Red Square consists of. Red Square: all the interesting things

At the end of the 15th century, a square appeared on the top of the hill near the new brick walls of the Kremlin, built on the site of white stone ones that had begun to collapse. Its formation was facilitated by the decree of Ivan III, which prohibited any construction at a distance of a cannon shot (approximately 240 meters) from the walls.

The territory that had previously been a suburb was hastily cleared of houses and other wooden buildings, and only trading was allowed here. Gradually the entire area began to be called Torg or Great Torg.

The convenience of trade was determined by the place itself. From the south, the area is limited by the confluence of two rivers - the Moscow and the Neglinka. On the banks of the Moscow River there were piers from where goods were delivered to Torg. In 1508, the Alevizov ditch was dug along the Kremlin wall, which connected the Moscow and Neglinnaya rivers. The ditch had a defensive function and was quite deep: in some places up to 12.8 meters. Thus, the Kremlin, like most fortresses of that time, was surrounded on all sides by water. Gradually, bridges were built to the Kremlin gates, and the moat itself was surrounded by stone battlements.

The Kremlin walls have changed over the years and changed the overall impression of Red Square. So, in 1491, under the leadership of the architect Pietro Antonio Solari, the gates of which eventually became the main ones of all the Kremlin gates and are used for the exit of high-ranking officials during various celebrations.

In the 16th century, the square was given the name Trinity (after the name of the cathedral). The cathedral was erected by decree of Ivan the Terrible after the victory over the troops of the Crimean Khanate, which occurred on the day of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos. It received the name Trinity or Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the Moat. Many people know this temple as.

It should be noted that many foreigners who visited Moscow in those days called the square “market” or “trading”. And during her reign she was often called “big”.

The oldest building in the square, which still exists today, is Lobnoye Mesto. It was intended for holding various special events. For the first time, Lobnoye Mesto was mentioned in chronicles dating back to 1547. From here Ivan the Terrible made a speech to the people, calling for reconciliation of the warring boyars. Initially, the platform at Lobnoye Mesto was made of brick, had a wooden lattice, as well as a canopy and a tent on poles. In 1597-1598 the platform was rebuilt in stone.

In 1571, after a big fire, the square began to be called Pozhar, and the construction of wooden benches on the square itself was prohibited. By 1598, instead of wooden shops, two-story stone shops were built, forming three quarters: Upper, Middle and Lower trading rows.

It was during this period that the square began to be called Red, that is, beautiful (some historians believe that the name came from the “red”, that is, haberdashery goods that were traded here). This name became official after the decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and began to appear in all documents starting in 1661.

In 1620-1630, it was built near the Resurrection Gate on Nikolskaya Street in honor of the liberation of Moscow from the Poles. And the two-span Resurrection Gate itself began to serve as the main entrance to Red Square. Near them were the buildings of the Mint and the Main Pharmacy with a tower. At the Nikolsky Gate there was a wooden “Comedial Temple”, dismantled in 1722.

To celebrate the Poltava victory in 1709, a wooden Triumphal Gate was built near the Kazan Cathedral, and in 1730 a new theater, also wooden, was built according to the design of the Russian architect Bartholomew Varfolomeevich Rastrelli. The area has lost its purely commercial significance.

In the 18th century, the square was the center of cultural life in Moscow. Here, at the Spassky Gate, the book trade took place, and the first public library operated. By 1755, the Russian architect, representative of the Baroque Dmitry Vasilyevich Ukhtomsky, rebuilt the Main Pharmacy to house Moscow University. In 1786-1810, the stone shops were rebuilt and New Trading Rows were erected. The two-story arcade covered almost the entire perimeter of the square.

The massive reconstruction of Red Square also affected Lobnoye Mesto. In 1786, it was moved slightly to the east and rebuilt according to the design of Matvey Kazakov from wild hewn stone.

There is a common belief that the purpose of the Execution Place was public executions. In fact, “stabbing” was considered sacred, so there are not many facts of execution by beheading in this place; executions were usually carried out in the Swamp. On July 11, 1682, the head of the schismatic Nikita Pustosvyat was cut off here; in 1698 - participants in the Streltsy revolt. At the same time, to carry out the actual execution, a wooden scaffold was built next to the stone platform of the Execution Place. Most often, the Place of Execution served as a platform from which the bishop made the sign of the cross over the people during the procession. Often in documents one can find its other name “Tsar’s Place”, the royal see. In pre-Petrine times, the most important royal decrees were announced to the people from here.

In 1804, the square was paved with cobblestones.

The modern appearance of the square took a long time to form. Various events taking place in the country made adjustments to it.

In 1818, sculptor Ivan Martos presented the project to the leaders of the people's militia during the Polish invasion in 1612. The monument was erected in the central part of the square, where it remained until 1936. According to the sculptor's design, Minin symbolically pointed to the Kremlin occupied by enemy troops. The opening of the Mausoleum disrupted the architectural composition - it began to seem that the hero was pointing specifically at the Mausoleum. In addition, the monument interfered with the demonstrations that regularly took place in the square. As a result, the monument was preserved, but moved closer to St. Basil's Cathedral.

Located in the north of Red Square. It was founded by decree of Emperor Alexander II on February 21, 1872. Now the museum building is considered a particularly valuable cultural heritage site of the country. Its 29 halls present Russian history from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century.

Near the Kremlin wall there is a kind of memorial cemetery - a necropolis. The necropolis contains the remains of Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Maxim Gorky, Clara Zetkin, Yuri Gagarin and other prominent figures.

In January 1924, a Mausoleum appeared on the square. The structure (architect Shchusev) is made in the form of a stepped pyramid, which symbolizes eternity. All work on the construction of the Mausoleum was completed within two months. The first building of the Mausoleum was wooden, but in 1930 a stone one appeared.

In 1924, Vasilievskaya Square was included in Red Square, and since 1995 it has been called Vasilyevsky Spusk.

In 1918, Red Square again changed its meaning. Then it became a venue for parades and demonstrations of workers.

On June 24, 1945, the first Victory Parade took place on Red Square, marking the beginning of the tradition. Every year on May 9, the day the act of unconditional surrender of Germany was signed, a parade takes place across Red Square, reminiscent of the great victory and the heroes who brought it.

In 1990, the Moscow Kremlin complex and Red Square were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This means that there should no longer be any major changes in the appearance of these historical places.

Red Square - an ancient city square located under the walls of the Kremlin on historical territory and has earned the fame of the main square of Moscow.

Possessing a unique architectural ensemble, Red Square has become one of the key attractions of the capital and, together with the Moscow Kremlin, was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its images are widely reproduced on postcards, calendars and souvenirs, and a walk around the square has become a must-see item in any tourist’s program. In addition, it borders or has access to a number of other city attractions: pedestrian, Varvarka, Ilyinka and Birzhevaya Square, being the center of tourist routes.

Modern Red Square is a huge pedestrian space stretching along the north-eastern wall of the Kremlin. The square is completely paved with paving stones made of Crimean dolerite and is used for walks by citizens and tourists, as well as for holding large public events: parades, concerts and festivals.

Architectural ensemble

Along the eastern side of the square stretches a huge building - a unique monument of pseudo-Russian architecture, the facades of which amaze with the abundance of decorative elements borrowed from Russian patterns. Next to it, on the side of Vasilievsky Spusk, there are the Middle Trading Rows, built in the same style. In the northern and southern parts of the square there are also (St. Basil's Cathedral): located opposite each other, they close the perspective of the square on both sides and look like spectacular completions of the long “corridor” formed by the Upper Trading Rows and the Kremlin Wall. The building of the Provincial Government also overlooks the square.

The similarity of the architectural appearance of the Upper and Middle Trading Rows with the building of the Historical Museum is noteworthy: these 3 buildings were built according to the designs of different architects, but the main condition for the construction was that their appearance corresponded to the historical environment. The building of the Historical Museum was built first (1875-1881, architect Vladimir Sherwood), and a little later - in 1889-1893 - the Upper (architect Alexander Pomerantsev) and Middle (architect Roman Klein) shopping arcades. Thus, these 3 buildings constitute a single pseudo-Russian ensemble and echo each other with a set of similar decorative elements.

Along the western side of the square runs the Kremlin wall with towers:, and. Behind the wall you can see the dome of the Senate Palace of the Kremlin, and right in front of it is the necropolis and the Mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin.

Among other things, in the southern part of Red Square, near St. Basil's Cathedral, there are the main city platform, from which in the past the most important royal decrees and decisions were announced - and.

Necropolis near the Kremlin wall

A significant part of Red Square is occupied by a necropolis located near the Kremlin wall - a memorial cemetery where state, party and military leaders of the USSR, participants in the October Revolution of 1917 and some foreign communist revolutionaries are buried. The wall itself was adapted into a columbarium for urns with ashes.

In the center of the necropolis is the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin is a small stepped structure, inside of which there is a sarcophagus with the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin.

The first burials near the Kremlin wall appeared in November 1917, when two 75-meter mass graves were dug here for Bolshevik supporters who fell during the October armed uprising, in which 238 bodies were buried. In total, over the years of operation of the cemetery, more than 400 people were buried here; of these, 300 rest in mass graves, 114 were cremated, and urns with their ashes were walled up in the Kremlin wall, 12 people were given separate graves. The last burial on Red Square took place in 1985: Konstantin Chernenko was buried here. Among others, Joseph Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Semyon Budyonny, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov and other high-ranking Soviet figures are buried here.

Since 1974, the Necropolis near the Kremlin Wall has been protected by the state as a cultural monument.

Why is Red Square called that?

Many tourists and even townspeople are intrigued by the question of how Red Square got its name; some try to connect this with the color of the Kremlin wall or the facades of the Historical Museum, others drag in communist symbols, although the square acquired its name long before the invention of communism.

In fact, to call the Red Steel Square since 1661 without any special prerequisites for the appearance of such a name, that is, its origin is artificial. Most likely, the idea to name the square Krasnaya belongs to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich; what motives he was guided by is unknown, but it is generally accepted that the word “Red” was used in the meaning of “beautiful” and did not refer to the color of any buildings.

Before this, the square was called the Fire, because its space was burned out during the city fire of 1493, and Torg - because there were shopping arcades behind the square, and it was to some extent considered part of their territory. During the time of Ivan the Terrible it was also called the Great Square.

History of Red Square

Red Square actually owes its appearance to the city fire of 1493. During the reign of Ivan III, when the Kremlin began to be rebuilt, Veliky Posad and Torg were located to the northeast of it. The building was quite dense and fit almost the new Kremlin wall, but during the fire of 1493, the space between the Torg and the wall burned out. After this, they decided to leave a shootable strip 110 fathoms wide (~234 meters) along the wall, and in place of the burned-out buildings, a huge area was formed, which began to be called the Fire.

However, the square remained commercial and in the 16th century actually consisted of 3 parts, separated by paving streets: Nikolskaya, Varvarka and Ilyinka, which started from the Kremlin travel towers. To prevent Torg from expanding over the entire territory of the square, at the end of the 16th century, a number of stone shops were built along its border, which outlined the eastern border of the square and, separated by streets, formed 3 shopping districts: Upper, Middle and Lower trading rows. The shops were made in the form of similar one- and two-story buildings, united by arcades - this later became a characteristic technique in the construction of commercial buildings in Russia.

In 1535-1538, the Kitai-Gorod Wall was built, the section of which with the Resurrection Gate limited the square from the north, and in the southern part of the square, called Vzlobie, in 1555-1561 the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built on the Moat (St. Basil's Cathedral).

Thus, in the 17th century, Red Square actually had a modern layout: it was bounded by the Kitai-Gorod wall from the north, St. Basil's Cathedral from the south, along the Kremlin wall from the west, and the eastern border was delineated by shopping arcades.

Kremlinagrad: plan of Moscow from the 17th century, showing the territory of Red Square

Although the area remained free from capital development, small trade shops nevertheless appeared on it, and it retained its market character for a long time.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Red Square came even closer to its familiar appearance. In 1814, the Aleviz ditch was buried, and in 1818, a monument to national heroes - citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky - was erected in front of the Upper Trading Rows; later, in the second half of the 19th century, the modern buildings of the Upper Trading Rows and the Historical Museum appeared. In 1909, trams were launched along Red Square, right along the Kremlin wall.

Photo: panorama of Red Square, 1895-1903, pastvu.com

The Soviet years threatened the square with almost destruction: the General Plan for the Development of Moscow in 1935 envisaged the demolition of the Upper Trading Rows and the construction in their place of the Narkomtyazhprom high-rise building with a complete reconstruction of the adjacent neighborhoods; ideas were repeatedly expressed about the demolition of the Intercession Cathedral and the Historical Museum, but none of these plans came true.

It can be said that, in comparison with what was planned, Red Square “got off with a slight fright”: in the 1930s, the Kazan Cathedral and the Resurrection Gate of Kitay-Gorod (together with the Kitay-Gorod Wall) were demolished, and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was moved from its original place in the center of the square to Intercession Cathedral. A necropolis with a Mausoleum was built under the Kremlin wall, which was subsequently reconstructed several times. The tram line also ceased to exist: in 1930 it was completely dismantled. Otherwise, the architectural ensemble of Red Square was preserved.

After the collapse of the USSR, the Resurrection Gate of Kitay-Gorod and the Kazan Cathedral were restored.

Holidays and parades

Over the long years of its history, Red Square has become one of the most popular places for city holidays and parades, and this tradition began in the 17th century, when a procession on a donkey passed through the square: an Orthodox rite held on Palm Sunday and symbolizing the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem.

The tradition of holding military parades on Red Square appeared already in Soviet times: parades with the participation of military equipment began to be held on May 1 and November 7 - in honor of the Day of International Workers' Solidarity and the anniversary of the October Revolution. Later, the Victory Parade was added to them: it was first held on June 24, 1945, and subsequently was held on May 9 - Victory Day. Nowadays, 2 military parades are held annually on Red Square: the Victory Parade on May 9 and the parade on November 7, dedicated to the historical military parade on November 7, 1941, held during the Battle of Moscow.

After the parade on November 7, Red Square usually hosts an exhibition of military equipment of the Great Patriotic War.

In addition to military parades, city holidays and festivals are regularly held on Red Square: for example, the military music festival "Spasskaya Tower" or the book festival "Red Square", and in winter, the GUM Skating Rink and the GUM Fair appear in front of the GUM building.

Red Square is the largest square in Moscow! Its area is as much as 7.5 hectares.

Under Ivan the Terrible, the first Moscow zoo actually appeared on Red Square: a section of the Alevizov moat near the Resurrection Gate was drained, and lions given to the Tsar by the British were kept there. And under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, an elephant was kept there, a gift from the Shah of Persia. True, they didn’t know how to care for elephants in Russia at that time (this was the first Russian elephant), so with the onset of cold weather he suddenly! - died.

Execution Place has never been a place for executions. Sometimes executions took place on Red Square (for example, after the Streletsky riot), but special wooden platforms were erected for this purpose; decrees about them could only be announced from Lobnoye Mesto. However, there was one exception: in 1682, directly on the Execution Ground, on the orders of Princess Sophia, the head of priest Nikita Pustosvyat, an opponent of the church reforms of Patriarch Nikon, was cut off.

The Tsar Cannon, cast in 1586 by master Andrei Chokhov, was originally installed at the Execution Ground to make the Tsar's rostrum more impressive and to symbolically guard the Intercession Cathedral and the Spassky Gate. In the 18th century, it was moved inside the Kremlin and installed near the Arsenal, then moved to the Armory Chamber. The gun took its modern place only in 1960.

The square was first covered with cobblestones in 1804.

The necropolis near the Kremlin wall is constantly becoming a subject of controversy: many townspeople do not like the cemetery in the main city square, and they propose moving it to another place - however, to no avail. Surprisingly, this topic was first raised back in 1953: then in Moscow they planned to build the Pantheon - a memorial tomb for outstanding Soviet figures, where it was proposed to move burials from Red Square, including Lenin’s body. However, the project was not implemented.

Since December 2006, the GUM skating rink has been opened annually in front of the GUM building.

It may seem absurd, but Red Square is closed at night. The opening hours of the square are unknown and are not written anywhere at the entrance; this should be taken as a fact.

These days, Red Square remains one of the most popular attractions in Moscow, its heart, and this is quite natural: after all, it is considered the main square not only of the capital, but of all of Russia! Surrounded by bright architectural monuments, it has become one of the recognizable symbols of our country: coming to Moscow and not visiting Red Square is nonsense for any tourist.

The townspeople also like it: after all, who doesn’t want to listen to the chimes at least occasionally, right? ;)

Red Square is located in the Tverskoy district of Moscow. You can get to it on foot from metro stations "Okhotny Ryad" Sokolnicheskaya line, "Revolution square" Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya and "Theatrical" Zamoskvoretskaya.

This is one of the most famous landmarks in Russia and one of the main symbols of Moscow. The correct name of the temple is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Basil's Cathedral is a colloquial version. An incredibly beautiful Orthodox church, located in the heart of Red Square, was built in the mid-16th century by order of Ivan the Terrible. It did not lose its splendor even in Soviet times. Today, services and daily excursions are held here. It’s definitely worth going inside: the interior decoration is in no way inferior to the external beauty. You will be able to see rare Russian icons, frescoes and examples of monumental painting.

 pl. Red

In front of St. Basil's Cathedral there is a sculptural group dedicated to Russian national heroes - Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. During the difficult Time of Troubles for the country (the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries), they led the second people's militia - they united peasants and townspeople to fight foreign invaders from Poland and won. The monument was created by sculptor Ivan Martos in 1818. This is the first monument in Moscow dedicated to national heroes.

3. Spasskaya Tower 0+

The most famous of the twenty towers of the Moscow Kremlin. It was built in 1491 by an Italian architect. This is where the main gates of the Kremlin are located. They are decorated with the icon of the Savior of Smolensk. At the top, the famous clock, the chimes, keeps time. The Kremlin five-pointed star was installed only in 1935.

 pl. Krasnaya, 3

4. Execution Place on Red Square 0+

This elevation, surrounded by a fence, is actually a monument of ancient Russian architecture. It is believed that public executions were carried out here, but these are just rumors. Most often, royal decrees were announced here and ceremonial events were held. The name is also associated with the geographical location: the beginning of Vasilyevsky Spusk, where Lobnoye Mesto is located, was simply called “forehead” in the Middle Ages.

 Red Square

5. Lenin Mausoleum

The place where the body of the leader of the proletariat Vladimir Ilyich Lenin rests. It was opened in 1924, then rebuilt several times. The famous stone sarcophagus, which no bullet can penetrate, appeared in 1973. To get inside, you will have to stand in a huge line and go through a metal detector. You should behave inside yourself as if at a funeral ceremony.

 pl. Red

6. GUM 0+

The elegant facade of the most famous shopping complex in the capital overlooks Red Square. The main building of GUM is designed in the style of a passage - stores are located on different tiers on both sides of a wide gallery passage. There are more than a thousand retail outlets here: the Russian souvenir store “Heritage”, the “Zhostovo” salon, where unique hand-painted products are presented, the “Humpty Dumpty” art gift gallery and other interesting shops.

 Red Square, 3

8. Dining room No. 57 0+

To experience the Soviet atmosphere, have lunch in Canteen No. 57 on the third floor of GUM. Here you can try borscht and meatballs, Kiev cutlets, mashed potatoes and other Russian dishes. It is noteworthy that the prices here are quite low, and the food is prepared exactly as in Soviet times.

 Red Square, 3

The Orthodox church, named after the icon of the Kazan Mother of God, rises on the corner of Red Square, in front of the mint. It was demolished under the Bolsheviks, then completely restored. Here is the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, especially revered in the Russian Orthodox Church.

 Red Square

10. Historical Museum 0+

You definitely won’t pass by this building - it looks like a Russian tower from fairy tales. The largest national museum in Russia contains exhibits reflecting the history and culture of the country - from ancient times to the present. The total number of exhibits is about 4.5 million. Inside you can join a tour or find out more information using interactive monitors.

 Krasnaya sq., 1

11. Resurrection Gate

The double gates of the Kitai-Gorod Wall are located in the passage between the Historical Museum and the City Duma building. Above them are two towers crowned with double-headed eagles. They are also called the Iveron Gate - in honor of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, which is located in the existing chapel.

 Resurrection Gate passage

12. Zero kilometer

When walking along Red Square, look not only around, but also at your feet. In the transition between Red and Manezhnaya Square, near the Resurrection Gate, there is the Russian Zero Kilometer - a place that symbolizes the beginning of all highways in Russia.

 Manezhnaya Square

13. Alexander Garden 0+

The area of ​​the Alexander Garden is about 10 hectares. The garden was laid out by Alexander II. Today there are monuments here that remind visitors of the Great Patriotic War, as well as the First Patriotic War - 1812. But the main attraction of the garden is, of course, the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also in the garden is the Manege - the Central Exhibition Hall. As in the old days, the Alexander Garden is a popular place for walking.

 Alexander Garden

14. Manezhnaya Square 0+

Near the Alexander Garden is Manezhnaya Square, which got its name due to the Manege building overlooking the square. Built in the 30s of the XX century. The building of the famous Moscow Hotel rises here and there is a whole complex of beautiful fountains.

 pl. Manezhnaya

15. Okhotny Ryad

In the 90s, the Okhotny Ryad underground shopping complex appeared on Manezhnaya Square. Its glass dome is visible from the square. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a monument to Marshal Zhukov was erected on it. On the three underground floors of the shopping center there are more than 100 stores of famous brands, restaurants, cafes and bars.

 st. Okhotny Ryad

The restaurant is located inside one of the towers of the China Town Wall. The atmosphere inside is medieval. You will have your meals under vaulted ceilings, sitting on antique-style chairs. They also serve Russian cuisine: borscht, pies, pancakes, game and much more.

Attractions

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The most famous and iconic place in Russia and Moscow, a witness to the fateful events of the past, and now the main arena of grandiose festivities in Moscow - Red Square - is rightfully called the heart of the capital and the face of the country. The history and power of the entire state are imprinted in its appearance. The majestic beauty and unchanging solemnity of a truly iconic place delights tourists from all over the world, who never tire of capturing the full power and monumentality of the square in vivid photographs. A walk around Red Square and its immediate surroundings is not just mandatory, but a priority route for every guest in Moscow. After all, it is in this public space, which has become sacred over several centuries, that the main attractions and a whole complex of unique monuments are concentrated, embodying national ideas and values ​​of different eras. These - the main objects that make up the capital's most popular walking route - will be discussed in our guide.

“The earth, as we know, begins from the Kremlin...” The history of the main square in Moscow also began from the Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the 15th century, after a devastating fire, the burned-out space between the north-eastern Kremlin wall and Torg was not built up; the surviving buildings were demolished, and trade soon began to boil in the newly formed square. Fire, Torg, Trinity (after the Church of the Holy Trinity) - this is how the area adjacent to the Kremlin was called for almost two centuries. The modern name was assigned to it at the end of the 17th century. The place was named Red Square not because of the red color of the Kremlin walls, but because of its exceptional beauty. The most crowded place in Moscow, which became not only the commercial but also the political center of the city, was gradually built up with magnificent buildings - real masterpieces of architecture. At the same time, the Kremlin has always remained the main attraction, located in close proximity to Red Square.

The medieval fortress, which served as the residence of Russian rulers since the end of the 15th century, is to this day the main socio-political and spiritual center of the country. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the world's largest architectural ensembles, the appearance of which has evolved over the centuries. “The Place of the Greatest Historical Memories” has surprisingly many faces: the high walls and towers amaze with their power and beauty, and the ancient temples and chambers, palaces and administrative buildings delight with their monumental solemnity. The Kremlin is also a unique museum complex in Moscow, one of the richest treasuries of historical and artistic relics and monuments. Having absorbed the centuries-old culture of the country, the Kremlin turned into a national shrine and became an undeniable symbol of the great state.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark

The main temple in Moscow is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the moat, built on Red Square in 1555–1561. The construction of a grandiose religious building marked the triumphant victory over the Kazan Khanate. The amazing beauty of the temple and the intricacy of the architectural design of its image gave rise to an interesting legend that the architects who participated in the creation of the cathedral, by order of Ivan the Terrible, were blinded so that they would not have the opportunity to build such a masterpiece.

Throughout its existence, the Intercession Cathedral has undergone changes in its appearance more than once. So, in 1588, another (tenth) church was added to it in honor of St. Basil the Blessed, giving the ancient temple a second, “folk” name.

The Intercession Cathedral was not only a military temple, but also a symbol of the national idea, according to which Moscow was proclaimed the Third Rome - a religious and political center, the main custodian of the Orthodox faith. The cathedral also represents an encrypted image of the Heavenly Jerusalem: the multi-figured and multi-colored heads of eight churches surrounding the high tent of the ninth temple form an eight-pointed star in plan - a symbol referring to the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the Magi the path to the Savior.

Today St. Basil's Cathedral is a functioning temple, as well as one of the largest museums in the country and Moscow in particular, telling about the history of Orthodox Rus'.

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Sight

In front of St. Basil's Cathedral there is a legendary monument dedicated to Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky - the leaders of the second people's militia, whose troops liberated Moscow from the Polish occupiers in 1612. The idea of ​​perpetuating the glory of national heroes arose at the beginning of the 19th century. Russian sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen as the author of the monument. In 1812, work began on creating the monument. It took 1,100 pounds of copper to cast it.

The massive sculptural composition was planned to be placed in Nizhny Novgorod, a city that was the center of the formation of the militia. After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, the monument acquired a special social and patriotic meaning: it was intended to become a symbol of the victorious expulsion of the invaders from Moscow. The initial decision was changed, the monument was installed in the center of Red Square. Its opening was a solemn event in which Emperor Alexander himself took part. And already in 1931, the monument, which interfered with parades and demonstrations, was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral.

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The existence of a public tribune on Red Square, called the Execution Place, was first reported in chronicle sources from the mid-16th century. The emergence of the “theater of proclamations” in Moscow is associated with the salvation of the capital from the invasion of the Crimean Tatars in 1521. Until the times of Peter the Great, Lobnoye Mesto remained the main political platform of the country. From this elevated round platform, royal decrees and sentences were announced, the election of a patriarch, the start of a war, or the conclusion of peace were announced.

Often, the relics of Orthodox saints were displayed at Lobnoye Place for public veneration. But executions, contrary to popular belief, occurred here extremely rarely, in exceptional cases. The Old Russian oratorical pedestal, also known as the “Tsar’s Place,” has long had a sacred meaning. Until the revolution, religious processions stopped near it, and from here the bishop made the sign of the cross over the people.

The structure acquired its current appearance in 1786. Then the outdated platform was reconstructed according to the design of Matvey Kazakov. The round platform, made of cut stone, has a stone railing; the entrance was designed in the form of a door with an iron openwork grille; There is a staircase for access.

Over time, Lobnoye Mesto lost its original role. However, people do not stop gathering around him. This extraordinary landmark attracts millions of glances not only as an unusual architectural object, but also as a historical place, marked by solemn and tragic events of centuries-old Russian history.

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Landmark, Landmark, Shopping and Entertainment Center

The front facade of the GUM building, the main domestic department store, faces Red Square. A large-scale three-story structure in pseudo-Russian style stretches along the eastern border of the square for about a quarter of a kilometer. Erected in 1893, the building was almost always (with the exception of the first years of Soviet power) used for its original purpose. Upper shopping arcades, State Department Store, “GUM Trading House” - these three names capture not only the fate of the country’s largest arcade, but also outline the main stages in the development of the Russian state. Before the revolution, more than 300 showrooms of famous trading companies were located here, where almost all groups of industrial and food products were represented. It was here that price tags excluding bargaining first appeared. In the 20th century, the historical and architectural monument survived nationalization, repeated threats of demolition, which ultimately resulted in two reconstructions (in 1953 and the early 1980s), and, finally, privatization.

Modern GUM never tires of improving its internal space and semantic content. Today it is not just the most beautiful store in Moscow, offering customers the widest range of goods, but also a comfortable recreation area with numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as a venue for various cultural events - art exhibitions, concerts, fashion shows, interesting photo shoots. Every winter, a Christmas market and the main city skating rink open in front of the GUM building.

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Museum, Landmark

It is impossible to imagine the ensemble of Red Square without the Historical Museum. A huge red-brick building, reminiscent of an elegant ancient Russian tower, was erected at the northern end of the square (opposite St. Basil's Cathedral) in 1875–1883. The authors of the architectural masterpiece were outstanding Russian architects V. Sherwood and A. Semenov. It is no coincidence that there are symbolic elements in the decor of the building: the tops of the main towers are double-headed eagles, and the small side tents are crowned with figures of lions and unicorns. After all, it was here that, shortly after the completion of construction, the Imperial Museum (“Museum named after His Imperial Highness the Sovereign Heir Tsarevich”) was located, designed to become the custodian of the country’s historical relics.

During its existence, the institution not only changed its name, becoming the State Historical Museum, but also significantly expanded its funds. Today, the museum collection includes over 5 million items reflecting the politics, economics, and culture of the Russian state from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century. Among the exhibits are personal belongings of kings and emperors. The large-scale exhibition is divided into halls, each of which is dedicated to a specific period in the life of the country.

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Landmark, Religion, Landmark, Historic Monument

The path to Red Square from Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square lies through the Resurrection Gate - a restored fragment of the Kitai-Gorod wall. A two-arched structure with gate chambers and two hipped towers topped with double-headed eagles is located between the Historical Museum and the City Duma building. The gate acquired a ceremonial superstructure in 1680. The construction of a two-span passage on this site dates back to 1535.

Over its centuries-long history, the fortress structure has changed more than one name: the gates were called Neglinensky (after the bridge across the Neglinnaya River that once stood nearby), Trinity (after the nearby Trinity Tower of the Kremlin). The gate was also called Triumphal: through it the ceremonial entries of Russian rulers into Red Square were carried out. The emergence of the now common name “Voskresensky” is explained by the fact that in 1680 the icon of the Resurrection of Christ was attached to the gate. The historical monument is also known as the Iveron Gate. Back in the 17th century, the Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was installed between the passages - one of the most revered in Moscow. The cult building was demolished soon after the revolution, and in 1931 the Resurrection (Iverskie) Gate, which had interfered with the passage of military equipment during parades, was also dismantled. Both the gate and the chapel were restored in 1994.

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Landmark, Religion, Landmark

Located in the northern part of Red Square, the single-domed cathedral, decorated with four tiers of keel-shaped kokoshniks, is an example of Russian temple architecture of the first half of the 17th century. Above the northwestern corner of the open gallery surrounding the main volume, a tented bell tower rises - a characteristic structure of that time. However, the Kazan Cathedral is not a genuine monument of antiquity, but a recreated temple. An architectural copy of the ancient church, dismantled in 1936, appeared on the historical site in the post-Soviet period, in 1990–1993.

Back in 1625, the wooden predecessor of the stone church was consecrated in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The nationwide fame of this shrine is associated with the events of the Time of Troubles. The list from the icon (copy) accompanied the second militia that liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. The Kazan Cathedral, erected in 1635 at the expense of the founder of the Romanov dynasty - Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, became a military temple, a kind of monument to Russian soldiers who died in the struggle for the independence of their Fatherland. The religious building has been rebuilt more than once over the several centuries of its existence. Today we can both observe its original appearance and take an excellent photo of such an iconic landmark.

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Behind the Kazan Cathedral along Nikolskaya Street there is an architectural complex of the late 17th century. This is one of the old mints in Moscow. It was called Red or Chinese (based on its location near the Kitai-Gorod wall). The oldest building in the complex is two-story brick chambers with a passage arch, built in 1697. The façade of the building, facing the courtyard, is richly decorated in Baroque style. The windows of the second floor are framed with white stone carved frames, the walls are decorated with attached columns, and a colored strip of tiled frieze runs along the top of the wall. The basement of the chambers was used for storing precious metals; a forge, smelting and other production facilities functioned on the lower floor; the upper floor was occupied by the treasury, assay room, and storeroom.

The Red Mint operated for a century. Gold, silver and copper coins of national standard were minted here. A reliable security system made it possible to use the yard as a debt prison. Subsequently, the complex was rebuilt, new buildings appeared to house government institutions. The prison continued to operate, where such dangerous criminals as E. Pugachev and A. Radishchev were kept. At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the buildings of the Old Mint was converted into Nikolsky shopping arcades, and some of the buildings were adapted for retail premises. During Soviet times, administrative institutions were located in ancient buildings. Today the former mint is at the disposal of the State Historical Museum.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark

The two-story building, located opposite the Historical Museum, between the Resurrection Gate and the Kazan Cathedral, was built in the 30s of the 18th century as one of the buildings of the Mint. Since Catherine's time, it was occupied by the Moscow provincial government. Its original Baroque decor, created by the architect P.F. Heyden, the building was lost in 1781. Then, during the restoration work carried out by the famous Moscow architect M.F. Kazakov, the building acquired a stucco classicist facade. However, courtyard facades are often no less interesting than front facades. In the courtyard you can see preserved elements of decorative brickwork typical of the early Baroque. From 1806 until the beginning of the next century, the town hall tower rose above the House of Provincial Government, serving as a fire tower.

Not long ago, the historical and architectural monument was restored and today, with its updated facade, it forms the eastern line of the main entrance to Red Square.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark

At the end of the 19th century, a representative building intended for the Moscow City Duma was added to the House of Provincial Government. The scale of the structure and its elegant decor, characteristic of ancient Russian architecture, make it consonant with the neighboring building of the Historical Museum, erected a decade earlier. The author of the project was the outstanding Russian architect, master of eclecticism and pseudo-Russian style D.N. Chichagov. Nowadays, the main facade of the ancient building determines the appearance of Revolution Square (formerly Voskresenskaya), one of the closest to Red Square.

Deputies met in a luxurious “mansion” until 1917. After the revolution, instead of the coat of arms of Moscow, a medallion with the image of a worker and a peasant appeared above the main entrance, and the building itself was occupied by departments of the Moscow Council. In 1936, after the reconstruction of the interior, which destroyed the original decoration, the Central Museum of V.I. was opened in the building. Lenin is the largest exhibition center entirely dedicated to the life and work of the leader of the socialist revolution. Today it is a branch of the Historical Museum, which is an excellent exhibition space for holding various exhibitions.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Museum

One of the youngest and most interesting museums in the capital - the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 - opened its doors in 2012. The unique collections are located in a new two-story pavilion, which occupies the space of the courtyard between the building of the former Moscow City Duma and the chambers of the Red Mint. The author of the project for a modern building, successfully integrated into the historical buildings, was the famous Moscow architect P.Yu. Andreev. The staff of the Historical Museum did a great job of selecting exhibits and preparing them for display.

On the ground floor of the exhibition complex there is an exhibition reflecting the prehistory of the legendary events - the ten-year period of relations between Russia and France on the eve of the war, as well as a memorial section, including a series of paintings “1812. Napoleon in Russia" V.V. Vereshchagin and a collection of commemorative medals and rarities. In the exhibition halls of the second floor, the image of the Patriotic War of 1812 itself is revealed, and the foreign campaigns that followed it are also highlighted, thanks to which Europe was liberated from the rule of Napoleon. The modern exhibition space is equipped with a multimedia information system, which makes visiting the museum even more exciting.

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Landmark, Historical Landmark

In front of the Senate Tower of the Kremlin there is a unique historical and architectural object of the 20th century - the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, which became the center of the western part of Red Square. The existing stone mausoleum building, erected in 1929–1930, is the third in a row. The two tombs that preceded it were created as temporary and were wooden. The first mausoleum was built just 6 days after Lenin’s death - on January 27, 1924: this made it possible to extend the farewell ceremony to the leader of the world proletariat after the official funeral. Six months later, the very modest building was replaced by a more significant stepped structure with columns and stands. Both projects were completed by architect A.V. Shchusev. Subsequently, the idea of ​​preserving Lenin's body acquired important socio-political significance, in addition, embalming was considered successful. The same Shchusev designed a version of the building, intended to become the tomb of the leader for many years.

The monument that has survived to this day is a reinforced concrete structure with brick walls, lined with granite, and trimmed with marble and labradorite. The inscription “Lenin” above the entrance is inlaid with porphyry. Often the plastic design of the mausoleum, which has a stepped composition, is associated with Babylonian ziggurats. However, the building on Red Square represents a unique and even innovative form in the spirit of the achievements of the avant-garde. Although, of course, the ritual and memorial nature of the monument and Lenin’s sarcophagus itself send us back to the distant past, to the ancient tradition of worshiping the relics.

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Sight

On Red Square there is also one of the most famous memorial cemeteries in the country - the Necropolis at the Kremlin Wall. The history of the legendary churchyard began in 1917, when 240 revolutionary fighters who died in the October armed uprising in Moscow were buried in mass graves dug from the Nikolsky to Spassky Gates. Subsequently, not only mass graves appeared near the Kremlin wall (over 300 people were buried in them), but also individual burials. The first person to be buried in a separate grave on Red Square was Y. Sverdlov (in 1919), the last was K. Chernenko (in 1985).

Over the course of several decades, the Honorary Necropolis was replenished with 12 graves of prominent state and military figures of the Soviet Union (I. Stalin, K. Voroshilov, S. Budyonny, L. Brezhnev and others), as well as 115 burials in the form of urns with the ashes of prominent personalities. Monuments are erected above the graves - busts of famous Bolsheviks, behind each of which a blue spruce is planted. On the Kremlin wall, which is a columbarium, you can see memorial plaques on which the names and years of life of “heroes of their time” are engraved in gold letters.

The list of those buried near the Moscow Kremlin is not limited to Soviet politicians and military leaders, but also includes foreign communists, scientists, pilots and cosmonauts. A. Lunacharsky, V. Chkalov, M. Gorky, S. Korolev, Yu. Gagarin, G. Zhukov, M. Keldysh and others were buried in the necropolis.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark, Historic Landmark

Of the twenty towers of the Kremlin, four overlook Red Square - Corner Arsenalnaya, Nikolskaya, Senate and Spasskaya. The last one, a tall and beautiful clock tower, is familiar to everyone: the festive chiming of its chimes has long become an attribute of the New Year in Russia.

The architectural structure, built in 1491, towers over the main gates of the Moscow Kremlin, which have long been revered as saints. Through these gates, great princes and tsars entered the ancient fortress, and, starting from the 18th century, Russian emperors; ambassadors of foreign states arrived through them; religious processions passed through them.

Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, in honor of the nearby church of Frol and Lavra, now defunct. The second name was given in 1658 in the image of the Savior of Smolensk, placed above the Frolov Gate after the liberation of Smolensk by Russian troops in 1514. The icon, hidden under a layer of plaster for more than 70 years, was restored in 2010.

To observe the time of worship, the first clock was installed on the tower back in the 16th century. The chimes acquired their current appearance in the middle of the 19th century. The mechanism was “taught” different melodies at different times. Today, the main clock of the country can play the melody of the anthem of the Russian Federation and the choir “Glory” from the opera “Ivan Susanin” by M.I. Glinka.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark, Historic Landmark

Back in the first half of the 14th century, the first white-stone churches were erected on the top of Borovitsky (Kremlin) hill, which determined the spatial organization of the future Cathedral Square. The ancient buildings have not survived, but new cathedrals have risen on the site of their predecessors. The construction of majestic religious buildings was carried out at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries - during the period when the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, which turned into the capital of a single Russian state, was completed.

Cathedral Square, which is the historical and architectural center of the Moscow Kremlin, after five centuries has preserved a unique architectural ensemble, including famous monuments of Russian temple architecture - the Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. In addition to their architectural value, temples have important historical and memorial significance. The Assumption Cathedral is famous for the fact that all the coronations of Russian monarchs took place there, starting with Ivan III and ending with Nicholas II. And the Necropolis of the Archangel Cathedral became the tomb of Russian rulers (great and appanage princes, tsars). Currently, the Kremlin cathedrals are not only active Orthodox churches, but also museums exhibiting masterpieces of ancient Russian art.

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Museum, Landmark, Historic Monument

The history of museum work on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin began in 1806, when, by decree of Emperor Alexander I, the Armory Chamber received museum status. The initial collection was made up of a treasury stored in the Kremlin, the first information about which dates back to the 15th century. After the revolution, in addition to the Armory Chamber, the Kremlin Cathedrals and the Patriarchal Chambers became museum institutions. Today, the walls of historical buildings house permanent exhibitions and temporary thematic exhibitions.

Many collections of the Moscow Kremlin museums are truly unique. This is a collection of state regalia, a collection of amazing diplomatic gifts, a collection of coronation costumes, rare ancient carriages of Russian rulers, a rich collection of weapons and armor. The museum collection includes about three thousand icons, covering the period from the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 20th century. Of particular interest is the archaeological collection, which consists of artifacts found on the territory of the Kremlin.

The ensemble of the Ivan the Great bell tower that has survived to this day, which took shape over more than three centuries, includes three volumes at different times. This is the pillar of the bell tower of Ivan the Great, which in 1600 increased its height to 81 m, the Assumption belfry of the mid-16th - second half of the 17th century, as well as the Filaret extension topped with a tent - the belfry of the first half of the 17th century. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the Bell Tower was the tallest building in Russia. In 1812, during the retreat from Moscow, French troops blew up the temple: the bell tower pillar survived, but the northern extensions were destroyed to the ground. Soon after the end of the war, the monument was restored.

Today, on the three tiers of the Ivan the Great bell tower and on the adjacent extensions there are 22 ancient bells. Since 2008, a museum has been operating in the historical building, introducing visitors to its unique interior space. From the observation deck of the monument there is a panoramic view and amazing views of the Kremlin and Zamoskvorechye.

The Tsar Cannon, which is undoubtedly a weapon in its design, never took part in hostilities. No one managed to hear the ringing of the Tsar Bell, from which a huge piece weighing 11 tons broke off during the fire and which, moreover, lay in a hole for a whole century, appearing to the public only in 1836. However, the question about the functionality of one of the Kremlin giants in the 20th century received an unexpected answer: researchers found that the Tsar Cannon fired at least once. Be that as it may, the very appearance of the monuments - their impressive size and skillful decorative design - amazes the imagination and causes genuine delight.

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Museum, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument

The Grand Kremlin Palace is rightly called the Museum of Russian Palace Interior. However, the luxurious palace complex of the Moscow Kremlin has never been a museum institution. The large-scale structure, erected in 1838–1849, originally served as the Moscow residence of Russian monarchs and their families. A group of outstanding Russian architects, led by the famous St. Petersburg architect, master of the “Russian-Byzantine” style Konstantin Ton, worked on the creation of an architectural masterpiece.

During Soviet times, sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were held in the halls of the former imperial palace. Today it is the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. Ceremonies for the inauguration of the head of state, negotiations with leaders of other countries, ceremonies for presenting state awards and other official national events are held here. However, it is still possible to see the magnificent decoration of the palace: in free time from events, excursion services are provided here upon prior requests from organizations.

The main attraction of the embankment is the Moscow Kremlin, namely its southern wall. At its very beginning there is a round Vodovzvodnaya tower, then the Annunciation Tower, followed by the Tainitskaya, two Nameless and Petrovskaya towers. The embankment is closed by the corner Beklemishevskaya Tower and the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge. Behind the wall and towers you can see not only the Grand Kremlin Palace, but the Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals and, of course, the 81-meter Ivan the Great Bell Tower. From the Kremlin embankment there is an amazing view of Vasilyevsky Spusk and, partially, of Red Square.

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Park, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument

From Red Square to the Kremlin embankment, a park stretches along the western wall of the Moscow Kremlin, the history of which goes back almost two centuries. The garden, designed by the famous architect Osip Bove, dates back to 1820–1823. At that time, restoration work was actively carried out in Moscow after the fire of 1812. The park, which grew above the Neglinka River enclosed in a pipe, included three gardens (Upper, Middle and Lower), called Kremlin. The current common name was received in 1856 in honor of Alexander I, the conqueror of Napoleon and liberator of Europe.

The ancient garden, which has been transformed in recent years, still retains its former charm and original layout. There are still clear boundaries between its three parts. The main entrance to the garden is still a magnificent cast-iron gate with double-headed eagles, designed by E. Pascal. Among the famous attractions of the Alexander Garden are the “Italian Grotto” at the foot of the Middle Arsenal Tower, symbolizing the rebirth of Moscow from the ashes, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a composition with fountains and sculptures imitating the bed of the Neglinka River. Along the picturesque alleys of the park, which become an excellent backdrop for tourist photos, various types of shrubs and trees grow, including a two-hundred-year-old oak.

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View all objects on the map

• Red Square is an entire architectural ensemble consisting of buildings of different styles XV-XX centuries, monuments and even necropolis.
• Word " red" in the name of the square means " beautiful».
• State Historical Museum(XIX century) with a rich collection of archaeological finds, icons, works of decorative and applied art.
• Historical cathedrals Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and St. Basil; the latter also functions as a museum where you can see icons from the 16th-17th centuries.
• Huge shopping complex GUM (19th century) in an eclectic style, where, among other things, you will find ice cream with “that” taste.
• Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin(20s of the twentieth century), memorial burials of famous figures of the Soviet period - Stalin, Budyonny, Zhukov, Brezhnev, etc.

Red Square. The heart of the capital and the main square of the country. It is impossible to visit Moscow without visiting Red Square. Its monuments embody the centuries-old history of Moscow in all its manifestations. Are there many squares in the world where temples, fortress walls and towers, museums, a cemetery with a mausoleum and a huge shopping center would be located within one space? Buildings of different styles and centuries - from the 15th to the 20th - coexist in a single composition, forming a single ensemble, beautiful in its diversity.

Until now, Red Square remains at the center of the country's life: it hosts holidays and concerts, folk festivals, and in winter there is an ice skating rink. Every year on May 9, parades are held on the square in honor of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. Not only tourists come here, but also Muscovites themselves - Red Square has not turned into a frozen open-air museum, but continues to live in the rhythm of a modern metropolis.

The history of Red Square

Free space near the Kremlin walls did not appear immediately. At the end of the 15th century. The stone walls of the Kremlin were built, and opposite them, on the eastern side, shopping arcades were located. In 1493 there was a big fire, the fire destroyed the wooden benches, and this place remained unbuilt and burned, and was popularly called “Fire.” Three streets led through Pozhar to the Kremlin gates. In the 16th century on the northern side, near the river, the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat (aka) was built, and at the end of the 16th century, stone shopping arcades began to be built here. Later, the Spasskaya Tower was built on, and the entire area near the tower and the cathedral was called “Red Square”, which actually meant “Beautiful Square” (therefore, the translation of the name into English as “Red square” is incorrect). Gradually, the territory of Red Square expanded to the south and eventually reached its modern borders.

Resurrection Gate and the building of the Historical Museum

The most convenient way to start studying the history of Red Square is from the side by going to Red Square through the Resurrection (Iverskie) Gate. They appeared in the 16th century. and at first they were called “Lion’s”, since there was a moat nearby in which lions lived. In the 17th century two elegant towers were built over the passage. The Iversky Gate was traditionally the main gate of Moscow, since it led from the main street of the city to Red Square. Victorious troops solemnly passed through them and foreign ambassadors entered. The Iveron Chapel, erected in 1781, was built for the icon of the Iveron Mother of God - one of the most revered shrines in Russia. People came to her to pray for the success of any undertaking, for protection and patronage.

Kremlin wall and Spasskaya tower

Opposite GUM, near the Kremlin wall, there are memorial graves of Soviet era figures. Budyonny, Voroshilov, Zhukov, Brezhnev are buried here... The center of the necropolis is the mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, built in the 20s. XX century according to the project by A.V. Shchuseva. The architect did not follow the path of Sherwood and Pomerantsev; the style of historicism was alien to him. Despite its absolutely modern forms for its time, the mausoleum building fit into the ensemble of the square. Placed on the axis GUM - Senate Tower, it obeys this composition, complementing rather than destroying it.

One of the most striking and iconic buildings located on Red Square is, of course, the Spasskaya Tower. Having received its final design in the 17th century, it is the high-rise dominant feature of the space, connecting the square with the Kremlin. According to tradition, the Spassky Gate of the Kremlin is considered holy, the royal gate, and in the old days everyone passing through it was required to take off their hats. According to legend, Napoleon did not do this in 1812, but a blowing gust of wind threw his cocked hat to the ground! The chiming of the Spasskaya Tower chimes is familiar to every Russian - this is where every New Year begins. Recently, in 2010, a plastered fresco from the 16th century was unveiled on the tower, depicting Christ the Savior with the holy monks Sergius of Radonezh and Varlaam of Khutyn. Now, on the same tower, the Orthodox icon and the one that replaced it in the 1930s paradoxically coexist. double-headed eagle (coat of arms of Tsarist Russia) five-pointed star. It is also a unique work of art and a symbol of its time.

St. Basil's Cathedral

Completes the perspective of Red Square With Ceremony of the Intercession on the Moat, or St. Basil's Cathedral. This amazing architectural monument of the 16th century. became a symbol of Moscow and the compositional center of the square. It attracts the eye, shapes the space and serves as an amazing backdrop for parades and concerts. The creation of this cathedral is dedicated to an important military victory of medieval Russia: the capture of Kazan by the troops of Ivan the Terrible.

It is noteworthy that the temple consists of nine independent churches, placed on a common foundation and united into a common composition - thus the author of the project, the Russian architect Barma Postnik, solved the task assigned to him to design a temple with nine altars. The churches were consecrated in honor of holidays and in memory of saints, the days of celebration and memory of which coincide with the days of important events of the military campaign against Kazan.

Today the cathedral functions as a museum, but services are regularly held in St. Basil's Church. When visiting the temple, be sure to pay attention to the beautiful icons of the 16th-17th centuries kept in its churches, as well as the paintings in its gallery. Next to the cathedral is Lobnoe Mesto. Contrary to popular belief, it was not intended for executions: it was a kind of platform for making speeches and reading out royal decrees.

Thus, on Red Square there are monuments telling about the great victories of Russian history. St. Basil's Cathedral reminds of the capture of Kazan, Kazan Cathedral - of the liberation from Lyakov, monument to Minin and Pozharsky - about the war of 1812. The necropolis near the Kremlin wall testifies to Russia's revolutionary past and the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. The original defensive role of the Kremlin is reflected in the battlements on its walls. Temples and icons remind us of the residence of Russian tsars that was once located in the Kremlin, and stars on the towers remind us of the Soviet era. About the trade past of the square - GUM, about the political past - Execution Place. About the history of the country since ancient times - Historical Museum. Everything is intertwined on Red Square: religion and politics, celebration and grief over losses, the past and present of Moscow.