Moscow

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Red Square (Krasnaia Ploshchad')

More Photos
tretjak
tretjak
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
7
Reviews
19
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 7

Historic Central Moscow

  • October 18, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by McGrits from Fort Worth, Texas
Historic Central Moscow

Get yourself an English-speaking tour guide - it's well worth it.  Very few sights have English signs, and as a foreigner, you'll wait unnecessarily in line much longer than if you have a local guide to expedite the process.

Red Square looks just like the movies.  You can almost imagine the tanks rolling through and Stalin saluting from atop Lenin's tomb.  Ask your guide about the private plane that landed here near St Basil's.

The Kremlin is an area that has very old cathedrals and is home to The Armory, which is a museum showcasing everything from the Faberge Eggs to Catherine the Great's ball gowns. 

If you have time, take a ride on the subway.  The escalators are huge and the stops are museums in themselves, with paintings, carvings, crystal chandeliers, and gold everywhere.

You can see everything you want to see in 4 hours, and it's all within walking distance.  Highlights include the Red Square, The Armory, St. Basil's, Cathedral of the Assumption, the Diamond Museum, the changing of the guard, Lenin's tomb, and the subway.

From journal Historic Moscow

Editor Pick

Red Square -- Thoughts and Ideas

  • May 4, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by lindabanks from Miami, Florida
Rarely has there been a place that has seen so many political changes: the Red Square was there when the country was beginning to unite under the rule of the prince of Moscow, when Ivan the Terrible instituted his ‘oprichnina’. Its buildings still stood when Russia became an Empire and Moscow lost the status of the capital to St. Petersburg, and when the monarchy fell and when Russia plunged under the rule of the communists and Moscow regained its status. It was also there when the peaceful (relatively) revolution took care of the Soviet Union and Russia began to transform once again. It has seen loads of historical changes, but its main attractions remain the same.

There are still the red-brick walls of the Kremlin, the Lenin mausoleum (now closed to the public, though), the History Museum that has been closed for more than 20 years, the GUM – this shopping paradise of Moscow where you can find stuff by every designer whose items have graced the front pages, and so on. I would not advice you to go shopping there, though, as prices can be twice as high as in the European capitals or in New York., but that is part of Moscow as I know it, too.

The inimitable highlight, though, is the St. Basil’s Cathedral, built during the rule of Ivan the Terrible – it has long been a symbol of Moscow. And many original monuments, destroyed during the communist rule, where rebuilt and restored to their original glory. Beware of one thing, though. The Red Square can be closed and you will not be able to actually walk across it. It happened during my last trip to Moscow in November, 2004.

From journal Walking Around the Red Square

Editor Pick

Red Square

  • March 29, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by NNegrete98 from Lubbock, Texas
Red Square

What person could ever forget the first time they stood on this piece of historical ground? Many people still associate Red Square with the vision of Soviet troops marching through displaying its power and might, as the current leader would watch from above.

Red Square is filled with all sorts of historical images and symbols. St. Basils Cathedral sits on the southern end of the square. It is by far the most recognized building associated with Russia today. Its colorful onion domes and brilliant detail make it a wondrous site for anybody. If at I possible I advise viewing the interior, as it is just as beautiful inside as its exterior. Also located on Red Square are Lenin's Mausoleum, Gum Department Store, A History Museum and even a Pizza Hut! A trip to Moscow could never be complete without stepping foot on Red Square.

From journal The Mysterious Land of Russia: Moscow

Editor Pick

Red Square

  • October 17, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by janson25 from New Windsor, New York
Red Square

In Red Square you will want to see Lenin's tomb, St Basil's Church, and there is another beautiful church in the back right corner (I will provide a photo). For a quick tid bit, Lenin's body is in the tomb and I just missed the viewing hours for it. I got there at around 5:00 pm, so make sure you are there well before that to be able to view his body. Make sure to take your time with these sights and really "soak" in the history. If you have time, stop and chat with the vendors, you may get a great souvenir. I bought this beautiful water color painting, so keep your eyes peeled. There is a beautiful indoor mall to the left of St Basil's church, you may want to poke your head in there she the "Russian feel" for a mall. The architecture is wonderful. As always bring cameras and videos. There are so many wonderful sights and sounds that you may want to capture..

From journal Majestic Moscow

Editor Pick

Red Square

  • August 9, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by kiwigal from Nagano, New Zealand
Red Square

Known in Russian as `Krasnaya Ploschad` (which means red beautiful, supposedly referring to St Basils), Red Square is a major Russian icon. The Square was built in the 19th Century. I was awestruck standing in the middle of the square looking around me at the interesting buildings and imagining the history that had been written here.

At the North end of the Square is the State History Museum which I didn't have the opportunity to see.
At the opposite end is St Basil's Cathedral. St Basil`s is a very interesting example of Russian Orthodox church architecture. It is located at the Southern end of Red Square and was built between 1555 and 1561.
G.U.M. which stands for The Gosudarstevemy Universahy Magazin is located on the North Eastern side of Red Square. It was built in the 19th Century. During the soviet rule in Russia, this store was only for the aristocrats of society. Now anyone can shop here but the goods don`t come cheap! All the major European designers have stores here.
Last but not least is the Kremlin (and Lenin's Tomb in front) on the South Western side. The Kremlin was originally built in the 1950's but has been rebuilt and renovated many times since then. I unfortunately was only able to admire this building from afar as I didn't have the time or money to take a tour inside.

From journal One week in Moscow

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-5 of 7

Compare Moscow Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Moscow Links

Moscow Travel Deals