The station was opened in 1935 and is named after the nearby ‘Okhotny Ryad’ street, whose name literally means ‘Hunters' Row’, where game was once traded. But, in 1955, this station was renamed ‘im. Kaganovicha’ (‘Kaganovich’ Station).
Nikolai Kubeev / TASS
It was prominent Soviet politician Lazar Kaganovich who led Stalin's reconstruction of Moscow and the construction of the first subway lines. In 1935-1955, the capital's subway carried his name and when the subway was renamed after Lenin, Kaganovich was left with only one station.
Boris Babanov / Sputnik
But, already in 1957, the politician was removed from all posts - and any mention of him was removed. For several years, the station in the center of Moscow returned to its former name; but, in 1961, it turned into ‘Prospekt Marksa’ (‘Marx Prospect’).
The name of the German economist stuck with the station for almost thirty years. Only in 1990 did ‘Okhotny Ryad’ regain its original, historical name.
Dear readers,
Our website and social media accounts are under threat of being restricted or banned, due to the current circumstances. So, to keep up with our latest content, simply do the following:
- Subscribe to our Telegram channel
- Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter
- Enable push notifications on our website
- Install a VPN service on your computer and/or phone to have access to our website, even if it is blocked in your country