The height of the building with the spire is 240 meters. For 37 years, the main building of Moscow State University was the tallest building in Europe, but in 1990, the 256-meter-high Messeturm skyscraper appeared in Frankfurt and outdid the Moscow colossus.

The main building of Moscow State University was built in 1949-1953. Its construction was approached in a big way. Comrade Stalin personally approved the technical design and estimate of the building of the Moscow State University. Supervised the construction of Beria. The construction was attended not only by military construction units from nuclear facilities, but also by several thousand prisoners. The building is absolutely symmetrical. Two "wings" of 18 floors depart from the central tower. The towers are equipped with a clock, a thermometer, and a barometer.

There are four solid jasper columns on the ninth floor of the central building. It is believed that they survived the demolition of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and were transferred to the university. However, this is only a beautiful legend - there have never been jasper columns in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Nevertheless, the facade of the building is lined with various types of natural stones.

Another misconception about the main building of Moscow State University: the spire, star, and ears of corn on top of the central building are covered with gold. This is not true. If these elements were indeed covered with a noble metal, they would very quickly lose their gloss under the influence of rain, snow and wind. Therefore, the spire, star and ears of corn are finished with yellow glass plates on the outside, the inner side of the plates is covered with aluminum. To date, some of the plates have collapsed, and binoculars show that there are gaping holes here and there on the shiny surface.