The Atlas Sovieticus

Tucked away on the facade of the historic Nur-Sultan 1 (Astana-1) railway station, these vibrant mosaics offer a colorful glimpse into the city’s Soviet past.

While the capital has rapidly modernized with futuristic architecture, these panels remain a striking example of Socialist Realist monumental art. The four vertical panels depict the idealized pillars of Soviet society: progression and science (with cosomonauts and engineers), society (a happy Soviet family) and the army.

Discover these, and many other monumental artworks in Kazachstan on www.theatlassovieticus.com!

📍51.1959110, 71.4078910

An interesting (and must-read) article!

This monumental mosaic, located on Shaykhontohur Street in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, features a lone cosmonaut drifting in the deep blue of space.

Created in 1976 by artist Zharsky Nikolay Vasilievich, this stunning piece is one of three murals on apartment buildings along a main avenue, each celebrating Soviet advancements in space and aviation.

While the neighboring murals show flying aircrafts and satellites, this one stands out with its central figure holding the emblem of the atom - connecting space exploration with nuclear science. The cosmonaut is surrounded by a starry sky and a glowing copper disc, depicting zodiac signs. Below, space artefacts are combined with folk-inspired floral and plant motifs.

These murals once represented a future of scientific triumph. Today, their vibrant blues and distinctive forms remain, a little weathered but still proud.

Discover more than 250+ other mosaics in Tashkent on www.theatlassovieticus.com/map!

📍Location: 41.3260290, 69.2639380

In a quiet corner of Astana, this colourful mosaic watches over generations of students entering and exiting the school it decorates: School 16 Im T. Aybergenova. It's a relic of Soviet-era optimism, and tells the story of knowledge, ambition, and the promise for a bright future.

On the left side of the composition, a row of young children are depicted. Their faces blend together - each unique, yet part of something greater. The first girl carries a bouquet of flowers, a familiar tribute to teachers symbolizing respect and the passing of knowledge. Toward the center, flowing lines and abstract shapes create a sense of momentum. The faces of determined adults emerge, their gazes fixed firmly on the future. Do we see a pilot and a cosmonaut? Either way, the composition conveys movement, as if it's pushing forward into an era of discovery and transformation. It represents a true evolution from child to Soviet pioneer.

On the right, I imagine stylized wings of a bird, almost mechanical in form. Perhaps it spreads its wings - representing wisdom, innovation, or the boundless potential of the next generation.

Though the Soviet Union is gone, the mosaic remains, still greeting students each morning. Stripped of its ideological origins, it stands as a timeless reminder that education has always been a force that shapes the future.

📍 Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
🌐 Coordinates: 51°09'57.5"N 71°27'20.6"E

👀 Discover more than 2500+ other Soviet monumental artworks on www.theatlassovieticus.com

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The Atlas Sovieticus documents the monumental art of the former USSR — mosaics, sgraffito, architecture, and monuments that still shape the urban landscape today.

On this page, you will find:
- Highlights from our growing photographic archive
- Updates on new destinations and research
- Access to our interactive map with 3,000+ documented works

Explore, discover, and help preserve the legacy of Soviet monumentalism!

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The Atlas Sovieticus - The ultimate guide to Soviet public art and architecture The ultimate guide to Soviet public art and architecture