Unique design of Soviet-era bus stops (43 photos)

10 April 2025

In Western Europe and America, bus stops for the most part look the same and boring: plastic, advertising, no architectural frills. Canadian photographer Christopher Herwig noted that in the territory of the former USSR the situation is different. Having covered the distance from the Black Sea to the Kazakh steppes, Herwig discovered a huge number of bus stops demonstrating the artistic abilities of Soviet architects and artists.

Christopher Herwig spent several years traveling around the former Soviet republics in search of the most unusual and creative bus stops. He traveled 30,000 km, visited 14 countries and published a book that included 159 wonderful photographs.

In the comments to the illustrations in this book, it is noted that, in contrast to the gray and inconspicuous Western models, bus stops were built in the USSR, demonstrating absolutely fantastic architectural taste.

1. Kootsi, Estonia

2. Parnu, Estonia

3. Rokiskis, Lithuania

4. Skverbay, Lithuania

5. Naelavere, Estonia

6. Mary, Turkmenistan

7. Kablakula, Estonia

8. Niisiku, Estonia

9. Leliunai, Lithuania

10. Marijampole, Lithuania

11. Pitsunda, Abkhazia

12. Pitsunda, Abkhazia

13. Kaniukai, Lithuania

14. Saratak, Armenia

15. Pitsunda, Abkhazia

16. Etchmiadzin, Armenia

17. Sardarapat, Armenia

18. Yerevan, Armenia

19. Saratak, Armenia

20. Vosgelai, Lithuania

21. Taraz, Kazakhstan

22. Gudauta, Abkhazia

23. Kupiskis, Lithuania

24. Echmiadzin, Armenia

25. Pitsunda, Abkhazia

26. Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

27. Termez, Uzbekistan

28. Panasesti, Moldova

29. Falesti, Moldova

30. Gagra, Abkhazia

31. Poltava, Ukraine

32. Balykchi, Kyrgyzstan

33. Aralsk, Kazakhstan

34. Altai Mountains, Kazakhstan

35. Charyn, Kazakhstan

36. Lelyukhovka, Ukraine

37. Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan

38. Shymkent, Kazakhstan

39. Balti, Moldova

40. Stepmothers, Ukraine

41. Tursunzade, Tajikistan

42. Astana, Kazakhstan