Red Square - it’s not red and it’s not square!
Nowhere epitomizes Moscow, Russia’s vast and ancient capital, quite like Red Square. An enormous 400 by 150 metres, Red Square lies in the heart of Moscow and on its four sides stand the
Kremlin,
GUM Department Store,
State Historical Museum and
St. Basil's Cathedral - centres of government, commerce, history and religion. The square is also home to
Lenin’s tomb, a gleaming granite mausoleum to the revered founder of Socialism - a system that, like Lenin himself, is dead but not forgotten.
Red Square was established in the 15th Century, under the rule of Ivan III, and was originally called Trinity Square after the Trinity Cathedral, which used to stand on the site where St. Basil’s stands now. Sometime later the name ‘Krasnaya Ploschad’ became popular. The word ‘krasnaya’ is ambiguous. Originally meaning beautiful in old Russian, it only came to mean red in more modern times. Commonly-held assumptions then that the ‘Red’ in Red Square referred to Communism, blood spilt - or even the colour of the monuments - are in fact misplaced!
Located on the site of the city’s old market place, over the years Red Square has acted as Moscow's equivalent to ancient Rome's Forum - a vast meeting place for the people. It has been a place for celebrating religious festivals, for public gatherings, for listening to Government announcements or Tsars’ addresses, and even watching executions (various political dissidents were publicly butchered here by Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great). The square has also been the scene of more than one display of Russian military might – the most notable of which was in 1941 when lines of Russian tanks rolled through on their way to a front-line confrontation with the Germans. It provided a much needed boost to Russians’ morale in their greatest hour of danger. More recently the square hosted the Russian Live 8 concert, supporting the fight against world poverty.
Apart from soaking in the history and atmosphere, there are a number of things for the tourist to do in and around the square. Not many will want to pass up the opportunity to visit Lenin’s Mausoleum. It’s not often you get a chance to see such an influential historical figure in the flesh - even if cynics claim that the embalmed body is in fact a wax-work replacement.
Another must-see is St. Basil's Cathedral, the ultimate architectural symbol of Russia. Its montage of domes, cupolas, arches, towers, and spires is sure to inspire you every bit as much in real life as in the photos.
If retail therapy is more your thing (or if you just want to escape the cold…) then the GUM Department Store, the largest in Russia, is a great place to do your luxury shopping.
At the northern end of the square you will find the State History Museum with its huge collection of artefacts charting Russia’s past right back to the stone age. Find the famous 1 Red Square restaurant inside.
Last but not least no visit to Moscow would be complete without visiting the seat of the Russia’s government, the Kremlin. You many need to set aside a whole afternoon for this. Read our page on the Kremlin for more info.
Moderated page. Comments will be published after editorial review.
|  First visited in December 1984; last visit September 2010 after a TransSiberian Train ride from Beijing and visited many times during the period between those two dates. Russia is one of my favorite places in the world. 
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reviewed by Harris Johnson from United States on Nov.11.2011 |
| Quite a nice place |
reviewed by offtheroad from United States on Jun.01.2011 |
| Dear friends, as you can see Krasnaya (Red) Square is not actually red.
The whole point is that the word "Krasnaya" - meaning "red" in the past meant "beautiful". That is why the right name of the Square is Krasnaya. It took its name after a big fire in Moscow in the second half of XVII century when the square was completely restored and decorated with a number of wonderful churches and cathedrals
Moreover Krasnaya Square is a Name, so it should be not translated to any other language – just as Time Square (US), Westminster Abbey (UK), or Port Aventura (ES).
Thanks
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reviewed by Sam from Russia on May.23.2011 |
| red mean beautiful thats why they call it red square |
reviewed by richard bozkurt from Russia on Mar.13.2011 |
| i love russia because its super |
reviewed by alizafi42@gmail.com from Pakistan on Feb.20.2011 |
| Hi! I am from Russia! I live near Moscow!
It is so great to listen this things from people all over the world!!! |
reviewed by Anastasia from United States on Dec.21.2010 |
| why is it called the red square if it is nor red or a square??? |
reviewed by curly from United States on Dec.21.2010 |
| Guys, I'm Russian and I was born in Moscow. But I have been living in California for 2 years. Americans, I love you! Cali, I adore you. And Moscow is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I proud of my hometown ;-))) You are welcome to MOSCOW! Especially americans. I always wished we were the best friends, Russia and the US! And this site is very helpful for my presentation about Moscow in ESL class ;-) |
reviewed by Svetlana from United States on Dec.11.2010 |
| My school isn't far from the Red Square so we sometimes go there with some friends. Oh my god, I love this place!!! |
reviewed by Kiecha from Russia on Dec.02.2010 |
| I must persuade you all from all over the world to go to
The Red Square. you must visit the red square at night. |
reviewed by Olivia from United States on Jun.10.2010 |
| I HAVE SEEN WONDERFUL PICTURES OF THE RED SQUARE I HAVE ALSO VISITED THE RED SQUARE IT IS SUPER BEAUTIFUL. I RECOMMEND ALL YOU PEOPLE TO GO THERE AND YOUMIGHT EVEN WANT TO GO AT NIGHT |
reviewed by Oliva from United States on Jun.10.2010 |
| I*ve been to red square two times, I loved it very much. I do not hate russians, I love the culture and the people. |
reviewed by Kent from United States on May.30.2010 |
| I really want to go to Moscow!!!
im using this city for a project in school, and this site was very helpful, unlike some others. |
reviewed by Joe Moe from United States on May.21.2010 |
| Why many concern with hatred to Russian? sorry for my English |
reviewed by Sergei from Russia on May.11.2010 |
| Russia isn't or ....
Russia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Russia is always welcome to foreigners. In ancient history Russia helped to England, USA, France- ... many many times! You should have some gratitude. Please, be polite. |
reviewed by Selly from United Kingdom on Apr.07.2010 |
| I miss Russia, miss Moscow! |
reviewed by marcel from Netherlands on Jan.23.2010 |
| I love Russia! :) |
reviewed by India from India on Jan.19.2010 |
| I THINK RUSSIA IS SUCH A FASCINATING PLACE. IM DOING THIS RESEARCH ON MOSCOW AND "WOW",ITS A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO GO...... |
reviewed by CYNREZ ESE OUT from Mexico on Nov.16.2009 |
| I love this place, this is where I proposed to my wife, and found out that I was gonna be a father!! |
reviewed by USSRZ-N-A from United States on Aug.03.2009 |
| I have been to Red Square, moscow several times and saw Lenin in his tomb once. Red square is fascinating to me considering all its history. It is a beautiful place surrounded by a lot of interesting buildings. |
reviewed by Nicolas from United States on Jul.20.2009 |
| i was just kidding.
i love russia.
:) |
reviewed by philipp from United States on May.27.2009 |
| I LIVE THERE COMRADES |
reviewed by Dimitri Moslov from Russia on Mar.11.2009 |
| I loved every moment I was at Red Square during Xmas and New Year. It is beautiful. Restaurant service needs a lot of attention. |
reviewed by Edwidge Bwalya from South Africa on Jan.21.2009 |
| I LIVE THERE |
reviewed by LOL from United States on Nov.11.2008 |
| The Red Square is amazing! I found it really beautiful!I really advice people to see it. I have been in lots of places,saw lots of nice things,this is one of them :). I liked it,hope u will too :) |
reviewed by Victoria from United Kingdom on Oct.22.2008 |
| red is красный. while beautiful is красивый.they're 2 words,but look alike. it's called Red Square for the russian name:"красная площадь" ,it's said they called to say how beautiful the square is in their mind. but i just want to declare, that "red" and "beautiful" are definitely 2 words in Russian. |
reviewed by Sarah from China on Aug.17.2008 |
| i was in moscow this year and i could definitely say that moscow is really beautiful. the Red squair is absolutely astonishing (it's not surprising that Russians call it Krasnaya=beautiful squair),church St Basili's takes away your breath..there are so much things to see and learn there, town is so big and has so big and rich history.every building is beatiful.Tschaikovsky konservatory is also great!=) Mockba RULZ!!! :)*do svidanja!* |
reviewed by lea from Croatia on Jul.02.2008 |
| For the guy asking about why use the color 'red' for 'Red Square', in Russian, the word 'red' and 'beautiful' are the same word, but it's that English speakers have translated the word 'krasnaya' as 'red' instead of 'beautiful.' Russians think of it as the 'Beautiful Square', it's just us English speakers that think of it as 'Red Square.' |
reviewed by Christy from United States on May.28.2008 |
| st basli's is beaustiful place it looks like. but is that line to see lenin's tomb? |
reviewed by andrew the great from United States on May.05.2008 |
| why is it not red when it says it is red square |
reviewed by woody from United States on Apr.14.2008 |
| ...wow...this place is BIG!!!!!! |
reviewed by Kyuubi from United States on Jan.18.2008 |
| Prepare to experience rich history, culture, art ... all in one location!
Things to see: Changing of the Guard, Flame of the unknown soldier, GUM, The Cathedral and at a short walk Peters Monument.
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reviewed by Mohammed Sabzwari from Pakistan on Oct.19.2007 |
| I really would love to go to The Red Square and actually see for myself, the
place where they burried my great grandfather Vladimir K. Triandafilov. It's still a mystery to me, how he was killed?! My ancestors sure loved Russia, and I bet I would too. So much to learn, so little time! |
reviewed by Anna Triadaphillides from Canada on Aug.10.2007 |
| moscow is amazing. the buildings are gorgeous, the country is great, there are so many things to do in Russia. it's one of the greatest places on earth. |
reviewed by Veda from United States on Jun.28.2007 |
| Wow, Red Square is amazing. My father is from Moscow so I had to come all the way from Ukraine to visit. Beautiful and crazy to see little old Lenin in his mausoleum. |
reviewed by Valya from Ukraine on Jun.27.2007 |
| Red Square is very heart of Russia. Such atmosferic place. Go Red Square in Moscow i must persuade you! |
reviewed by Juan from Argentina on Feb.08.2007 |