Tver

Tver is quite undeservedly deprived of cleanliness. Many negative things are written about this city, its dirty yards, its deteriorating tram, and overall poverty. But deep down, Tver is wonderful. After all, it can’t be bad in a city with such architecture. Here is the fascinating building of the Tver post office, which stylistically finds itself somewhere in the hyperspace between Soviet and classical architecture.

Here is the House of Red Commanders — a splendid representative of the pre-war Soviet Union.

The symbolism of the sickle, hammer, and red star did not disappear after the dissolution of the USSR. It just became weathered over time.

The same building from a different perspective. Magnificence.

Another absolutely stunning building in Tver is the Zvezda (“Star”) cinema, built in 1937. Nowadays, it’s rare to come across a cinema in a separate building as most of them have long moved into shopping centers. And especially not to find a cinema in such a building. The Tver cinema is enormous. Its style is simply the finest example of Soviet architecture.

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to approach the cinema properly: there’s a parking lot and trees nearby, and it is located by the embankment. Capturing it in all its beauty is quite challenging.

A couple of photos from the Internet. Captured with a telephoto lens.

At night, the cinema is beautifully illuminated, and the lighting gradually changes colors. Zvezda is the cultural center of Tver. There are always many people here at any time of the day.

Another unique building is the River Port, constructed in 1938 in the same Stalinist Empire style. It’s a massive three-story structure with a tower and spire, truly incredible in its beauty.

And, unfortunately, completely forgotten.

Every detail here tells a story. The doors, windows, columns, and inscription. Everything is beautiful here.

Even the sign has remained untouched. Not a single letter is missing.

Unfortunately, this beautiful building is in a state of disrepair.

Everything is broken.

So sorry for this beauty.

Looking at these photos, I cringe — the place has long been used as a toilet, and the stench of urine is so strong you can barely hold back from vomiting.

Before opening a contemporary art museum here (led by the renowned gallerist Marat Gelman), I believe it would be worth considering restoring and preserving the historical art.

There is a considerable amount of architecture in Tver that has been left to the mercy of time.

But Tver is not only alive with the spirit of the Stalinist era. Here, one can find numerous buildings in the style of earlier epochs.

Many of them, of course, are undeservedly spoiled.

Many have been preserved from ancient times.

Here, names of residents are still written on many buildings.

Dilapidated entrances.

Mailboxes.

In Zatverechye (a local district), you can come across old street signs with lanterns.

And antique doors with intricate carvings.

But let’s return to the city and see how the residential neighborhoods are doing. Here, of course, everything is bad.

As bad as one can possibly imagine.

Cozy entrances.

Well-maintained courtyards.

Who even built these houses? What kind of horror is this? How could something like this be born in a city with such a wonderful architectural heritage?

Spacious balconies with a beautiful courtyard view.

Hair salon. High quality. Image making.

New technologies in road repairs.

Bus stop.

Tram stop.

Rails.

Tver deserves credit: it is indeed convenient to travel around the city by tram, as the network covers all areas. You can reach anywhere from anywhere. The problem is that you have to ride on tracks like these.

But in such a tram.

The best way to convey the sensations of the ride is through this short video.