monumental scandals tour

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours brings Monumental Scandals into the light

A new tour looks at some of the less positive history of Vancouver.

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The monumental scandals tour, forbidden vancouver walking tours brings monumental scandals into the light back to video.

When: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, 10 a.m.

Where: Meet at Robson and Granville streets in front of Old Navy store

Tickets and info: $32 adult; $29 for senior/youth at forbiddenvancouver.ca

As hard as it may be to believe, there are things even more scandalous in Vancouver’s history than the average rent on a studio suite. From allegedly corrupt mayors to murders, inequitable wealth distribution and risqué entertainers, “No Fun City” has had its moments.

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You can learn all about them on the new Monumental Scandals Tour.

The new tour is produced by the folks at Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours who are behind popular dives into the past such as the Lost Souls of Gastown, Dark Secrets of Stanley Park and the Really Gay History tours. Company founder Will Woods says Monumental Scandals was an event just waiting to happen.

It certainly won’t leave people with quite the same impression that a stroll around downtown typically does.

“I think that the turn of the century through to the interwar period and a little bit of the 1950s is a fascinating era that doesn’t always get the air time it deserves,” said Woods. “Typically, people get that early settler history with Gastown and not much more. This tour goes further down Granville Street and hits a sweet spot for history with a good mix of eyebrow-raising facts and quite good fun showcasing a changing city.”

As an example, he cites the pre-First World War visit of U.K. dance hall entertainer Marie Lloyd to town. Performing an act that was often in dispute with theatre censors back home, her mix of comedy, musical theatre and wink-wink-say-no-more songs such as The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery and Oh Mr. Porter What Shall I Do was too racy for local reviewers. Pilloried in the local newspapers for such horrors as baring her ankles, she was almost chased out of town. In New York, she was such a hit that her run was extended.

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As the papers were focusing on such social scandals, backroom real estate deals were being struck and a particularly dirty 1950s police chief named Walter Mulligan was receiving paper bag deliveries from local crime overlords culled from proceeds of the many illegal gambling dens.

As the tour winds its way from the corner of Robson and Granville streets to the end point at the Marine Building on Burrard Street, two hours worth of such tidbits will be revealed. Woods says the material is surprisingly topical to much of what takes place in the region today, sometimes eerily so.

Local historian Lani Russwurm, author of Past Tense! Vancouver Was Awesome: A Curious Pictorial History was a key researcher on the Monumental Scandals Tour. He has written extensively in the Tyee on the long history of hard drug use and enforcement techniques in the city’s poorest neighbourhoods.

“I’ve written on a lot of this stuff over the past 15 years, but tying it together with Will’s scripts is always interesting,” said Russwurm. “My main source is Vancouver’s historical newspapers, which you can use for a lot of cross-referencing.

“I find the surprises, such as how many Chinese men who didn’t get any kind of relief payments of any kind during the Great Depression died from starvation pretty horrible. But they speak to the racism of the day.”

Woods says one of the tour’s most surprising stories is the occupation of the original  Hotel Vancouver by returning Second World War servicemen unable to find any housing. It seems hard to believe that the luxury digs served as an operations’ centre of sorts for a lengthy political action by those who served and were then seemingly forgotten.

“It’s a particularly shocking bit of information,” he said. “At the height, there were something like 700 people housed in there for upwards of a year’s time. It certainly resonates.”

Naturally, no Monumental Scandals Tour would be complete without some juicy murder and crime segments and, with everything from celebrity killings by jealous boyfriends to wildly suspect business deals, tour-goers get their fill.

Finally, Woods says a section on colonization has been added as it impacts so much of the actual founding of Vancouver and its subsequent development. While many locals are somewhat familiar with this history, he says that tourists find it fascinating.

“Part of my journey running this company has been becoming aware of the paucity of education that I received growing up in Britain about the impact of the British Empire and the harm that it did around the world,” he said. “If you go back to the 1880s/1900s when some of the worst acts of colonization were taking place here done by people who considered themselves British, and I don’t want to ignore that. There is some difficult, terrible history to share along with the usual celebrity scandals, crimes and so forth.”

Both Woods and Russwurm said anyone with an interest in recurrent themes across time find them in recurrent housing crises, drug use and political indifference across the decades in Vancouver.

[email protected]

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Nuevos requisitos de visa para ciudadanos mexicano (New visa requirements information for Mexican passport holders)

• Meetings & Conventions
• Travel Trade

Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours

• Phone: 604.839.3126

Peek beneath Vancouver’s sparkling surface to uncover a hidden history of dark crime, outrageous intrigue, and filthy scandal. Roam the city with our expert guides in these one-of-a-kind walking tours, and hear the scintillating stories of Vancouver’s secret past. Now staging 5 walking tours - with both daytime and evening options: The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour, The Forbidden Vancouver Tour, The Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour, The Really Gay History Tour, The Monumental Scandals Tour, and the Forbidden Vancouver Special Events: Secrets of the Penthouse, Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour, and The Last Gang in Town. 

Experience Vancouver's past in our city's most historic neighbourhoods. If your idea of adventure is following your guide down lamp lit alleyways, back to a world of illegal booze, opium dens, and unsolved murders, then you'll love Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours.  

Each tour meets at easy to find locations in Downtown Vancouver, Gastown, or Stanley Park. Customized start points and times are available for large groups wishing to start at a hotel or convention centre. There is no need for additional transportation arrangements. Each of our tours end within walking distance to hotels, transit, taxi pick up points, and ample options for food and drink. 

In addition to our public tour offerings, we offer private tours for groups as small as 4, and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

For more information about our tour offerings and private tour options, visit www.forbiddenvancouver.ca, email [email protected], or call Will at 604-839-3126 to schedule an event for your meetings and conventions group. 

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• Maximum Group Size: 50
• Year Opened: 2012

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• THE LOST SOULS OF GASTOWN TOUR
• The Forbidden Vancouver Tour
• The Really Gay History Tour
• THE DARK SECRETS OF STANLEY PARK TOUR
• The Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour
• Private Groups
• School Field Trips & Outings
• Team Building and Corporate Events
• Retirement Home Activities
• Secrets of the Penthouse
• Backstage at the Commodore
• Last Gang in Town
• Meet The Team
• Tourism Challenge 2024
• BOOK YOUR TOUR

PRIVATE WALKING TOURS

Team Building | Field Trips | Birthday Parties | Family Reunions | Clubs

LET US MAKE YOUR DAY!

Want to get together with your crew for an outdoor experience in Vancouver that’s original, active, fascinating, and completely engaging from start to finish? You’ll discover history you won’t believe happened, on the streets where it all went down. Plus our guides are some of the friendliest, funniest and most charming people you could meet!

CHOOSE YOUR START TIME TOURS RUN ~2HRS

AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND

FROM $30 PER PERSON 9 person minimum, or equivalent cost

MEET IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

Email us to get started, email us: [email protected].

Include your group size, preferred tour, date, and time. We’ll respond within one business day. And you can cancel your experience for a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour start time. No questions asked!

WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH

CHOOSE YOUR PRIVATE WALKING TOUR

THE FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER WALKING TOUR

Prohibition | rum-running | riots | gastown.

On the  Forbidden Vancouver Tour you’ll explore prohibition-era Gastown, a time of bootlegging, rum-running, and speakeasies.

Stroll the city’s oldest cobblestone streets and hear the stories of legendary Vancouver mob kingpin Joe Celona, crooked prohibition commissioners, infamous riots, dry squad raids, and our city’s greatest smugglers.

THE DARK SECRETS OF STANLEY PARK WALKING TOUR

Historic totem poles | notorious crimes | deadman’s island.

On the  Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour you’ll discover the park you thought you knew has a remarkable – and oftentimes shocking – history. 

Travel back in time through murky real estate deals, forced evictions, smallpox cemeteries, bizarre public artwork, and true crime scenes. You’ll never see the park the same way again.

THE REALLY GAY HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Lgbtq2+ pioneers | drag queens & kings | bookstore bombs.

On the  Really Gay History Tour you’ll walk the city’s bustling West End with storyteller and tour creator Glenn Tkach as your guide.

Hear tales of gay struggle at the United Church, the myth of Patient Zero, our city’s very first PRIDE parade, Jim Deva Plaza, Vancouver’s secret gay village, and the transgender activist who blew the whistle on the biggest crime in Vancouver history. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and walk away inspired!

THE HIDDEN HISTORY & SWEET TREATS TOUR

Iconic buildings | corruption | gourmet delicacies.

On the Hidden History & Sweet Treats Tour , you’ll discover the sensational stories behind our city’s most iconic places including Granville Street’s Theatre Row, Hotel Vancouver, Marine Building, and more. You’ll dig into the dirty foundations of our city’s most famous buildings – and their stories of murder, fame, jealous lovers, fortunes built and lost, corruption… and alluring glamour, all while enjoying delectable treats from local bakeries and chocolatiers.

FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER PRIVATE TOUR REVIEWS

WE HAD AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AS A PRIVATE TOUR!

“I cannot recommend this tour enough! We booked as a private group tour, they were quick to respond and were friendly and helpful… It was fascinating learning about Vancouver’s seedy past.”

-libbys525, Tripadvisor

GREAT CORPORATE EVENT!

“Held a corporate event with Forbidden Vancouver that from all accounts was fantastic! Recommend it to groups big or small. They were very accommodating.”

-Gwchristie306, Tripadvisor

A WONDERFUL WAY TO SPEND A DAY

“One thing that really stood out to me was his awareness and cultural humility around indigenous people, history of two spirit people, and the land thru which he guided us… would recommend.”

-M J, Tripadvisor

TERRIFIC, ENLIGHTENING TOUR

“The Forbidden Vancouver History Tour was really entertaining, full of information I did not yet know about the prohibition in Vancouver.”

-msapplesass, Tripadvisor

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A FORBIDDEN VANCOUVER PRIVATE TOUR

This shared experience will ignite conversation and create stronger bonds!

This isn’t a history lesson, it’s storytelling. Expect to laugh, learn, and be entertained.

Engage your team’s empathy & teamwork with real stories of Vancouver’s past heroes and villains.

Our tours are a low-barrier activity for those who may be shy to participate, and those more engaged can ask questions.

*Tours are accessible (with the exception of the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park) and are held at your group’s pace.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do we need to bring.

For the summer months we recommend a sun-hat, sunscreen, sun-glasses, and a bottle of water. For the cooler months, we recommend a rain jacket and sturdy footwear.

And do remember you to bring your smart phones fully charged, so you can capture photos of the amazing sites you’ll see and memories of your group’s experience!

How long is the walking tour?

That depends on which walking tour you choose, but generally speaking between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. We can stage a custom 1 hour version of our Monumental Scandals Tour if you’re under a time crunch!

Can we add or remove guests last minute?

You can add guests up to the time of your tour by emailing us at [email protected] . As long as we can fit them in then it’s no problem!

If your guests numbers fall, we can offer a refund up to 24 hours before your scheduled start time. Bear in mind we need a minimum of 9 guests, or the equivalent cost, to run a private tour.

Are your walking tours wheelchair accessible?

Every one of our walking tours is wheelchair accessible except for the Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour. That experience includes trails and steps, so can’t accommodate wheelchairs unfortunately.

Can we take the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour as a private tour?

We typically recommend one of our other walking tours for private groups. We’ve found one of the features of private tours is that since in most cases the group all know each other, you can get into some really interesting conversation with your guide about Vancouver and its history. On the Lost Souls of Gastown Tour – which is a roving one-person play with your guide in character – it’s not possible to get to know your guide in the same way.

Does my group need to tip the guide?

We charge an automatic 18% gratuity on top of the cost of your walking tour. Your group doesn’t need to tip your guide on the day.

Can we finish at a bar or restaurant?

Our walking tours finish near to some of the city’s most loved entertainment districts, like Gastown, the Davie Street Village, or Granville Street. These neighbourhoods are packed with places to wine and dine after your tour. If you’re looking for recommendations, please drop us an email at [email protected] .

Our Dark Secrets of Stanley Park Tour finishes near the Vancouver Aquarium, but your group can certainly drive, cab, or Uber from there to the West End or the Downtown Core for post-tour refreshments.

How much walking is involved?

Each of our walking tours is between around 1.5 km and 2 km in length. They stay largely on flat, even ground and your guide will walk at an easy pace. However, each member of your group does need to be comfortable on their feet or wheelchair for up to around 2 hours.

ARRANGE YOUR PRIVATE TOUR

Be sure to include:

Your group size

The tour you’re interested in

Your preferred date and time

The reason for your private tour

We’ll respond to your request within one business day. We look forward to hosting a private walking tour with your group!

• Yekaterinburg
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• Russia in Lists

Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Lenin Monuments

LENIN LIVED, LENIN LIVES AND LENIN WILL LIVE!

►    Russia in lists   ► Lenin lived, Lenin lives and Lenin will live!  

  Despite the fact that Russia may have abandoned the dreams of Vladimir Lenin and fully embraced capitalism, statues of the founder of the Soviet Union can still be found in most Russian cities. While a minority of Russian cities have demolished or relocated statues of the Leader of the World Proletariat, you will still find many examples still standing, usually on the city’s central street or square, which still often bears the name Lenin Street or Lenin Square. Lenin in fact has the honour of having the most statues and the tallest statue of any other historical figures not connected with religion (the Buddha would otherwise take these titles).

  Lenin’s traditional poses include defiantly stretching out his hand and pointing to a communist utopia, or just standing and reflecting, often holding a cap or a rolled up document. There are several popular designs which have been repeated all over the country, normally in smaller cities or for factories or administrative buildings in larger cities; main statues in major cities tend to have a unique design. In this article we talk about some of the traditional Lenin monuments and have also selected some of our favourite Lenins from the thousands still standing in cities all over Russia. We haven't included the country's main Lenin monument - Lenin himself; his body still lays embalmed in a mausoleum on Red Square.

STANDARD LENINS

Lenin in a suit jacket.

  These statues depicting Lenin in a suit are the most common and there are a whole range of variants in the pose. The most popular is by sculptor Sergey Merkurov who created a design with Lenin leaning forward.

  Aleksey Kotikhin has him pointing forward and holding the lapel of his jacket.

  While Nikolai Shilnikov depicts him holding a rolled up document - another popular feature in Lenin statues. 

  Sculptor Georgy Alekseev has Lenin pointing ahead with his hand, showing the route to a Communist Utopia. 

  Vasily Kozlov’s design is very similar to Alekseev’s but, instead of pointing, Kozlov’s Lenin is beckoning people towards him.  (Michurinsk inside station, Nevyansk, Sarapul)

  Another design by Vasily Kozlov shows Lenin giving a passionate speech, pointing ahead and holding a cap.

  A design by Georgy Neroda also features Lenin holding a cap, but in this statue Lenin is standing as if he is a doorman welcoming somebody in. 

LENIN IN A LONG COAT

  Lenin is also often immortalised wearing a long coat and variations of this design also exist. One such depiction is the series of statues often credited to sculptor Georgy Postnikov which show Lenin enthusiastically gesticulating with one hand in the air and the other holding the lapel of his coat. (Nizhny Tagil, Novsib)

  One of the later series of Lenin statues was created by Lev Kerbel who depicted Lenin in a long coat with one hand in his trouser pocket and the coat blowing in the wind. The model was first installed in Birobidzhan and then repeated, including for Moscow’s main Lenin Monument.

  Another design by Sergey Merkurov shows Lenin with one hand in his trouser pocket and one hand behind his back as if he is a landowner looking over his estate.

  An elegant design by Pyotr Yasyno, depicting Lenin holding his coat lapel in one hand and a rolled up document in the other, was first used for the Lenin statue at Moscow’s VDNKh exhibition, and was subsequently copied for Lenin statues created to adorn the main square of several Soviet cities. (VDNKh).

  Finally another series, first designed by Isaak Mendelevich, has Lenin with one hand in his pocket and leaning against a pillar. 

LENIN SAT DOWN

  Another series of statues created by Sergey Merkurov captures a serious Lenin sat down and contemplating something he may have just read in the book he is holding in his hand. This statue was popular for installing in parks or at sanatoria. (Tverskays)

UNUSUAL LENINS

ROMANOV PEDESTAL - KOSTROMA, KOSTROMA REGION

  Kostroma’s main Lenin statue is actually nothing out of the ordinary, what makes this statue unusual is the grand pedestal on which it stands. The pedestal was completed before the revolution and was set to become a monument celebrating three centuries of the House of Romanov.

  Following the revolution, the plan was scrapped and instead of many statues of tsars, emperors and empresses, Lenin was simply plonked on the top.

BOOKS AND GLOBE - NIZHNY TAGIL, SVERDLOVSK REGION

  The actual statue of Lenin on Nizhny Tagil’s monument is rather standard and small; again it is the pedestal that makes it special. It was unveiled in 1925 and features a rather small Lenin standing on a globe which is turn rests on four open books, each depicting key quotes of the leader.

THE GIANT HEAD - ULAN-UDE, REPUBLIC OF BURYATIA

  Ulan-Ude’s Lenin was unveiled in 1971 and you might think that by this time, there was nowhere left to go in terms of design.  But father and son team Georgy and Yuri Neroda succeeded in their monument which consists of just a giant Lenin head. With its pedestal it stands at 7.7m and you can’t help but be impressed, or at least amused!  Locals often arrange to meet friends at “The Head”. Note that many people believe that Lenin’s Asian features appear to have been emphasised especially due to its location in Buryatia, although there is no evidence that this was intentional.

POSSIBLE STALENIN - YASNAYA POLYANA, TULA REGION

  At first glance you will probably just think this statue is another run-of-the-mill Lenin, but have another look and you might too notice that Lenin’s body here is looking slightly more stocky here than usual. In fact it is said that this statue began its life as a Stalin statue and during the period of De-Stalinisation it was decided to reuse it by replacing Stalin’s head with Lenin’s - thereby creating this unique “Stalenin” hydrid! Sadly though this story has been put down as an urban myth; in reality, it is claimed, the sculpture just looks odd as Lenin is depicted wearing a coat which is more associated with Stalin that with Lenin.

LITTLE HEAD - YELABUGA, REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN​ 

  Yelabuga has a traditional Lenin Monument on its main square, but it also has a smaller monument dating from 1925. Perhaps in an attempt to make this modest bust of Lenin look more impressive, it was decided to place it on top of an obelisk. However the result is this rather absurd and disproportionate statue.

LENIN STRIKING A POSE

STAUNCH LENIN - MOSCOW

  To our knowledge the pose Lenin is striking in this statue outside Moscow’s Ploschad Ilicha metro station is not repeated in any other statue of him. The statue by Lithuanian sculptor Gediminas Iokubonis stands at ground level and sets in stone Lenin standing defiantly, with his legs apart and his arms behind his back. A copy once stood in the Lithuania city of Klaipeda, but it is now found in the Grūtas Park of Soviet sculptures.

WINTER LENIN - RYBINSK, YAROSLAVL REGION

  Rybinsk’s main Lenin statue is unusual for two reasons: firstly it stands on a pedestal which once supported a statue of Emperor Alexander II, and secondly it depicts Lenin wearing a thick winter coat and a Russian hat. It is the work of Dagestani sculptor Khasbulat Askar-Sarydzha and was unveiled in 1959.

RELAXING LENIN - SIMFEROPOL, REPUBLIC OF CRIMEA

  The statue of Lenin outside the railway station in Simferopol, rather appropriately considering the fact thousands of tourists arrive here each summer for a Crimean holiday, shows a leisurely Lenin in a less formal suit relaxing on a bench. An urban legend exists that Stalin used to be sat next to him, but was later removed. This is not the case, although the city did previously have another statue from the series featuring Lenin and Stalin sat together on a bench.

THEATRICAL LENIN - TAMBOV, TAMBOV REGION

  The monument installed outside Tambov’s Puppet Theatre appears to show Lenin as if he is attempting to find work at the theatre, thrusting his hand in the air and with a passionate expression on his face. It was installed in 1967 and is the work of Pavel Bondarenko, whose other work can also be found adorning the main squares in several other cities.

ROCKSTAR LENIN - ZADONSK, LIPETSK REGION

  Lenin statues are usually either just the colour of the stone from which they are sculpted or the white of the plaster used. Sometimes you might see one that has been painted silver, but there are also statues which go one better, with Lenin being painted golden. One such example is in Zadonsk. The statue looks all the more effective, taking into account Lenin’s rockstar pose as he looks out on the city’s famous monastery. You could almost imagine this to be a statue of Elvis!

RECORD-SETTING LENINS

THE OLDEST LENIN - NOGINSK, MOSCOW REGION

  Although there is some amount of argument about where the first statue of Lenin was erected, it is generally considered that the oldest surviving full statue of Lenin is found in the city of Noginsk. The statue was erected on 22 January 1924, the day after Lenin died, although it was intended to be a gift to Lenin from the workers of the Glukhovsky Factory where it stands. The statue also looks different from later version, as the artform of Lenin statues was then just in its development stage.

THE NEWEST LENIN - MOSCOW​

  Moscow’s main and biggest Lenin statue, which stands on Kaluzhskaya Ploschad (Kaluga Square), was only unveiled in 1985 making it the last large-scale Lenin monument to be installed in Russia. The ensemble consists of an 8.5m statue by Lev Kerbel, copies of which can be found in other cities, standing on a 13.5m pedestal decorated by statues of revolutionaries. It is also the third largest statue of Lenin in Russia.

THE BIGGEST LENIN - VOLGOGRAD, VOLGOGRAD REGION

  The honour of the biggest Lenin statue in the world goes to the massive monument which stands in Volgograd at the first lock of the Volgo-Don Canal. It stands at 57m: a 27m statue on a 30m pedestal and is the largest statue of the world depicting an historical figure not connected with a religion.  It was designed by Yevgeny Vuchetich who was also behind Volgograd’s even-more impressive Mother Russia Calls Monument. Lenin has stood here since 1973, previous to this the pedestal was occupied by a statue of Stalin which was demolished in 1961.

THE SECOND BIGGEST LENIN - DUBNA, MOSCOW REGION

  Although it is often claimed that Dubna’s Lenin is the largest in Russia, it is in fact only the second largest (Volgograd’s is bigger). Despite its runner-up status, the 25m statue standing on a 12m pedestal is still impressive. It was unveiled in 1937 near the the canal on the Volga and was at one point joined by an equally impressive statue of Stalin, which was later demolished. Sergey Merkurov’s popular design was scaled up for the statue.

THE REMOTEST LENIN - POLE OF INACCESSIBILITY, ANTARCTICA

  This is the only Lenin included in our list which is not located in Russia and which the Rusmania team has not yet visited personally - it is just too hard to get to Antarctica’s Pole of Inaccessibility! The bust of Lenin was installed in 1958 by Soviet scientists.

LENIN THROUGH HIS LIFETIME

LENIN AS A BOY WITH HIS MOTHER - ULYANOVSK, ULYANOVSK REGION

  Lenin’s original surname is Ulyanovsk and the city where he was born was renamed from Vyatka to Ulyanovsk in his honour. Unsurprisingly Ulyanovsk has many monuments connected with Lenin, including this monument which is unusual as it depicts the Bolshevik leader as a young boy standing next to his mother Maria. It was erected in 1970.

LENIN AS A BOY - CHAPLYGIN, LIPETSK REGION

  There are several statues around Russia where the future founder of the USSR is portrayed as a cheerful, curly haired boy. These statues were traditionally located outside schools or pioneer clubs and there were two main designs: one with Vova reading a book and one with him leaning against a pillar. The one we have selected was spotted in a park in Chaplygin. 

LENIN AS A STUDENT - KAZAN, REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN

  Lenin studied at Kazan University (although he never graduated as he was expelled for his political activities) and to mark this fact a statue depicting Vladimir Ulyanov in his student year was installed opposite the university building in 1954. Architect Vladimir Tsigal depicts a rather defiant Lenin, disdainfully looking at the university which expelled him.

LENIN WITH HIS WIFE - MOSCOW

  Lenin was married to Nadezhda Krupskaya in 1898, although many believe the relationship was more based on shared ideological beliefs than a romantic connection. Despite being most famous as Lenin’s wife, Krupskaya was in fact a political activist in her own right and served as a deputy minister of education, an area she had devoted much of her life to. This monument on Moscow’s Ulitsa Krupskoy is the only full-sized statue to exist of Lenin and his wife (there is also a bust of the two in Yaropolets near Volokolamsk.

LENIN AS A CORPSE - GORKY LENINSKIE, MOSCOW REGION

  Yep, you have read that right, there is even a statue depicting a dead Lenin. It was put up in outside the estate of Gorky Leninskie where Lenin died in 1924. The moment depicts eight mourners carried Lenin’s lifeless body from the estate to a train to be taken to Moscow. Note the difference in materials, with Lenin and the shroud covering him being polished, and Lenin’s serene and saintly appearance.

LENIN WITH COMRADES

LENIN WITH IOSEF STALIN - ALL DEMOLISHED

  Previously statues of Lenin and Stalin could be found in various places around Russia, including on the Moscow Metro. There were two standard designs: one where both the leaders were sat together on a bench and one where Lenin was sitting and Stalin was standing. All these statues were removed during Khruschev’s policy of De-Stalinisation in the early 1960s.

LENIN WITH FELIKS DZERZHINSKY - UST-BARGUZIN, BURYATIA

  A unique statue of Lenin can be found in the Buryatian town of Ust-Barguzin as it is a double statue featuring Lenin walking and talking with Feliks Dzerzhinsky - the head of the Chekha, which was a forerunner of the KGB. Incidentally, many statues of “Iron Feliks” have been demolished, which makes this statue all the more rare.

LENIN WITH COMRADES - NOVOSIBIRSK, NOVOSIBIRSK REGION

  This impressive ensemble of statue was unveiled outside Novosibirsk’s Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1970 and is the work of sculptor Iosif Brodsky. The central statue is of Lenin and he is joined by a worker, a soldier and a peasant on one side and a youth holding a torch and a young girl holding an ear of corn on the other side.

LENIN WITH WORKERS - MOSCOW

  Lenin of course is often depicted in art as a man of the people and this extends to sculptures. One such example is this 1972 statue found outside an industrial zone on 1-ya Karacherovskaya Ulitsa in Moscow. A jubilant Lenin is being carried by a group of workers recently enthused by one of his speeches.

LENIN WITH CHILDREN - YOSKHAR-OLA, REPUBLIC OF MARI EL

  Statues depicting a friendly and caring Uncle Lenin either consulting children or educating them were popular for schools and pioneer clubs and varied in design. This particular example of Lenin and two children stands outside School No. 4 in Yoshkar-Ola.

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Vancouver Hidden History and Sweet Treats Tour

• Professional guide
• All Fees and Taxes
• Entrance for private viewings of heritage buildings
• Forbidden Vancouver’s virtual guidebook with recommendations on what to do in Vancouver, value $20.
• A selection of 3 sweet treats
• Private transportation
• Entry/Admission - Vancouver Art Gallery
• 708 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5, Canada Meet your guide outside Old Navy on Robson and Granville Streets in Downtown, Vancouver.
• 863 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N9, Canada Your tour ends at Mink Chocolate Shoppe at 863 W Hastings St.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• ALLERGIES AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: Please note, the treats served on this tour may contain gluten, eggs, dairy, and nuts, and are prepared in kitchens where these and other common allergens are present. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, attend at your own discretion. Get a taste of Vancouver history storytelling (without the treats) on any of our other walking tours!
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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• You'll start at 708 Robson St 708 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6E 1B5, Canada Meet your guide outside Old Navy on Robson and Granville Streets in Downtown, Vancouver. See address & details
• 1 Robson Street Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 2 Robson Square Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 3 Vancouver Art Gallery Stop: 10 minutes - Admission excluded See details
• 4 Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 5 CF Pacific Centre Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 6 Rosewood Hotel Georgia Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 7 Sinclair Center Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 8 Terminal City Club Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 9 Marine Building Stop: 10 minutes See details
• You'll end at 863 W Hastings St 863 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N9, Canada Your tour ends at Mink Chocolate Shoppe at 863 W Hastings St. See address & details

• jodimP2748UJ 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great Prohibition Tour We really enjoyed our tour with Lenard learning about prohibition in Canada. It was a great tour, felt informal but super informative was a lovely atmosphere. The only reason it doesnt get 5/5 is because there isnt a designated toilet opportunity/stop. Would definitely recommend and we will be trying their other tours. Read more Written April 21, 2024
• margaretle2018 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Entertaining history of old Vancouver It was educational and entertaining. Our tour guide Emmett delivered a great performance and made a rainy walk fun. We learned things we never knew. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• Carolineeeee606 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A unique and very very fun tour! We took a tour last night, April 19th with the amazing character tour guide, Stewart! What a tour it was!! Stewart made the tour that little bit more special with his personal touches and very very funny additional jokes. Using the sounds of the surrounding traffic and moving vehicles or public as part of the tour show instead of allowing them to disrupt our experience. He took us around Gastown acting as a character which is something very unique to the tour and my friends and I have not experienced before. I am a tour lover and this definitely hit the tour spot for me! Honestly, worth every dollar and cent! We can't wait for the next one already. Oh, and if you're lucky, you'll get a few candies along the way :D Read more Written April 20, 2024
• jackbJ2325DB 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Entertaining and informative! Glenn was great! Glenn was fantastic! We appreciated his depth of historical knowledge and how he incorporated it into his presentation. He had a fun and engaging way of telling the stories and, with his sense of humour, skillfully included the listeners’ observations and questions along the way. Highly recommend!! Read more Written April 19, 2024
• simplytree0363 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Glenn is the best storyteller! Absolutely entertaining tour covering what I never realized was such a complicated topic! Glenn was an amazing storyteller. I have participated in walking tours around the world, and he made this tour one of my absolute favourites! Read more Written April 19, 2024
• asolotraveler2015 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Informative tour This was a very informative tour and I learned a lot of Vancouver’s queer history. Glenn was an excellent storyteller and was attentive to everyone. Read more Written April 15, 2024
• Jan_and_Ham 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Something different and very enjoyable! Found this adventure on TripAdvisor whilst looking for something new to do in Vancouver and being someone who enjoys history thought it would be fun to try. We thought we were quite early, but Janet (our guide) was already waiting in costume and character, ticking our names off in an old notebook which I thought was a nice touch! She led us and our group around Gastown telling us stories of places, people and events from the past and pointing out things that we had not seen/noticed on our previous trips to Vancouver. It really was fascinating and brought to life through Janet's characters life story. I can perhaps best describe it as a theatrical history tour. After the tour we received an email that checked up on our experience but also included vouchers for other Vancouver activities and in my opinion the icing on the cake was the e-book. The book had short histories about certain events in Vancouver, which I found fascinating and read a couple of times. We both had a very good time and look forward to trying another one of their tours next time we find ourselves in Vancouver. Read more Written March 25, 2024
• Pioneer03333220746 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Disappointing Walking Tour The tour wasn't informative or entertaining. I've been on around 20 walking tours in various cities across the world and this was one of the worst. I'm surprised by its 5-star rating on Tripadvisor. Read more Written March 17, 2024
• NathanJ634 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Entertaining and informative Our family (two of us in our forties and our ten-year-old daughter) found the Lost Souls of Gastown tour entertaining and informative. Our guide Janet was excellent, and we learned a lot more about the history of the city than I expected (including a few “not part of the tour” tidbits). Read more Written March 2, 2024
• georgiay2020 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun tour A really fun tour. I enjoyed the storytelling, and the guide was great. I think I expected more clear history rather than a story, but once I’d got into it a bit more I really enjoyed it. Read more Written February 23, 2024
• LittleCityFarms 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great stories I wasn't excited for a ghost tour when my family booked this, but was delighted to experience some excellent storytelling about city history. Storytelling is really the focus, painting a picture of what history felt like more than in depth details about buildings and events. I also appreciated acknowledgement of First Nations and immigrant experiences too. Read more Written February 19, 2024
• emilyaP7557CZ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great time—highly recommend Definitely take this tour if you want to get to know another side of Vancouver! The guide “Sarah” (character name) was very engaging and you could tell she loved what she was doing! Read more Written February 15, 2024
• Catherine S 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun thing to do in the evening We were looking for something interesting to do to learn more about the area. We enjoy hearing about historical events that made the city what it is. This tour was informative and entertaining! Sarah was our guide and she did a fantastic job in roll playing and story telling. We thoroughly enjoyed this event! Read more Written February 5, 2024
• H9874BPth 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Can’t wait to do it again What a theatrical learning experience. Loved walking the streets and alleys of gastown to learn Vancouvers pioneer heritage. Read more Written January 9, 2024
• PookyCake 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour While in town for a short BC “staycation,” we decided to check out Forbidden Vancouver’s Holiday History & Hot Chocolate Tour. Murder, jealousy, scandal AND hot chocolate!? Who wouldn’t be down for that? Anyway, imagine our surprise when we arrive at the meeting point (outside Old Navy on Robson and Granville) and spy Glenn! Having just enjoyed the pleasure of his company two months earlier on the Really Gay History Tour, we knew we were in for a treat! And Glenn did not disappoint! Over the course of two hours, he enthralled us with historic tales of the mob and corruption at the Mayor’s office during the tenure of LD Taylor; the stunning architecture of Francis Rattenbury, who is perhaps most well-known for designing the BC Parliament buildings and nearby Empress, but who fell victim to murder from his adulterous wife and their young chauffeur; the intriguing history of the Hotel Vancouver and the celebrities who’ve stayed there, including Yvonne De Carlo and Howard Hughes; the irony of “moral turpitude”; and the delights of Vancouver’s beautiful art deco Marine Building. The history, stories and intrigue were, of course, peppered with beautiful holiday displays at the Hotel Vancouver and Hyatt Regency. I especially enjoyed the gingerbread displays @ the Hyatt and was surprised to learn they’d been hosting that event for over 30 years. Where the heck have I been? Our tour concluded with an absolutely delicious hot chocolate courtesy of the award-winning Mink Chocolate Café. While there, we couldn’t help but purchase a few of their unique chocolates to take home and give away as gifts. All in all, we enjoyed the tour. Glenn did an amazing job weaving the stories together into a compelling narrative that kept the group intrigued and engaged from start to finish. The stunning holiday displays and delightful hot chocolate at the end were the proverbial icing on the cake and, in an odd sort of way, nicely complemented the scandalous tales of Vancouver! Indeed, this isn’t exactly a Hallmark story . . . it’s a million times better! A question: We have taken a number of tours with Forbidden Vancouver over the last couple years and thoroughly enjoyed them all. In fact, I think the only ones that remain outstanding, for us, are the “Forbidden Vancouver” tour and the “Monumental Scandals” tour; however, reviewing the Forbidden Vancouver webpage, the “Monumental Scandals” tour reads very similar to the Holiday History tour (minus the holiday displays and delicious hot chocolate), so wondering if it would be worthwhile to check out? Perhaps if we had another guide . . . though it would be funny if we signed up and had Glenn again ;) Read more Written December 31, 2023

More to explore in Vancouver

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Vancouver Hidden History and Sweet Treats Tour provided by Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours

Moscow Night Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Feel the spirit of sleepless Moscow
• Party the night away in one of the many Moscow bars
• See what you can’t see during the day
• Walk around historical part of city by night
• Astonishing Kremlin views
• Majestic architecture in colors of night
• Enjoy great views from Sparrow Hills
• Hypnotizing night city lights
• Become a part of lively Moscow nightlife

Tour Itinerary:

Exploring night Moscow means to find yourself in totally different city! Monuments become more spellbinding and the streets with nightclubs, bars and cafes are lively and ready to meet you. Feel the amazing atmosphere of night city and make sure that Moscow never sleeps.

Sample itinerary for the Moscow night tour:

This place is must-see not only during the day but also (especially!) at night. You will feel the real majesty of this place with its monuments, the beautiful illumination and be amazed with iconic Kremlin walls .

Sparrow Hills

Observation deck  on Sparrow Hills with  Moscow State University  (Stalin skyscraper) is the great place to enjoy breathtaking views of city by night.

Beautiful  City bridge  leading to  Gorky Park  has fantastic views of  Christ the Savior   Cathedral and the Moskva River. Exploring Moscow attractions by riding a bike along the riverside pathways can be a unique adventure!

Historic City Centre

Walk along main Moscow streets  :  Tverskaya Street  and historical lanes with a great variety of cafes and bars.  Arbat  is a legendary street to find all kinds of awesome! Enjoy the streets loved by citizens and tourists.

Night clubs and bars

Finish your night adventure with a drink in the nightlife hotspot Solyanka, or Patriarch bridge leading to Strelka with lots of stunning views on the way!

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

We walked over the bridge where I got a better photo of the Kremlin to enter metro station to travel the one stop back to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. This cathedral has a fascinating story.  It is Moscow's largest Orthodox cathedral.  It was built between 1839-1883 as a memorial to those who fell fighting Napoleon's army in the War of 1812. 

At its entry, the marble walls are covered with inscribed names of those whose lives were lost.  For more than a century, it was the city's largest single structure, dominating the city skyline.  In 1931, a few seconds demolished what had taken 50 years to build, following Stalin's orders. 

The marble from the church and other valued materials and objects were stripped and removed to be used elsewhere, such as for creating art in the Metro stations.  During Khrushchev's time, one of the world's largest outdoor swimming pools was built. 

In recent years, the decision was made to rebuild the Cathedral; this time it took only 5 years at a cost of $150 million.  While the city provided most of the funding, when the decision to rebuild was announced, the rubles poured in from the general population.  Once again, photos were not allowed, but my friend bought a booklet, and she kindly let me use it so you can see its elaborate interior. 

What you probably DO know about this cathedral is that the Russian punk band Pussy Riot performed a protest concert inside the church in 2012, resulting in their arrest and jail time for 3 of its members.

After my friend selected her icon from the gift shop, it was time to bid our favorite Muscovite guide farewell. Our Moscow guide has restored my faith in her generation.  So wise and compassionate she is.  She was extremely perceptive about our preferences and needs. 

As my friend noted to me last night after we got back to our room, there wasn't a problem our guide didn't solve with calm and timely effectiveness.  After she presented both of us with gifts tied with satin ribbon, she walked us across the plaza in front of the cathedral to our waiting cab.  She told my friend that she reminded her of her own "Baba" and that she would send my friend a picture of her to show the resemblance. 

Even with this affection on her part toward my friend, I know our guide would have delivered the same excellent guide service to us, topped with abundant grace and sensitivity.  These characteristics are a part of her inner soul.  Our positive regard of Moscow is because of our guide.

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + An expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow by night tour can be modified to meet your preferences .

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