For the International Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow in 1957, a Ferris wheel was built in Izmailovsky Park. During this time, the name of the Partizanskaya metro station has changed three times. More than a million people rode the wheel. For all the years of its work, it has never broken.
History of Izmailovsky Park
Izmailovsky Park is one of the most beautiful places in modern Moscow with a rich history. In the 17th century, on the territory of the current Izmailovsky Park, there was a country estate of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov. He was a great lover of falconry and driven hunting. On the territory of the current Izmailovo Park, "amusing towers", man-made ponds, apiaries were built. There is a legend that a linden alley, which was planted by Alexei Mikhailovich himself, has been preserved in the park.
In the 19th century the estate was abandoned. Forest trees have been planted in the park. The forest area was divided into quarters and an reclamation network was created.
The second life of Izmailovsky Park has begunat the beginning of the 30s of the last century. By decision of the Moscow government, then it was called the Moscow City Council, the Moscow Izmailovsky Park of Culture and Leisure (PKiO) named after I. V. Stalin was created.
The largest stadium in the USSR was planned to be built in the park. According to the plan of the designers, the stadium was supposed to accommodate 120,000 spectators, and if necessary, all 200,000.
"Izmailovskaya" - "Izmailovsky Park" - "Partisanskaya"
An unusual metro station "Izmailovsky Park of Culture and Leisure named after I. V. Stalin" was built for the all-Union stadium. The unusual thing was that the station had three tracks and two platforms. This was done specifically to receive a large number of passengers. It was supposed to build an eastern metro exit with 6 escalators to the stadium. However, this was not destined to come true. The war interfered. First the Soviet-Finnish, then the Great Patriotic War. Then the station was renamed several times. From 1947 to 1963 it was called "Izmailovskaya", and from 1963 to 2005 - "Izmailovsky Park". Now this station is "Partisan".
There were and still are numerous sports grounds in the park. The proximity of the Russian State University of Physical Culture, Sports, Youth and Tourism, the former Institute of Physical Education, contributes a lot to the development of sports.
Ferris Wheel and Youth and Student Festival
In 1957, on the eve of the World Festival of Youth and Students,By order of N. S. Khrushchev, work began on the creation of the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, Izmailovsky Park. The well-known inventor, engineer Georgy Semenovich Khromov was appointed the chief designer. His merits are evidenced by his awards: twice laureate of the USSR Council of Ministers Prize, laureate of the USSR State Prize. He took part in the design of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, hotels "Russia" and "National", the stadium "Luzhniki". Khromov designed giant barometers and clocks on the Main Building of Moscow State University on Vorobyovy Gory, the mechanism for changing the scenery of the Bolshoi Theatre.
In those days, unique designs were created in Russia that could not be bought anywhere in the world. Yes, there was no need for this, Khromov’s engineering background and experience made it possible to develop and launch a Ferris wheel 51 meters high in Izmailovsky Park.
The wheel is driven by a 3kW electric motor. It's only 4 liters. with., slightly more than a lawn mower. For safety, another exactly the same backup engine is provided. The wheel makes one revolution in about 7.5 minutes. The Ferris wheel in Izmailovsky Park is equipped with 40 lockable cabins for four people each.
Now it is the oldest ferris wheel in Europe and Asia. But old doesn't mean bad. For all the time of its existence, the wheel has never broken. And in 2006 it was overhauled.
Operating hours of the Ferris wheel inIzmailovsky Park - daily from 11 am to 9 pm in the warm season. As visitors assure, the best view from the Ferris wheel opens in the evening, when the lighting and illumination of buildings turn on in Moscow.
