Year of formation of Moscow State University. Moscow State University (MSU) named after Lomonosov: history, description, specialties

Lomonosov (Moscow) is an excellent educational institution for young people who want to devote their lives entirely to science or receive a high-quality, comprehensive education that opens doors to a number of leading Russian and foreign companies.

Founding of the university

Moscow State University was founded in 1755 by M. Lomonosov and I. Shuvalov. The opening date was supposed to be 1754, but this was not destined to happen due to repair work. Decree on opening educational institution Empress Elizabeth herself signed it in the winter of that year. In honor of this event, Tatyana's Day is celebrated every year at the university. Already in the spring, the first lectures began to be given. Ivan Shuvalov became the curator of the university, and Alexey Argamakov became the director. The most interesting thing is that Mikhail Lomonosov was not mentioned in any official document or speech dedicated to the opening. Historians explain this by the fact that Ivan Shuvalov appropriated to himself the idea of ​​​​creating Moscow State University and the glory from it, and also introduced a number of provisions into its activities that were zealously disputed by Lomonosov himself and other progressive scientists. This is only an assumption for which there is no evidence. Some historians believe that Lomonosov only carried out Shuvalov’s orders.

Control

Lomonosov was subordinate to the Government Senate. University professors were subject only to the university court, which was headed by the director and curator. The duties of the curator included full management of the institution, appointment of teachers, approval curriculum etc. The director was elected from outsiders and carried out control activities. His responsibilities also included ensuring the material side of the issue and establishing correspondence with well-known scientists and other educational institutions. For the director's decision to have full force, it had to be approved by the curator. Under the director, there was a Conference of Professors, which consisted of 3 professors and 3 assessors.

XVIII century

Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) in the 18th century could offer students three medicines and laws. In 1779, Mikhail Kheraskov created a university noble boarding school, which became a gymnasium in 1930. He is considered to be the founder of the university press (1780). The Moskovskie Vedomosti newspaper was published here, which was the most popular throughout Russian Empire. Soon the first scientific communities began to form at the university.

19th century

Since 1804, the management of the university passed into the hands of the Council and the rector, who was personally approved by the emperor. The council consisted of the best professors. The rector was re-elected every year by secret ballot. Deans were elected in the same way. The first rector chosen according to this system was Kh. Chebotarev. The council dealt with issues of the curriculum, testing students' knowledge and appointing teachers in gymnasiums and colleges. Every month Lomonosov Moscow State University held meetings dedicated to new scientific discoveries and experiments. The executive body was the Board, consisting of the rector and deans. Communication between university managers and the authorities was carried out with the help of a trustee. At this time, the faculties at M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University underwent some changes: they were divided into 4 branches of science (political, verbal, physico-mathematical and medical).

XX century

In 1911, a loud scandal occurred - the “Casso affair”. As a result, about 30 professors and 130 teachers left the university for 6 years. The Faculty of Physics and Mathematics suffered the most from this, and after the departure of P. Lebedev, its development froze for 15 years. In 1949, construction began on a new building on Vorobyovy Gory, which in the future became the main building of the university. In 1992, the famous mathematician V. Sadovnichy was elected rector of the university.

Educational process

Do you want to know what they teach at Lomonosov Moscow State University? In 2011, all Russian universities had to switch to a two-level education system, which is prescribed by the Bologna Convention. Despite this, MSU continues to train students in an integrated 6-year program. University rector Viktor Sadovnichy said that the educational institution prepares future specialists according to its own standards. He emphasized that they would be a level higher than the state ones. Two forms of study are possible for students - specialty and master's degrees. Specialist training will last 6 years, and bachelor's degrees will remain only in some faculties. Analysts in the field of education have different points of view on this decision of the university: some approve of it, while others are in no hurry to draw conclusions.

Structure

Today the university consists of more than 600 buildings, with a total area of ​​approximately 1 million m². In the capital of Russia alone, the territory of the university occupies about 200 hectares. It is known that the Moscow government has allocated an area of ​​120 hectares for new buildings at the university, where active work has been underway since 2003. The territory was received for free rent. Construction is taking place largely thanks to the assistance of JSC Inteko. The company has developed part of the allocated territory with two residential areas and a parking area. The university has a share of 30% of and 15% of the parking lot. It is also planned to develop the territory with four buildings surrounding the fundamental library. All this will be a small town, which will house laboratory and research buildings and a stadium.

It was built in 2005 fundamental library. In the fall of 2007, the mayor of the city, Yu. Luzhkov, and the rector of Moscow State University inaugurated two important facilities: The first academic building of Moscow State University, which housed three faculties ( public administration, historical and philosophical) and a system of 5 buildings for a medical center (clinic, hospital, diagnostic and analytical centers and educational building). In the winter of 2009, the grand opening of the 3rd humanities building took place, which was planned to house the Faculty of Economics. A year later, the 4th building was opened, which was occupied by the Faculty of Law. An underground pedestrian crossing was created under Lomonosovsky Prospekt, which connected the new and old areas.

In 2011, the first academic building located on the new territory began to be called “Shuvalovsky”, and another one under construction will be called “Lomonosovsky”. There are branches of the university even outside the country, in the most remote corners: in Astana, Dushanbe, Baku, Yerevan, Tashkent and Sevastopol.

Scientific life

Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) is famous for its talented scientists who regularly publish interesting works and research. In the spring of 2017, biologists from Moscow State University published a report in which they proved the relationship between kidney failure and “wrong” mitochondria. The results of the experiments were published in scientific journal Scientific Reports. A new way has been created to help assess the condition environment. The university is famous not only for famous scientists who have already made a name for themselves, but also for young talents. Many of them became laureates of the Moscow government award in 2017.

Faculties

Lomonosov Moscow State University offers students a large number of areas of education to choose from. There are about 30 faculties in total. On the basis of the university there operates the Moscow School of Economics, the Higher School of Business, the Faculty of Military Training, the Higher School of Translation, etc. There is also a University Gymnasium, which accepts orphans. What interesting things can we learn about Lomonosov Moscow State University? The Faculty of Physics is considered one of the most progressive, and for good reason. He is considered best place for teaching physics throughout Russia, because research is carried out here that receives worldwide publicity. Leading teachers are scientists who are known for their discoveries and ideas even abroad. This faculty was created in 1933, and then it was called the Department of Experimental and Theoretical Physics. Such scientists as S. Vavilov, N. Bogolyubov, A. Tikhonov taught here. Of the 10 Russian laureates Nobel Prize 7 studied and worked at this faculty: A. Prokhorov, P. Kapitsa, I. Frank, L. Landau, A. Abrikosov and I. Tamm.

Summing up the results of this review article, I would like to say that MSU. Lomonosov is one of the best universities Russian Federation, if not the best. Each applicant should make their own choice, because studying here opens up a lot of opportunities. The popularity of this educational institution is unlikely to ever fall, because even in its branches there is almost never a shortage.

Highlights

Throughout its 260-year history, the university remains the most prestigious in the country. Within its walls I.S. was educated. Turgenev, A.P. Chekhov, N.I. Pirogov, Maximilian Voloshin, B.L. Pasternak, V.V. Posner, A.S. Politkovskaya, E.V. Kaspersky, M.S. Gorbachev, Boris Akunin and many other outstanding personalities. Of the 18 Soviet and Russian Nobel laureates, 11 were students or teachers at Moscow State University. 12% of all discoveries registered in the Soviet Union belong to its former students.

Today, about 300 academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences teach at the university. 39 faculties, about 40 thousand students, six branches, including in other countries, research institutes - the scale, scope and huge internal potential of this alma mater are truly impressive! The university campus is considered the largest in the world. Currently, MSU continues to actively develop, new buildings are being built, the science park attracts talented young scientists and entrepreneurs to create high-tech projects.

Founders

The honor of creating the Imperial Moscow University belongs to the outstanding Russian natural scientist Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna and statesman and philanthropist Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. In correspondence with the latter, Lomonosov provided a detailed plan for the structure of the university.

Adjutant General Shuvalov was the empress's favorite and had enormous influence on her. It was at his request that a decree was signed on the creation of a university, of which he became the curator. He was in charge of economic issues, and the budget, and the choice of professors and students, the gymnasium. Shuvalov managed to achieve independence of the educational institution from local authorities. Ivan Ivanovich replenished the university library with his own books. For a hundred years it remained the only one accessible to the public.

Shuvalov invited foreign professors and sent talented students abroad. Many of them, after returning, became teachers at their alma mater (Zybelin, Veniaminov, Tretyakov and others). Even when he retired, he continued to be interested in the affairs of the university: he worked for Mikhail Kheraskov, returning him to the position of curator; supported by N.I. Novikov, who was in disgrace for his sharp satirical works.

From the history of the university

The opening ceremony of the Imperial Moscow University took place on January 12 (25), 1755, the day of the Holy Great Martyr Tatiana. For more than a hundred years it was a celebration of the founding of the university, and then became Student's Day. In the morning a divine service took place in the Kazan Cathedral Mother of God, then teachers spoke within the walls of the educational institution. Lunch was given, and in the evening - festive illumination. The event was widely covered by the domestic and foreign press.

The university was located in the building of the Apothecary House (Red Square) of the former Zemsky Prikaz. The first intake consisted of only 16 students. These were mainly graduates of the Moscow Slavic-Greek-Latin Academy. Anyone could come to lectures and debates.

Initially, education was free, and subsequently only the most talented were not charged money for studying. It was mandatory to obtain basic knowledge of history, poetry, criticism, physics, and oratorio at the Faculty of Philosophy. Then the students, according to their natural talents, either continued their studies or transferred to medical or law faculties. Government funding was not enough. E. Dashkova, the Demidovs, the Stroganovs and many other patrons helped the university in every possible way: they established scholarships for talented students, bequeathed their collections of books.

The nobles preferred military service. At the end of the 18th century, out of 24 university professors, only three were of noble origin, the rest were the children of minor officials, clergy, and merchants. The gymnasium at the university was also attended mainly by commoners. Among the teachers of the institution were Lomonosov's students from the university in St. Petersburg - Barsov, Yaremsky, Popovsky. A second gymnasium was founded later. In 1756, the university printing house began its work. Translations of works by Shakespeare, Diderot, Voltaire and many others were published here. Moskovskie Vedomosti, an independent newspaper, was published twice a week. A bookstore also opened here. In 1757, a student choir was created, and then a theater. A year later, the productions were already attracting Moscow residents.

In 1804 the Charter was changed. Innovations affected management; the position of trustee was introduced. The candidacy of the rector was approved by the emperor.

At the turn of the century, the formation of scientific communities began. Moscow state university not only fit perfectly into the social life of the city, but also gathered talented and extraordinary people around him. And after a few years the graduates are young educated people– formed the backbone that set the character of Moscow life.

History and architecture of the main buildings

At the end of the 18th century, Catherine II bought a building on Mokhovaya Street and allocated funds for the construction of 7 buildings and a temple. The main building of Moscow University (that was the name of the old building) took 7 years to build under the leadership of M.F. Kazakova. However, as a result of the Moscow fire of 1812, all buildings were destroyed and priceless archives were burned. The restoration was led by D. Gilardi. He saved common features old building, semicircular assembly hall, dome. He added bas-reliefs and stucco decorations, characteristic of the Moscow Empire style, to the design of the facades.

In 1836, E. Tyurin built a university church on the site of the former outbuilding of the Pashkovs. The interior is decorated with sculptures of angels, paintings by Langelotti and Claudi. N.V.’s funeral service was held in this church. Gogol, A.A. Fet, university professors. After the October Revolution, the temple housed a student club, and then the Student Theater.

Today on Mokhovaya there are 3 faculties, a publishing house, the archive of the Moscow State University History Museum, a church, a library and a House of Culture. The old building houses the Institute of Asia and Africa. Nowadays the university manages about seven hundred separate buildings. Special attention deserves the modern Main Building of Moscow State University. For 37 years it remained the tallest building (236 meters with a spire) in Europe, and for 50 years in Russia. The clock installed on the building's tower remains the largest in the country, as well as the thermometer and barometer. About 500 enterprises were involved in the grandiose construction, which was supervised by the USSR People's Commissar of Internal Affairs Lavrentiy Beria himself.

B.M. was appointed chief architect of Moscow State University. Iofan (created the project of the Government House on the embankment). It was he who conceived the overall design of the structure - a high central part and four lower ones on the sides. The overall design strictly follows the golden ratio rule. The architect insisted on erecting the building near the edge. Due to disagreements B.M. Iofan was removed. L.V. became the new leader. Rudnev. The university building was moved 800 m.

Many advanced technologies were first used during the construction of the Moscow State University building. At the same time, auxiliary buildings were erected, the area for Michurin alleys was cleared, and covered with a layer of black soil. A fruit and berry nursery was planted and the foundation of the Botanical Garden was laid. The design of the facades was carried out by the sculpture workshop of V.I. Mukhina. The spire, ears of corn and star were covered with yellow glass plates, imitating gilding. Ural gems, crystal, precious woods, and marble were used in the interior decoration.

The main building of the university is shrouded in many secrets and student legends. A very common myth is that MSU goes hundreds of meters underground. It probably has a real historical basis, because B.M. Iofan suggested going deeper to the continental plate. But, naturally, this would entail huge costs, and the deadlines were running out.

Under the main building of Moscow State University there are indeed huge basements of several floors. There were bomb shelters, emergency food supplies, access to artesian well. According to calculations, the first floors are quite capable of withstanding a nuclear strike similar to that inflicted on Hiroshima, Japan.

The myth that the Main Building was built by prisoners has both supporters and opponents. Allegedly, points for their placement were even set up on the upper floors in order to reduce the costs of transportation and accommodation. A common story was that someone managed to escape. Opponents of the version argue that it is unlikely that such strategically important construction could have been entrusted to prisoners. There are allegations that the labor of German prisoners of war was used.

Various rumors are circulating around the sculpture of I.V. Stalin. Student fantasies placed it both in the center of a cryogenic installation and instead of a spire on a tower. The version that the figurine of the leader was made after Stalin’s death on March 5, 1953 simply was not installed sounds plausible. There is also talk about existing plans to rename the university in honor of the “leader of the peoples,” as if letters had even been prepared for this. This myth remains unconfirmed.

In the archives of Moscow State University there are preliminary designs with various ideas for decorating the tower of the building. Various options were offered: the figure of Lenin, Lomonosov, Stalin, and just a round dome. As a result, the spire is crowned with a five-pointed star, like the rest of the “Stalinist skyscrapers” (except for the Foreign Ministry building).

There is also talk about a secret metro line that will stretch from the Kremlin to Vnukovo. Photographs of the circuits often appeared in newspapers. A map of branched tunnels and highways is located in one of the basements.

There is a legend about four jasper columns from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which supposedly decorate the rector’s front reception room.

And one more thing: in honor of the 250th anniversary of Moscow State University, the university satellite “Tatyana” was launched for space exploration. This fact, as you understand, is real and does not need additional confirmation.

Video: Horrors of the dormitory of the Main Building of Moscow State University

Moscow University today

Moscow State University continues to be built: the territory occupied by the university on Vorobyovy Gory (146 hectares) will be doubled. They plan to create a scientific valley here. Today, research in all branches of science is carried out in the alma mater’s laboratories. Student life is in full swing here: about 40 sports sections, theater and dance studios, KVN. On the territory there are modern sports complexes, swimming pools, four museums with unique exhibits.

Many young people who seriously think about their future dream of studying at the largest and most prestigious university in Russia. The education received within these walls is an excellent foundation for a career. International exchange programs, internships, and grants for gifted students offer wonderful opportunities. The cost of a year of study today is about 325 thousand rubles. Most popular in recent years– Faculty of Public Administration.

On average, the usual competition at Moscow State University is six people per place. It is clear that there are fewer applicants for less popular areas. But it’s not enough to get here - you also need to diligently gnaw on the granite of science in order to stay.

Is it really possible to study at Moscow State University for free? Yes, but only to talented and very efficient people. There is a boarding school at the university, where about 300 gifted children in the country receive knowledge.

Future applicants can try their hand at various Olympiads - international and held directly at Moscow State University, as well as project championships and Universiades (information about them is available on the university website). And since the university is interested only in the best of the best, the prize-winners of these competitions are enrolled outside the competition.

Admission conditions, rules for submitting documents, information on passing scores are regularly updated on the website www.msu.ru.

How to get there

You can get to the Main Building of Moscow State University by metro to the “University” station, then transfer to the bus (stop “House of Culture”).

Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, founded in 1755, is considered one of the leading universities in Russia. Since its foundation, the university has been the center of the country's academic life. Moscow State University is one of two domestic universities included in the main international university rankings. More than 40 thousand students study at Moscow State University, 20% of whom are foreigners. MSU includes 39 faculties, 15 research institutes, 4 museums, 6 branches, about 380 departments, a Science Park, a Botanical Garden, Scientific library, publishing house, printing house, Cultural center and boarding school.

The founder of Moscow State University is considered to be Mikhail Lomonosov, after whom the University was officially named in 1940. Initially, the university consisted of three faculties: philosophy, medicine and law. All students began their studies as philosophers and subsequently chose a specialization. In pre-revolutionary Russia, all free citizens, regardless of their class, could enter the University. Many outstanding scientists and statesmen, including 11 Nobel laureates. Among them are B.L. Pasternak, L.D. Landau, A.D. Sakharov and M.S. Gorbachev.

Year founded

Location

Number of students

Academic specialization

MSU trains students at 39 faculties in 128 areas and specialties, covering the entire spectrum modern education. In addition to traditional fundamental, natural, humanities and social science disciplines, the university has interdisciplinary programs such as bioinformatics and production. In such specialties as mathematics, physics, astronomy and chemistry, Moscow State University is among the best universities in the world. In 2013, MSU took 36th place in the Shanghai academic ranking of world universities in mathematics.

Initially it was located on the site of the current State Historical Museum on Red Square.

History of the University

Role driving force took over the greatest Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov. Mikhail Vasilyevich conceived an ambitious project to create a university for gifted students. However, implementing the idea turned out to be difficult: officials invariably responded with a polite refusal to his proposal. In the end, Lomonosov had to use a cunning “workaround” maneuver: he handed over the project and charter of the university to the favorite of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov. An influential courtier, subtle and smart man, Shuvalov sought the glory of a philanthropist and was able to achieve approval by the Senate of the charter of a new educational institution proposed by Lomonosov. On January 25, 1755, the decree on the creation of the Imperial Moscow University was signed by Empress Elizabeth (by the way, this is where it originates student tradition- celebrate Tatiana's day).

Initially, the university was located in the Apothecary House at the Resurrection Gate on Red Square (now the Historical Museum is located on this site). There were three faculties: philosophy, medicine and law. Partly due to the fact that Lomonosov himself was a genius “from the bottom,” the educational institution pursued a very democratic policy: everyone was accepted with the exception of serfs, provided that the person passed the necessary entrance tests. The lectures were given by the best professors, and the classes often attracted a huge audience, since everyone could come to the lectures. Such a democratic policy soon led to significant development of the educational institution. In the 19th century, the number of faculties grew; in the middle of the century, more than 1,000 students studied within the university.

The university building quickly becomes cramped, and for classes they rent and then buy the courtyard of Prince Repnin on Mokhovaya Street, then six more manorial estates. In 1785, Catherine II released 125 thousand rubles from the treasury for the construction of a university building designed by architect Matvey Kazakov. Alas, the very first building has not reached us: a fire in September 1812 destroyed it along with the museum, library, artistic and scientific values. But after five years, they began to restore the charred skeleton, and funds for construction were collected by the whole world. Reconstruction work ended in 1819 under the leadership of the architect Dementio Gilardi. The solemn and elegant building acquired the familiar majestic appearance, and classes began there.

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, studying at the Imperial Moscow University was both difficult and interesting. Lectures began at nine in the morning, there were seven classes on the schedule. Faculties were not as clearly demarcated as they are now - one could attend classes by renowned professors in various specialties. For the course of study it was necessary to pay 28 rubles 57 kopecks in banknotes, but this did not apply to low-income talented students: there were still scholarships for them, as well as compensation for renting a room. In addition, a bonus system was introduced, and for excellent studies one could receive up to 300 rubles, and the competition prize for outstanding scientific work was 1500 rubles. In those days when the average worker’s salary was 25 rubles a month, this was quite decent money.

During the reign of Nicholas I, students received a mandatory uniform: a frock coat, cocked hat and sword.

However, soon dramatic events took place in the country: a revolution, a change in the political system, and the execution of the imperial family. All this could not but leave an imprint on the structure and policy of the university. It should be noted that there was a serious split within the team: there were those who were “for” and those who were “against”. Students and professors who did not accept the new political power, were forced to leave the university; moreover, under pressure from the new government, entire scientific directions in philosophy, biology, history and philology that did not correspond to revolutionary ideology were closed.

Nevertheless, all these tests did not prevent Moscow University from maintaining its place as a leader high school. Already in 1934, the first candidate's dissertations in the USSR were defended at Moscow State University, but as soon as the learning process began to gradually improve again, difficult times came again. During the Great Patriotic War more than five thousand students and teachers go to the front. Educational activities is suspended. Although already in the first post-war years there was a new rise in education, the country needed scientific personnel and qualified specialists. In 1947, on the day of the 800th anniversary of Moscow, the city received eight giant construction sites on Vorobyovy Gory. Among them is a new complex of buildings for Moscow University with a high-rise building for Moscow State University. The main building was built from 1949 to 1953, and now it is the symbol of the university.

In the 50s, there was a real stir at the entrance exams at Moscow State University. The budget increased five times compared to the pre-war period, which made it possible to equip scientific laboratories and classrooms, open new faculties and specialized laboratories. The Faculty of Psychology, the Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics, the country's first Faculty of Soil Science, and the Institute of Oriental Languages ​​(since 1972, the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University) appeared. Today MSU has 39 faculties, 15 research institutes, 4 museums, about 380 departments and more than 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Moscow State University is the only one in Russia that has educated 11 Nobel laureates.

The university is one of the three Russian universities with a special status: a presidential decree of 2008 enshrined academic independence, which gives the right to set its own educational standards and programs.

MSU Library

The Moscow University Library, opened in 1755, was the only secular, free and publicly accessible library in Moscow for more than a hundred years. In the middle of the 19th century, restored after the fire of 1812, it consisted of more than 7,500 volumes. Today, the unique fund amounts to 10 million books, manuscripts and periodicals. Its services are used by about 65 thousand readers.

Student theater

Russian stage art owes its flourishing to the first student theater. In 1756, students of Moscow University under the leadership of the rector, poet M.M. Kheraskov, showed the first performance to the public. Subsequently, Russian theater troupes consisted almost entirely of university graduates, and one of them became the basis of the Imperial Moscow Theater, the forerunner of Russia's cultural heritage - the Bolshoi and Maly Theaters.

Church of St. Tatiana

After Kazakov’s building and the first university church of Tatiana the Martyr burned down in a fire in 1812, Nicholas I bought Pashkov’s house on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street for the university. Architect E.D. Tyurin rebuilt this building for the new Auditorium building, the left wing for a library, and the right wing from the former state theater into a church. Tyurin surprisingly harmoniously connected the new building with the Main Building of Kazakov - Gilardi. The elegant semi-rotunda with a colonnade received paintings by Anton Claudi and a unique sculptural iconostasis by I.P. Vitali. In 1837, the holy martyr Tatiana became the patroness of Moscow University, and then of the entire Russian student body.

High-rise building on Vorobyovy Gory

The main building of Moscow State University on the Vorobyovy (Lenin) Hills was designed in the studio of the architect L.V. Rudneva. The selected construction site - a high plateau on a bend of the Moscow River - provided unique opportunities for the project. Pushing aside high rise building from the shore, the architect emphasized its grandeur and size with a solemn approach, decorated with green alleys and squares with fountains. The Moscow State University building is the tallest among the “Stalinist sisters”. The central span has 36 floors, so until 1990 it was the highest in Europe. The construction of the 240-meter skyscraper required more than 400,000 tons of steel, 175 million bricks, and 111 elevators. The department of Lavrentiy Beria oversaw the unusual construction; thousands of prisoners worked on the construction and finishing of the building. The central part houses three faculties, the administration, a library, a palace of culture and a museum of geosciences. In the 19-story buildings of the side buildings there is student dormitory and apartments for teachers.

The high-rise building of Moscow State University on Vorobyovy Gory has been chosen as a place to live by a couple of rare peregrine falcons.

The biggest myth associated with the Main Building is that the solid jasper columns on the 9th floor were allegedly moved here from the destroyed Cathedral of Christ the Savior. But in reality this is not the case.

Famous university teachers...

The creator of aerodynamics Nikolai Zhukovsky, the inventor of the gas mask, chemist Nikolai Zelinsky, the great physiologist Ivan Sechenov, the naturalist Kliment Timiryazev, the surgeon Nikolai Sklifosovsky, the creator of biogeochemistry Vladimir Vernadsky and many other luminaries who taught at Moscow State University are confirmation of his level and prestige.

...and no less famous graduates

Playwrights Denis Fonvizin and Alexander Griboyedov, poets Vasily Zhukovsky and Fyodor Tyutchev, revolutionary writers Alexander Herzen and Nikolai Ogarev, writers Ivan Turgenev and Anton Chekhov, philosopher Pyotr Chaadaev, theater figures Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko and Vsevolod Meyerhold, artist Vasily Kandinsky.