A Soviet postcard from 1978 capturing the central part of Mariupol (known as Zhdanov from 1948 to 1989), featuring Lenin Avenue and the city’s iconic architectural landmarks.
What is shown on the postcard
The image depicts a section of the avenue with active urban traffic of the era. Visible in the frame are Soviet passenger trolleybuses, a red VAZ passenger car, and pedestrians on the sidewalk. The main elements of the composition are two residential buildings in the Stalinist Empire style, topped with decorative towers featuring spires. Lush green trees line the roadway.
Historical note
The “Houses with Spires” complex was built in 1953 according to the design of Kharkiv architect Lev Yanovitsky on the site of buildings destroyed during World War II. These residential buildings became a trademark of the city, framing the intersection of the main avenue and Artem Street (now Arkhip Kuindzhi Street). The buildings are decorated with columns, stucco moldings, and pilasters characteristic of post-war Soviet monumental architecture.
Present day
In the modern era, Lenin Avenue was renamed Myru (Peace) Avenue. The houses with spires retained their status as essential local architectural monuments until the spring of 2022, when the historic city center and the residential buildings themselves suffered catastrophic damage during military actions.
Location (map)
Address: 48 Myru Ave, Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates: 47.096350, 37.555540
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the intersection of Myru Avenue and Arkhip Kuindzhi Street near the Houses with Spires..
Questions and answers
- Which street is depicted on the postcard? The postcard shows Lenin Avenue (now Myru Avenue) at its intersection with Artem Street (now Kuindzhi Street).
- What style are the buildings in the background built in? The houses with spires were built in the Stalinist Empire style (Soviet Neoclassicism) designed by architect L. Yanovitsky.
- What public transport is visible in the picture? Soviet passenger trolleybuses operating on urban routes in the 1970s are visible on the roadway.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Mariupol from 1978.
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