essay on school my second home

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School Is My Second Home (Essay Sample)

School is my second home.

A home is a place where people live with their family members, the parents and the siblings. At home, everyone is comfortable and enjoys what they deem best. Once kids get to a right age, children move to schools to get an education for their future success. The children are separated from the comfort of home by schools. The school environment makes children adapt fast and finally feel like they have a second home.

At home children have parents. The parents give their children parental love and a sense of belonging. At home, the children feel confident for they know they have someone to stand by their side. Teachers at the school are like our parents back at home. A new student in the school will be taught and convinced that the teachers are like their parents. The teachers show compassion and care to the children. The teachers just like the parents encourage the children to work hard and achieve high grades.  The encouragement boosts the confidence of children in school. The children are also taught good morals at school. Teaching good morals is the duty of parents and the society at home; therefore teachers make the school look like home by teaching morals. Teachers make children learn the art of responsibility just like the parents do at home. Kids feel at home and see their teachers as their parents by observing how the teachers are dealing with them. At home, the parents strive so hard to protect their children from any danger; the parents safeguard their children from physical harm from neighbors and friends. In schools, the teachers protect children from bullying and any other form of harm to the children in the school environment. The protection makes kids know that they have parents around.

At home, children have their siblings and neighbors children. At school, other children make kids feel like they are in a home environment. The children at school give their fellows confidence of expression and socialization. The teachers are good, but children cannot initiate some conversation with the teachers. Also, since children are learners, they may fear to share their thoughts with their teachers freely. The children just like home are the playmates of their fellows at school.

At home, there are public activities. The public activities help people come together to achieve a greater goal. In schools there are also several activities, e.g. the school clubs, these helps children know the need of group work. Working as a group helps children develop the art and skills of living outside the school environment. Children volunteer in public activities to gain experience of their career, with the numerous activities in school; children can also get the same experience.

At school children have co-curricular activities the same as home. The co-curricular activities both at home and school are meant to help the children grow up physically active. The co-curricular activities in school may involve playing for the school team which is not different from playing for a community group.

At home, there are family trips. These trips can be to some recreational centers like going to a zoo. Children enjoy the adventure with their parents. At school, the administrators can also organize such trips. The idea of traveling together with teachers and fellow children in the same bus makes children think they are at home.

At home, there are people of diverse characters. Schools also have some people with different characters. Just as at home one needs to learn how to deal with others of different characters, so it is at school.

The school and home share some similarities. These similarities help children cope with the academic pressure in schools. The similarities encourage children to love their academic work.

Essay on My School for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my school.

Education is an essential part of our lives. We are nothing without knowledge, and education is what separates us from others. The main step to acquiring education is enrolling oneself in a school. School serves as the first learning place for most of the people. Similarly, it is the first spark in receiving an education. In this essay on my school, I will tell you why I love my school and what my school has taught me.

We have all been to school and we have loved each and every moment we have spent over there as those were the building blocks of our lives. A school is a place where students are taught the fundamentals of life, as well as how to grow and survive in life. It instils in us values and principles that serve as the foundation for a child’s development.

My school is my second home where I spend most of my time. Above all, it gives me a platform to do better in life and also builds my personality. I feel blessed to study in one of the most prestigious and esteemed schools in the city. In addition, my school has a lot of assets which makes me feel fortunate to be a part of it. Let us look at the essay on my school written below.

Why I Love My School?

From kindergarten through primary and secondary school, and subsequently, to faculty, school is a place where we always study, grow, and establish ourselves, socialize, be a friend, help others, and love and be loved. School is a buddy that will accompany us from the beginning of our youth till the conclusion of our lives. At school, we share all of our pleasures and sorrows, and we constantly rely on one another. This is made possible through the friendships we share. They assist us in effortlessly overcoming difficulties, sharing moments of enjoyment together, and looking forward to new paths.

My school strikes the perfect balance between modern education and vintage architecture. The vintage buildings of my school never fail to mesmerize me with their glorious beauty. However, their vintage architecture does not mean it is outdated, as it is well-equipped with all the contemporary gadgets. I see my school as a lighthouse of education bestowing knowledge as well as ethical conduct upon us.

Teachers have the power to make or break a school. The teaching staff is regarded as the foundation of any educational society. It is their efforts to help kids learn and understand things that instil good habits and values in their students. While some concepts are simple to grasp, others necessitate the use of a skilled teacher to drive the home the idea with each pupil.

In contrast to other schools, my school does not solely focus on academic performance. In other words, it emphasizes on the overall development of their students. Along with our academics, extra-curricular activities are also organized at our school. This is one of the main reasons why I love my school as it does not measure everyone on the same scale. Our hardworking staff gives time to each child to grow at their own pace which instils confidence in them. My school has all the facilities of a library , computer room, playground, basketball court and more, to ensure we have it all at our disposal.

For me, my school is more than simply an educational institution; it is also my second family, which I established during my childhood. A family of wonderful friends, outstanding teachers, and fond school memories. I adore my school because it is where I learn how to be a good citizen and how to reach my goals. School is the only place where we make friends without judging them. We feel comfortable spending time with those close friends no matter what the situation.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

What has My School Taught Me?

If someone asked me what I have learned from my school, I won’t be able to answer it in one sentence. For the lessons are irreplaceable and I can never be thankful enough for them. I learned to share because of my school. The power of sharing and sympathy was taught to me by my school. I learned how to be considerate towards animals and it is also one of the main reasons why I adopted a pet.

School is an excellent place to learn how to be an adult before entering the real world. Those abilities pay dividends whether you choose to be the bigger person in an argument or simply complete your domestic tasks. When you open your mind to new ideas, you gain a lot of influence in society. Picking up unexpected hobbies on your own will teach you more about what you like to do than simply completing things for a grade.

A school is a place where I developed my artistic skills which were further enhanced by my teachers. Subsequently, it led me to participate in inter-school completions through which I earned various awards. Most importantly, my school taught me how to face failures with grace and never give up on my ambitions, no matter what happens.

Schools also offer a variety of extracurricular activities such as Scouts and Guides, sports, N.C.C., skating, school band, acting, dancing, singing, and so on. Our principal also used to give us a short lecture every day for about 10 minutes about etiquette, character development, moral education, respecting others, and gaining excellent values. As a result, I can claim that what I am today is solely due to my school, which is the best institution in my opinion.

Teamwork is an important ability that schools teach. Schools are frequently the first places where youngsters have the opportunity to collaborate with children who are different from them. Collaboration is essential for the team and individual success. Students are taught that the success of a team depends on each individual component functioning together.

To sum it up, studying in one of the respected schools has helped me a lot personally. I will always be indebted to my school for shaping my personality and teaching me invaluable lessons. It has given me friends for life and teachers that I will always look up to. I aspire to carry on the values imbibed by my school to do well in life and make it proud.

Here is the list of Top Schools in India! Does Your School Tops the List?

FAQs on School

Q.1 Why must every child go to school?

A.1 It is essential for every child to go to school as the school teaches us lessons that cannot be acquired anywhere else. The experience is one a kind and along with education, we learn many other things like socializing, extra-curricular activities and more.

Q.2 What does school teach us?

A.2 School teaches us some of the great things like first of all, it gives us basic education. It teaches us to develop our skills like art, dance, public speaking and more. Most importantly, it teaches us discipline.

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Essay on School As A Second Home

Students are often asked to write an essay on School As A Second Home in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on School As A Second Home

School: a place of learning and growth.

School is not just a place where students go to learn academic subjects. It is also a place where they grow as individuals, develop social skills, and learn about the world around them. In this way, school can be considered a second home for students.

Building Relationships

At school, students interact with a variety of people, including teachers, classmates, and staff members. These interactions help students to develop social skills, such as cooperation, communication, and empathy. Students also learn how to resolve conflicts and build healthy relationships.

Exploring New Interests

School provides students with opportunities to explore new interests and develop new skills. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, and art. They can also take elective courses that allow them to learn about different subjects. These opportunities help students to discover their passions and develop their talents.

Preparing for the Future

School prepares students for the future by providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college, career, and life. Students learn how to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively. They also develop important life skills, such as time management and organization.

A Place of Support

School is a place where students can find support from teachers, counselors, and other staff members. These adults are there to help students succeed academically and personally. They can provide students with guidance, encouragement, and resources.

In conclusion, school is more than just a place of learning. It is a place where students grow as individuals, develop social skills, and learn about the world around them. In this way, school can be considered a second home for students.

250 Words Essay on School As A Second Home

School is more than just a place where students go to learn and study. It is a second home where they spend a significant portion of their days and weeks. Schools play a vital role in shaping the lives of young people, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to succeed in life.

A Place of Friendships

School is a place where students make lifelong friendships. They spend hours together, learning, playing, and growing up. These friendships are often the most important relationships that students have in their lives.

A Place of Safety and Support

Students spend a significant portion of their lives at school, and it is essential that they feel safe and supported. Schools provide a safe and nurturing environment where students can learn and grow without fear. They also offer support services, such as counseling and tutoring, to help students who are struggling academically or socially.

A Place of Opportunities

Schools offer students a variety of opportunities to learn and grow. Students can take classes in a wide range of subjects, participate in extracurricular activities, and get involved in student government. These opportunities help students to develop their interests and talents, and they also teach them important life skills, such as teamwork and leadership.

A Place of Memories

School is a place where students make memories that will last a lifetime. They remember the friends they made, the teachers who inspired them, and the experiences they had. These memories help to shape who students become as adults, and they are a reminder of the importance of education.

500 Words Essay on School As A Second Home

Where learning unfolds: school as a second home.

We spend almost a quarter of our lives at school, which makes it an integral part of our journey of growth and development. School, being our second home, provides a nurturing environment that shapes us intellectually and socially.

A World of Knowledge and Exploration

School is a place where we embark on an exciting journey of learning. From the basics of reading, writing, and math to complex concepts in science, history, and art, school provides us with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the world successfully. Classrooms transform into labs for exploration, where we conduct experiments, solve math problems, and analyze historical events.

Building Lifelong Bonds

School is where we form lifelong friendships and connections. We interact with peers from various backgrounds and personalities, developing empathy and understanding. Through group projects, sports teams, and extracurricular activities, we learn the value of teamwork, cooperation, and healthy competition.

Discovering Our Passions

School provides a platform to explore our passions and interests. Whether it’s art, music, science, or sports, school offers opportunities for us to delve deeper into what we love, identify our strengths, and nurture our talents. It’s a place where we are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and embrace creativity.

School prepares us for the world beyond the classroom. It equips us with the skills and knowledge necessary for higher education, employment, and lifelong learning. Through academic and vocational programs, we gain practical experience and develop problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.

A Safe and Nurturing Environment

School is a safe and nurturing environment where we grow and learn in a supportive atmosphere. Teachers, counselors, and administrators play a vital role in our overall development, providing guidance, encouragement, and mentorship. They create a classroom culture where students feel respected, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

In conclusion, school is not just a place of learning; it’s our second home where we spend a significant portion of our childhood and teenage years. It’s where we gain knowledge, form friendships, explore our passions, and prepare for the future. School provides us with a sense of belonging, support, and guidance, making it a vital part of our journey toward becoming well-rounded and successful individuals.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Personal Statement — A Dorm Room: My Second Home

A Dorm Room: My Second Home

• Categories: College Life Personal Statement

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Published: May 7, 2019

Words: 708 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

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My schools have been my second homes; UC/ World I come from

cryingpiggy 3 / 5   Nov 28, 2009   #1 PROMPT Describe the world you come from ï for example, your family, community or school ï and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Till this day, I still remember the Youth Day celebration in Grade 7. The excitement and pride of saying goodbye to childhood still burned like a flame when I thought of that day. My school rock band, slamming on electric guitars and drums, sang out the hearts and souls of every teenager present: we were the new generation! It is at school where I feel my heart throbbing together with my schoolmates, where I explore and set out to achieve my dreams and aspirations. When I was in elementary school, my dream was to be a writer. I remember browsing through rows and rows of books in the school library, then eventually the national library, devouring and digesting all the sweet nutrients from books. Everyday I spent hours in front of my computer, trying to conjure up beautiful works with language. As I stepped into junior high, I aspired to become an artist. After enrolling in the Art Elective Program at school, art seriously inched into my life as an inseparable part. I dabbed in all sorts of art: from 2D to 3D, from paper to computer, from black and white to swirling colors. I had never felt so much satisfaction when I smiled proudly at my masterpieces. However, I had to put away my notebooks and palettes when I entered senior high, due to limited resources and time in boarding school, but this was the time when I really matured. I gained social awareness; my perspective was not just my little world anymore. I began to seek answers to some phenomena I did not even bother to know years ago. I began to see the real, big world. Now, I still love writing and drawing, but I have also developed another aspirationï I want to contribute, no matter how small, to the welfare of this world. For 15 years of my life, from kindergarten to high school,my schools have been my second home. From the wide-eyed and shy girl I was when I first arrived at the front gate of primary school, I have grown up to become a confident, determined and aspiring young adult. I can't put in words how I am grateful for an education; I will just conclude this experience with a famous saying: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." My beginning stepsïmy schoolsïhave aided me to discover my dreams and aspirations, and shall aid me to offer the world my talent.

DanNguyen 1 / 3   Nov 28, 2009   #2 I feel that your writing is lacking directness and specificness. Your form of artistic writing is great especially on a personal statement because it shows your character. Try to incorporate more detail in vague spots. I'm jealous of your writing. Good luck.

OP cryingpiggy 3 / 5   Nov 28, 2009   #3 Thanks!!!! but which parts are vague? my friend told me the same thing, but i dont really know where to edit...

jampamz 6 / 33   Nov 29, 2009   #4 All of your paragraphs are wonderfully written. However, I was a bit confused when reading your essay because your first paragraph was about music, the second about writing, the third about painting and the 5th and 6th about how you want to change the world but you don't say how. In other words, each paragraph seems to belong to a different essay. "I want to contribute, no matter how small, to the welfare of this world." What do you aim to contribute? It would be especially good if your answer related to your intended major. Good luck! And please give me feedback on my essay :)

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Parent sues Verona district, alleges daughter was sexually assaulted repeatedly in school

4-minute read.

An elementary school parent is accusing the Verona Board of Education of failing to protect her young daughter from being sexually assaulted by a classmate.

The mother is suing the board, F.N. Brown School Principal Anthony Lanzo, Superintendent Diane DiGiuseppe and teacher Maria Graziano, saying the defendants allowed a male student to sexually assault her daughter at least 20 times during her first- and second-grade years.

DiGuiseppe said the board "has and continues to investigate the allegations" in the lawsuit but could not comment because the litigation is active.

The suit, filed in state Superior Court on April 22, said the girl had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder from the incidents and that the defendants were "grossly negligent and reckless" in allowing the abuse.

According to the lawsuit, the assaults took place between October 2021 and January 2023 and the district did nothing to address them, but instead "turned a blind eye to the abhorrent discrimination" against the girl.

She told Graziano that the male student "touched her 'down there,'" pointing to her genitals, and Graziano didn't report what she was told to authorities, the suit said.

"Instead, ... Graziano continued to seat [the student] next to her sexual abuser," the suit said.

According to the lawsuit, the male student assaulted the girl at least three times during first grade and numerous times in second grade.

Her mother said the student would follow her daughter into the bathroom, which had two adjoining stalls. The suit said he would assault her in the bathroom, washing his hands and then crawling into her bathroom stall to "physically assault and sexually molest her."

The girl "felt incredible fear when she saw [the male student] from under the stall and heard him washing his hands as he always did before assaulting her," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said the male student would threaten the girl, saying he would assault her again if she told anyone, and that her mother couldn't help her. The mother said the school's nurse, Maria Rodgers, noticed a change in the girl's "typical happy and sweet mood" and that she reached out to one of her daughter's first grade teachers.

Isolating herself, disassociating at home

The girl's mother told her teacher that her daughter was isolating herself from friends by being mean and that her daughter told her that the boys were being mean to her.

The lawsuit said the girl began disassociating at home and at school and stopped hugging and showing affection and became "inexplicably" angry and reactive.

The girl's parents took her to a doctor when they saw "vaginal abrasions and raw, rubbed bleeding skin," but she refused to have a genital exam or show the doctor. She spent over a week in the hospital after the nurse said she may have had an absence seizure and that her "stress and trauma response had inflamed her faculties to a troubling degree."

The suit said the sexual assaults led the child to suffer from "numerous dissociative episodes" that led to her ultimately running from the classroom.

According to the lawsuit, the her behavior returned to normal in the summer, but began again when she entered the second grade. In the fall of 2022, the girl was diagnosed with vaginal strep A and her doctor asked the child if she was being molested.

The suit said she had a "visceral reaction" and refused to respond. She began to refuse to go to the bathroom alone, bathe without a bathing suit or wear dresses, and she suffered from nightmares or insomnia and refused to sleep alone.

The girl eventually told Graziano that the male student had touched her, and the lawsuit said the teacher "lambasted" the child for her behavior and insisted she apologize to the other student. The lawsuit said Graziano forced the girl to apologize and didn't move her desk away from the male student.

After an outburst, the girl was taken to the hospital, and when a staff psychologist noted "clear signs of sexual trauma response," the girl told about the sexual abuse.

According to the lawsuit, she was eventually removed from F.N. Brown Elementary School to feel safe.

The lawsuit said the girl's mother met with Lanzo, DiGiuseppe, Graziano and others to talk about what had happened to her daughter.

The family said the defendants exposed their daughter as the subject of their allegation by leaving them off an email sent to the parents of second graders, and that the board made no efforts to integrate the girl back into the school safely.

At a student safety meeting, "Lanzo falsely assured parents that the abuse and trauma suffered by [the girl] did not occur in school, that things like this do not happen at the school and claimed the school's policies were above par," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit said the girl's mother and the superintendent exchanged emails in which the mother complained that the board had been uncooperative, noting she had offered medical records, releases and additional facts to establish that her daughter had been abused.

The family is seeking damages and a trial by jury, saying the defendants violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination by failing to accommodate the child, discriminating and harassing her, and discriminating against her based on her gender, and that they were negligent, provided negligent supervision and training and were negligent to the emotional distress of the child and intentionally inflicted emotional distress on her.

No One Has a Right to Protest in My Home

The difference between a private yard and a public forum

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As a constitutional scholar and the dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, I strongly defend the right to speak one’s mind in public forums. But the rancorous debate over the Israel-Hamas war seems to be blurring some people’s sense of which settings are public and which are not. Until recently, neither my wife—Catherine Fisk, a UC Berkeley law professor—nor I ever imagined a moment when our right to limit a protest at a dinner held at our own home would become the subject of any controversy.

Ever since I became a law-school dean, in 2008, the two of us have established a custom of inviting each class of first-year students over for a meal. These dinners help create and reinforce a warm community, and, to accommodate all students, they take place on many evenings during the year. The only exceptions were in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID. So last year and this year, at the request of the presidents of the third-year classes, we organized make-up dinners on three successive nights and invited each of the 400 graduating students to attend one.

The week before the dinners on April 9, 10, and 11, though, a group at Berkeley called Law Students for Justice in Palestine put a profoundly disturbing poster on social media and on bulletin boards in the law-school building. No dinner with Zionist Chem while Gaza starves , the poster declared in large letters. (Students sometimes refer to me as “Chem.”) It also included a caricature of me holding a bloody knife and fork and with what appeared to be blood around my lips—an image that evokes the horrible anti-Semitic blood libel, in which Jews are accused of killing and cannibalizing gentile children. The poster attacks me for no apparent reason other than that I am Jewish. The posters did not specify anything I personally had said or done wrong. The only stated request was that the University of California divest from Israel—a matter for the regents of the University of California, not the law school or even the Berkeley campus.

George Packer: The campus-left occupation that broke higher education

Several Jewish students and staff members told me that the posters offended them and asked me to have them removed. Even though their presence upset me too, I felt that I could not take them off bulletin boards at a public law school. Though appalling, they were speech protected by the First Amendment.

The group responsible for the posters was not content to have its say on paper. Student-government leaders told me that Law Students for Justice in Palestine demanded that my wife and I cancel the dinners; if not, the group would protest at them. I was sad to hear this, but the prospect of a demonstration in the street in front of our home did not change our plans. I made clear that we would still host dinners for students who wanted to attend.

On April 9, about 60 students came to our home for dinner. Our guests were seated at tables in our backyard. Just as they began eating, I was stunned to see the leader of Law Students for Justice in Palestine—who was among the registered guests—stand up with a microphone that she had brought, go up the steps in the yard, and begin reading a speech about the plight of the Palestinians. My wife and I immediately approached her and asked her to stop speaking and leave the premises. The protester continued. At one point, my wife attempted to take away her microphone. Repeatedly, we said to her: You are a guest in our home. Please leave.

The student insisted that she had free-speech rights. But our home is not a forum for free speech; it is our own property, and the First Amendment—which constrains the government’s power to encroach on speech on public property—does not apply at all to guests in private backyards. The dinner, which was meant to celebrate graduating students, was obviously disrupted. Even if we had held the dinner in the law-school building, no one would have had a constitutional right to disrupt the event. I have taught First Amendment law for 44 years, and as many other experts have confirmed, this is not a close question.

Some attendees sympathetic to the student-group leader recorded a video. An excerpt of it appeared on social media and quickly went viral. Soon newspapers and magazines published stories about it. Some commentators have criticized my wife for trying to get hold of the microphone. Some have said that I just should have let the student speak for as long as she wanted. But in all of the dinners we have held over more than 15 years, not once has anyone attempted to give a speech. We had no reason to change the terms of the dinner to accommodate someone from an organization that put up anti-Semitic images of me.

After struggling over the microphone, the student said if we let go of it, she would leave. We relented, and she departed, along with about 10 other students—all of whom had removed their jackets to show matching T-shirts conveying a pro-Palestinian message.

Michael Powell: The unreality of Columbia’s ‘liberated zone’

The dinners went forward on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday night, about 15 people came to our home and stood on the street in front of it, and then on the path directly next to our backyard. They chanted loudly and at times offensively. They yelled and banged drums to make as much noise as possible to disturb the dinner. The event continued.

Being at the center of a social-media firestorm was strange and unsettling. We received thousands of messages, many very hateful and some threatening. For days, we got death threats. An organized email campaign demanded that the regents and campus officials fire my wife and me, and another organized email campaign supported us. Amid an intensely painful sequence of events, we experienced one upside: After receiving countless supportive messages from people we have met over the course of decades, we felt like Jimmy Stewart at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life .

Overall, though, this experience has been enormously sad. It made me realize how anti-Semitism is not taken as seriously as other kinds of prejudice. If a student group had put up posters that included a racist caricature of a Black dean or played on hateful tropes about Asian American or LGBTQ people, the school would have erupted—and understandably so. But a plainly anti-Semitic poster received just a handful of complaints from Jewish staff and students.

Many people’s reaction to the incident in our yard reflected their views of what is happening in the Middle East. But it should not be that way. The dinners at our house were entirely nonpolitical; there was no program of any kind. And our university communities, along with society as a whole, will be worse off if every social interaction—including ones at people’s private homes—becomes a forum for uninvited political monologues.

I have spent my career staunchly defending freedom of speech. As a dean, I have tried hard to create a warm, inclusive community. As I continue as dean of Berkeley Law, I will endeavor to heal the divisions in our community. We are not going to solve the problems of the Middle East in our law school, but we must be a place where we treat one another with respect and kindness.

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Moscow-City: 7 surprising facts about the Russian capital’s business center

1. Guinness World Record in highlining

The record was set in 2019 by a team of seven athletes from Russia, Germany, France and Canada. They did it on September 8, on which the ‘Moscow-City Day’ is celebrated. The cord was stretched at the height of 350 m between the ‘OKO’ (“Eye”) and ‘Neva Towers’ skyscrapers. The distance between them is 245 m. The first of the athletes to cross was Friede Kuhne from Germany. The athletes didn't just walk, but also performed some daredevil tricks. Their record is 103 meters higher than the previous one set in Mexico City in December 2016.

2. Domination of Europe's top-10 highest skyscrapers

7 out of 10 Europe’s highest skyscrapers are located in Moscow-City. Earlier, the  ‘Federation Tower’ complex’s ‘Vostok’ (“East”) skyscraper was the considered the tallest in Europe.

Left to right: the lower of the ‘Neva Towers’ (296 m), Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt (300 m), Gorod Stolits (“City of Capitals”) Moscow tower (302 m), Eurasia tower (309 m), The Shard’ skyscraper in London (310 m), Mercury City Tower (339 m), Neva Towers (345 m).

However, in 2018, the construction of the 462 meter tall ‘Lakhta Center’ in Saint-Petersburg was completed, pushing ‘Vostok’ (374 m) into 2nd place. The 3rd place is taken by OKO’s southern tower (354 m).

3. The unrealized ‘Rossiya’ tower

If all the building plans of Moscow-City were realized, the ‘Lakhta Center’ in St. Petersburg wouldn't have a chance to be Europe's highest skyscraper. Boris Tkhor, the architect who designed the concept of Moscow-City, had planned for the ‘Rossiya’ tower to be the tallest. In his project, it was a 600 meter tall golden cylindrical skyscraper ending with a spire that was inspired by traditional Russian bell towers. Then, the project was reinvented by famous British architect Sir Norman Foster. He had designed ‘Rossiya’ as a pyramid ending with a spire. The skyscraper itself would have been 612 meters tall, and the height including the spire would have reached 744,5 meters (for comparison, the ‘Burj Khalifa’ in Dubai, UAE, would have been just 83,5 meters taller). Unfortunately, the investors faced a lot of economic problems, due to the 2008 financial crisis, so the ‘Rossiya’ skyscraper was never built. A shopping mall and the ‘Neva Towers’ complex was constructed at its place in 2019.

4. Changed appearance of ‘Federation Tower’

In its first project, the ‘Federation Tower’ was designed to resemble a ship with a mast and two sails. The mast was to be represented by a tall glass spire with passages between the towers. It was planned to make a high-speed lift in it. The top of the spire was going to be turned into an observation deck. But the ship lost its mast in the middle of its construction. Experts at the Moscow-city Museum based in the ‘Imperia’ (“Empire”) tower say, that the construction of the spire was stopped, firstly, due to fire safety reasons and secondly, because it posed a threat to helicopter flights – the flickering glass of the spire could potentially blind the pilots. So, the half-built construction was disassembled. However, an observation deck was opened in the ‘Vostok’ tower.

5. Open windows of ‘Federation Tower’

We all know that the windows of the upper floors in different buildings don’t usually open. Experts say that it’s not actually for people’s safety. Falling from a big height is likely to be fatal in any building. The actual reason is the ventilation system. In a skyscraper, it’s managed with a mechanical system, and the building has its own climate. But in the ‘Zapad’ (“West”) tower of the ‘Federation Tower’ complex, the windows can open. The 62nd and last floor of the tower are taken up by a restaurant called ‘Sixty’. There, the windows are equipped with a special hydraulic system. They open for a short period of time accompanied by classical music, so the guests can take breathtaking photos of Moscow.

6. Broken glass units of ‘Federation Tower’

The guests of the ‘Sixty’ restaurant at the top of the ‘Zapad’ tower can be surprised to see cracked glass window panes. It is particularly strange, if we take into consideration the special type of this glass. It is extremely solid and can’t be broken once installed. For example, during experiments people threw all sorts of heavy items at the windows, but the glass wouldn’t break. The broken glass units of ‘Zapad’ were already damaged during shipment . As each of them is curved in its own way to make the tower’s curvature smooth, making a new set of window panes and bringing them to Russia was deemed too expensive . Moreover, the investors had financial problems (again, due to the 2008 financial crisis), so the ‘Vostok’ tower even stood unfinished for several years. Eventually, the cracked window panes were installed in their place.

7. The highest restaurant in Europe

‘Birds’, another restaurant in Moscow-City, is remarkable for its location. It was opened at the end of 2019 on the 84th floor of the ‘OKO’ complex’s southern tower. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy an amazing panoramic view at a height of 336 meters. On January 28, the experts of ‘Kniga Recordov Rossii’ (“Russian Records Book”) declared ‘Birds’ the highest restaurant in Europe, a step toward an application for a Guinness World Record.

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As Moscow bureau chief, Guy runs coverage of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before Moscow, Guy ran Brexit coverage as London bureau chief (2012-2022). On the night of Brexit, his team delivered one of Reuters historic wins - reporting news of Brexit first to the world and the financial markets. Guy graduated from the London School of Economics and started his career as an intern at Bloomberg. He has spent over 14 years covering the former Soviet Union. He speaks fluent Russian.

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