In Photos: Moscow Metro Inaugurates 'World's Longest' Circle Line
First opened in 1935 with a single line and 13 stations, the Moscow metro has since expanded to encompass a sprawling underground network of over 250 stations.
Its newest addition is the completion of the Big Circle Line, a 70-kilometer loop that links 31 stations and which opened Wednesday.
Costing an estimated $6.6 billion to build, the line is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Russia in recent decades.
"The line has become the world's largest underground subway ring," President Vladimir Putin said via video link at the line's opening this week.
Here's a look at some of the 31 new stations on the Big Circle Line:
Its newest addition is the completion of the Big Circle Line, a 70-kilometer loop that links 31 stations and which opened Wednesday.
Costing an estimated $6.6 billion to build, the line is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Russia in recent decades.
"The line has become the world's largest underground subway ring," President Vladimir Putin said via video link at the line's opening this week.
Here's a look at some of the 31 new stations on the Big Circle Line:
Nagatinsky Zaton station
A view of the Nagatinsky Zaton station in southeast Moscow.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Nagatinsky Zaton station
The Moscow metro is one of the world's busiest metro systems.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Nagatinsky Zaton station
Each station has its own unique design, with many following a theme related to their names.
Nagatinsky Zaton is named for the district where it's located, which sits on the right bank of the Moscow River.
Nagatinsky Zaton is named for the district where it's located, which sits on the right bank of the Moscow River.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Sokolniki station
A sign at the new Sokolniki metro station reads "Thank you for the metro!"
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Sokolniki station
The new Sokolniki station on the Big Circle Line connects to the Sokolniki station on the Sokolnicheskaya Line, or the Red Line.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
The station features illustrations from the metro's history.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Rizhskaya station
Passengers who descend into the Rizhskaya station will be surrounded by a futuristic aesthetic.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Rizhskaya station
The station itself features animated screens and illuminated arches.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Rizhskaya station
The Big Circle Line's Rizhskaya station connects with the Rizhskaya station on the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line, or the Orange Line.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Maryina Roscha station
The Moscow metro introduced a Face Pay system in 2021, allowing passengers to use facial-recognition to pay their fare.
Maryina Roscha station
Walking to and from the trains at Maryina Roscha station, north of the city center.
Sergei Vedyashkin / Moskva News Agency
Varshavskaya station
A train arrives at Varshavskaya station in southeast Moscow.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Kashirskaya station
The platform at Kashirskaya station in southeast Moscow.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Tekstilshchiki station
A pair of youths sit on the platform at Tekstilshchiki station in eastern Moscow.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Tekstilshchiki station
While Moscow's metro is known for its ornate artistic interiors, most newer stations opt for a streamlined, modern look.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Klenovy Bulvar station
At Klenovy Bulvar station, this modernism extends to the seating...
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
Klenovy Bulvar station
...as well as to the station's exterior.
Sergei Kiselev / Moskva News Agency
