Moscow's Red Square

Red Square - a central area of Moscow. It is located in front of the eastern wall of the Kremlin and is bounded on three sides by the building of the State Historical Museum, the GUM building and St. Basil's Cathedral. Red Square for centuries served as the scene of important historical events.

appearance of Red Square is the end of 15 th century, when by order of Tsar Ivan III were demolished wooden buildings around the Kremlin, threatened royal residence constant fire. In their place near the eastern walls of the Kremlin was organized space for small trade. Originally it was called - Trading, and in 16 th century it began to call the Trinity, because in the southern part of the square was a church of the Holy Trinity. Red Square became known only in the 17 th century.

for defensive purposes in the 1508-1516 years before the Kremlin wall was dug trench depth of 12 meters, combined the Moscow River with the river Neglinna. This ditch, with two walled sides, was filled only after 1812. In the northern side of the square before the gate of China-town and on the east side housed the ranks of commercial premises. In the years 1555-1560 on the south side of Red Square, in place of the Holy Trinity Church, Russian architects and faster bartender was erected Cathedral of the Intercession (St. Basil's Cathedral).

In the 30's of the 16 th century on Red Square was built platform, called the place of execution. This platform served as a unique platform for ads critical of government decrees and ceremonies. Near the frontal location on the log scaffolding sometimes occurred penalty. In its current form there is a place of execution in 1786, after the restructuring of its designed by the architect M. Kazakov. It is a round stone elevation with the ground, surrounded by a parapet, and stairs.

By the end of the 17 th century meaning of life in Red Square in Moscow and the Russian state has increased. In 1697 there was erected Mint, in 1699 - Zemsky order later - Home Pharmacy. In 1755 in the premises of Pharmacy has opened at Moscow University.

in 1786 by architect J. Quarengi opposite the Kremlin walls were built new stalls. This building was destroyed during the War of 1812, was rebuilt in 1814-1815, respectively, and in 1818 in front of him with a monument to the heroes of the fight against Polish intervention Kozma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky. In 1930, this monument by the sculptor Ivan Martos was moved to the Pokrovsky Cathedral.

significantly change in the aspect of the Red Square in the late 19 th century. In the years 1875-1881 on the northern side of the square, in the place the Land of the order, the building of the Historical Museum, designed by architect B. Sherwood, and in the years 1889-1893 - Upper Trading Rows (now - the building of GUM) by Alexander Pomerantsev. These buildings were built in the pseudo-Russian style coincided with the towers and walls of the Kremlin.

next stage of forming an ensemble of Red Square have been linked with the Soviet period in Russian history. Red Square, like the Kremlin, has become a symbol of the new government, and even its name has been reinterpreted with a revolutionary point of view. Since 1918, here in the holidays were regularly held parades and demonstrations of workers. This is where the parade took place on 7 November 1941, members who leave the area directly to the front, and the Victory Parade June 24, 1945.

In 1924, in Red Square before the Kremlin wall designed by A. Shchusev was built wooden mausoleum, where Lenin's funeral. In the years 1929-1930 mausoleum was rebuilt in stone, but in 1930-1931 the established platform of the shrine, designed by architect B. Frenchman. At the same time along the Kremlin wall, planted spruce, and Red Square, formerly paved with cobblestones and covered cubes.