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Red Square

geography Maturity 5-7 Next article →

{

"text": "Red Square is a massive, historic landmark located in the heart of Moscow, Russia.

Plan of Hrasne Polosje
Plan of Hrasne Polosje

It serves as one of the city's most prominent central spaces. The square is situated directly east of the Kremlin walls. It lies just north of the Moskva River.

Башни Московского кремля
Башни Московского кремля

Covering nearly 73,000 square meters, the area has an almost rectangular shape. It measures approximately 330 meters in length and 70 meters in width. Because of its immense cultural value, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.\n\nThe square is defined by several iconic architectural structures. To the northwest sits the State Historical Museum.

Museo Estatal de Historia, Moscú, Rusia, 2016-10-03, DD 49
Museo Estatal de Historia, Moscú, Rusia, 2016-10-03, DD 49

In the northeast, the GUM department store stands near the old Kitay-gorod district.

0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393)
0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393)

The southeast corner is home to the famous Saint Basil's Cathedral.

1 Saint Basils Cathedral
1 Saint Basils Cathedral

Near the Kremlin, visitors can also find Lenin's Mausoleum.

Moscow LeninMausoleum 1547
Moscow LeninMausoleum 1547

The Resurrection Gate also marks a significant boundary in the area.

Воскресенские (Иверские) ворота (1)
Воскресенские (Иверские) ворота (1)

\n\nThe history of the square's name involves a linguistic shift. Originally, the Russian word \"krasnaya\" meant \"beautiful.\"

Москва. Красная пл. и памятник. (цв.отк.8856 PZ). 1896 t446901
Москва. Красная пл. и памятник. (цв.отк.8856 PZ). 1896 t446901

Today, that same word is used to mean the color \"red.\" Before it was called Red Square, the site was known as \"Pozhar.\" This name translates to \"burnt-out place\" because previous buildings had burned down. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich eventually extended the \"krasnaya\" name to the entire square.\n\nIn its early history, the area was a vulnerable point for the Kremlin. The eastern side lacked natural water barriers. To protect this side, Italian architects helped build massive fortifications. Between 1508 and 1516, an architect named Aloisio the New created a moat.

Башни Московского кремля
Башни Московского кремля

This Alevizov moat connected the Moskva and Neglinnaya rivers. It was quite deep, reaching between 9.5 and 13 meters. Eventually, this moat was paved over in 1812 and 1813. Today, rows of trees grow where the water once flowed.\n\nRed Square has functioned as a vital commercial hub for centuries. It was originally intended to be Moscow's primary marketplace. In the 1500s, Ivan the Terrible organized wooden shops into market lines. These lines were later replaced by stone structures in 1595. By the late 1800s, the \"upper lines\" became the GUM department store.

0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393)
0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393)

This was actually Moscow's very first department store. The square also featured the \"Middle lines\" for wholesale trade.

Middle Trade Rows Moscow 06-2015
Middle Trade Rows Moscow 06-2015

\n\nThe square has also served as a stage for major political events. It was a site for royal coronations and public proclamations. A brick platform called the Lobnoye Mesto was used for reading the tsar's edicts.

Place of Skulls (Лобное Место) - panoramio
Place of Skulls (Лобное Место) - panoramio

During the Soviet era, the square became a center for the new state. It was famous for massive military parades starting in 1919. Some buildings, like the Kazan Cathedral, were demolished to allow heavy vehicles to pass. However, these structures were rebuilt after the fall of the Soviet Union.\n\nRed Square remains a complex symbol of Russian history and identity. It has hosted everything from sacred religious processions to large-scale demonstrations. It has also been a site for riots and political speeches. The square connects many parts of the city, including Nikolskaya and Ilyinka streets. These streets have been important arteries of Moscow since the 14th century. Today, the square is mostly a pedestrian zone, allowing people to walk through this living history.",

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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Plan of Hrasne Polosje.jpg
Plan of Hrasne Polosje.jpg
File:Башни Московского кремля.jpg
Башни Московского кремля.jpg
File:Москва. Красная пл. и памятник. (цв.отк.8856 PZ). 1896 t446901.jpg
Москва. Красная пл. и памятник....
File:Museo Estatal de Historia, Moscú, Rusia, 2016-10-03, DD 49.jpg
Museo Estatal de Historia, Moscú, Rusia,...
File:Воскресенские (Иверские) ворота (1).jpg
Воскресенские (Иверские) ворота (1).jpg
File:Moscow Red Mint asv2018-09 img1.jpg
Moscow Red Mint asv2018-09 img1.jpg
File:Kazansky Cathedral in MSK.jpg
Kazansky Cathedral in MSK.jpg
File:0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393).jpg
0169 - Moskau 2015 - Roter Platz (25795529393).jpg
File:Middle Trade Rows Moscow 06-2015.jpg
Middle Trade Rows Moscow 06-2015.jpg
File:Place of Skulls (Лобное Место) - panoramio.jpg
Place of Skulls (Лобное Место) - panoramio.jpg
File:Moscow 05-2017 img07 Monument to Minin and Pozharsky.jpg
Moscow 05-2017 img07 Monument to Minin...
File:1 Saint Basils Cathedral.jpg
1 Saint Basils Cathedral.jpg

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