Ploshchad Revolyutsii

This central Moscow Metro station, opened in the late 1930s, is famous for its seventy-six life-sized bronze figures crouched in the arches between red and black marble pylons. Sculpted by Matvei Manizer, they depict idealised Soviet citizens: soldiers, farmers, students, athletes and workers, several accompanied by animals. Over decades passengers have rubbed certain statues for luck, polishing the nose of a border guard's dog and other details to a bright shine on the way to Red Square.