Pripyat at Night Prior to the Chernobyl Accident

This morning, my friend Sasha at Pripyat.com posted a series of photos taken at night in Pripyat, prior to the Chernobyl accident. Even though these pictures are not the best of quality (as you can see above), they are still interesting from a historical perspective and a rare find indeed.

These photos were found in the archives of Misha Nazarenko. Since they are newly posted at Pripyat.com, I am not posting them directly in this blog, but will provide links to the actual photos:

Cultural Center DK Energetik

http://forum.pripyat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7923&d=1210574756

Cultural Center and Hotel Polissia

http://forum.pripyat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7924&d=1210574756

Cultural Center DK Energetik

http://forum.pripyat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7925&d=1210574756

Prometheus Cinema

http://forum.pripyat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7926&d=1210574765

Unknown Shop

This could be the shop “Rainbow” on the ground floor of the “White House” located at the corner of Kurchatov Street and Lenin Boulevard. The shop sold dry goods, auto parts and radio supplies.

If I have correctly identified this photo, you have probably seen pictures of this location - at the corner of the building is a phone booth. The “White House” is located across the street from the city’s main square, cultural center and hotel.

http://forum.pripyat.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7927&d=1210574765