Location and Origin

In ancient times, the Constantine-Elenin Tower of the Kremlin, located at the modern Vasilievsky Spusk Square, served as a passage and was the starting point of the main street of the old Moscow Posad, the Great Street. In the 17th century, the tower lost its gates and became blind, while the Great Street gradually transformed into Mokrynskiy Lane, which disappeared in the mid-20th century along with the historical buildings of Zaryadye.

After the fire of 1493, the area adjacent to the Kremlin walls remained undeveloped for a long time. By the decree of Grand Duke Ivan III, so-called "fires" were created around the Kremlin, wastelands where construction was prohibited.

Development of these areas began only in the second half of the 17th century. On the site of the current Vasilievsky Spusk, an urban quarter emerged between Moskvoretskaya Street and the moat that ran along the Kremlin wall. On the side of the Moscow River, this quarter was bounded by the wall of Kitay-Gorod with the Spassky Water Gate, which was dismantled in the late 18th century. In the early 19th century, part of the buildings closer to the Kremlin was demolished, and in their place, Vasilievsky Square appeared, named after St. Basil's Cathedral. Later, a boulevard was established along the Kremlin wall of Vasilievsky Square.

Before the revolution, a market was periodically held here, where goods were sold from tents and stalls.

20th and 21st Centuries

In 1909, an electric tram began to operate on Vasilievsky Square.

In the second half of the 1930s, the entire quarter with Maslyany and Zhivorybny Lanes was demolished, and a large square was formed in its place, becoming part of Red Square.

In 1987, Mathias Rust landed here in his light aircraft "Cessna-172B Skyhawk," and this part of Red Square received the unofficial name "Sheremetyevo-3" for a long time.

In 1995, the section of Red Square from St. Basil's Cathedral to the Kremlin Embankment was officially named Vasilievsky Spusk.

Today, concerts, festive, and sports events are often held here.