Red Square

Red Square is the largest and most famous square in Russia. Like a magnet it attracts all visitors of Moscow. Standing on Red Square you see the most significant buildings in the capital – the Kremlin, GUM department store, the State History museum, the Lenin's Mausoleum. A real wonder is the elaborate brightly-domed Saint Basil's Cathedral. It's like an exotic stone flower planted by the architects of the 16th century.All major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions. Red Square is the central square of Moscow and a symbolic center of all Russia.

The history of Red Square goes back to the 15th century. In 1490s a new redbrick Kremlin was built in Moscow. The east side of the fortification was the most vulnerable side since it was neither protected by the rivers, nor any other natural barriers. The area outside the walls was cleared in order to create a field of fire for shooting.

Red Square has always been the main square of the city. Merchants from all over the world came to trade here. The square turned into a big market. Public criers announced tsars' decrees and people came to Red Square to hear the news. On days of great church festivals there were religious processions here. The square turned into an open-air church.

After the Revolution, Red Square maintained its importance. Lenin's mausoleum was built near the Kremlin

wall, making the square the ideological center of Red Moscow. It was renowned as a stage for military parades. Kazan Cathedral and Iverskaya Chapel with the Resurrection Gates were demolished to make room for heavy military vehicles. There were plans to demolish Gum and Saint Basil's Cathedral. Luckily it never happened.

An incredible event happened on Red Square in 1987. An amateur German aviator, Mathias Rust illegally landed near Red Square. How a 19-year old boy managed to break through the Soviet defense system remains a mystery. Rust's successful flight meant that the old Soviet system was not strong any more; it was followed by Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms and helped him to bring an end to the Cold War.

Red Square didn't change much in the last 100 year. The Kremlin, The Church of St Basil, The History museum and Gum were not destroyed in the 20th century. Visitors come to Red Square to appreciate its beautiful architectural ensemble.

Red Square's name has nothing to do with Communism or Soviet Russia. The old Russian word for "beautiful" and "red" was the same; Red Square means «Beautiful Square".

Red Square is a must-see sight of Moscow. Your Moscow tour guide will tell you more about its fascinating history.