Red Square - the heart of Russia

Moscow, Red Square ... It is unlikely that Russia will find the same place where so many important historical events took place. This is a battle with Khan Baty, the creation of St. Basil's Cathedral, the execution of the streltsy, the famous parade in November 1941 and June 1945, the solemn meeting of the first cosmonaut of the world and many other events.

According to the decree of Ivan III, the old walls of the Kremlin from white stone were replaced with red brick walls. Near the Kremlin it was forbidden to erect any structures.

Fires were then a frequent occurrence, so all the wooden buildings near the Kremlin were simply demolished. So a new area of Moscow appeared, on which a different market was formed. Subsequently, it was called the "Great Torg."

From the north side there are the gates of the "China Town". From 1555 to 1560 on the south side was built the temple of St. Basil the Blessed (Pokrovsky Cathedral).

And in 1571 a fire broke out on the square, wooden benches burned. And after the appearance of trading rows of stone among the people, it was called "Red Square", that is, the beautiful, the best in the city.

At the same time, on a low southern hill appeared the so-called Place of Execution. Originally it was an ordinary wooden platform. Over time, it turned into a stone elevation with a ladder and parapet.

From there the Sovereigns addressed their people, and their royal decrees were announced there. By the way, the Tsar Cannon stood at the frontal place. She was for defense, but she never fired. Today there is such a belief: if a coin gets to the very center of the Execution Ground, then the desire is sure to come true.

At the end of the 17th century, the Mint and the Zemskyi order were built, then it became the main pharmacy, and in 1755 the Moscow University was opened in its building.

In 1818, in front of the Kremlin wall, a monument to Kozma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky was erected (the work of the sculptor Martos). And in 1830 the monument was moved to the church of St. Basil the Blessed.

In the 19th century, the Red Square has changed significantly. In 1881, the construction of the Historical Museum (the project of the architect Sherwood) was completed. The building was erected on the site of the old Zemsky order.

In 1893 they built the Upper Trade Rows (the Pomerantsev project). Now this building is GUM. Both buildings are in the pseudo-Russian style, they echo the walls and towers of the Kremlin.

Red Square in the Soviet period of Russia became a symbol of power. Even its name was interpreted from the standpoint of revolution. After Lenin's death , a mausoleum was constructed from a tree (Shchusev's project). And already in 1930 it was rebuilt, made stone, at the top created the stands on the project of V. Frantsuz.

At the same time, they planted fir trees along the entire length of the Kremlin wall. And the Red Square itself was covered with paving stones instead of cobbles.

If you take the Resurrection Gate as a landmark, then all the buildings are clockwise in the following order:

• The former Mint;
• Kazan Cathedral;
• GUM;
• Average trading rows;
• St Basil's Church;
• Monument to Minin and Pozharsky;
• The place of the skull;
• East wall of the Kremlin;
• The State Museum.

Today, Red Square is a favorite place for holding all the most significant festivities and celebrations: from large performances of pop stars to the New Year with the traditional battle of the Kremlin chimes.