Red Square - its not red and its not square!
Nowhere epitomizes Moscow, Russia's vast and ancient capital, quite like Red Square. An enormous 400 by 150 metres, Red Square lies in the heart of Moscow and on its four sides stand the Kremlin, GUM Department Store, State Historical Museum and St. Basil's Cathedral - centres of government, commerce, history and religion. The square is also home to Lenin's tomb, a gleaming granite mausoleum to the revered founder of Socialism - a system that, like Lenin himself, is dead but not forgotten.
Red Square was established in the 15th Century, under the rule of Ivan III, and was originally called Trinity Square after the Trinity Cathedral, which used to stand on the site where St. Basil's stands now. Sometime later the name 'Krasnaya Ploschad' became popular. The word 'krasnaya' is ambiguous. Originally meaning beautiful in old Russian, it only came to mean red in more modern times. Commonly-held assumptions then that the 'Red' in Red Square referred to Communism, blood spilt - or even the colour of the monuments - are in fact misplaced!
Located on the site of the city's old market place, over the years Red Square has acted as Moscow's equivalent to ancient Rome's Forum - a vast meeting place for the people. It has been a place for celebrating religious festivals, for public gatherings, for listening to Government announcements or Tsars' addresses, and even watching executions (various political dissidents were publicly butchered here by Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great). The square has also been the scene of more than one display of Russian military might - the most notable of which was in 1941 when lines of Russian tanks rolled through on their way to a front-line confrontation with the Germans. It provided a much needed boost to Russians' morale in their greatest hour of danger. More recently the square hosted the Russian Live 8 concert, supporting the fight against world poverty.
Apart from soaking in the history and atmosphere, there are a number of things for the tourist to do in and around the square. Not many will want to pass up the opportunity to visit Lenin's Mausoleum. It's not often you get a chance to see such an influential historical figure in the flesh - even if cynics claim that the embalmed body is in fact a wax-work replacement.
Another must-see is St. Basil's Cathedral, the ultimate architectural symbol of Russia. Its montage of domes, cupolas, arches, towers, and spires is sure to inspire you every bit as much in real life as in the photos.
If retail therapy is more your thing (or if you just want to escape the cold) then the GUM Department Store, the largest in Russia, is a great place to do your luxury shopping.
At the northern end of the square you will find the State History Museum with its huge collection of artefacts charting Russia's past right back to the stone age. Find the famous 1 Red Square restaurant inside.
Last but not least no visit to Moscow would be complete without visiting the seat of the Russia's government, the Kremlin. You many need to set aside a whole afternoon for this. Read our page on the Kremlin for more info.
Comments
nikolai from Russia Reply
We are very proud to have such a fantastic attraction for tourists as Red Square. It can tell us much about the history of not only of Moscow but of Russia in general. We are happy to see guests from any country of the world.
polina from Germany Reply
Hi i lived in Moscow for 9 years and also i was born in Moscow and my parents were born in Moscow.Moscow is a wondeful place.Red Square is also wondeful.Try to see a parade in Red Square.
Harris Johnson from United States Reply
First visited in December 1984; last visit September 2010 after a TransSiberian Train ride from Beijing and visited many times during the period between those two dates. Russia is one of my favorite places in the world.
Sam from Russia Reply
Dear friends, as you can see Krasnaya (Red) Square is not actually red. The whole point is that the word "Krasnaya" - meaning "red" in the past meant "beautiful". That is why the right name of the Square is Krasnaya. It took its name after a big fire in Moscow in the second half of XVII century when the square was completely restored and decorated with a number of wonderful churches and cathedrals Moreover Krasnaya Square is a Name, so it should be not translated to any other language just as Time Square (US), Westminster Abbey (UK), or Port Aventura (ES). Thanks
Anastasia from United States Reply
Hi! I am from Russia! I live near Moscow! It is so great to listen this things from people all over the world!!!
Svetlana from United States Reply
Guys, I'm Russian and I was born in Moscow. But I have been living in California for 2 years. Americans, I love you! Cali, I adore you. And Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I proud of my hometown ;-))) You are welcome to MOSCOW! Especially americans. I always wished we were the best friends, Russia and the US! And this site is very helpful for my presentation about Moscow in ESL class ;-)
Kiecha from Russia Reply
My school isn't far from the Red Square so we sometimes go there with some friends. Oh my god, I love this place!!!
Olivia from United States Reply
I must persuade you all from all over the world to go to The Red Square. you must visit the red square at night.
Oliva from United States Reply
I HAVE SEEN WONDERFUL PICTURES OF THE RED SQUARE I HAVE ALSO VISITED THE RED SQUARE IT IS SUPER BEAUTIFUL. I RECOMMEND ALL YOU PEOPLE TO GO THERE AND YOUMIGHT EVEN WANT TO GO AT NIGHT
Kent from United States Reply
I*ve been to red square two times, I loved it very much. I do not hate russians, I love the culture and the people.
Joe Moe from United States Reply
I really want to go to Moscow!!! im using this city for a project in school, and this site was very helpful, unlike some others.
Selly from United Kingdom Reply
Russia isn't or .... Russia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Russia is always welcome to foreigners. In ancient history Russia helped to England, USA, France- ... many many times! You should have some gratitude. Please, be polite.
CYNREZ ESE OUT from Mexico Reply
I THINK RUSSIA IS SUCH A FASCINATING PLACE. IM DOING THIS RESEARCH ON MOSCOW AND "WOW",ITS A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO GO......
USSRZ-N-A from United States Reply
I love this place, this is where I proposed to my wife, and found out that I was gonna be a father!!
Nicolas from United States Reply
I have been to Red Square, moscow several times and saw Lenin in his tomb once. Red square is fascinating to me considering all its history. It is a beautiful place surrounded by a lot of interesting buildings.
Edwidge Bwalya from South Africa Reply
I loved every moment I was at Red Square during Xmas and New Year. It is beautiful. Restaurant service needs a lot of attention.
Victoria from United Kingdom Reply
The Red Square is amazing! I found it really beautiful!I really advice people to see it. I have been in lots of places,saw lots of nice things,this is one of them :). I liked it,hope u will too :)
Sarah from China Reply
red is красный. while beautiful is красивый.they're 2 words,but look alike. it's called Red Square for the russian name:"красная площадь" ,it's said they called to say how beautiful the square is in their mind. but i just want to declare, that "red" and "beautiful" are definitely 2 words in Russian.
lea from Croatia Reply
i was in moscow this year and i could definitely say that moscow is really beautiful. the Red squair is absolutely astonishing (it's not surprising that Russians call it Krasnaya=beautiful squair),church St Basili's takes away your breath..there are so much things to see and learn there, town is so big and has so big and rich history.every building is beatiful.Tschaikovsky konservatory is also great!=) Mockba RULZ!!! :)*do svidanja!*
Christy from United States Reply
For the guy asking about why use the color 'red' for 'Red Square', in Russian, the word 'red' and 'beautiful' are the same word, but it's that English speakers have translated the word 'krasnaya' as 'red' instead of 'beautiful.' Russians think of it as the 'Beautiful Square', it's just us English speakers that think of it as 'Red Square.'
andrew the great from United States Reply
st basli's is beaustiful place it looks like. but is that line to see lenin's tomb?
Mohammed Sabzwari from Pakistan Reply
Prepare to experience rich history, culture, art ... all in one location! Things to see: Changing of the Guard, Flame of the unknown soldier, GUM, The Cathedral and at a short walk Peters Monument.
Anna Triadaphillides from Canada Reply
I really would love to go to The Red Square and actually see for myself, the place where they burried my great grandfather Vladimir K. Triandafilov. It's still a mystery to me, how he was killed?! My ancestors sure loved Russia, and I bet I would too. So much to learn, so little time!
Veda from United States Reply
moscow is amazing. the buildings are gorgeous, the country is great, there are so many things to do in Russia. it's one of the greatest places on earth.
Valya from Ukraine Reply
Wow, Red Square is amazing. My father is from Moscow so I had to come all the way from Ukraine to visit. Beautiful and crazy to see little old Lenin in his mausoleum.
Juan from Argentina Reply
Red Square is very heart of Russia. Such atmosferic place. Go Red Square in Moscow i must persuade you!
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