Plaza de Europa

Europe Square located near the Kiev Railway Station was solemnly laid out in September, 2001, when the birthday of Moscow was celebrated. In a year, September 15, 2002, the new square was opened. Europe Square in Moscow was constructed as the part of the Russian-Belgium cooperation project. As Moscow government implied Europe Square would symbolize Russia's aspiration for integration into the European Union. The project was supervised by the chief architect of Russian Academy of Science Yuri Platonov. Architectural complex of the square includes 48 columns with the flags of European countries, the Europe Restaurant, and the sculpture «Abduction of Europe». The total area of the complex equals 3,000 square meters. The center of the square is occupied by the fountain with sculptural composition «Abduction of Europe» created by Belgium sculptor Oliver Strebel. The sculpture «Abduction of Europe», the present from the Belgian government, is the compound composition consisting of steel, steam and water. It is the biggest abstract sculpture in Moscow. Traditional mythological plot is presented in a very unusual way. The giant interlacement of silver tubes made of stainless steel personifies the head of Zeus-bull carrying his beloved girl Europe on the horns. To see the woman silhouette, one needs to look at the sculpture at certain angle and by certain light.