2019

The Soviet Union may be regarded as a distant - and rather bloody - political experiment, but the period is nothing if not absorbing. For history buffs, or those who enjoy travelling to more moody, off-beat destinations, the former Soviet bloc is littered with evocative remnants of the fallen USSR.

Avtovo Station, St Petersburg Metro

St Petersburg is one of modern-day Russia's biggest attractions in itself, but the opulent Avtovo metro station, completed in 1955, deserves a special mention. With ornate chandeliers and glass-faced columns, it's more reminiscent of a trip to the opera than to the office. A reminder of how wealthy and powerful the Soviet Union was (or wanted to be seen as), this is undeniably one of the world's most beautiful metro stations.

Stalin World, Lithuania

The word "Stalin" once struck fear in the hearts of millions, which makes this 'theme park' even more bizarre. This is the final resting place for hundreds of Soviet statues that once had pride of place in towns and villages across Lithuania. Today, children clamber all over them and have their photos taken next to them.

The Motherland Calls, Russia

Dominating the skyline at Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd, The Motherland Calls was once the world's largest statue; today it is the world's biggest statue of a woman. The structure has shifted substantially since it was erected in 1967, due to ongoing ground movements. It is one of the few statues not to be torn down and placed in Muzeon, a Moscow park for 700+ Soviet statues.

Abandoned amusement park in Ukraine

Perhaps not the cheeriest of destinations, this abandoned amusement park in Pripyat, Ukraine, is nevertheless fascinating. The town was evacuated after the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant disaster in 1986. Today the Zone of Alienation - in which Pripyat is located - is considered safe. A number of Ukrainian firms offer guided tours in the area.

Bolshoi Opera & Ballet, Minsk, Belarus

With its red velvet drapes and golden hammer-and-sickles, the interior of the Bolshoi in Minsk is just as impressive as its exterior. Sitting here as you watch an opera or ballet performance, you're transported straight back to the Soviet era: Only the availability of chocolate and Champagne in the foyer tells you different. An evening in these auspicious surroundings costs less than £10 a head - inclusive of bubbly and chocolates!

Hotel Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan

This imposing Soviet-era hotel is so charmless it positively oozes charm. All the classic Brutalist elements are here: uniform facade, identical rooms and carbon-copied labyrinthine corridors on every level. Yet despite its outdated looks, today's capitalist Uzbeks still comes here to quaff cocktails on the vast rooftop bar.

Alley of Leaders, Ukraine

After the Union fell in 1991, many people wanted their often-dark history to sink without trace. Diver Vladimir Broumenskyy wanted the same: he rescued hundreds of Soviet statues then sank them off the coast of Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea. The result is an underwater wonderland of algae-covered Lenins, Stalins and Marxes that attract thousands of divers annually.

Tiraspol, Moldova

Step back in time and regard Tiraspol's plethora of Soviet architecture and rusting military hardware. Tanks on plinths and preserved Mig-29 fighter jets conjure up the USSR at its peak. Add the Palace of the Soviets, the brutalist Parliament Building, and Pobeda Park and you have one of the most evocative Soviet 'wonderlands' on the planet.

Visas

Planning a trip to a former Soviet country? Visa requirements vary, but most countries can be accessed with relative ease. Belarus now offers UK passport holders a free 30-day visa, whereas it once required an invitation letter from a Belarussian citizen. Ukraine offers up to 90 days without a pre-arranged visa, as does Lithuania and Moldova. A tourist visa for Russia can be obtained with the help of a Russian-registered travel company, who will provide a letter of invitation.

The FCO strongly recommends that you take out comprehensive travel insurance before leaving Britain.

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