This 1968 postcard captures a night view of Zaporizhzhia’s central thoroughfare — Lenin Avenue, now known as Sobornyi Prospekt.
What is shown on the postcard
The photograph, taken with a long exposure, shows the avenue bathed in the light of car headlights and street lamps, creating an effect of luminous trails. On the right side, the grand facade of the ‘Ukraina’ Department Store with its colonnade is clearly visible, its ground floor brightly lit, and above the colonnade, there is a sign with the word ‘LENIN’. A trolleybus is also seen on the avenue, and multi-story buildings line both sides of the street.
Historical note
Lenin Avenue served as Zaporizhzhia’s main street, laid out during the city’s post-World War II reconstruction. Its development extensively utilized Stalinist neoclassicism, lending the avenue a monumental and solemn appearance. The ‘Ukraina’ Department Store, opened in 1964, quickly became one of the city’s largest shopping centers and an important architectural landmark of the avenue.
Present day
Currently, Lenin Avenue is known as Sobornyi Prospekt, yet it retains its significance as a key transport and public artery of Zaporizhzhia. Many Soviet-era buildings, including the ‘Ukraina’ Department Store, continue to function, undergoing renovations and adaptations to modern conditions while preserving their historical appearance.
Location (map)
Address: Sobornyi Prospekt, 185, Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
Coordinates: 47.828500, 35.158500
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates are tied to the building of the ‘Ukraina’ Department Store (Sobornyi Prospekt, 185), visible in the postcard..
Questions and answers
- What street is depicted on the postcard? The postcard depicts Lenin Avenue, which is now known as Sobornyi Prospekt in Zaporizhzhia.
- What prominent building is visible in the image? The prominent building with a colonnade visible on the right side of the postcard is the ‘Ukraina’ Department Store.
- What year was this postcard of Zaporizhzhia issued? This postcard of Zaporizhzhia was issued in 1968.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Zaporizhzhia from 1968.
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