Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow is a 24.5-meter stainless-steel sculpture by Vera Mukhina, standing on a reconstructed pavilion at the northern entrance of VDNKh. It was made for the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 Paris World’s Fair and moved to Moscow in 1939.
Two figures stride forward, raising a hammer and a sickle together. It is one of the best-known works of Soviet monumental art and an important example of socialist realism. This guide explains what you can see, what the pavilion below contains and how to reach it from VDNKh metro station.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Рабочий и колхозница |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1937 |
| Architect(s) | Boris Iofan (concept) and Vera Mukhina (sculptor) |
| Address | Prospekt Mira 123B, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Ostankinsky |
| Metro | VDNKh (Line 6 (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange), about 10 min walk) |
| Opening hours | The sculpture stands outdoors beside Prospekt Mira and can be seen at any time of day, free of charge.
The exhibition space in the pavilion beneath it keeps its own hours, reported on an older page as 12:00 to 21:00 and closed on Mondays (as of October 2026 – check the official information from Moscow Manege). |
| Admission | Free to see the sculpture. The exhibition space in the pavilion has its own hours, and its ticket price was not confirmed. |
| Best time to visit | Late afternoon and early evening give the best light on the steel, and the sculpture is lit after dark. The plaza is free at any time, so the timing is up to you.
Spring to autumn is pleasant for walking, and winter brings a stark look. The exhibition space is reported closed on Mondays. |
| Recommended duration | 30–60 minutes |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture and pavilion exterior | Included in the standard ticket | Free to see and walk around at any time. |
| Exhibition space in the pavilion | Separate ticket or institution | Run by Moscow Manege with its own hours and prices. |
| VDNKh grounds | Outside / not part of it | The exhibition park lies beyond the sculpture and is free to enter; see the VDNKh Moscow article. |
| Monument to the Conquerors of Space Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A separate monument a few minutes away with a museum in its base. |
| 1937 Paris pavilion | Outside / not part of it | The original building in Paris no longer exists; the Moscow pavilion is a reconstruction. |
| Ostankino Tower Moscow | Outside / not part of it | A separate observation tower nearby with its own tickets. |
Why Visit Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow?
The sculpture is among the most recognizable monuments from the Soviet period. It is large, about 24.5 meters tall, and made of stainless steel in thin sheets, so its surface catches the light and changes color through the day.
It also has a story that crosses borders: made for the 1937 World’s Fair in Paris, where it stood on the Soviet pavilion facing the German pavilion, then moved to Moscow in 1939.
It stands beside VDNKh, which has many pavilions, fountains and attractions, so it fits easily into a day at the exhibition park. The reconstructed pavilion below it holds an exhibition space.
How Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow Is Laid Out
The sculpture stands on a pavilion at the northern entrance of VDNKh, beside Prospekt Mira, outside the main exhibition grounds.
The pavilion is a modern reconstruction of the 1937 Paris pavilion’s proportions, with the sculpture crowning it. Visitors walk around the base on the pavement and see the figures from below, in profile and from the front. The exhibition space is inside the pavilion and is run by Moscow Manege.
VDNKh’s main entrance with its triumphal arch lies to the south, along Prospekt Mira. The Monument to the Conquerors of Space is a few minutes away.
A sensible route is to walk from VDNKh metro station along Prospekt Mira to the sculpture, look at it from several sides, visit the exhibition space if it interests you, then continue into VDNKh.
Highlights of Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
The sculpture
A pair of figures, a worker and a kolkhoz woman, striding forward with a hammer and a sickle raised together above their heads. It is 24.5 meters tall and made of chrome-nickel stainless steel, with outer shells of thin 0.5 mm sheets.
The concept and composition belong to Boris Iofan, and the sculptor was Vera Mukhina.
Tip: See it from below and at an angle, so the forward movement and the flowing drapery show clearly.
The surface and the light
The thin steel sheets form a polished surface that reflects the sky and the surroundings. In bright light it appears silver, and at sunrise and sunset it takes on warmer tones.
The outer shells weigh about 12 tons, which is light for a sculpture of this size.
Tip: Visit in the late afternoon for the best light on the figures.
The reconstructed pavilion
The sculpture stands on a pavilion that echoes the proportions of the original 1937 Paris pavilion, reconstructed in 2009. It replaced the low pedestal on which the sculpture had stood since 1939.
The new base makes the figures look much taller and closer to Iofan's original idea.
Tip: Compare the proportions with historical photographs of the 1937 pavilion if you have them.
The exhibition space
The pavilion holds an exhibition space run by Moscow Manege, reported on an older page as open from 12:00 to 21:00 and closed on Mondays.
Its exhibitions change, and its ticket price was not confirmed.
Tip: Check what is on before you go, as the exhibitions are separate from the sculpture.
The Paris story
The sculpture was made for the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris, which ran from May to November. The Soviet and German pavilions faced each other across the exposition's main axis.
After the fair, it was dismantled and shipped to Moscow.
Tip: Read the information boards to follow the sculpture's route from Paris to VDNKh.
The setting at VDNKh
The sculpture marks the northern entrance of VDNKh, a large exhibition park with pavilions, fountains and attractions. VDNKh is free to enter, and it is covered in its own article.
The Monument to the Conquerors of Space is a few minutes away.
Tip: Combine the sculpture with the cosmos monument and the main avenue of VDNKh.
Atmosphere
The sculpture rises above the pavement and traffic of Prospekt Mira, a large silver pair against the sky. The pavilion beneath it is plain and low, which makes the figures seem to lift from a stage.
Visitors stop at the base to photograph it from different angles, and the sound is mostly traffic and the footsteps of people crossing the plaza. In clear weather the steel gleams, and under gray skies it takes a dull, cool tone.
In the evening, the lights come on and the sculpture is lit from below. At weekends the plaza fills with families and groups walking toward VDNKh, while weekday mornings are calm.
History of Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
The sculpture was created for the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 World’s Fair in Paris, which ran from 25 May to 25 November 1937. The pavilion was designed by the architect Boris Iofan, who devised the concept and composition of the sculpture, and Vera Mukhina sculpted it.
It was decided to make the figures from chrome-nickel stainless steel, despite initial doubts from Mukhina and her team. The outer shells were formed from thin sheets, about 0.5 millimeters thick, and weighed about 12 tons. The work was dismantled for transport to Paris.
At the fair, the Soviet pavilion and the German pavilion were placed directly across from each other, and the sculpture crowned the Soviet building. It brought Mukhina international attention, and in 1941 she received one of the first Stalin Prizes.
After the fair, the sculpture was returned to Moscow. In August 1939 it was installed in front of the northern entrance of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, which later became VDNKh, on a low pedestal that made it seem small.
Photographs of the sculpture were used in Soviet film credits. Because photographs of the original showed distorted perspective, Mukhina made a plaster copy for the Mosfilm studio‘s credits.
The sculpture was later restored and reinstalled on a new pavilion, built to echo the proportions of the original 1937 building. The monument was inaugurated in its new form on 4 December 2009.
Today it stands on the reconstructed pavilion at the northern entrance of VDNKh, and the pavilion houses an exhibition space. The work remains one of the best-known examples of Soviet monumental sculpture.
Tickets and Booking for Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
| Ticket | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture and plaza | Free | Seeing the sculpture and walking around the pavilion at any time. |
| Exhibition in the pavilion | See the official page | Admission to the exhibition space beneath the sculpture; the current price was not confirmed. |
The sculpture needs no ticket. The exhibition space in the pavilion is run by Moscow Manege, and its tickets are sold at the pavilion or on the organizer’s site. The booking window, prices and ID rules were not confirmed, so check the current information before planning around it.
- Sculpture: free at any time.
- Exhibition space: separate hours, reported closed on Mondays on an older page.
Payment options for foreign cards were not verified, so carry some cash. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ where tickets apply. Check the Moscow Manege information page for the exhibition space for all categories.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
30 minutes
Walk from VDNKh metro station along Prospekt Mira to the sculpture and circle the pavilion, viewing the figures from several angles.
1–2 hours
See the sculpture, visit the exhibition space if open, then walk a few minutes to the Monument to the Conquerors of Space.
Half day
Start with the sculpture, continue to the cosmos monument and Cosmonauts Alley, then walk through VDNKh's main avenue to the Moskvarium or the Ferris wheel.
How to Get to Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
The sculpture stands at the northern entrance of VDNKh, on Prospekt Mira, in the north of the city.
- VDNKh (Line 6, Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya, orange): about a 10 minute walk along Prospekt Mira, according to the usual route; check your map for the closest approach.
The monorail and tram also serve the area; check current routes and fares. A taxi can drop you at Prospekt Mira 123B.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The plaza around the pavilion is paved and mostly level. Contact Moscow Manege before visiting if you need step-free access to the exhibition space.
Food Nearby
There are cafes and kiosks along Prospekt Mira and near VDNKh metro station, and VDNKh itself has many food halls and cafes. Check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a camera and comfortable shoes for the walk along Prospekt Mira. A wide-angle lens helps to fit the whole sculpture in the frame.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Plaza in front of the pavilion
The two figures from below, with their arms raised against the sky.
Best time: Late afternoon, when the steel catches the light
Across Prospekt Mira
The whole pavilion and sculpture with trees and the avenue in the frame.
Best time: Morning, with the sun behind you
Side view of the figures
A profile that shows the forward movement and the folds of the steel drapery.
Best time: Sunset
Sculpture at night
The figures lit from below against a dark sky.
Best time: After dark in autumn or winter
Photography Rules
Photography is free around the sculpture and the plaza. Rules inside the exhibition space were not confirmed, so follow signs and staff instructions. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change, so do not fly one near VDNKh.
Family Suitability
The sculpture is a short, free stop that works for families, with open space around it. It is not interactive, so younger children may lose interest quickly. The plaza is paved and suitable for strollers. The exhibition space depends on what is on, and its stroller access was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Walk all the way around the pavilion; the figures look different from the front, the side and below.
- Look at the sculpture from across Prospekt Mira to take in the full height of the pavilion and figures together.
- Remember that the pavilion is a 2009 reconstruction of the 1937 proportions, not the original Paris building.
- Combine the sculpture with the Monument to the Conquerors of Space, a few minutes away, for two Soviet landmarks in one walk.
- Check the exhibition space's schedule if you want to go in; it keeps different hours from the VDNKh grounds.
- Visit near sunset for the warm light on the steel, and stay a little after for the lights to come on.
Explore Nearby Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Sights near Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
VDNKh Moscowabout 100 m away (~2 min walk) · typical visit: 3–6 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Monument to the Conquerors of Space Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ostankino Tower Moscowabout 1.9 km away (~31 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Sun Ferris Wheelabout 800 m away (~13 min walk) · typical visit: 1–1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moskvarium Moscowabout 700 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: 3–5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stationsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
VDNKh Metro Stationabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Kroshka Kartoshkaabout 700 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Cosmos Hotel Moscowabout 650 m away (~11 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
City Hotel Baykalabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Moscow Book Fairabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cosmonautics Day in Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Worker and Kolkhoz Woman Moscow
Is the sculpture inside VDNKh?
No. It stands outside, at the northern entrance on Prospekt Mira, beside the main exhibition grounds.
Is it free to visit?
Yes, the sculpture can be seen at any time free of charge. The exhibition space in the pavilion has its own hours and prices. See the booking section.
Who made it?
Vera Mukhina sculpted it, working from a concept and composition by the architect Boris Iofan.
Why was it made?
It was made for the Soviet pavilion at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris, then moved to Moscow in 1939.
How tall is it?
About 24.5 meters, and it stands on a pavilion that adds to its height.
What is it made of?
Stainless steel, in thin sheets of about 0.5 millimeters. The outer shells weigh about 12 tons.
Is the pavilion the original?
No. The pavilion is a reconstruction built in 2009 to echo the proportions of the original 1937 building.
How long do I need?
About 30 to 60 minutes for the sculpture and the plaza, longer if you visit the exhibition space.
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