Yerevan, capital of Armenia, during the soviet era. In this 1975 picture one can see a view of “Lenin Sqaure”, now called “Republic Square”. There are many government buildings and ministries in the square, which is considered the most important point of the city. The Lenin statue on the left was dismantled in 1990, shortly before Armenia regained independence. The former hotel …
Biškek, “Kirghizistan Hotel” in 1975
Biškek: girls in traditional clothings in 1975, when Kirghizistan whas part of the Soviet Union. The building you see on the background is the former hotel “Kirghizistan” (“Кыргызстан” мейманканасы, as the sign says), built in 1971 by architect E. G. Pisarskii. At that time the city was known as “Frunze” and its population was 486 000. After refurbishment, the building became the current “Hyatt Regency Bishkek …
Vilnius in 1975
Vilnius, capital of the Lithuania, in 1975 during the Soviet Era: at that time population was 433 000. “Gedimino prospektas” is the main avenue of the city (prospektas → avenue) named after the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Gediminas aka Hedzimin (1275 – 1341). The old town centre of Vilnius, that includes several Baroque buildings, is an UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. (photo: © 1975 Novosti news agency, Moscow – personal collection) Gedimino …
Old town centre of Riga in 1975
Riga, former Hanseatic League member and capital of the Latvia, in a 1975 picture throughout soviet era. Back then popolation was 796 000 (source: Novosti agency) but the result of 2011 census was 669 203; even so Riga is still the largest city of the Baltic states. In this picture one can see the Brīvības bulvāris, that is “Freedom boulevard”, with the 42-metre (138 ft) tall …
Old Town of Tallinn, 1975
The “old town” (historic centre) of Tallin, capital of Estonia, in a 1975 picture. At that time the population of the city was 399 000 and the country was part of the Soviet Union. Seen from the small park behind the St. Nicholas’ Church (Niguliste Kirik), you can see the crossing between the streets called Niguliste, Harju, Kuninge and Kulassepa (Street View). On the background stands out the …
Tbilisi, 1975
Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, in a 1975 picture. A young woman poses on the panoramic plaza in front of the Church of Assumption (end of XIII century), in the historic neighborhood of Metekhi located on the elevated cliff that overlooks the Kura river. Behind her you see the equestrian statue ok king Vakhtang I “Gorgasali” (wolf head), who is considered to have been the founder of the city in 5th century. On the …
Triumphal Arch of Chișinău in 1975
Chișinău, capital of Moldova, when the country was part of the Soviet Union. At that time the population of the city was 452 000 (source: Novosti). In this 1975 picture one can see the Triumphal Arc (Arcul de Triunf), built in 1840 by design of architect I. Zauschevic to commemorate the victory of the Russian Empire over the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War (1828–29). Behind it, there …
