At first glance, it may seem that there’s nothing connecting magical London with the Moscow underground. But take a closer look — and it becomes clear that the Ministry of Magic from the later ‘Harry Potter’ films isn’t as far from Moscow as it seems.
Production designer Stuart Craig, when creating one of the franchise’s most visually stunning installments — with its grand scenes set inside the Ministry of Magic — drew inspiration from the architecture of the Moscow Metro, particularly the Revolution Square station. The monumental arches, granite columns, and bronze sculptures of the Moscow underground became the prototype for the majestic halls of the magical institution taken over by the Dark Lord’s forces.
Soviet Sculptures in the Wizarding World
Even the sculptural composition Magic Is Might that adorns the Ministry’s atrium pays homage to Soviet art — in particular, to Ivan Shadr’s bas-relief Struggle with the Earth. During pre-production, Craig’s workshop resembled a time capsule of the 1930s and 1940s: there were busts of Soviet leaders, propaganda posters, and photos of Stalin-era skyscrapers — all helping to capture the spirit of monumental power.
And in one of the scenes, a familiar image flashes by — a reimagined version of Vera Mukhina’s iconic sculpture Worker and Kolkhoz Woman. Its on-screen fate, however, is brief: the monument explodes just seconds after appearing. Even the Ministry of Magic logo, with its stylized letter “M,” subtly echoes the emblem of the Moscow Metro — a small clue for the sharp-eyed viewer.
So next time you descend into the Moscow subway, take a moment to look at the bronze figures on Revolution Square — perhaps they were the very ones that inspired the magical world where Harry, Hermione, and Ron live. After all, Moscow has long been part of cinematic history.
