The Socialist City (1924 - 1941)

In January 1924, after the death of the Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, the city was renamed Leningrad (supposedly by public demand). With the population having drastically dropped during the Revolution and the war, the city was slow to recover.

Cheap housing for workers became a strong feature of the Leningrad landscape during the mass construction in the 1920’s. “Palaces of culture” were constructed to provide the population with entertainment and social activities. The architecture of the new buildings was modern and uninspiring. The large apartment blocks constructed during the Imperial era were converted into “communal” (shared) apartments, housing several families. The socialist city of Leningrad did not make life easy, but the population was about to face further hardship during World War II.

Next: Times of War and Suffering (The 900-Day Siege)