Interesting places on Red Square. History of Red Square
Red Square is known throughout the world and this is not an exaggeration. There is no such person who, having arrived in Moscow, did not seek to visit Red Square. It is a symbol of our country and its pride. The whole area is a single architectural ensemble, which is protected by UNESCO.
Red Square is the pride of Russians, it is impossible to be here without excitement, because every pebble of paving stones and the buildings surrounding the magnificent beauty are saturated with the atmosphere of our history.
Red Square - history
Tsar Ivan the Terrible determined the place for the square in front of the built Kremlin. However, during the fire, all nearby buildings burned out, and the small area increased to 240 m in width. The people and the ruler liked the empty place and began to call it simply - Fire, in memory of the events that led to the birth of the square in front of the main royal mansions.
Along the edges of the open space, trading rows were set up, which for a long time marked the borders. Since trading shops surrounded almost the entire square, it was here that the inhabitants of Moscow organized fairs and noisy festivities.
Already in those distant times, many significant events took place here. The appearance of the square began to change in the 17th century, when cathedrals and towers began to be built here, which adorned the square and the people began to call it red, that is, beautiful. It was this meaning in Russia that was given to this word. The official name Red Square was established by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in 1661.
Cathedrals on Red Square
St. Basil's Cathedral
The architecture of this building is surprisingly intertwined with Russian culture, since the temple very much resembles a gingerbread in multi-colored festive glaze. Not many people know official name this magnificent, all famous temple- Cathedral of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, which is on the Rva.
The cathedral was built during the time of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the overthrow of the Khanate of Kazan, which is celebrated on the day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, hence the name of the cathedral. And the relics of St. Basil the Blessed, which have been kept here for several centuries, gave the cathedral a second, popular name.
Kazan Cathedral
Kazan Cathedral is called the true decoration of Red Square. The temple was built in the 17th century at the behest of Dmitry Pozharsky, the Russian prince. It is here that the shrine of the Russian land is located - the miraculous Kazan icon of the Mother of God.
Monuments
Sights of Red Square - buildings
GUM
State Department Store - Legendary shopping center throughout Russia. All residents of the Soviet Union who live thousands of kilometers from Red Square and have never been here know about its existence. There is no such store anywhere else in the vastness of our vast state.
And since this store is not simple, many people come here just to look at it from the inside, because the building, built in 1893 on the site of the Pozhar shopping arcade, is made in a pure Russian architectural style. Outside, the building is perfectly combined with the entire architectural ensemble of Red Square.
Historical Museum
The building of the State Historical Museum is considered one of the symbols of the capital of Russia, which decorates Red Square. Today the museum presents exhibitions of more than 22 thousand exhibits. Looking at the expositions, you can learn about the entire history of our Fatherland, starting with the primitive system.
Mausoleum of Lenin
The body of the leader of the revolution V.I. Lenin is still not buried and is in the mausoleum, built urgently because of his death. The building of the mausoleum was periodically rebuilt and now you can see its third version. Until now, you can visit the mausoleum on certain days for free.
Red Square is a unique architectural ensemble, the property of the Russian people. Having visited all the sights located on the most famous square of the country, you can understand the spirit of Russia and learn about its historical past.
F. Ya. Alekseev "Red Square in Moscow", 1801
During a fire in 1493, a significant part of the wooden buildings of Veliky Posad, located next to the Kremlin, burned down. It was decided not to build up the vacated territory, which was a strip 240 m wide. In the west, its borders adjoined the Kremlin moat, in the east - to the market, and in the south - to a low hill. With the appearance of this place, the construction of the current Red Square began.
Three main streets of Moscow led here - Nikolskaya, Ilyinka and Varvarka. Between them were tents, trays and huts, so this area was often considered a market. In order to prevent the expansion of the zone of spontaneous trade, at the end of the 16th century it was decided to clearly define its limits with the help of special merchant chambers made of stone. New buildings limited the territory of the square in the eastern part and formed three quarters. Subsequently, each of them received its own name - Upper, Middle and Lower Trading Row. Outwardly, the buildings were the same type of cells, united by arches. A similar exterior design can be found in many commercial buildings built during this period.
Panorama of Red Square
origin of name
In previous centuries, there were several names of the central landmark of Russia. Of the early options, Trinity 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 wooden buildings that were constantly on fire.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the area near the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God and the Execution Ground 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.
It is worth noting that many foreigners who visited Moscow at that time called the square "market" or "trade". Under Ivan the Terrible, it was often called "big".
architectural landmarks
Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow KremlinOne of the most impressive buildings is the Assumption Cathedral, built in 1475-1479 under the supervision of the architect Aristotle Fioravanti. This temple is considered not only the most important in Russia, but also has the glory of the oldest building in Moscow, which has survived to this day. Of course, it was repeatedly destroyed by fires, but was constantly restored.
The Spasskaya TowerIn 1491, the efforts of the architect Pietro Antonio Solari created the Frolovskaya (Spasskaya) tower, the gates of which later became the main of all the Kremlin ones and began to be used for the exit of dignitaries during various celebrations. The famous Moscow chimes are installed at the top of the building.
An almost unpreserved monument of Russian fortification is the Kitaigorod wall, the length of which was 2567 m. It was built from 1535 to 1538 under the guidance of engineer Petrok Maly. This building performed a defensive function, protecting the population from the raids of the 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.
In 1995, the city authorities ordered the restoration of the Resurrection Gate, which leads 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 these gates that the Russian tsars went to Red Square for festive events.
The chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God is also of interest. It was considered one of the main Moscow shrines. The icon was brought to the capital in the 17th century and placed on the aforementioned tower. To protect believers from bad weather, a canopy was built, and then a chapel was equipped for prayers. Shortly after that, the gates were restored, decorating them with tall tents with double-headed eagles. An icon of the Resurrection of Christ was attached above the structure, which is why it appeared modern name. Under Soviet rule, the gate and the chapel were demolished to make way for organizing demonstrations and passing cars.
The oldest building on Red Square, which exists to this day, is the Execution Ground. It was intended for holding various festive events. Its first mention in chronicles dates back to 1549. Many mistakenly believe that public executions took place here. In fact, this place was considered holy, so the heads of the guilty were rarely cut off here. Most often, meetings were held at Lobnoye Mesto local residents to hear royal decrees.
Intercession Cathedral (St. Basil's Cathedral)Among the famous works of architecture is the Intercession Cathedral, created by decree of Ivan the Terrible after the victory over the troops of the Crimean Khanate. Since the memorable event took place on the day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, this name was chosen. Often you can find a popular name - St. Basil's Cathedral. Built in 1555-1561, the sanctuary is a whole complex consisting of 9 separate churches that have one common foundation.
Kazan Cathedral on Red SquareRed Square continued to be built up in the next century - in 1637, Kazan Cathedral was built on Nikolskaya Street, which served as a sign of memory of the expulsion of Polish invaders from Moscow. In Stalin's times, the temple was destroyed, and a pavilion was built in its place in honor of the Third International. Only after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the historical building was recreated in its original form.
In the second half of the 18th century, Catherine II ordered the creation of a grandiose shopping center on the site of dilapidated trading shops on the square. The talented Italian Giacomo Quarenghi took up the project, then several city architects completed the construction. In 1812, a fire destroyed the building, and Osip Bove, an adherent of classicism, took up its restoration. Until the end of the century, the building was outdated and needed major repairs; it was completely renovated until 1896. In 1923, the State Department Store was opened here, which operates to this day. Despite the fact that the department store has been privately owned for over 20 years, the name has remained unchanged.
GUM
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red SquareIn 1818, the outstanding sculptor Ivan Martos presented a project for a monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the leaders of the people's militia during the invasion of the Poles in 1612. It was located in the central part of the square until 1936. As planned by the master, Minin symbolically pointed to the Kremlin occupied by enemy troops and called on his comrade-in-arms to take action. After the opening of the Mausoleum, the architectural composition was somewhat disturbed, since it began to seem that the national hero was pointing precisely at him. In addition, the monument began to interfere with people gathering at numerous demonstrations. As a result, the stone product was preserved, but it was moved closer to St. Basil's Cathedral.
State Historical Museum of RussiaThe largest state historical museum in Russia is located in the north of Red Square. It was created on February 21, 1872 by decree of Emperor Alexander II. On the this moment institution is classified as a special valuable objects cultural heritage countries. Presented in 29 halls Russian history from ancient times to the beginning of the previous century. It will take more than one day to get acquainted with the entire exposition.
It is interesting that on Red Square there is a kind of memorial cemetery - a necropolis near the Kremlin wall. Urns with the ashes of prominent political and military figures of the Soviet era are stored here. Throughout its existence since the beginning of the 20th century, many domestic citizens and foreign revolutionaries have been buried here. The remains of Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Maxim Gorky, Clara Zetkin, Yuri Gagarin and other prominent personalities are buried in the necropolis.
Necropolis near the Kremlin wallworldwide famous place is the Lenin Mausoleum, which daily gathers crowds of tourists. In January 1924, architect Aleksey Shchusev equipped a burial place worthy of a great leader. The master created a structure in the form of a stepped pyramid, which symbolizes eternity. All work was completed within two months. Initially, wood was used as a building material, since it was not known whether it would be possible to save Lenin's body. In 1930, the wooden walls were replaced with stone ones according to the project of Shchusev. For several years, the remains of Stalin were preserved here, but then the corpse was moved to the necropolis.
Mausoleum of Lenin In 1990, the Moscow Kremlin complex and Red Square were included in the list world heritage UNESCO. This means that no major changes in the appearance of these historical sites there should be no more.
- On May 28, 1987, the German pilot Matthias Rust significantly ruined the reputation of the Soviet air defense system. Being in the cockpit of a single-engine aircraft, he managed to quietly cross the border of the state and land right on Red Square. The pilot was accused and sentenced to 4 years, and after a while he was released under an amnesty. In total, he spent a little over a year in prison.
- Since 1993, photography using professional equipment has been prohibited within Red Square. It is allowed to take with you only technical devices, the height of which does not exceed 14 cm, and the diameter of the lens is 7 cm. Helicopters over Red Square
Since 1918, Red Square in Moscow has become a venue for parades and demonstrations of workers. From here, on November 7, 1941, our soldiers went to the front. On June 24, 1945, the first Victory Parade was held, which marked the beginning of a tradition that unites Russians. Now every year on May 9, on the day of the signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany, we remember the great victory and the heroes who brought it, and Red Square has become the central venue for the holiday.
The parade on May 9, 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, was especially solemn. More than 15,000 military personnel, including 1,300 foreign military personnel from ten countries, took part in the parade on Red Square. 194 armored vehicles, 143 aircraft and helicopters were involved.
Parades taking place on the square always attract the attention of Muscovites, guests of the capital and all Russians. However, from passing military equipment the paving stones of Red Square are suffering.
How to get to Red Square
Red Square is located in the very center of Moscow and is surrounded by two metro interchange hubs. Getting to the sights from the nearest metro stations is not difficult.
The first interchange hub includes three stations: Okhotny Ryad, Revolution Square and Teatralnaya. This is the intersection of the red, blue and green branches, or Sokolnicheskaya, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya and Zamoskvoretskaya lines.
Red Square in winterAs soon as you get to these stations, then get out of the car and look around in the hall. You need a sign to the exit to Manezhnaya Square. Climbing up the street, you will see a large beautiful building made of red brick is the State Historical Museum. If you head straight for it, and then bypass it, you will come straight to Red Square.
The second interchange hub is four metro stations: "Arbatskaya", "Borovitskaya", "Aleksandrovsky Sad" and "Lenin Library". These are the intersections of the red, blue, gray and blue metro stations, they are called the Sokolnicheskaya, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya and Filevskaya lines. In the station hall you need to find a sign for the exit to the Alexander 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 go around the Kremlin wall a little. A few minutes of walking - and you will see the Red Square. Among other things, you will pass by the Kutafya Tower, through which you can enter the Kremlin itself.
Red Square is open around the clock, but during preparations for major holidays, its visit is closed.
Keep in mind that photography is officially prohibited on Red Square! But everyone takes pictures quietly and without a tripod. Smoking and drinking alcohol on its territory is also prohibited.
In the very center of the capital there are witnesses of significant events of the past and places where the present is being made - the Kremlin and Red Square. Ancient and unique, beloved and mystical - these places have long become not just business cards of Moscow, but also symbols of the country. Seeing the sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square is the number 1 task for any tourist.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the site until June 30:
- AF500guruturizma - promo code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
And many more advantageous offers from all tour operators you will find on the site. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
One of the visiting cards of the capital known far beyond the borders of the country - the Grand Kremlin Palace - is located along the embankment of the Moskva River. The modern palace was built under Nicholas I by a group of architects led by K. Ton on the site of the once existing structures of the times of Ivan III and Elizabeth Petrovna. The majestic building is equal in height to a 15-storey building, and in terms of the occupied area it is more than 3 football fields. The complex includes the newly erected building of the palace, the Faceted, Tsaritsyn and Armory Chambers, the Terem Palace and churches.
Behind the exquisite facade of the palace, about 700 rooms are hidden, including 5 order halls, front and living rooms of the imperial family and service rooms. The main attraction of the palace, which is now the residence of the president, is luxurious interiors with unique parquet, gilding and marble.
Cathedrals
The Moscow Kremlin is a treasure trove of Russian art and spirituality. Its separate component is unique cathedrals, of which only 8 have survived.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The brightest and most unique of the existing temples is St. Basil's Cathedral. The peculiarity of the temple built in 1561 is in the unique chapters, none of which repeats the drawing of the other, all 10 are completely different. The temple was not always so colorful. Initially, the building was made of white stone and brick, and in the 17th century. its domes and walls were decorated with colorful patterns. With what this is connected, it is not known for certain how and who exactly erected the temple. There is a version that the architect was Nikolai Postnik, nicknamed Barma, or they were 2 different people.
The cathedral consists of 10 churches built on the same foundation. In the center is the Church of the Intercession, which gave the cathedral its second name. There are 4 large churches around it, indicating the cardinal directions, and 4 more between them. The entire ensemble is surrounded by a bypass gallery.
Ticket price: 150 ₽ for children, 500 ₽ for adults, 1000 ₽ for foreigners.
Cathedral of the Archangel
Standing apart among the Kremlin churches is the Archangel Cathedral. Built in the XIV century. it will not stand out either by the luxury of the exterior or the richness of colors. The ceremonial building in the Renaissance style was originally built as a tomb and is dedicated to the archangel, both the features of architecture and the choice of decor elements are subordinate to this.
According to the tradition of temples built in honor of archangels and saints, the five-domed cathedral is crowned with silver helmet-shaped domes and only the central dome is a gilded hemisphere. The façade, originally painted to look like red brick and later repainted white, is adorned with intact pilasters, capitals, rosettes and arches. The interior has undergone significant changes. Unique frescoes remained only at the burial place of Ivan the Terrible. The sights of the cathedral are an icon depicting the Archangel Michael, and the "Blessed Sky" and 56 graves of princes and kings.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
Among the many Kremlin churches built by Italian masters, the Annunciation Cathedral stands out for its architecture. It became a monument of Russian architecture, combining the features inherent in the Moscow and Pskov schools. Built as a house church in 1489, the cathedral was completed and decorated until the 1560s, when it acquired modern look. By this time, the 3-domed cathedral, surrounded by porches, was replenished with more churches and galleries, and now it is crowned with 9 domes.
One of the cathedrals most beloved by princes and tsars is distinguished by luxury from the floor of jasper and agate and the most beautiful iconostasis to the golden cross, which Napoleon never found, and the mechanical clock, the prototype of the Moscow chimes. The cathedral is full of mysteries. These are tsats - crescents under the crosses of domes, and miraculous icons. One of the secrets is the images of Greek philosophers on the porch, among other works by the icon painter Edikeev, who was entrusted with painting the temple. Now services are not held in the temple, there is a museum here.
Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral is one of the main Moscow churches and undoubtedly one of the most controversial. It is still unknown why the Pskov architects, whose relics lie at the foundation of the cathedral, and many other things, refused to build it. centuries. It was crowned, elevated to the dignity, served prayers, swore allegiance and announced state acts. In the Assumption Cathedral, the first of the Romanov family was crowned, and Count L. Tolstoy was excommunicated from the church.
The construction was entrusted to the Italian Catholic Fiorovanti, who coped with the task by erecting a temple that attracts attention with a strict facade and golden helmet-shaped domes. Behind the seeming simplicity of the architecture are hidden innovative techniques that made the cathedral outstanding. Now it houses a museum, but festive services are also held.
Ivan the Great belltower
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is an amazing complex that was built for about 3 centuries, from 1505 to 1815. It included the Assumption Belfry with the Filaret Annex and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower itself. The bell tower appeared first, which served for 3 nearby cathedrals. Then it was a little lower than now. Almost a century later, under Boris Godunov, the last tier was built on. With a height of 81 m, the bell tower became the tallest building in Moscow, which it remained until the end of the 19th century.
In 1552, the Assumption Church was erected near the bell tower, which was rebuilt into a belfry. In 1624, Filaret's extension appeared near the belfry. The latter were destroyed during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, and rebuilt much later. Now museums are located in the bell tower, and going upstairs, tourists get to one of the best in the city viewing platforms from where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Kremlin.
Price: 250 ₽, only from 14 years old.
Verkhospassky Cathedral
The Upper Savior Cathedral cannot be confused with any other - its roof is decorated with 11 drums with golden domes. The temple is a complex of house churches built right in the Terem Palace. The origins of the cathedral go back to the 17th century. to house churches, when in 1627 Catherine's Church was built on the female half of the palace. A few years later, the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands with a chapel of John the Baptist was erected for the tsar and princes in the male half.
By the middle of the century, the church of St. Evdokia appeared above Catherine's, which would later be re-consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of the Word. And above the chapel they erect the temple of the Exaltation of the Lord or the Crucifixion. United all the temples Osip Startsev during the reconstruction. Domes were brought to the roof, mounted on drums painted with tiles by masters from the New Yersaim Monastery. Appearance The cathedral has changed little since then, but the interior has lost a lot.
Church of the Twelve Apostles
The Church of the Twelve Apostles is the home church of the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, which adjoins the Patriarchal Palace. It was built under Patriarch Nikon, who invited the most famous architects and painters to decorate it. Its beauty and wealth, not inferior to the Terem Palace with temples, became the reason for the disgrace of the patriarch. The Church of the Twelve Apostles is the last of the temple buildings of the Kremlin. Its architecture repeats the elements of the cathedrals surrounding it, combining them into a single ensemble.
After the abolition of the patriarchate, the temple gradually deteriorates. Significant damage was inflicted on him in 1917. Now, in the only church in Moscow dedicated to this holiday, there is a museum, as well as in the palace itself. The unique painting that adorned the walls of the temple has almost not been preserved, but a rich exhibition of icons is offered to the attention of visitors.
Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God in Blachernae
The modest one-domed Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God in Vacherna is a memory of the miracle that became possible thanks to the Robe of the Mother of God. The Tatars who attacked the Kremlin, whose first attack was beaten off by those besieged in the Kremlin, for some reason left, leaving the loot. In memory of this, a wooden temple was erected, which burned down in a fire. Pskov craftsmen built a stone church in 1486, which became a home for Russian patriarchs and metropolitans. But with the advent of the Temple of the Twelve Apostles, its role changes, it becomes another palace church. It is being rebuilt, the open porches are being turned into covered galleries, along which the tsarina follows to the Assumption Cathedral.
The church was badly damaged twice: during a fire in 1737 and shelling in 1918. During the restoration, the wall painting was restored, which, together with the iconostasis, gives the church an intimacy. The museum of Russian sculpture is located on the gallery of the restored church.
Important: a ticket to visit the Cathedral Square ensemble, which includes 3 cathedrals, churches and chambers with museums located in them - 500 ₽. A ticket to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Armory is paid separately.
Museums
In 1991, out of several state museums The Kremlin was founded the museum-reserve of the same name. It included:
- museum-cathedrals, which host exhibitions: Arkhangelsk, Annunciation and Assumption
- Church of the Deposition of the Robe, 12 Apostles
- Belfry "Ivan the Great"
- Patriarchal and Armory Chambers
Armouries
The Armory is a centuries-old legacy of Russian tsars and patriarchs. The first mention of it dates back to 1547, only then it was called the Armory Order, which included the Great Treasury, where all the jewels were stored, the Armory with weapons, uniforms and banners, the Stable Order with crews and the Workshops. The modern Armory occupies 2 floors in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Its exposition is located in 9 halls and presents more than 4 thousand exhibits of arts and crafts.
Works of masters not only of Russia and Europe, but also of the East are exhibited here. Among them is a unique collection of thrones, the largest collection of state regalia, rare weapons, art objects of "pre-Mongolian" Russia, etc. The most famous exhibits of the exhibition are Monomakh's hat, Faberge's eggs, the throne of Ivan the Terrible, the parade dress of Peter I, etc.
Ticket price - 700 ₽, children under 16 years old - free of charge.
Diamond fund
The Diamond Fund is a separate exposition exhibited in the Armory, which is part of the Gokhran of the Russian Federation. The beginning of the collection collected in the fund was laid by Peter I, who by his decree recognized the treasures in the royal chambers as state treasures. Coronation regalia, jewelry, if necessary, were issued, and then returned to the Diamond Cabinet, and then the Armory.
After the revolution, many precious exhibits of the fund were sold. Today collection Diamond Fund represents about 70 exhibits, including historical stones, gems, diamonds, nuggets, orders and a unique collection of crowns. Visitors will be able to see the famous Orlov diamond, a Colombian emerald, a 9-kilogram Camel nugget, large and small imperial crowns, etc.
Ticket price: 500 ₽.
State Historical Museum
The building of red brick, located in the northwestern part of Red Square, attracts attention due to its uniformity with the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. Since 1883, the Historical Museum has been located here, the expositions of which will tell about the history of Russia from ancient times to the present.
On 2 floors of the museum in 39 halls, 22 thousand exhibits are placed in chronological order, which is less than 1% of the entire museum fund. Passing from hall to hall, visitors from primitive society find themselves in our days. Among the exhibits there is a canoe carved out of wood, mammoth tusks, a religious building made of plates, medieval armor, orders, etc. The interiors of the museum, which Aivazovsky, Repin, Korovin and others worked on, are also of value.
The cost is 400 ₽ for Russians, 700 ₽ for residents of other countries.
towers
The Moscow Kremlin has the shape of a triangle, at the top of which there are round towers (Beklemishevskaya, Vodovzvodnaya and Angular Arsenalnaya), the remaining 17 are rectangular. Despite some similarities, all towers are unique. The Trinity Tower is recognized as the highest, the size of which, together with the star, is about 80 m, which is slightly lower than the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. The Spasskaya Tower, famous for its chimes, is somewhat inferior to it, passing through which it was necessary to dismount and take off your hats.
The smallest and most unlike the others is the Tsarskaya Tower, whose height does not exceed 17 m. It owes its name to Ivan the Terrible, who loves to watch what is happening on Red Square from here. Another unique building - Kutafya tower - the only one of the bridgeheads, i.e. not built into the wall. Each tower is interesting in its own way: Tainitskaya was the first to appear, Corner Arsenalnaya keeps a spring and a dungeon, government motorcades enter the Kremlin through Borovitskaya.
Attractions
Red Square is the symbol, heart and historical center of Moscow. It's popular tourist place, where many attractions are located, is included in the program for mandatory viewing.
Zero kilometer
Kilometer zero is a new attraction in Moscow, which appeared only in 1996. The sign was supposed to appear in the capital in 1985, but they could not decide on the installation site. This bronze sign shows the starting point for distances. Usually it is located near the main post office, but in Moscow it was decided to place it in the center tourist routes at the Iverskaya chapel, explaining this by the fact that before the road every Muscovite went to bow to her, asking for intercession.
The sign is a square divided into 4 parts, symbolizing the parts of the world, inscribed in a circle. Animals are depicted on the bas-relief of the square. In its center is an eight-pointed badge with an inscription. Despite its youth, the attraction is very popular. There is a sign: if you stand in the center of the sign facing the chapel on one foot and throw a coin over your left shoulder with your left hand so that it remains within the circle, then your wish will come true.
Resurrection Gate
between the building Historical Museum and the City Duma there are Voskresensky Gates with a double passage, through which tourists get to Red Square. The gates were rebuilt in 1995 at the same place where they were until 1931. The first gates were erected in the 15th century. and were called the Lions, because. in the ditch in front of them was placed a gift from the English king - a cage with lions. Later they changed several more names: Bogoyavlensky in honor of the church, Neglimensky because of the bridge over the river, along the nearby courtyards of Trinity and Kuryatnye, until they became Iversky because of the icon that was met here from Athos.
After the restoration, they depicted the resurrection of Christ and the gates began to be called Resurrection. They were demolished as a royal monument, besides, they did not allow large vehicles to enter the square during the parade. A monument to the worker was erected at this place. Now these two-arched gates rebuilt in red brick with white inserts are one of the hallmarks of the capital.
House of provincial government
A rather modest building against the backdrop of the bright ensemble of Red Square provincial government does not strike the eye. Built in 1730-40s. according to the project of P. Heiden, the building was part of the Kitaygoro Mint. Not all of its buildings have been preserved; new buildings have been built on the foundations of some - the City Duma. The house of the provincial government is a 2-storey building in the Baroque style. Its facade is decorated with graceful pilasters, cornices, risalits and putti figurines. In the middle there is a passage gate through which the building of the Old Mint is visible.
Inside the building, ceremonial halls were equipped for ceremonial meetings of official places, later the Moscow Duma was located here. After the revolution, there were communal apartments in the building for some time. Now the premises of the house are leased to non-profit organizations, part of the rented jewelry store.
GUM
GUM is a unique trading city in the historical center of Moscow. The heir to the Upper Chambers of Commerce, the supermarket specializes in luxury goods and occupies an entire block. Trade has always flourished on the square near the Kremlin. In order to streamline the shops, racks and give the trading place a civilized look, the Trading Rows were first built, which in 1893 were replaced by the passage - the Upper Trading Rows. They existed until 1917, when they were closed as a relic of tsarism. In 1922 they were opened, but already as GUM, which became a symbol of the new policy, which was destined to work until 1930. GUM was opened again only in 1953 after the death of Stalin and Beria.
The modern GUM is a shopping and entertainment center, which occupies a historical building in pseudo-Russian style with a glass roof, under which there are 3 longitudinal and 3 transverse aisles. It presents products of more than 100 world brands, a cinema hall and restaurants.
Mausoleum V.I. Lenin
The Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin is one of the most controversial buildings in Moscow. Created as a ritual tomb, it has long since become a museum. The mausoleum, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the third in a row. The first two were wooden. The last mausoleum was built in the form of a pyramid of marble, granite, labradorite and quartz. It is a structure 12 meters high and 24 meters wide.
Inside there is a Funeral Hall with a sarcophagus, in which the body of the leader is kept, and a columbarium, where the ashes of other political figures were supposed to be kept. The latter is not used and is not shown to visitors. The mausoleum fit into the architecture of Red Square, but still raise a lot of questions: from the choice of the shape of the building itself, to the need for embalming.
Place of execution
One of the sights of Red Square - Lobnoye Mesto - is not striking. A small round elevation 1 m high and 13 m in diameter is surrounded by a stone parapet. The discreet architecture does not attract attention, but the building was important - solemn speeches were made from here and decrees were read out, the relics of saints were erected here and the relics were exhibited, strikes were held and works of art were exhibited.
Although legends associate this place with public executions. In fact, no one was executed at the Execution Ground, rather the legends went because of a false etymology. The phrase appeared when translating from Hebrew a place in the Gospel, which spoke of the execution at Calvary. And the Execution Ground is called because of the proximity Vasilyevsky Spusk, which in the Middle Ages was called "forehead". Previously, it was here that tourists threw a coin in order to return again, now Zero Kilometer fulfills this mission.
Tsar Cannon
The largest cannon in the world, the Tsar Cannon, is installed on Ivanovskaya Square between the Church of the 2 Apostles and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. An outstanding work of artillery art was made at the Cannon Yard by the foundry worker A. Chokhov by decree of the son of Tsar Ivan the Terrible - Fedor Ivanovich in 1586. This is an active weapon, because. in the barrel there is a foundry seal, which was put only after a trial shot. The length of this giant is 5 m, and the weight is 40 tons; about 200 horses were required to move it.
On the bronze trunk, surrounded by ornaments, friezes and inscriptions, there is an equestrian image of the king, which gave the name "Tsar Cannon". In 1835, a gun carriage was cast from cast iron at the factory in St. Petersburg, which only confirmed the name, it is decorated with the head of the king of animals - a lion. Researchers claim that the famous giant is not a cannon at all, but a battering ram. the carriage is not designed for her shot. Be that as it may, the Tsar Cannon is one of the achievements of the 16th century.
The Tsar Bell
Another monster of casting skill - the Tsar Bell is located on Ivanovskaya Square near the eastern part of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. The bell, cast by the Motorin family of foundry workers in 1730 by decree of Tsarina Anna Ioannovna, never rang, moreover, it was never raised to the bell tower. The queen wanted to leave the memory of her reign following her predecessors. The Godunovsky bell, which weighed 33 tons, served less than 50 years and broke in a fire. The same fate befell the bell created under Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, whose weight was 130 tons.
The Tsar Bell was cast in 1736, however, it was pulled out of the pit only after almost 100 years because of the weight of 200 tons. Only then was a chipped piece of 11 tons discovered. m, was installed in the place where it stands now. Disputes about the need for restoration do not subside, but there have been no attempts to implement it.
Monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky is the first major monument in Moscow, installed on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. Until then, in honor of important events temples, arches, etc. were opened. For the 200th anniversary of the Second Home Guard and the victory of 1612 over the interventionists in 1803, it was proposed to create a sculptural composition. She was supposed to portray the leaders of the militia - Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the headman Kuzma Minin.
It was they who organized a rebuff to the Polish-Lithuanian and Swedish conquerors in Nizhny Novgorod where the monument was intended. But the monument remained in the capital. Installed in 1818 in front of the Upper Trading Rows, during the reconstruction of the square it was moved to the cathedral. The monument, the creation of which took 18 tons of copper and brass and was cast at a time, has become a real decoration of the square.
Arsenal
Between the Nikolskaya and Troitskaya towers, close to the Kremlin wall, there is a Tseikhgauz or Arsenal. This building, erected by decree of Peter I in 1736, was supposed to serve not only as a warehouse of weapons, but also as a museum in which military trophy banners, weapons and uniforms were exhibited. The two-story, trapezoid-shaped building with a large courtyard took over 30 years to build. In 1812 it was blown up. Reconstruction work was carried out until 1828. Now its facade is decorated with deep arched windows arranged in pairs and friezes.
Near the walls of the Moscow Kremlin lies, perhaps, one of the most famous sights of Moscow, and of Russia as a whole - Red Square. Together with the Moscow Kremlin, Red Square is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, therefore, without exaggeration, every guest of the Russian capital should see its architectural ensemble.
The sights of the Red Square of Moscow were formed over several centuries, they all have their own history and belong to different time periods. Just about them and will be discussed in today's post.
The presented list of sights of the Red Square in Moscow can be an excellent walking route along main square Russia.
The most convenient way to get to Red Square is by metro. The nearest interchange consists of three stations: Okhotny Ryad on the red Sokolnicheskaya line, Teatralnaya on the green Zamoskvoretskaya line, and Ploshchad Revolutsii on the blue Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya line. When exiting the metro, look for signs to Manezhnaya Square.
Manezhnaya Square is famous for its fountains. You definitely won't pass by.
Manezhnaya from Red Square is separated by a red brick building of the Historical Museum with an equestrian monument to G.K. Zhukov and the building of the former City Duma of Moscow built with him in the same style, which currently houses the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812.
How to download google map and use it offline,
Sights of Red Square
Historical Museum
The first thing that catches your eye when approaching Red Square is the building of the State Historical Museum. The building was erected in the Old Russian style, characteristic of the whole appearance of the Red Square of Moscow, according to the project of V. Sherwood and A. Semenov in the 70s of the XIX century.
GIM, as this museum is abbreviated, is the largest historical museum in Russia. It was opened by order of Alexander II in 1895 and by now has over 5 million exhibits. Only 0.5% of them can be seen in the permanent exhibition: about 22,000 historical items. However, to see even this small part of the collection, you will have to walk at least 3 km through the halls of the museum.
The GIM introduces visitors to the history of Russia from ancient times to the 20th century. The most valuable exhibits are:
- boat found on the Don III millennium BC
- stone dolmen "Kolikho" of the turn of III-II millennium BC
- the Borodino treasure, which contains tools of the 2nd millennium BC. the quality of the finishes is equal to the swords of the legendary Troy.
- The Mstislav Gospel, written by decree of the Novgorod prince Mstislav around 1117.
- the golden cup of Peter I, carved by the emperor himself and donated to Prince M.P. Gagarin.
- ceremonial saber of the French emperor Napoleon Bonoparte.
- as well as the pen with which Alexander II signed the decree on the abolition of serfdom in Russia.
Zero kilometer
And we, meanwhile, move on. Near the Resurrection Gates, where Manezhnaya Square smoothly turns into Red Square, in 1995 a symbolic sign was installed - Kilometer Zero highways Russia. And even if it’s not quite real (the real Kilometer Zero is located near the building of the central telegraph office of Moscow), this golden patch very much fulfills desires.
It is believed that if you stand with your back to the Resurrection Gate right on the golden patch in the center, make a wish and throw a coin over your shoulder, the wish will certainly come true. Tried! Wishes come true!
Well, if you want to return to Moscow, throw a coin into a small window next to the Resurrection Gate. It’s a bit far to throw, it’s hard to hit, but if you hit, you’ll definitely come back. Also tried! 😉
Resurrection Gate
A few words about the gates themselves. They have been here for a very long time. Back in the 16th century. a large section of Kitay-gorod was surrounded by a fortress wall to protect the Kremlin from the raids of the Crimean Tatars. The Kitai-Gorod wall has not been preserved in its historical appearance to this day, only fragments of it have survived, including the Resurrection Gate.
The gates were built in 1535, a century later they "acquired" two twin towers, and by the end of the 18th century. were supplemented by the chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. The gate has changed its name several times. At the end of the XVII century. the icon of the Resurrection of Christ appeared above the gates, finally confirming the modern name. This icon can be seen on the gates even now from the side of Red Square.
Unfortunately, the modern gate is not historically authentic. During the years of Soviet power, the Resurrection Gates were demolished so as not to block the entrance to the square for government vehicles. They were restored only in 1995 and at the same time they made this passage to Red Square pedestrian.
We go inside and find ourselves on Red Square. The majestic St. Basil's Cathedral immediately catches your eye, but we will not rush, but look around.
House of provincial government
To the left, next to the Resurrection Gate, you can see an inconspicuous two-story building, which since the time of Catherine II served as the house of government of the Moscow province. It was built in the 30s of the XVIII century. for the nearby Mint. At the beginning of the XIX century. the building was supplemented by the Town Hall Tower, which served as a fire tower for a century.
Now the House of Provincial Government has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Historical Museum as a monument of culture of federal significance. By the way, in the courtyard you can see fragments of brickwork from the early Baroque period that have survived to this day.
Kazan Cathedral
Behind the house of the provincial government on the left hand rises another attraction of Red Square - the Kazan Cathedral.
In 1625, a wooden church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God appeared on Nikolskaya Street, which, according to one version, contributed to the expulsion of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders from Moscow. In 1636, by decree of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, a new stone church was built on the site of the burnt wooden church. This small church on Red Square in Moscow has become a kind of monument to the Russian army, the valiant defenders of Russia, who fell in the struggle for the freedom and independence of their native Fatherland.
In 1918, the miraculous copy of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God mysteriously disappeared, and in 1936 the temple itself was dismantled, as “not corresponding to the appearance of the front square of a socialist secular state.”
First, the pavilion of the III International was built here, and then it was generally replaced with a public toilet. The shrine was restored only in 1993 in its original appearance of the 17th century.
GUM
For many centuries, Red Square has been used by Muscovites for trading purposes. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the country's main shopping arcade is located here. The State Department Store (GUM), with its central façade, limits Red Square from the northeast side and is rightfully considered one of the main attractions.
The first classicist shopping center was built according to the design of Quarenghi himself during the reign of Catherine II. However, the Quarenghi building was badly damaged in a fire in 1812 and was rebuilt under the guidance of the no less famous master O. Bove.
GUM is one of the main attractions of Red Square
The modern building in the pseudo-Russian style was built already at the end of the 19th century. according to the project of A.N. Pomerantsev. The grand opening of the halls took place on December 2, 1893. At the time of its foundation, the Moscow GUM was the largest shopping arcade in Europe.
The same large shopping center GUM remains today. Be sure to stop by GUM for a minute, even if you don't plan to buy anything. Inside there is a special atmosphere, besides, various holidays are often held here with performances by Russian pop stars.
On a note! On the top floor of the malls there is a whole complex of restaurants and cafes with very budget prices for Moscow. If you want to remember the tastes of the Soviet Union with dry compote and Stolichny salad, be sure to check out Canteen No. 57. Well, for unusual tastes, it is better to go to the neighboring cafe "Festivalnoe", divided into several pavilions: "Pancakes", "Potatoes", "Asia", "Japan" and "Italy". I still remember the taste of baked potatoes with butter and cheese from the Potato Pavilion.
Opposite the main entrance to GUM, where the Senate Tower of the Kremlin rises, there is the only monument of Soviet construction that has survived on Red Square - the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin.
The modern mausoleum is the third version of A.V. Shchusev, the construction of which was completed in 1930. Inside, in a special sarcophagus, the body of the leader of the world proletariat rests. Anyone can visit the Mausoleum for free. The tomb is open every day except Monday and Friday from 10:00 to 13:00. Photo and video shooting inside the Mausoleum is prohibited.
Place of execution
Move on. An inconspicuous stone column in the depths of Moscow's Red Square is the Execution Ground, known since the tsarist times. For the first time it was mentioned in 1549, when Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible, standing on this spot, gave a speech to the people.
Since then, until the time of Peter I, all royal decrees were announced from the Execution Ground, from here they announced to the assembled people about the election of the Patriarch, the beginning of a war or the conclusion of peace, and other important political decisions. Sometimes the sovereign himself spoke to the assembled Muscovites.
St. Basil's Cathedral
However, neither the Mausoleum, nor the Execution Ground, nor even GUM can be compared in beauty and sophistication with the main attraction of Moscow's Red Square - the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, better known to the people as the temple or St. Basil's Cathedral.
This is a unique architectural monument of the 16th century. It was built by decree of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the capture of the city of Kazan by the tsarist troops, which took place on the day of the celebration of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. Its construction was completed in 1561.
Unfortunately, history has erased the memory of the masters of this architectural masterpiece, unlike anything in that distant time. There is a legend according to which Ivan the Terrible ordered the masters to be blinded so that they could no longer repeat the Moscow miracle.
Basil's Cathedral - the main decoration of Red Square
Initially, the cathedral included 9 churches, installed on the same base and connected by a gallery. All churches are consecrated in honor of the holidays, on the days of which the decisive battles with the Kazan Khanate were held. So, in addition to the Intercession Church, the Trinity Church, the Church of Alexander Svirsky, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Varlaam Khutynsky, Gregory of Armenia, John the Merciful, Saints Adrian and Natalia and the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem appeared in the temple.
Later, in 1588, the cathedral was supplemented by another small church built directly on the relics of the canonized Basil the Blessed. The shrine with the relics of the saint, by order of Fyodor Ivanovich, was installed here in the temple. It is by the presence of the relics of the saint that this majestic cathedral received its second name.
It is also surprising that the Soviet authorities recognized the Pokrovsky Cathedral as a cultural monument, taking it under the protection of the state. In the 20s of the twentieth century. it became part of the Historical Museum of Moscow.
The museum is housed in the cathedral to this day. Truth on Sundays and public holidays here, as before the revolution, primates of the Russian Orthodox Church conduct services.
You can talk about this amazing cathedral for a very long time and write more than one post. Well, as they say, it is better to see it with your own eyes once. Museum opening hours and visit information
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky
Next to the cathedral, the first monument in Moscow was also erected - a monument to the leaders of the people's militia in 1612, K. Minin and D. Pozharsky. All over the world, the Russian state raised funds for the installation of a future monument to national heroes. It was planned to install it on Red Square for the 200th anniversary of the victory, but the war with Napoleon confused all the cards, as a result, the monument was erected only in 1818.
Initially, it was located next to the main entrance to the GUM, not far from the Nikolskaya tower of the Kremlin, through which the militia of Minin and Pozharsky entered the Kremlin to expel the Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612. But during the Soviet era, when they began to stand on Red Square, the monument was moved closer to the cathedral so that it would not interfere with anyone.
Walls and towers of the Kremlin
The time has come to return. The return journey along Red Square will pass along the walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin. On the main square of the country, you can see three towers: Spasskaya, famous for its chimes, Senatskaya, which looks out from behind the Mausoleum, and Nikolskaya, which is unusual in its architecture. I already wrote in detail about the towers in. I advise you to take a look.
Spasskaya and Nikolskaya towers - the most famous towers of the Moscow Kremlin
Red Square is located in the very center of the capital Russian Federation and is the most famous and significant area of the country. Its foundation was laid at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. And although it is several hundred years younger than Moscow, today it is impossible to imagine the capital without it. It is from here that the distances to all cities of Russia are calculated.
The history of the Red Square
The square was formed immediately after the reconstruction of the Kremlin walls. Ivan III replaced the tired white stone walls with brick ones. After that, he issued a decree prohibiting all construction within a cannon shot from the new walls of the Kremlin. All existing buildings were demolished, and a defensive moat was dug along the wall in 1508, connected to the Neglinnaya River. Its depth in some places reached 12.8 meters, and its width - 36 meters. Bridges were built across the moat at the Spassky and Nikolsky gates. This is how the famous Red Square was formed. But "Red" it began to be called only in the 17th century. At first, it was called Torg, since trade flourished not in its expanses. Later, trade grew even more, due to the proximity of river piers, from where goods were delivered. After some time, the area was called the Great Bargaining.
In 1571, a fire broke out on the square, after which it was forbidden to build wooden trading structures on it. Then she got her next name - "Fire". Some time later, the first trading structures made of stone, the so-called stone merchants' chambers, were finally built, and the square began to be called Krasnaya, that is, beautiful. This name became official thanks to the decree of the Moscow Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and in all documents starting from 1661, this name appears. Despite everything, the malls were burned many times and then rebuilt. Over time, various buildings were erected on the square itself and around it, which, after centuries, became an integral part of architectural ensemble Red Square, which is included in the register of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Place of execution
It is located at the very beginning of Vasilyevsky Spusk. It was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1547. Over the long period of its existence, it was changed more than once externally, it was an elevated platform of a round shape made of brick, which had a lattice made of wood (later made of stone), also a canopy, lattices and a door, in the western part , from iron. Initially, it was used as a place for giving royal decrees to the common people; proclaiming a state of war or peace; announcement of the heir to the throne and other significant events.
Intercession Cathedral
Full name: Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, on the Moat, It is also called. This cathedral was erected in the middle of the 16th century by order of the Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible. It was originally known as Trinity (it was dedicated to the Holy Trinity). In 1588, St. Basil's Church was added to it. During the years of the Soviets, the Temple was threatened with demolition, the bells were removed, services were stopped, and during the Great Patriotic War it was closed. Today, the temple is a museum, is under restoration, and services have been restored again.
Historical Museum
It is located in the northern part of Red Square. It was founded by order of Emperor Alexander II in the second half of the 19th century. The new building was to be built in the style of Russian architecture of the 16th century and fit into the current appearance of Red Square. In 1875, architect V. O. Sherwood and engineer A. A. Semenov began construction. In 1878, the architect A.P. Popov became the head of the construction. The construction of the building itself lasted until 1881. The museum began its work in May 1883. Since 1996 it has been the largest museum in Russia.
Mausoleum of Lenin
Built near the Kremlin wall. Now this building serves as the tomb of V. I. Lenin. The first version of the mausoleum was temporary and was built on January 27, 1924 (actually on the day of the funeral of V.I. Lenin) from wood. The second mausoleum was also built of wood, but the third version (modern) is made of reinforced concrete, brick and granite. It is interesting that during the war with the Nazis, in the mausoleum of IV Lenin there was no his body. In 1953 - 1961, the body of the dictator I.V. Stalin also rested in the mausoleum. In 1973, a bulletproof sarcophagus was installed. Since 2013, restoration work has been carried out in the mausoleum.
GUM
It is located in Kitay-gorod, parallel to the Kremlin wall. The first attempt to build a shopping center was during the reign of Catherine II, but it burned down in 1812. From the time of the fire until 1886, the so-called Upper Trading Rows were in an extremely terrible state and were closed in the same year. In 1889, the construction of a new building for the shopping arcade began according to the project of A. N. Pomerantsev. Its opening took place on December 2, 1893. In 1953, the building acquired the name of the State Department Store. Now this building has been privatized, but is still called the State Building.
Skating rink on Red Square
The skating rink was first built on Red Square in December 2000. Then its dimensions were 15 by 30 meters. For those wishing to ride, all the amenities were arranged: buffets, locker rooms. The territory adjacent to the ice rink was also left, a New Year tree and two screens for the entertainment of visitors and a lot of ice sculptures were installed.
Already since 2006 ice rink installed on Red Square every year. Its size has increased significantly since 2000, now it is 2800 m2, and in one day it is visited by approximately 5000 visitors.
Since the Kremlin is the residence of the president and an important strategic facility, professional photography is prohibited in all areas adjacent to it. This order was issued in 1993 and is still in force today. Amateur shooting on smartphones and cameras with 70 mm lenses is allowed.
