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Red Square (, Krasnaya ploshchad) is the most famous city square in Moscow. The square separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter, known as Kitay-gorod. As major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions, being promoted to major highways outside the city, the Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and of all Russia.
In 1991, the Red Square was added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage Sites.
Origin and name
The land that Red Square is situated on was originally covered with wooden buildings, but cleared by Ivan III's edict in 1493, as those buildings were dangerously susceptible to fires. The newly-opened area (originally known simply as the Pozhar, or "burnt-out place") gradually came to serve as Moscow's primary marketplace. Later, it was also used for various public ceremonies and proclamations, and occasionally as the site of coronation for Russia's tsars. The square has been gradually built up since that point, and has been used for official ceremonies by all Russian governments since it was established.
The name of Red Square derives not from the colour of the bricks around it, nor from the link between the colour red and Communism. Rather, the name came about because the Russian word красная (krasnaya) can mean either "red" or "beautiful" (the latter meaning is archaic). The word was originally applied (with the meaning "beautiful") to Saint Basil's Cathedral, and was subsequently transferred to the nearby square. It is believed that the square acquired its current name (replacing the older Pozhar) in the 17th century. Several ancient Russian towns, such as Suzdal, Yelets, or Pereslavl-Zalessky, have their main square named Krasnaya ploshchad, namesake of Moscow's Red Square.
Recent history
Two of the most significant military parades on Red Square were the one in 1941, when the city was besieged by Germans, and troops were leaving Red Square straight to the front lines, and the Victory Parade in 1945, when the banners of defeated Nazi armies were thrown at the foot of Lenin's Mausoleum.
On May 28, 1987, a German pilot named Mathias Rust landed a light aircraft on Vasilevski Spusk next to the Red Square.
Sights
See also
External links
- Satellite view of Red Square - at WikiMapia
- Red Square history
- Moscow-Life: A guide to Moscow's Red Square
Streets and squares of Moscow | World Heritage Sites in Russia
Червен площад | Rudé náměstí | Den Røde Plads | Roter Platz | Plaza Roja | Place Rouge | 붉은 광장 | Reda placo | Lapangan Merah | Piazza Rossa | הכיכר האדומה | წითელი მოედანი | Raudonoji aikštė | Rode Plein | 赤の広場 | Den røde plass | Praça Vermelha (Moscovo) | Красная площадь | Červené námestie | Punainen tori | Röda torget | செஞ்சதுக்கம் | Quảng trường Đỏ | 紅場
"Red Square"