Red Square

Red Square is the main symbol and the most famous historical place of Moscow. It is located in the Central Administrative District between the Kremlin and Kitay-Gorod. Red Square and its architectural structures are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a historical place, a must-see for foreigners. Muscovites also consider Red Square to be the “heart of the capital” and enjoy meeting the New Year here, coming to the May 9 parade or strolling along the paving stones on sunny weekends. The arena of the iconic events of Russian history covers 23,100 m², and its shape is quite elongated: its length is 330 meters and width is 70 meters. Red Square is a pedestrian zone – any vehicles, including mopeds and bicycles, are prohibited here. The nearest metro stations are Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, and Ploshchad Revolutsii.

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Video: Red Square Parade 2022

Contents

Origin story

‘ Panorama of Red Square
‘ View of Lenin’s Mausoleum
‘ Red Square from the porch of St. Basil’s Cathedral
‘ Sagittarius near the Historical Museum

Origin of the name

In previous centuries there were several names for Russia’s central landmark. Of the earliest variants, Troitskaya Square and Pozhar were common. The first is associated with the name of the nearby church, the second is due to the fact that for a long time there were many buildings made of wood, which were constantly catching fire.

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At the beginning of the XVII century, the area near the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Frontal Square began to be called Red Square. In this context, the word “red” meant “beautiful”. This name spread to the entire territory near the Kremlin and was approved at the official level by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.

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It is worth noting that many foreigners visiting Moscow in those times called the square “market” or “trade”. Under Ivan the Terrible, it was often called “big.”

‘ Moscow under Ivan the Terrible. A. M. Vasnetsov
‘ Moscow under Ivan the Terrible.’ Monument to Minin and Pozharsky

Architectural sights

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‘ Spasskaya Tower

In 1491, the Frolovskaya (Spasskaya) Tower was created through the efforts of architect Pietro Antonio Solari. Its gates later became the main gate of the Kremlin and began to be used for the exit of dignitaries during various celebrations. The famous Moscow chimes were installed on the top of the building.

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An almost unpreserved monument of Russian fortification is the Kitaygorod Wall, which was 2,567 meters long. It was built from 1535 to 1538 under the direction of engineer Petrok the Small. This construction performed a defense function, protecting the population from the attacks of Crimean Tatars. The wall was destroyed during the Stalinist reconstruction of Moscow. In the 90s of the last century it was possible to recreate some of its sections.

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In 1995, the city authorities ordered the restoration of the Voskresenskiye Gates, which lead to Red Square. They were located in the Neglinenskaya Tower and served as the main entrance to Kitay-gorod. According to the existing custom, it was from this gate that Russian tsars traveled to Red Square for festive events.

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‘ Voskresenskie Vorota from the side of Red Square
‘ Preserved section of the wall in Kitaygorodskiy proezde
‘ Resurrection Gate and Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
‘ Frontal place
‘ Frontal seat. View from inside
‘ Morning of Streletsky execution. Painting by Vasily Ivanovich Surikov
‘ Kazan Cathedral on Red Square

Red Square continued to be built up in the next century – in 1637 the Kazan Cathedral was rebuilt on Nikolskaya Street, which served as a sign of remembrance of the expulsion of Polish invaders from Moscow. In Stalin’s times the cathedral was destroyed and a pavilion in honor of the III International was built in its place. Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the historic structure was recreated in its original form.

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In the second half of the 18th century, Catherine II ordered the creation of a grandiose shopping center in place of the dilapidated shops on the square. The project was undertaken by the talented Italian Giacomo Quarenghi, then several city architects completed the construction. In 1812 a fire destroyed the building, its restoration was undertaken by Osip Bove, an adherent of classicism. By the end of the century the structure was outdated and needed major repairs, it was completely renovated before 1896. In 1923, the State Department Store was opened here, which functions until today. Despite the fact that the department store has been privately owned for over 20 years, the name has remained unchanged.

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‘ GUM.a’
‘ Inside GUM
‘ Entrance to GUM from the side of Red Square
‘ Red Square and GUM on New Year’s Eve
‘ The State Historical Museum of Russia

The largest State Historical Museum of Russia is located in the north of Red Square. It was established on February 21, 1872 by decree of Emperor Alexander II. At the moment, the institution is classified as a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the country. In 29 halls, Russian history from ancient times to the beginning of the previous century is presented. To familiarize yourself with the entire exposition, you will need more than one day.

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Interestingly, on Red Square there is a kind of memorial cemetery – a necropolis near the Kremlin wall. Here are kept urns with the ashes of prominent political and military figures of the Soviet era. For all the time of its existence since the beginning of the XX century many domestic citizens and foreign revolutionaries were buried here. The necropolis contains the remains of Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Maxim Gorky, Clara Zetkin, Yuri Gagarin and other prominent personalities.

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‘ Necropolis at the Kremlin Wall

A world-famous site is Lenin’s Mausoleum, which draws crowds of tourists daily. In January 1924, architect Alexei Shchusev equipped a burial place worthy of the great leader. The master created a structure in the form of a stepped pyramid, which symbolizes eternity. All the work was completed within two months. Initially, wood was used as a building material, as it was unknown whether Lenin’s body could be preserved. In 1930, the wooden walls were replaced with stone walls according to Shchusev’s design. For several years Stalin’s remains were preserved here, but then the corpse was moved to the necropolis.

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‘ Lenin’s Mausoleum

In 1990, the Moscow Kremlin complex and Red Square were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that there should be no more major alterations to the appearance of these historic sites.

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Interesting Facts

‘ Parade on Red Square

Parade on May 9

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‘ Red Square in winter

Once you get to these stations, then get out of the car and look around in the lobby. You will need a sign to the Manezhnaya Square exit. Going up the street, you will see a big beautiful red brick building – this is the State Historical Museum. If you head straight towards it and then go around it, you’ll get straight to Red Square.

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‘ class=”fancybox” >Red Square from above

The second interchange is the four metro stations, Arbatskaya, Borovitskaya, Alexandrovsky Sad and Lenin Library. These are the intersections of red, blue, gray and blue metro stations, they are called Sokolnicheskaya, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya and Filevskaya lines. In the lobby of the stations you need to find a sign for the exit to Alexandrovsky Garden. As soon as you get into it, you will immediately see the Kremlin: the garden is located right next to it. Turn right and walk a little bit around the Kremlin wall. A few minutes of walking and you will see the Red Square. Among other things, you’ll pass the Kutafya Tower, through which you can enter the Kremlin itself.

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Red Square is open 24 hours a day, but it is closed during preparations for major holidays.

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Keep in mind that officially photography on Red Square is forbidden! But everyone takes pictures quietly and without a tripod. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages on its territory is also prohibited.

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