Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party	Russian Federation
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iv, vi
Reference	545
Region†	Europe
Inscription history
Inscription	1990  (14th Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO.

Red Square (Russian: Красная площадь, 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 (China-Town). 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. Red Square may refer to: Red Square (Russian Красная площадь, Krasnaya ploshchad), the famous square in Moscow Red Square (University of Washington) Red Square (The Evergreen State College) Red Square (band) Red Square, a brand of vodka manufactured by Halewood International Limited in the English city of Liverpool. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... Image File history File links File links The following pages link to this file: Moscow Red Square ... As of 2006, there are a total of 830 World Heritage Sites located in 138 State Parties. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Motto: none Anthem: Hymn of the Russian Federation Capital Moscow Largest city Moscow Official language(s) Russian Government Semi-presidential Federal republic  - President of Russia Vladimir Putin  - Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov Independence From the Soviet Union   - Declared June 12, 1991   - Finalized December 25, 1991  Area    - Total 17,075,400 km... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... This is a list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... In the United States, a town square is an area in the middle of a traditional town consisting of a park or plaza and surrounded by small shops. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... The President of Russia (Russian: ) is the Head of State and highest office within the Government of Russia. ... Iverskiye Gates leading to Red Square are the only extant gates of the Kitai-gorod wall. ...

Origin and name

The rich history of Red Square is reflected in many artworks, including paintings by Vasily Surikov, Konstantin Yuon, and others. The land on which Red Square is situated 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 czars. 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. Self-Portrait Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (Василий Иванович Суриков) (January 24, 1848 (Julian calendar: January 12) – March 19, 1916 (Julian calendar: March 6)) was the foremost Russian painter of large-scale historical subjects. ... March Sun, 1915 Konstantin Fyodorovich Yuon or Juon (Russian: October 24 [O.S. October 12] 1875 - April 11, 1958) was a noted Russian painter and theatre designer associated with the Mir Iskusstva. ... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич) (January 22, 1440 - October 27, 1505), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand duke of all the Russias. Sometimes referred to as the gatherer of... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... A asses is a ceremony marking the investment of a monarch with regal power through, amongst other symbolic acts, the placement of a crown upon his or her head. ... Tsar, (Bulgarian цар�, Russian царь; often spelled Czar or Tzar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917. ...

Morning of execution of streltsy by Tsar Peter I in Red Square (1881, Vasily Ivanovich Surikov)

The name of Red Square derives neither 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, and Pereslavl-Zalessky, have their main square named Krasnaya ploshchad, namesake of Moscow's Red Square. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x580, 123 KB) Morning of excution of streltsy by Vasily Ivanovich Surikov File links The following pages link to this file: Red Square Streltsy Vasily Surikov Streltsy Uprising Wikipedia:Commons ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x580, 123 KB) Morning of excution of streltsy by Vasily Ivanovich Surikov File links The following pages link to this file: Red Square Streltsy Vasily Surikov Streltsy Uprising Wikipedia:Commons ... Streltsy (Стрельцы in Russian) were the units of Russian guardsmen (sl. ... Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ... Self-Portrait Vasily Ivanovich Surikov (Василий Иванович Суриков) (January 24, 1848 (Julian calendar: January 12) – March 19, 1916 (Julian calendar: March 6)) was the foremost Russian painter of large-scale historical subjects. ... For other uses, see Brick (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ... This article is about the form of society and political movement. ... á¹¢ St. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... This article is about the Russian town. ... Yelets (Russian: Елец) is a town in Lipetsk Oblast, Russia, on the Sosna River, which is a tributary of the Don River. ... Pereslavls most famous ruler, Alexander Nevsky, was baptized at the Saviour Cathedral (1152-57). ...

Recent history

Victory Parade on Red Square, June 24, 1945

During the Soviet era, Red Square maintained its significance, becoming the main square in the life of the new state. Besides being the official address of the Soviet government it was renowned as the location for military parades. Kazan Cathedral and Iverskaya Chapel with the Resurrection Gates were demolished to make room for heavy military vehicles driving through the square (both were later rebuilt after the fall of the Soviet Union). There were plans to demolish Moscow's most recognized building, Saint Basil's Cathedral, as well. The legend is that Lazar Kaganovich, Stalin's associate and director of the Moscow reconstruction plan, prepared a special model of Red Square, in which the cathedral could be removed, and brought it to Stalin to show how the cathedral was an obstacle for parades and traffic. But when he jerked the cathedral out of the square, Stalin objected with his famous quote: "Lazar! Put it back!"^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Paradered. ... Image File history File links Paradered. ... The 1945 Victory parade was the first major Soviet event recorded on color film. ... is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... CCCP redirects here. ... Kazan Cathedral before its destruction in 1936 Kazan Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox church at the north east corner of Red Square in Moscow. ... The gate and chapel in the late 19th century. ... Ṣ St. ... Lazar Kaganovich Lazar Moiseyevich Kaganovich (Russian: ) (November 22, 1893–July 25, 1991) was a Soviet politician and administrator and a close associate of Joseph Stalin. ... Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili (Georgian: , Ioseb Besarionis Dze Jughashvili; Russian: , Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili) (December 18 [O.S. December 6] 1878[1] – March 5, 1953), better known by his adopted name, Joseph Stalin (alternatively transliterated Josef Stalin), was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Unions Central Committee from...

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. The 1945 Victory parade was the first major Soviet event recorded on color film. ... Nazism in history Nazi ideology Nazism and race Outside Germany Related subjects Lists Politics Portal         Nazism or National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus), refers primarily to the ideology and practices of the Nazi Party (National Socialist German Workers Party, German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) under Adolf Hitler. ... Lenins Tomb, with wall of the Kremlin and the former Soviet Parliament building behind An entrance to Lenins Mausoleum Lenins Mausoleum (Russian: ) (Transliteration: Mavzoley Lenina) also known as Lenins Tomb, situated in Red Square in Moscow, is the mausoleum that serves as the final resting place...

On May 28, 1987, a German pilot named Mathias Rust landed a light aircraft on St Basil's descent next to Red Square. is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Rust in a Moscow courtroom Mathias Rust (born 1968) is a German man known for his illegal landing near the Red Square in Moscow in 1987. ...

In 1990, the Kremlin and Red Square were among the very first sites in the USSR added to UNESCO's World Heritage List. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... Elabana Falls is in Lamington National Park, part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves World Heritage site in Queensland, Australia. ...

In recent years, Red Square has served as a venue for high-profile concerts. Shakira, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alyonka & Diana Larionov, and many other celebrities performed there. For the New Year 2006 and 2007 celebrations, a skating rink was set up on Red Square. Paul McCartney's performance there was a historic moment for many, as The Beatles were banned in the Soviet Union, preventing any live performances there of any of The Beatles; the Soviet Union also banned the sales of Beatles records, and this was the first time that a Beatle performed in Russia. This article is about the musician. ... Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, entrepreneur, painter, record producer, film producer, and animal-rights activist. ... Pink Floyd are an English rock band that initially earned recognition for their psychedelic rock music, and, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. ... Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. ...

In January of 2008, Russia announced that they would resume parading military vehicles through Red Square, although recent restoration of Iverski Gate complicated this, by closing one of existing passages along Historical Museum for the heavy vehicles. The gate and chapel in the late 19th century. ... State Historical Museum, as seen from Red Square The State Historical Museum of Russia is a museum of Russian history located at one end of Red Square in Moscow. ...

Sights

Red Square at night, with Lenin's Tomb (center)

Each building in Red Square is a legend in its own right. One of these is Lenin's Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union, is displayed. Nearby is the elaborate brightly-domed Saint Basil's Cathedral and also the palaces and cathedrals of the Kremlin. Download high resolution version (1024x769, 989 KB)Red Square at night File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (1024x769, 989 KB)Red Square at night File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Lenins Tomb, with wall of the Kremlin and the former Soviet Parliament building behind An entrance to Lenins Mausoleum Lenins Mausoleum (Russian: ) (Transliteration: Mavzoley Lenina) also known as Lenins Tomb, situated in Red Square in Moscow, is the mausoleum that serves as the final resting place... Lenin redirects here. ... Ṣ St. ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ...

On the eastern side of the square is the GUM department store, and next to it the restored Kazan Cathedral. The northern side is occupied by the State Historical Museum, whose outlines echo those of Kremlin towers. The Iberian Gate and Chapel have been rebuilt to the northwest. The GUM facade faces Red Square. ... Kazan Cathedral before its destruction in 1936 Kazan Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox church at the north east corner of Red Square in Moscow. ... State Historical Museum, as seen from Red Square The State Historical Museum of Russia is a museum of Russian history located at one end of Red Square in Moscow. ... The following is a list of towers of Moscow Kremlin: Kremlin towers in the 19th century. ... The gate and chapel in the late 19th century. ...

The only sculptured monument on the square is a bronze statue of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, who helped to clear Moscow from the Polish invaders in 1612, during the Times of Trouble. Nearby is the so-called Lobnoye Mesto, a circular platform where public ceremonies used to take place. The square itself is around 330 meters (1100 feet) long and 70 meters (230 feet) wide.[1] Pozharsky and Minin monument in front of Saint Basils Cathedral Monument to Minin and Pozharsky is a bronze statue on Red Square of Moscow right in front of Saint Basils Cathedral. ... Events January 20 - Mathias becomes Holy Roman Emperor. ... Minin appeals to the people of Nizhny Novgorod to raise a volunteer army against the Poles. ... Lobnoye Mesto in the 18th century. ...

See also

• Kremlin Wall
• Kremlin Wall Necropolis
• Kremlin towers
• Lubyanka Square
• Alexander Garden
• Saint Basil's Cathedral

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Kremlin towers. ... Kremlin Wall Necropolis The Kremlin Wall Necropolis (Некрополь у Кремлёвской стены in Russian) is a part of the Kremlin Wall, which surrounds the Moscow Kremlin and overlooks the Red Square. ... The following is a list of towers of Moscow Kremlin: Kremlin towers in the 19th century. ... Stalin ordered all the historic Lubyanka churches to be demolished in order to highlight the dominant position of the NKVD headquarters. ... Changing Honour Guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden. ... Ṣ St. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Red Square

• Satellite view of Red Square - at WikiMapia
• Red Square history
• Moscow-Life: A guide to Moscow's Red Square
• Visiting Red Square – Useful information for visitors to Red Square and the Kremlin

v • d • e World Heritage Sites in Russia

Central Sikhote-Alin · Curonian Spit (with Lithuania) · Ferapontov Monastery · Golden Mountains of Altai · Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye · Kazan Kremlin · Kizhi Pogost · Lake Baikal · Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent · Historic Monuments of Novgorod and Surroundings · Moscow Kremlin and Red Square · Ensemble of the Novodevichy Convent · Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments · Cultural and Historic Ensemble of the Solovetsky Islands · Struve Geodetic Arc (with nine other countries) · Architectural Ensemble of the Trinity Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad · Uvs Nuur Basin (with Mongolia) · Virgin Komi Forests · Volcanoes of Kamchatka · Western Caucasus · White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal · Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve · Historical Centre of the City of Yaroslavl Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... // WikiMapia is an online map and satellite imaging resource that combines Google Maps with a wiki system, allowing users to add information (in the form of a note) to any location on Earth. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... Sikhote-Alin is the home to Amur tigers, the largest felines in the world. ... Curonian Spit and Lagoon The Curonian Spit (Lithuanian: KurÅ¡ių Nerija, Russian: Куршская коса, German: Kurische Nehrung) is a 98 km long, thin, curved sand dune peninsula that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. ... Difficulty of access helped preserve the monastery intact since the 17th century The Ferapontov convent, in the Vologda region of Russia, is considered one of the purest examples of Russian medieval art, a reason given by UNESCO for its inscription in the World Heritage list. ... Belukha Mountain Lake Teletskoye Ukok Plateau Golden Mountains of Altai is the name of an UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of the Altai and Katun Natural Reserves, Lake Teletskoye, Belukha Mountain, and the Ukok Plateau. ... Kolomenskoye (Russian: ) is a former royal estate situated several miles to the south-east of Moscow downtown, on the ancient road leading to the town of Kolomna (hence the name). ... View of the Spasskaya (Savior) Tower in the early 20th century. ... Wooden miracle in Kizhi. ... Baikal redirects here. ... Derbent is built around a Sassanid fortress, the only one preserved in the world. ... For other cities named Novgorod, see Novgorod (disambiguation). ... The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is a historic fortified complex at the very heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basils Cathedral (often mistaken as the Kremlin) and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west). ... Novodevichy convent in summer Novodevichy Convent, also known as Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery (Новодевичий монастырь, Богородице-Смоленский монастырь in Russian) is probably the best-known cloister of Moscow. ... Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments is the name used by UNESCO when it collectively designated the historic core of the Russian city of St. ... The Solovetsky Islands (Russian: ), also known as Solovki, are a group of islands in the White Sea in the Onega Bay in the Arkhangelsk Oblast of Russia. ... Type Cultural Criteria ii, iv, vi Reference 1187 Region† Inscription History Inscription 2005  (29th Session) The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea, through ten countries and over 2,820 km. ... The Trinity Lavra of St. ... Uvs Nuur (Mongolian: ; Tuvan: , Ubsu-Nur, English Lake Uvs) is the largest lake in Mongolia, which, at 753 m above sea level, covers an area of 3,350 km². Its northeastern part is situated in the Tuva Republic of the Russian Federation. ... The Virgin Komi Forests is a natural UNESCO World Heritage site in the Northern Ural mountains of the Komi Republic, Russia. ... “Kamchatka” redirects here. ... The last wild wisent in the world was killed by poachers here in 1927. ... The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (1165). ... This article is about the Russian island. ... Yaroslavl (Russian: ) is a city in Russia, the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, located 250 km north-east of Moscow at . ...

Coordinates: 55°45′15″N, 37°37′12″E Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...