Sokolniki Watchtower

Sokolniki Watchtower is a red brick fire observation tower in Moscow's Sokolniki District, designed to watch for fires across the city. The structure has several levels and was built in 1880 based on architect Max Hoeppener's design, featuring distinctive red brick details typical of that era.

Architect Max Hoeppener designed this tower in 1880 as part of Moscow's fire prevention network, making it the second highest observation point in the city at that time. It served the surrounding neighborhoods for many years until operations changed in the 1930s.

The tower represents how Moscow developed systematic fire prevention in its neighborhoods during the 1800s. It shows the practical approach residents and authorities took to protect densely populated areas from fire.

The tower sits at Rusakovskaya Street 26, with several public transportation stops nearby in the Sokolniki neighborhood. You can reach the area easily and view the historic structure from different angles.

The tower operated continuously until the 1930s with trained personnel watching daily for fire signs in the surrounding areas. This regular monitoring helped the city respond quickly when fires started in the neighborhood.

Location: Sokolniki District

Inception: 1880s

Architects: Max Hoeppener

GPS coordinates: 55.78925,37.68176

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07