Location and Origin

In the late 15th century, on the top of a hill, near the new brick walls of the Kremlin, built on the site of the crumbling white-stone ones, a square appeared. This happened due to the decree of Ivan III, who prohibited any construction within cannon shot (about 240 meters) from the walls.

The territory, previously occupied by the settlement, was quickly cleared of houses and wooden structures, allowing only trade. Over time, the square became known as Torg or the Great Torg.

The convenience of trade was determined by the location: to the south, the square was bounded by the confluence of the Moskva and Neglinnaya rivers. There were docks on the banks of the Moskva River, from where goods were delivered to Torg. In 1508, a moat was dug along the Kremlin wall, connecting the Moskva and Neglinnaya rivers. The moat served a defensive function and reached depths of up to 12.8 meters in some places. Thus, the Kremlin, like many fortresses of that time, was surrounded by water. Gradually, bridges were built to the Kremlin gates, and the moat was surrounded by stone crenellated walls.

The Kremlin walls changed over time, affecting the overall appearance of Red Square. In 1491, under the guidance of architect Pietro Antonio Solari, the Spasskaya Tower was built, whose gates became the main ones used for high-ranking officials to exit during celebrations.

In the 16th century, the square was named Trinity Square (after the name of the cathedral), built by the decree of Ivan the Terrible after the victory over the troops of the Crimean Khanate on the day of the Protection of the Holy Virgin. The cathedral is known as St. Basil's Cathedral.

Many foreigners visiting Moscow at that time referred to the square as "market" or "trading." During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, it was often called "big."

16th, 18th centuries.

The oldest structure in the square that still exists is the Lobnoye Mesto. It was intended for holding ceremonial events and is first mentioned in chronicles in 1547. From here, Ivan the Terrible addressed the people, calling for reconciliation among the warring boyars. Initially, the platform was made of brick, with a wooden lattice, a canopy, and a tent on pillars. In 1597-1598, it was rebuilt in stone.

After the great fire of 1571, the square began to be called the Fire, and the construction of wooden shops was prohibited. By 1598, two-story stone shops appeared instead, forming three blocks: Upper, Middle, and Lower trading rows.

During this period, the square began to be called Red, which meant "beautiful" (some historians believe that the name is related to the trade in fancy goods). This name became official after the decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and appeared in documents from 1661.

In the 1620s-1630s, the Kazan Cathedral was built near the Resurrection Gates on Nikolskaya Street in honor of the liberation of Moscow from the Poles. The two-span Resurrection Gates became the ceremonial entrance to Red Square. Nearby were the buildings of the Mint and the Main Pharmacy with a tower. Near the Nikolskaya Gates stood a wooden "Comedy Shrine," dismantled in 1722.

For the celebration of the Poltava victory in 1709, wooden Triumphal Gates were erected near the Kazan Cathedral, and in 1730, a new wooden theater was built according to the design of architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The square lost its purely trading significance.

In the 18th century, the square became the center of cultural life in Moscow. Here, at the Spassky Gates, book trade was conducted, and the first public library operated. By 1755, architect Dmitry Uhtomski had reconstructed the Main Pharmacy to house Moscow University. From 1786 to 1810, the stone shops were reconstructed, and the New Trading Rows were erected. The two-story arcade encompassed almost the entire perimeter of the square.

The mass reconstruction of Red Square also affected the Lobnoye Mesto. In 1786, it was moved eastward and rebuilt according to the design of Matvey Kazakov from rough hewn stone.

There is an opinion that the Lobnoye Mesto was used for public executions. However, "the place of execution" was considered sacred, so there are few facts of beheading here; executions usually took place at the Swamp. On July 11, 1682, the schismatic Nikita Pustosvyat was executed here; in 1698, participants of the Streltsy uprising. A wooden scaffold was erected near the stone platform for executions. Most often, the Lobnoye Mesto served as a platform from which the archbishop blessed the people with the cross during the procession. In documents, it was also called "Tsar's Place," the royal chair. In pre-Petrine times, important royal decrees were announced from here.

19th, 20th centuries.

In 1804, the square was paved with cobblestones.

The modern appearance of the square was formed over a long time under the influence of various events in the country.

In 1818, sculptor Ivan Martos presented the project of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, leaders of the people's militia during the Polish invasion in 1612. The monument was installed in the center of the square, where it remained until 1936. According to the sculptor's design, Minin pointed to the Kremlin occupied by enemy troops. However, the opening of the Mausoleum disrupted the architectural composition, creating the impression that the hero was pointing at the Mausoleum. Moreover, the monument interfered with the holding of demonstrations, so it was moved closer to St. Basil's Cathedral.

To the north of Red Square is the State Historical Museum, founded by the decree of Emperor Alexander II on February 21, 1872. The museum building is now considered a particularly valuable cultural heritage site of the country. Its 29 halls present Russian history from ancient times to the early 20th century.

At the Kremlin wall is a memorial cemetery, a necropolis where the remains of Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Maxim Gorky, Clara Zetkin, Yuri Gagarin, and other outstanding figures are buried.

In January 1924, the Mausoleum appeared in the square, built according to the design of architect Shchusev in the form of a stepped pyramid, symbolizing eternity. All work on its construction was completed within two months. The first building of the Mausoleum was wooden; in 1930, it was replaced with a stone one.

In 1924, Vasilievskaya Square was included in Red Square, known since 1995 as Vasilievsky Spusk.

In 1918, Red Square again changed its significance, becoming a place for parades and demonstrations of workers.

From here, on November 7, 1941, Soviet soldiers left for the front.

On June 24, 1945, the first Victory Parade took place on Red Square, marking the beginning of a tradition. Every year on May 9, the day of the signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany, a parade takes place on Red Square, reminding of the great victory and the heroes who brought it.

In 1990, the complex of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, meaning that no significant changes to the appearance of these historical sites should occur.