The DniproHES (Dnieper Hydroelectric Station) is one of Europe’s largest hydroelectric power plants, located on the Dnieper River in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, symbolizing industrialization and post-war reconstruction. The 1957 postcard captures the facility after its full post-war restoration.
What is shown on the postcard
The 1957 postcard captures a panoramic view of the DniproHES, featuring its massive dam with numerous spillway sections. To the left of the image, the powerhouse building is visible, with the urban landscape of Zaporizhzhia on the right bank of the Dnieper in the distance. The foreground shows the Dnieper River and a small rocky island. Lamp posts and, presumably, pedestrians are visible along the dam crest.
Historical note
Construction of DniproHES began in 1927 and was completed in 1932, becoming a flagship project of the GOELRO plan. During World War II, the station was destroyed twice – first in 1941 by retreating Soviet forces and again in 1943 by German occupiers. Its reconstruction began immediately after the liberation of Zaporizhzhia. The first turbine was launched by 1947, and by the early 1950s, the station had fully resumed operations, reaching its designed capacity.
Present day
Currently, DniproHES continues to play a pivotal role in Ukraine’s energy system, supplying electricity and regulating the Dnieper River’s water level. The station serves as an important transportation hub, with both road and rail routes running across the dam. Equipment modernization is ongoing to enhance efficiency and safety.
Location (map)
Address: Sobornyi Avenue, Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 47.868000, 35.086400
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates obtained from Google Maps (central part of the dam).
Questions and answers
- When was DniproHES built? Construction of DniproHES began in 1927 and was completed in 1932.
- Why was DniproHES destroyed? During World War II, the station was destroyed twice: in 1941 by retreating Soviet forces and in 1943 by German occupiers.
- In what year was DniproHES fully restored after the war? By the early 1950s, the station had fully resumed operations after post-war reconstruction.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Zaporizhzhia from 1957.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.