Red Square

Probably the place most associated with Moscow and Russia, Krasnaya Ploshchad, as it is called in Russian separates the Kremlin from the historic merchant quarter of Moscow, Kitai Gorod.

The square, which gets its name not from the red walls surrounding it but from the Russian word, krasnaya, which can mean red or beautiful. The name was originally applied to St Basil's, to mean 'beautiful' and was then transferred to the square.

Red Square is often considered to be Moscow's (and Russia's) main central square as all the major roadsin Moscow lead from it and connect to Russia's major highways.

The square was originally Moscow's main marketplace and then became the site of all major ceremonies. Under the communists it was renowned for military parades and from 1924 Lenin's mausoleum became part of the complex. To the south of the square stands St Basil's cathedral with its brightly coloured onion domes and the cathedrals and palaces of the Kremlin. To the East is the GUM department store and next to that the restored Kazan Cathedral. To the North lies the big imposing red brick building housing the State Historical Museum.

The square is approximately 330 metres long and 70 metres wide (1,100 ft by 230 ft).

Today Red Square is a huge tourist attraction and is also used as a venue for big concerts, sports competitions and rallies. For the last few winters an ice rink has been set up on the square enabling skaters to glide across the ice under the glare of the Kremlin towers and the domes of St Basil's.