A walk around Red Square in the very heart of the Russian capital where military parades boom with life and Vladimir Lenin lies in eternal sleep.
Red Square walking tour
Description
For many centuries, Red Square has been one of the most famous places in Russia. Its cobblestones have witnessed days of glory and those of shame, illustrious celebrations and ruthless mass executions. In 1945 Soviet soldiers threw Nazi banners at the feet of Lenin’s Mausoleum and Soviet leaders from Stalin to Gorbachev greeted people from the top of this tomb for decades.People come here every year to see military parades and musical concerts of all kinds – Sir Paul McCartney, The Prodigy and Red Hot Chilli Peppers are among those who played here live.
On every side of Red Square there is something special. The Kremlin looming over Lenin’s tomb in the west. The State Historical museum to the north – its official address is Red Square 1. The main shopping mall of the country – GUM to the east. And finally on the southern edge of the square stands probably the main symbol of Russia – St Basil's Cathedral.
Tour Highlights
- Resurrection Gates & Iberian Chapel
- State Historical Museum
- Kremlin Walls
- Lenin's Mausoleum
- St Basil's Cathedral
- GUM department store
- Church of Our Lady of Kazan
Length: 35 mins
Guide: Alex Palkin
It was really great to walk around Red Square and see modern Russia, it’s particularly important for our students to look at the context of Russia today against the period they study in their course.